Pumpkin Spice Protein Bars (Gluten Free & Healthy)
Introduction
When you want a snack that tastes like fall but fuels your day, these Pumpkin Spice Protein Bars (Gluten Free & Healthy) are a must-try. Packed with warm spices and real pumpkin, each bar delivers a satisfying chew while offering a wholesome energy boost. Ideal for meal prep, lunchboxes, or a pre-workout snack, these bars bring all the cozy flavors of pumpkin spice without the sugar crash.
Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Spice Protein Bars
These bars combine the inviting flavor of pumpkin pie with nourishing ingredients you can feel good about. By using gluten-free rolled oats, natural nut butter, and protein powder, you get sustained energy, satisfying fiber, and a long-lasting fullness. Plus, they’re easy to grab on busy mornings or enjoy as a quick afternoon pick-me-up.
Crafting the Perfect Pumpkin Spice Blend
The magic of these bars lies in the homemade pumpkin spice blend—a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves infuses every bite. Using pure pumpkin puree keeps the bars moist and tender, while vanilla protein powder adds a touch of sweetness and ensures a healthy protein content. This thoughtful combination makes each bar both delicious and functional.
How to Assemble Your Pumpkin Spice Protein Bars
No baking required! Simply combine dry and wet ingredients, spread the mixture in a lined pan, and chill. For extra texture, add a handful of mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or pumpkin seeds on top before chilling. Once set, slice into bars for a grab-and-go solution that tastes just like the autumn treats you love—only healthier.
Serving Suggestions
These protein bars are wonderful as a midday snack, a lunchbox treat, or a dessert substitute. Pair them with Greek yogurt for a balanced breakfast, or crumble one over your morning smoothie bowl. Their subtle sweetness and tender bite make them enjoyable any time of day.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe makes about 10 bars. Each bar provides roughly 130-150 calories (depending on your protein powder and add-ins), with about 8g protein, 4g fiber, and less than 7g sugar. Gluten-free and refined sugar free, they’re a smart choice for nearly any dietary need.
Pumpkin Spice Protein Bars Recap
If you love pumpkin and crave wholesome snacks, these bars are a win-win. They deliver seasonal flavor, lasting energy, and a gluten-free boost—perfect for fueling everything from office hours to outdoor adventures.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and stress-free meal prep.
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the rolled oats, protein powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, nut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients. Stir until well mixed. If desired, fold in chocolate chips, pecans, or pumpkin seeds.
- Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle extra toppings if desired and gently press them in.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until set.
- Lift out of the pan and slice into 10 bars. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week (or freeze for longer storage).
Weekly Meal Planning
These Pumpkin Spice Protein Bars are tailor-made for meal prep—they keep well, travel easily, and can be enjoyed any time. Save and schedule this recipe to generate a smart shopping list and organize your weekly meal plan.
Planning Benefits:
- Automatically sums ingredients for multiple recipes—never buy too much or too little.
- Sorts your shopping list by store section for efficient grocery runs.
- Helps reduces food waste by showing overlapping ingredients across all your planned meals.
- Simplifies meal prepping for the whole week or specific days.
Pro tip: Planning to prep both these bars and another pumpkin recipe? Schedule them together—CookifyAI will calculate the total amount of pumpkin puree needed, so you don’t have to guess.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Enjoy your healthy fall-inspired snack—planned, shopped, and prepped with ease!