No-Bake Pumpkin Protein Bars

Soft pumpkin bars with cozy fall spices, a dark chocolate drizzle, and a sprinkle of sea salt. An easy snack to prep ahead and keep in the fridge!

Makes: 10 bars
Prep time: 15 minutes
Chill time: 2 hours

Ingredients

For the bars:

• ½ cup pumpkin purée—not pumpkin pie filling

• ½ cup creamy almond butter

• ¼ cup pure maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1½ cups oat flour, certified gluten-free if needed

• ½ cup vanilla protein powder

• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the topping:

• ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips

• 1 teaspoon coconut oil, optional

• Flaky sea salt

Instructions

1. Line an 8 × 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, stir together the pumpkin, almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth.

3. Add the oat flour, protein powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Mix until a thick, soft dough forms.

4. Check the consistency: if sticky, add oat flour 1 tablespoon at a time. If dry or crumbly, add milk of choice 1 teaspoon at a time. The dough should hold together when pressed.

5. Press firmly and evenly into the lined dish.

6. Melt the chocolate with the coconut oil in 20-second microwave intervals, stirring between each. Drizzle over the bars and sprinkle with flaky salt.

7. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm. Slice into 10 bars.