Healthy Banana Pumpkin Swirl Bars [gluten-free + high protein]

These healthy banana pumpkin swirl bars are soft, protein-packed, gluten-free, and made with banana, pumpkin, oat flour, and a delicious apple butter swirl.

These banana pumpkin swirl bars combine two classic fall flavors into one soft, delicious, protein-packed treat. Made with ripe bananas, pumpkin purée, gluten-free oat flour, vanilla whey protein, and banana bread-flavored protein oatmeal, they’re an easy snack or breakfast option with plenty of cozy cinnamon and pumpkin spice flavor.

The best part is the pumpkin apple butter swirl. A simple combination of pumpkin purée and apple butter gets dolloped over the batter and swirled in before baking, creating a beautiful marbled finish in every bite.

Why You’ll Love These Banana Pumpkin Bars

• Easy to make in a blender
• Packed with banana and pumpkin flavor
• Made with protein-rich ingredients
• Gluten-free
• Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or meal prep
• Full of cozy cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg
• Finished with a delicious pumpkin apple butter swirl
• Soft, tender, and satisfying

For The Banana Pumpkin Bars

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup pumpkin purée
• 1/2 cup liquid egg whites
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Scant 3/4 cup gluten-free oat flour
• 1 packet Magic Spoon Banana Bread Oatmeal
• 1/2 cup vanilla whey protein
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tablespoon baking powder

For The Pumpkin Apple Butter Swirl

• 2 tablespoons apple butter
• 1 heaping tablespoon pumpkin purée

How To Make Banana Pumpkin Swirl Bars

Step 1: Prepare The Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Line a 7×11-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Leave a little parchment hanging over the sides to make the finished bars easier to remove.

Step 2: Blend The Batter

Add the ripe bananas, pumpkin purée, liquid egg whites, almond milk, vanilla extract, oat flour, Magic Spoon Banana Bread Oatmeal, vanilla whey protein, cinnamon, salt, ginger, nutmeg, and baking powder to a blender.

Blend until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Make The Pumpkin Apple Butter Swirl

In a small bowl, mix together the apple butter and pumpkin purée until smooth.

Step 4: Add The Swirl

Pour the banana pumpkin batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.

Drop spoonfuls of the pumpkin apple butter mixture over the top of the batter.

Use a knife to gently swirl the mixture into the batter, creating a marbled pumpkin swirl throughout the top.

Be careful not to over-swirl. A few gentle passes with a knife will give you the prettiest result.

Step 5: Bake The Bars

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Let the bars cool before slicing.

Tips For Making Banana Pumpkin Bars

• Use Ripe Bananas: For the best flavor and natural sweetness, use bananas that are very ripe and have plenty of brown spots. They’ll give the bars a stronger banana flavor and softer texture.
• Let The Bars Cool: The bars will be soft when they first come out of the oven. Let them cool completely before slicing so they have time to set.
• Don’t Over-Swirl: For a pretty marbled effect, add small dollops of the pumpkin apple butter mixture across the top and gently run a knife through them a few times. Too much swirling will blend the mixture into the batter instead of creating distinct swirls.
• Use Gluten-Free Ingredients: This recipe uses gluten-free oat flour. If you need the recipe to be strictly gluten-free, check the labels of all ingredients to ensure they’re certified gluten-free.

How To Store Banana Pumpkin Swirl Bars

Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to several days.

These bars are also great for meal prep. Slice them individually and store them in the refrigerator so you have an easy breakfast or snack ready to grab throughout the week.

Can You Freeze Banana Pumpkin Bars?

Yes! These banana pumpkin bars can be frozen.

Allow the bars to cool completely, then slice them individually. Place the bars in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze.

When you’re ready to eat them, thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Can You Use A Different Protein Powder?

Yes. Vanilla whey protein works especially well in this recipe, but you can experiment with another vanilla protein powder.

Keep in mind that different protein powders absorb liquid differently, so changing the protein powder may slightly change the texture of the finished bars.

Can You Use A Different Baking Dish?

A 7×11-inch baking dish is ideal for these banana pumpkin swirl bars.

If you use a different size baking dish, keep an eye on the baking time. A smaller dish will create thicker bars and may require additional baking time, while a larger dish will produce thinner bars that may bake more quickly.

When To Serve Banana Pumpkin Swirl Bars

These bars are perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a healthy fall dessert. They’re also an easy option for meal prep when you want something sweet, satisfying, and protein-packed ready to grab from the refrigerator.

The combination of banana, pumpkin, apple butter, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg makes them especially perfect for pumpkin season.

More Healthy Pumpkin Recipes

If you love pumpkin season, these banana pumpkin swirl bars are an easy recipe to add to your fall baking rotation. They’re simple to make, packed with cozy flavors, and delicious enough to feel like a treat while still fitting into a protein-focused lifestyle.

Paleo Pumpkin Coconut Crumb Cake

2-Ingredient Pumpkin Pie Bites

Pumpkin Pie Protein Bites

Talk soon,