Healthy Vegan Pumpkin Twix Bars: Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Fall Dessert Recipe

Get ready to embrace the comforting flavors of autumn with these incredible Vegan Pumpkin Twix Bars! This delightful recipe offers a wholesome, fall-inspired twist on my popular copycat Twix recipe, delivering all the classic candy bar satisfaction with better-for-you ingredients. Each bar features a perfectly crisp, gluten-free shortbread cookie crust, topped with a luscious, warmly spiced pumpkin caramel filling, and is generously enrobed in a smooth, sweet white chocolate coating. If you’re eager to dive headfirst into the cozy world of pumpkin spice and seasonal treats, these bars are an absolute must-try. They taste just like a concentrated bite of pumpkin pie, but in a convenient, handheld format!

I know what you might be thinking – it’s still August, and here I am, already putting out a pumpkin recipe! But allow me to make a compelling case: pumpkin is an absolutely incredible ingredient that shouldn’t be confined to a specific season. It’s a true nutrient powerhouse, packed with beneficial vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, making it a fantastic addition to your diet any time of the year. Its versatility shines through in countless applications, equally delicious in both sweet and savory creations. These dairy-free pumpkin Twix bars are the perfect example, offering a healthy indulgence that lets you enjoy the goodness of pumpkin whenever the craving strikes.

Watch How to Make These Delicious Pumpkin Shortbread Bars

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Vegan Pumpkin Twix Bar Recipe

• Effortlessly Easy to Make: Despite boasting three delicious layers, these homemade pumpkin Twix bars come together with surprising ease. Each component – the crust, the caramel, and the chocolate topping – requires minimal effort and often just one bowl for mixing. The straightforward steps make this recipe approachable for bakers of all skill levels, proving that wholesome, decadent desserts don’t have to be complicated.

• Wholesome & Guilt-Free Indulgence: Crafted with carefully selected, good-for-you ingredients, these bars offer a delightful treat that’s far lower in sugar than a conventional candy bar. They are truly accommodating for various dietary needs, being completely gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. What’s more, they contain no refined sugars and are even paleo-friendly, making them a fantastic option for a mindful and delicious dessert.

• The Quintessential Fall & Halloween Treat: These bars are the embodiment of autumn comfort and festivity. They serve as the perfect healthy fall dessert for family gatherings, potlucks, or simply a cozy evening at home. With their delightful pumpkin flavor, they also make a wonderful and unique treat for Halloween parties, appealing to both kids and adults looking for something special.

• Perfectly Spiced Pumpkin Pie Flavor: The star of these bars is undoubtedly the rich and creamy pumpkin caramel filling. Infused with a harmonious blend of classic pumpkin pie spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves – it delivers an authentic and comforting flavor that is remarkably reminiscent of a traditional pumpkin pie. This aromatic filling perfectly complements the buttery shortbread crust and sweet white chocolate, creating a truly irresistible combination.

• Nostalgic Candy Bar Experience, Reimagined: If you’re a fan of the classic Twix candy bar, you’ll adore this healthier, homemade version. The distinct layers – a crunchy cookie base, a chewy, caramel-like center, and a smooth chocolate coating – perfectly mimic the iconic texture and flavor of a Twix. This recipe allows you to enjoy that beloved nostalgic candy bar experience, but with a wholesome, dairy-free, and gluten-free upgrade.

The Remarkable Health Benefits of Pumpkin

I genuinely believe in consuming pumpkin all year round, not just as a seasonal indulgence. It’s truly a powerhouse of nutrition, packed with vital nutrients that contribute to overall well-being:

• Rich in Dietary Fiber: Pumpkin is an excellent source of dietary fiber, which plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy digestive system. Fiber adds bulk to your stool, facilitating regular bowel movements and helping to prevent constipation. Furthermore, it promotes satiety, helping you feel fuller for longer, which can be beneficial for weight management. This is why veterinarians often recommend plain pumpkin puree to help keep dogs’ digestion regular – it works wonders!

• A Super Antioxidant Source (Vitamins C & E): A generous serving of pumpkin provides a substantial portion of your recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C. This powerful antioxidant is vital for a robust immune system, helping your body ward off illnesses. Vitamin C also plays a key role in reducing cellular damage caused by free radicals, unstable molecules linked to chronic diseases and premature aging. Pumpkin also contains Vitamin E, another potent antioxidant that supports immune function and promotes healthy skin.

• Abundant in Carotenoids (Pro-Vitamin A): The vibrant orange hue of pumpkin is a telltale sign of its high concentration of carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene. Carotenoids are plant pigments found in yellow, orange, and red plants like pumpkins, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Once consumed, beta-carotene is converted into Vitamin A in your body, which is essential for maintaining healthy vision, supporting immune system function, and promoting healthy skin. These potent antioxidants actively fight the damaging effects of free radicals, and research suggests they may even help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer – a cause I’m deeply passionate about!

Creative Ways to Incorporate More Pumpkin into Your Diet

Pumpkin’s incredible versatility makes it incredibly easy to integrate into both sweet and savory meals, ensuring you never get bored. Here are some of my favorite ideas to enjoy this nutritious squash:

• Enrich Soups & Stews: Stir a few spoonfuls of pumpkin puree into your favorite winter soups and hearty stews. It adds a wonderful creamy texture, a subtle natural sweetness, and a fantastic boost of nutrients without overpowering the other flavors.
• Thick & Creamy Smoothies: For an easy nutritional boost, freeze pumpkin puree into cubes and blend them into your morning smoothies. This is a fantastic, nutrient-dense alternative to banana if you’re not a fan, as it creates incredibly thick, creamy, and naturally sweet smoothies.
• Moist Baked Goods: Incorporate pumpkin puree into your favorite recipes for breads, muffins, pancakes, and waffles. It adds incredible moisture, a delicious earthy flavor, and a healthy dose of vitamins and fiber to your baked treats. Check out my healthy pumpkin streusel muffins or pumpkin coffee cake for inspiration!
• Healthy Pumpkin Mousse: Mix a dollop of pumpkin puree with your Greek yogurt (or a non-dairy alternative) and a touch of maple syrup or other natural sweetener. Top with a sprinkle of granola for a quick, delicious, and protein-packed snack that feels like a mini pumpkin mousse cheesecake!
• Nutritious Breakfast Bowls: Stir pumpkin puree and a dash of pumpkin pie spice into your morning oatmeal, overnight oats, or chia pudding for a seasonal and incredibly wholesome breakfast.
• And Of Course, These Delicious Vegan Pumpkin Twix Bars: The ultimate way to enjoy pumpkin as a decadent, yet healthy, dessert that satisfies any sweet craving!

Essential Ingredients for Your Homemade Vegan Pumpkin Twix Bars

For precise measurements and detailed instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located at the bottom of this post!

• Canned Pumpkin Puree: This is the key ingredient that infuses our caramel with that unmistakable pumpkin flavor. It’s crucial to always choose 100% pure pumpkin puree and avoid pumpkin pie filling, which often contains added sugars, spices, and other ingredients that you’ll be adding separately.

• Maple Syrup: We use maple syrup as our natural, unrefined sweetener. Beyond its delightful sweetness, maple syrup contributes to the caramel’s wonderfully sticky and gooey texture, while also adding a rich, earthy depth of flavor that beautifully complements the pumpkin. While other sticky sweeteners like agave or date syrup can be substituted, maple syrup truly provides the best flavor pairing.

• Almond Flour: This forms the foundation of our crisp and tender gluten-free shortbread cookie crust. Almond flour creates a wonderfully delicate, light, and crumbly texture that holds together perfectly, providing the ideal base for these bars.

• Cashew Butter: The secret to our ultra-creamy and rich pumpkin caramel filling. Cashew butter provides a luxurious texture and a relatively neutral flavor, allowing the pumpkin and warming spices to take center stage. For those with nut allergies or who prefer a nut-free option, sunflower seed butter makes an excellent substitute. (Don’t forget to use code dani15 for 15% off any Ground Up order!)

• Coconut Flour: A small but mighty ingredient in our shortbread base, coconut flour is incredibly absorbent. Its inclusion helps to achieve a slightly crunchier, more authentic cookie-like texture, perfectly balancing the tenderness provided by the almond flour.

• Coconut Oil: Used in both the shortbread crust and the creamy caramel filling, coconut oil acts as a binder, helps create a rich mouthfeel, and ensures a satisfying melt-in-your-mouth texture. You can easily substitute it with another plant-based oil, vegan butter, or even ghee if you’re not strictly adhering to a vegan diet.

• White Chocolate: This creates the irresistible, smooth top layer that makes these bars truly resemble a Twix. I highly recommend opting for a vegan white chocolate that is refined sugar-free for a healthier treat. Excellent refined sugar-free vegan options include brands like Evolved Chocolate and Loving Earth. If dairy is not a concern but you still desire a sugar-free option, Bake Believe and Lily’s are fantastic choices.

• Vanilla Extract: A splash of high-quality vanilla extract is essential for enhancing and deepening the overall sweetness and flavor profile in both the shortbread crust and the pumpkin caramel filling. It adds a lovely aromatic complexity that shouldn’t be overlooked.

• Sea Salt: A good pinch of fine sea salt in each layer plays a crucial role. It beautifully balances the sweetness, sharpens and amplifies all the other flavors, and prevents the bars from tasting overly sweet or bland. Don’t underestimate its power!

• Pumpkin Pie Spice: This fragrant spice blend (typically a mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and sometimes allspice) is what gives the caramel its signature, comforting fall flavor. Adjust the amount to your personal preference for a milder or bolder spice kick.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Healthy Vegan Pumpkin Twix Bars

1. Prepare the Shortbread Base: Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a standard bread loaf pan (approximately 9×5 inches) with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the longer sides. This overhang will make it much easier to lift the bars out later. If you prefer to make individual mini bites, prepare a mini muffin tin instead. In a medium mixing bowl, combine all the dry and wet ingredients for the base: almond flour, coconut flour, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and a good pinch of sea salt. Mix everything together until a uniform dough forms. For bars, firmly and evenly press the dough into the bottom of your lined loaf pan. If opting for mini bites, divide the dough equally among the mini muffin cups, filling each approximately one-third of the way, and press the dough down firmly into the bottom of each cup. Use a fork to gently poke several holes across the surface of the base – this crucial step helps to prevent the crust from puffing up unevenly during baking.

2. Bake the Crust: Place the prepared pan(s) into your preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Look for the edges to turn a light golden brown, indicating that the crust is perfectly set and slightly crispy. Once baked, remove the pan(s) from the oven and allow the shortbread crust to cool completely at room temperature. It’s essential for the crust to be fully cooled before you add the next layer, as a warm crust can cause the caramel to melt or become too soft.

3. Mix the Pumpkin Caramel Filling: While your shortbread crust is cooling, prepare the rich and creamy pumpkin caramel filling. In another clean bowl, combine the cashew butter, melted coconut oil, canned pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla extract, a pinch of sea salt, and the pumpkin pie spice. Whisk or mix these ingredients thoroughly until the filling is completely smooth and free of any lumps. Take a moment to taste the caramel and adjust the seasoning to your liking – you might desire a bit more pumpkin pie spice for a bolder fall flavor, an extra drizzle of maple syrup for added sweetness, or another pinch of sea salt to truly enhance all the flavors. Once the shortbread crust is entirely cool, carefully pour or spread the pumpkin caramel filling evenly over its surface. If you’re making mini cups, divide the filling equally among each crust, filling them another one-third of the way.

4. Chill to Set the Caramel: Place the pan(s) with the crust and the freshly spread pumpkin caramel filling into the freezer. Allow them to chill for at least one to two hours. This chilling time is absolutely critical; it ensures that the caramel layer firms up sufficiently. A firm caramel layer will prevent it from mixing with or being absorbed by the warm chocolate topping that comes next, guaranteeing beautifully distinct layers in your finished bars.

5. Add the White Chocolate Topping: Once the pumpkin caramel layer is thoroughly firm, it’s time to create the irresistible final layer. In a heatproof bowl, combine your chosen white chocolate and the two teaspoons of coconut oil (the coconut oil helps to thin the chocolate slightly for a smoother pour and set). Melt the chocolate until it’s completely smooth and glossy. You can achieve this using a double-boiler method over simmering water, or by carefully heating it in the microwave in short 20-second increments, stirring well after each interval to prevent scorching. Pour the melted chocolate evenly over the chilled pumpkin caramel layer. Gently tilt the pan from side to side to help the chocolate spread completely and uniformly to all the edges, creating a flawless coating.

6. Final Chill and Set: Return the pan(s) to the freezer for an additional 30 to 60 minutes. This final chilling period is essential for the white chocolate layer to become completely firm and set. Ensuring the chocolate is fully set will make the bars much easier to cut and handle without any mess.

7. Slice and Enjoy: For the best texture and to prevent the chocolate from cracking when you cut them, I recommend letting the bars sit out at room temperature for about 5 to 10 minutes after removing them from the freezer. Here’s a pro tip for clean cuts: run a sharp knife under very hot water, wipe it completely dry, and then slice through the bars. Reheat and wipe the knife as needed between cuts. This trick will help you achieve clean, crisp edges. Once sliced, serve and enjoy your homemade healthy vegan pumpkin Twix bars!

Storing Your Vegan Pumpkin Twix Bars for Optimal Freshness

To maintain their exquisite texture and ensure maximum freshness, it is best to store your gluten-free pumpkin Twix bars in an airtight container in the freezer. When stored properly, they will keep well for several weeks, ready for whenever a craving strikes. When you’re ready to indulge, simply remove the desired number of bars from the freezer and allow them to thaw at room temperature for approximately 5-10 minutes. This brief thawing period is key, as it allows the pumpkin caramel layer to soften slightly, giving you that ideal chewy-crisp texture that makes these bars so irresistible. Enjoy them chilled for a firmer bite, or slightly thawed for a more yielding, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

More Healthy Pumpkin & Fall Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

• 15+ Healthy Pumpkin Recipes
• Pumpkin Coffee Cake
• Creamy Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats
• Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream
• Pumpkin S’mores Bars
• Healthy Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

If you try this recipe and absolutely love it, it would mean the world to me if you left a star rating and a review below! Your valuable feedback not only brightens my day but also helps other home bakers discover and enjoy these delicious healthy vegan pumpkin Twix bars too.