Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars (egg free, no added sugar)
These soft and cozy pumpkin oatmeal bars are the perfect fall snack or breakfast for toddlers and parents too! They’re egg-free and naturally sweetened (no added sugar needed). With hearty oats, warm spices, and nourishing add-ins like hemp hearts and chia, they’re a one-bowl recipe that’s as easy as it is wholesome.
Equipment
- 9x9 or 8x8-inch baking pan
- spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 cup unsweetened milk of choice almond, oat, soy, or dairy
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup hemp hearts optional but recommended
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds optional, helps bind and adds omega-3s
- ¼ cup maple syrup, honey, mashed ripe banana, or applesauce *optional for sweetness
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 9x9 or 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal. Or spray with nonstick avocado/olive oil spray!
- In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin purée, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add oats, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, hemp hearts, and chia seeds. Stir until fully combined and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Pour mixture into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25–35 minutes (mine cooked for about 30 minutes), or until edges are golden and center feels set.
- Cool completely before slicing to help the bars firm up. Cut into 9–12 squares and enjoy!
Notes
Scroll up to see substitution options. Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients used. I calculated based on me using whole milk since we're not dairy-free.
*optional for sweetness - ¼ cup of maple syrup, honey, ripe mashed banana or applesauce. You can even add a handful of mini chocolate chips or raisins for added flavor and texture! If your little one prefers a smoother bar, then pulse the oats some in a blender before mixing.
If you make this recipe, don’t forget to TAG ME in your creations on social media @toddlerdietitiantiff and leave a review! It would mean the world to me! Let me know if you'd like to see more allergy-friendly recipes - that don't need substitutions.
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