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Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Bars

Yes it’s a pumpkin recipe…but it’s great year-round. Try these baked oatmeal bars for an easy grab-and-go breakfast this week!

Hi friends. This is one of those recipes that I have memorized because I make it so frequently! It’s plain and basic in the best way. You know those non-fussy recipes you just always go back to? This is one of those. It’s easy to make, and my toddler loves them. That’s all I need for a recipe to be a keeper! 

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Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Bars | mamaknowsnutrition.com

I’ve adapted this recipe over the years to land on our favorite version. I only use 1/4 cup of brown sugar, but feel free to bump that up to 1/2 cup if you’re serving this to guests or prefer a sweeter bar.

We eat these so frequently in our house! They are easy to grab for breakfast or a snack. Sometimes I even put one in my son’s lunchbox to mix things up.

Even though there’s pumpkin in this recipe, it really is good year-round. You don’t have to limit yourself to the Fall pumpkin season! It’s not overly pumpkin tasting. I like the pumpkin here though because it keeps the bars tender, and adds vitamins. My son is not a fan of squash or sweet potatoes, so this is a good way for me to get him some beta-carotene (vitamin A). And they are nut-free, gluten-free (if you use GF oats), and can be dairy-free if you use non-dairy milk, and coconut oil in place of butter.

The texture of these bars is kind of similar to a muffin. They are doughy, and hold together well. Some baked oatmeal recipes are kinda gooey and you need to use a spoon. These bars are not like that. They are more bread-like. I love them as a lower-sugar alternative to a muffin or a sweet bread!

Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Bars | mamaknowsnutrition.com

Store the bars in the fridge for 4-5 days, or store them in the freezer to keep them longer. We usually eat them within a couple days, though!

Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Bars | mamaknowsnutrition.com

Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Bars

Kacie Barnes, MCN, RDN, LD
A nut-free, gluten-free, pumpkin-packed breakfast or snack, these baked oatmeal bars are a staple in our house. Dairy-free if you use non-dairy milk and substitute oil for the butter. Kid and toddler approved!
4.80 from 10 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine Breakfast
Servings 24 servings
Calories 130 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups quick oats Use gluten-free oats if necessary
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar Use up to 1/2 cup for a sweeter treat
  • 1 cup milk I prefer canned coconut milk
  • 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tbsp melted butter or coconut oil
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp table salt
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar, for topping

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease 9x13 baking dish or line with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl add dry ingredients, then wet. Mix well. 
  • Spread into baking dish. The mixture will be fairly thick and you will need to spread it out evenly in the dish with a spatula.
  • Sprinkle a bit of additional cinnamon and brown sugar on top. I use maybe about a tbsp of brown sugar, and a few shakes of cinnamon. This helps add a sweet taste since the recipe does not use much sugar.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes. Let cool before cutting into squares.

Notes

I typically use canned coconut milk in this recipe, but I've also tried it with 2% milk and almond milk, and it's still very good. Use whatever milk you feel like!
This recipe yields 12 servings. Nutrition information calculated using coconut milk and unsalted butter. Recipe contains 2.9g added sugar per serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 4gFat: 4.5gFiber: 2.5gSugar: 3.8g
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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11 Comments

Joan · March 12, 2023 at 2:33 pm

I’m excited to try this! Wondering how to consider your nutrition info. The recipe’s default serving is for 24 servings (3 cups of oats, and so on), which I know I can adjust. But no matter what, the nutrition info at the bottom says “this recipe yields 12 servings.”
Thinking in terms of total calories, and calories per portion of 12, sounds like I should do the half version (12 servings, 1 1/2 cups of oats) in order for the 12 servings to each have the calories you post at the end, correct? Otherwise, 12 servings of a recipe that involves with 3 cups of oats and etc., would actually have twice the amount of calories as your nutrition info at the end of the recipe (bigger, thicker servings).

Elizabeth Mix · September 26, 2022 at 8:41 pm

Would these bars freeze/de-thaw easily? Wanted to make a batch ahead for healthy snacks after school?

    Mama Knows Nutrition · September 27, 2022 at 9:30 pm

    Yes! These freeze and thaw perfectly!

Terah · September 19, 2022 at 6:02 pm

Can these be made without egg for allergy purposes? Would you use traditional subs like applesauce instead?

Georgie · September 11, 2022 at 4:40 pm

Made these today and my girls kept asking for more. Added some chocolate chips because… yum!

Sara W · November 17, 2021 at 3:18 pm

Can regular rolled oats be used instead of quick cooking? Would the cooking time need to be increased?

    Mama Knows Nutrition · December 6, 2021 at 12:56 pm

    Hey! Yes! I would just check them at the stated cooking time, but they may need a little more. I would also give them a quick pulse for texture purposes.

Callan · March 12, 2020 at 8:29 am

Hi!! Can you freeze these?

Jess · December 15, 2017 at 9:54 pm

I made these a few days ago and we really like them! Easy to grab to eat during an early morning baby feeding before I get a chance to fix breakfast.. I wake up starving in the morning!
Jess

    Mama Knows Nutrition · December 16, 2017 at 4:23 am

    Yay I’m so glad you like them! Haha yes I know exactly what you mean…sometimes I wake up really angry but realize I’m just super hungry haha it’s the breastfeeding hunger!

      Brittany · April 24, 2022 at 12:46 pm

      Could I add hemp hearts to this recipe some how?

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Kacie Barnes holding an apple
Hi, I’m Kacie!

I’m a mom of two and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. I offer e-guides and e-books (go to my Shop page), workshops, brand partnerships, and nutrition counseling. Check out my blog for nutrition and feeding tips for your little ones.

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