Easy to make gluten-free keto pumpkin bars with chocolate chips that have no sugar added. They're so good, even the kids love them!
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As I was looking to use up some canned puree leftover after making pumpkin truffles and these pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, I stumbled upon a recipe for chocolate chip squares.
Although I was searching for a pumpkin cake recipe, the bar recipe caught my eye, so I decided to try and make a low carb version.
The recipe was on the Martha Stewart site. I’ve actually been a fan of Martha’s for a long time and was fortunate to get tickets to see her live in NYC back in 2005 during the first week of filming her new show!
How to make pumpkin bars low carb
It wasn’t very difficult to adapt the original recipe to one that's keto-friendly. In fact, it wasn't difficult to adapt the recipe to make low-carb gluten-free pumpkin bars with chocolate chips.
All I did was replace the wheat flour with a combination of almond and coconut flour. I also used a sugar-free sweetener in place of the sugar and low-carb chocolate chips.
Everything else about the recipe pretty much stayed the same.
The results on the first batch came out so well that I didn't bother testing with a different flour ratio. I could have made other changes to use all coconut flour or even tried using just almond flour without any other changes.
I do prefer all coconut flour, and I may try to tweak the recipe again for that. In order to make it work, I'd have to use less flour and add in a bit more egg and liquid. Usually, a few tests are required to convert to a recipe using only coconut flour.
Low-carb ingredients for pumpkin bars
If you want to cut back carbs further, the chocolate chips in these gluten-free pumpkin bars can be omitted. However, I find the combination of pumpkin and chocolate tastes much better.
The ingredients needed to make the recipe are:
- Butter: adds fat and flavor.
- Low-carb sweetener: a monk fruit and erythritol granular is used, but any one-for-one sugar substitute can be used.
- Eggs: help to rise the batter when baking.
- Vanilla extract: adds a touch of sweetness and enhances the flavor.
- Pumpkin puree: use fresh cooked mashed pumpkin or canned.
- Low carb flours: a combination of almond flour and coconut flour provides the best texture.
- Baking soda: used to rise the batter when baking.
- Salt: enhances the flavor
- Spice blend: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and ground cloves perfectly complement the pumpkin flavor.
- Xanthan gum: helps prevent crumbling when using gluten-free flours.
- Low-carb chocolate chips: make them taste even better!
How to make gluten free pumpkin bars
The batter whips up in just a few simple steps:
- Cream together butter and sweetener.
- Beat in eggs and vanilla.
- Mix in pumpkin puree.
- Stir in remaining ingredients with the exception of a handful of chocolate chips.
The batter is then spread into a 9x13-inch pan, and the reserved chips are sprinkled on top. Then it's baked for 30-35 minutes.
When done, the top of the bars will be a nice golden brown. Once cooled slightly, cut the bars into squares and enjoy!
FAQs
Before I share this sweet keto pumpkin bars recipe with you all, here are a few questions I wanted to answer beforehand.
The original recipe calls for two cups of regular wheat flour. From my experience in low carb baking, the best flour replacement is a combination of both almond and coconut flour. The ideal ratio is 3-4 parts almond flour to one part coconut flour.
When I first tested my recipe, I tried using 1.5 cups of almond flour and 0.5 cups of coconut flour to replace the all-purpose flour. I also added a little xanthan gum to reduce crumbling that can occur without gluten.
It turned out perfectly! Don't forget to use xanthan gum - it really does reduce the crumbling and hold everything together.
For convenience, I used Lily's stevia sweetened chocolate baking chips. Although you can use the whole 9-ounce bag, it adds a lot of unnecessary carbs.
I did a quick measure and the amount in the bag was about 1 ¾ cups of chocolate chips. I recommend using only a half bag of Lily's chocolate chips to cut back on carbs and cost. Therefore the recipe calls for 4½ ounces of chocolate chips.
To save even more money, you can make your own sugar free low carb chocolate chips. I use my own homemade chocolate recipe and pour it into a baking pan to cool. Then, I just cut the big hunk of chocolate into bits.
Recipe variations
This recipe makes a dozen large pumpkin-flavored keto chocolate chip bars. If making for a large group or to cut down on calories, they could be cut into smaller squares. Very dense and moist, these delicious pumpkin bars are hard to resist.
If you leave out the chocolate chips, a chocolate ganache could be drizzled on top instead. I've got a great recipe for ganache in my low carb peanut butter cheesecake recipe.
You can even leave the chocolate out altogether and drizzle with a simple mix of cream cheese, cream, and powdered sweetener. Or, try frosting them with the same cream cheese icing I used in my other low carb pumpkin bars.
We hope you enjoy these delicious and easy-to-make pumpkin cookie bars with chocolate chips. Here's the printable recipe card with all the steps.
Other Popular Pumpkin Recipes
If you are looking for more low-carb pumpkin recipes, give one of these favorites a try.
- Easy Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake - This creamy keto cheesecake is both filling and sweet and has a low-carb crust.
- Keto Pumpkin Pancakes - Start your day with these high-protein pancakes. They have the warm flavors of pumpkin and the texture you love.
- Coconut Flour Pumpkin Bread - This pumpkin bread is high in healthy fats and really good for your heart health too!
- Keto Pumpkin Spice Latte - Indulge in a PSL without all the carbs. This tastes just like the real thing.
- Dairy-Free Pumpkin Cookies - These cookies have no dairy, no eggs, and very few carbs - but tons of sweet flavor!
- Pumpkin Chia Pudding - Make a fall dessert quick and easy by just stirring and refrigerating!
Follow us on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and INSTAGRAM for even more tasty keto-friendly recipes!
Recipe
Keto Pumpkin Bars with Chocolate Chips
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup low carb sugar substitute divided (add more to taste)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 ½ cups almond flour
- ½ cup coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt can be omitted if using salted butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum optional - to reduce crumbling
- 4½ ounces sugar free chocolate chips about ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Grease or line 9x13 baking pan.
- In large mixing bowl, cream the butter and half the sweetener together. Then beat in egg and vanilla. Add the pumpkin and mix well.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until well combined. Fold in all but ¼ cup of the chocolate chips.
- Spread batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle reserved chips on top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool on rack before cutting.
Notes
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
First Published: November 2014... Last Updated: September 18, 2023, with additional recipe information.
Carol
This is a great recipe. I'm making it for the 2nd time in 2 weeks. I used a whole can of pumpkin and 3 T of ceylon cinnamon and baked for 40 minutes. It's a huge hit with my family!! Thank you for the recipe.
Christina
These were delicious. I made them to take to potluck lunch at church and was a little nervous they might not turn out well, but I should have known better. Any of your recipes I have made are great. Thank you for developing great keto/low carb recipes that I can always count on.
Lisa MarcAurele
Yay! I'm so glad the pumpkin bars worked out for you.
BETSY GAGNE
Soo yummy!!!!
Cathy
Thank you so much for this lovely recipe. I have made it twice now and both times I have opted to use just a 1/2 cup of the sweetener. Everyone loves it especially when I put a dab of whipped cream on top of it before serving.
Kmac
Made with 1/2 c sweetner ( by mistake) plenty sweet. Turned out moist and cut easily.
Was wondering if you have frozen these?
Angela
I’m gluten free, but I’m also allergic to coconut. Is there another flour I can replace that with?
Lisa MarcAurele
You can use all almond flour, but I'd recommend using the xanthan gum to prevent crumbling.
Christine
These were not good. I made exactly as written and they came out so overly dry. Smelled great in the oven but when I took them out they were so dry (not over baked) just a terrible consistency. Tried adding whipped cream but still not good.
Lisa MarcAurele
Coconut flour can vary in absorbency so that is likely the issue. I find it's best to add half the amount called for in a recipe then slowly add more until the batter consistency feels right. If you add too much, you can add another egg and or liquid.
Carolyn
Followed recipe. Only change was adding that 1/2 c of stevia back into the recipe. Will make again. Need to make with unsalted butter or don't add salt to the batter.
Lisa MarcAurele
Thanks for that tip! I'll note in recipe card.
Robyn
Another keeper. Made these just like the recipe. Fantastic!
Char
I just made these last night and they're amazing! I love pumpkin season!! The incredible flavor from the individual spices really makes a difference. I used a similar non-keto gluten-free recipe for my husband and son which called for only coconut flour and used pumpkin pie spice and yours was by far the favorite of all three of us! I better hide my bars though or they will be gone before I get another piece! I highly recommend and will definitely be making them again!
nancy
how big a can of pumpkin? big or small. if fresh how much please
Lisa MarcAurele
I use 1 cup of puree from a 15 oz. can of pumpkin.
Bonnie Loeh
This recipe sounds yummy and easy too! Has anyone tried freezing them?
Thanks.
Lisa MarcAurele
I haven't tried freezing them, but similar recipes freeze well.
Pamela Dipman
I have a question, I don't have allspice or nutmeg, can I use pumpkin pie spice instead and if so how much? Thank you
Lisa MarcAurele
Yes. You can use pumpkin pie spice which is usually a blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice. So go ahead and use an equal amount for those. Personally, I like to add a little more cinnamon.
Ericka Jennings
Did you use powdered sweetener in this recipe? When I watched the video it looks like you used granular with the butter and then powdered after the spices. Is that correct? Or will all granular sweetener do?
Thanks,
Lisa MarcAurele
I just divided the sweetener. A granular is fine to use in this recipe.
Heidi
Perfect bars! I love that this recipe makes so much. Doubling doesn't always work out. Thanks for all your foolproof recipes! Low carb ingredients are expensive and its nice to trust a source 🙂
Stephanie
Do you have a recommendation or recipe for pumpkin puree? I have a fresh Pumpkin and am hoping I can turn that into puree if possible!
Lisa MarcAurele
I like to use either the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker as described at https://www.bobbiskozykitchen.com/2015/10/slow-cooker-pumpkin-puree.html but you can also roast in the oven as shown at https://ketodietapp.com/Blog/lchf/Home-made-Pumpkin-Puree
Malorie Edie
Can you use krisda choco chips?
Lisa MarcAurele
I'm not familiar with those chocolate chips, but they should work if they are fine for baking.
Z
Hi,is there a different flour I can use in place of almond flour. I'm allergic to nuts. It's fine if not I was just wondering.
Lisa MarcAurele
There's sesame seed flour and sunflower seed flour. Both can replace almond flour one for one.
Susie
I cooked at 350 for 30 minutes and it cooked all the way but it turned out more of a darker brown than yours, not burnt. But I find that this happens to me when I bake with almond flour. Any suggestions? Do you think if I bake at a lower temp for longer that would help?
Lisa MarcAurele
It could just be a variation in ovens. I'd try lowering the temp and cooking longer.
Robin Abernethy
As I read through the comments, it looks like the sweetner linked may have changed a few times. I see Pyure mentioned (original link?), then Swerve, and now it links to monkfruit sweetner. I had Pyure and cut it to 1/2 cup total, since it's supposed to be 2 x as sweet as other sweetners. I also cut it into 32 mini bars for Thanksgiving. Going to count it as 2 net carbs.
Lisa MarcAurele
Any sweetener can be used. I've gone through several sweeteners over the years. Originally I used Pyure (which I still love), then I tried Swerve (which I don't really care for due to a weird taste), finally monk fruit has won me over. But you can use whatever sweetener you prefer in most of my recipes, including this one.
Julie White
Ahhhhhh!!!!! Just put them in the oven, glanced over at the bag of almond flour to my horror it was psyllium husk powder. Oh well, just going to wait and see.
Judy
These are fantastic!! It's been forever since I've had something rich and cakey, and these will do beautifully! I used unsweetened carob chips because that's what I had, and a combination of inulin and Stevia. Thank you for the recipe!!
Alyssa
Do you have suggestions for a nondairy replacement for the butter? Thanks!
Lisa
I like to use butter flavored coconut oil.
Pam
I really want to try out this recipe but anytime I bake using Swerve, the baked product has a granular sugar gritty feel. Its like the sugar does not dissolve. Have you had this issue in your baking? Do you have any recommendations on how to correct it?
Lisa
I only have that issue if there's too much sweetener added. And I didn't have that issue with these bars. You can always lessen the amount of granular sweetener and replace with a concentrated sweetener. Any grittiness is due to erythritol.
AJ
Is the swerve the confection or granular? The link brings you to the bundle.
Lisa
You can use either. I used the regular Swerve.
Suzanne Van Englehoven
I made these last night and am pretty pleased, yet want to ask opinion to tweak just a bit. I feel like they are pretty light in pumpkin flavor. Can you help me think of ways to boost the pumpkin flavor? Then, I had Sweet Lead Stevia powder in the house so used that (vs the specified brand in recipe). Wondering if the 'sweetness' quotient is bumping off the pumpkin flavor?? I used 2 eggs and they are very moist so that is great. I like the texture. It is just the pumpkin and sweet that are a bit off. I'd appreciate any recommendations. I think it is a good recipe. (It would be fun to bring to Thanksgiving for my non-low carb clan if I can tweak just a bit.)
Lisa
You could try adding more pumpkin and sweetener.
kate
To boost pumpkin flavour heat in a small pan with spices until it becomes fragrant- I do this whenever I make pumpkin pie and it makes a big difference.
Lisa MarcAurele
Thanks for the tip!
Shannon Hames
Does the amount of sweetener change the texture at all?
Lisa MarcAurele
I've been able to cut the sweetener in half without much noticeable difference in texture.
Jaasy
Hi there my niece has a nut allergy, is it possible to use more coconut flour in place of almond?
Lisa
You'd need to make other changes to do that. However, you could replace the almond flour with finely ground sunflower seeds and the amount would be the same.
Mickie Gibbs
Will any stevia work in place of the Pyure?
Lisa
You can use any sweetener. Just keep in mind that Pyure is twice as sweet as sugar so you'll have to convert accordingly (use twice as much of a one-for-one sugar replacement).
Cassandra
Just made these - they turned out really crumbly and poofy - is this normal? I'm not really sure if they're fully cooked, so I might have underbaked them - the edges were firm and starting to char a little. Any opinions on it would be nice! I'm hoping it firms up a bit when it's fully cooled.
Lisa
If they came out crumbly, you may have needed another egg and maybe some xanthan gum. They should firm up once cooled. Like most low carb baked goods, they are much better the next day after being in the refrigerator the next day.
Shelley
I'm quite surprised that this recipe has 37.5 carbs per bar! How is the a low-carb recipe?? I've reviewed the ingredients and I'm not seeing where the carb count is coming from?
Lisa
There seems to have been a mistake in the calculation from the software I was using and also noticed a significant amount of carbs from the chocolate chips. I recalculated and got only 8g net carbs per blondie after correcting the mistake along with using only half bag of chocolate chips. The original recipe had way more chips than is needed. I updated the nutrition information in the recipe to reflect the changes. Thanks for catching the mistake!
Philis Hileman
REALLY enjoyed this recipe. I can not even have chocolate and it was still so so good. Thank you.
Lisa
Without the chocolate carbs are lower so I'll have to try it that way. Thanks for letting us know!