Fall baking is all about warm spices, cozy treats, and, of course, pumpkin everything! If you’re craving something sweet, chewy, and bursting with seasonal flavor, these Pumpkin Blondies are about to become your new obsession.
They’re gooey like brownies, but packed with wholesome ingredients that’ll make you feel good about every bite.
Whether you’re looking for a healthier dessert, a fall bake to impress guests, or a simple sweet treat for a weekend, this recipe checks all the boxes.
Let’s dive into how to make these super fudgy pumpkin blondies that are gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, and refined sugar-free.
🤔 What Are Blondies, Anyway?
Before we get baking, let’s talk about what a blondie is. If you’re imagining a brownie but without the deep, dark cocoa, bingo!
Blondies are like brownies’ golden cousins. They’re soft, chewy bars typically made with ingredients like vanilla, brown sugar, and flour, which gives them a rich, buttery, caramel-like flavor.
But here’s the twist: this version swaps out the usual butter and refined sugar for wholesome, nutrient-rich ingredients and introduces pumpkin as the star of the show.
So, think of these blondies as a cross between a pumpkin spice cake and a gooey brownie… minus the guilt.
And unlike traditional blondies, this recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, and refined sugar-free. Perfect for anyone craving that fall flavor while maintaining a clean diet.
🎃 Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Blondies

This isn’t just another pumpkin dessert. These blondies are something special, and here’s why they’re loved by readers and fall bakers alike:
- Rich, Moist, and Fudgy Texture: Just like a brownie, but with the warm, inviting flavors of pumpkin and spice.
- Clean Ingredients: Made without grains, dairy, or refined sugar. Perfect for paleo, gluten-free, and health-conscious diets.
- Super Quick and Easy: Mix the batter in minutes and bake in under 30 minutes. Great for busy days or as a last-minute treat.
- Customizable: You can tweak the spice, sweetness, and chocolate to make them truly your own.
- Perfect for Fall Gatherings: Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Halloween, or just a cozy night in, these blondies bring serious fall vibes.
It’s everything you love about fall baking without the hassle or heaviness.
🧾 Ingredients You’ll Need

Ready to bake? Here’s everything you’ll need to make these gluten-free, dairy-free, fudgy pumpkin blondies.
These ingredients are clean, wholesome, and readily available at most grocery stores. Plus, there’s no oil, butter, or refined sugar involved!
Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
---|---|---|
Blanched Almond Flour | 1 cup | Adds fiber and structure; don’t skip it! |
Golden Flaxseed Meal | ¼ cup | Helps bind the blondies; can substitute with a flax egg for a vegan version |
Pumpkin Puree | ½ cup | Use 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling |
Egg | 1 large | Helps bind the blondies; can substitute with a flax egg for vegan version |
Unrefined Coconut Nectar | ⅓ cup | Natural sweetener with a rich caramel flavor (or sub maple syrup) |
Vanilla Extract | 1 teaspoon | Adds depth and warmth to the flavor |
Pumpkin Pie Spice | 1 teaspoon | Feel free to increase for more spice punch |
Sea Salt | ¼ teaspoon | Enhances flavor and balances sweetness |
Chocolate Chips or Chunks | ¼ to ½ cup | Optional but recommended; use dark or semi-sweet |
Pro Tip: Always taste the batter before baking and adjust the sweetness or spice to match your preferences.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step: How to Make Pumpkin Blondies

Ready to bring the magic of fall to your kitchen? Let’s walk through the simple steps to make these fudgy, healthy, and profoundly satisfying pumpkin blondies.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or this is your first fall dessert, this guide will help you create perfect results every time.
🥶 Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
This might seem like a no-brainer, but preheating your oven is essential to ensure your blondies bake evenly.
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, use this time to prep your ingredients and line your baking pan.
Why this matters: Starting with a cold oven can significantly impact the texture, either underbaking the center or overbaking the edges.
We want that perfectly chewy middle and slightly crisp top, and that starts with consistent heat.
Pro Tip: Place your oven rack in the middle position to allow even airflow around the pan.
🥄 Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Now it’s time to build the base of your blondies, starting with the dry ingredients.
Grab a large mixing bowl and toss in the following:
- 1 cup blanched almond flour: This gives the blondies a tender crumb while keeping them grain-free.
- ¼ cup golden flaxseed meal: A nutrient-dense binder that adds structure and fiber.
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt: Just a pinch brings out the sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice: Fall’s favorite flavor blend made of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
- ¼–½ cup chocolate chips: These are optional but highly recommended for rich, melty goodness in every bite.
Use a silicone spatula or whisk to thoroughly mix all the ingredients. This is more than just combining ingredients. You’re also breaking up any lumps and ensuring that the spices and sweet mix-ins are evenly distributed.
💡 Forgot to add your pumpkin pie spice at first? No worries, it happens! Just stir it in before combining with the wet ingredients.
🧁 Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a second bowl, we’ll whip up the rich, moist heart of this recipe. Add:
- ½ cup pumpkin puree: This is the star of the show. Use 100% canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
- 1 large egg: Crack it in (watch for shell bits!) to help everything hold together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds warmth and brings out the natural sweetness.
- ⅓ cup unrefined coconut nectar: This adds a low-glycemic sweetness and a subtle caramel flavor to the blondies.
Whisk these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and well-blended. It should look glossy and smell like the essence of fall in a bowl.
If you want to substitute the egg to make it vegan, swap in a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes).
🥣 Step 4: Bring It All Together
Now, the fun part is combining the wet and dry mixes into a single, glorious batter.
Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use your spatula to fold everything together.
At this point, your batter will be very thick, sticky, and dense, which is entirely normal and precisely what you want! It shouldn’t be runny like cake batter or crumbly like cookie dough.
If you’re tempted to taste the batter, we won’t judge! Now’s the perfect time to adjust for personal preference:
- Want more spice? Add an extra dash of pumpkin pie spice.
- Love sweetness? Stir in a little more coconut nectar or a pinch of coconut sugar.
- Craving chocolate? Toss in more chips or a swirl of melted dark chocolate.
Make it yours. That’s the beauty of this recipe: it’s incredibly forgiving and customizable.
🍫 Step 5: Optional (But Encouraged): Chocolate Chunk Topping
Want bakery-level presentation and extra indulgence? Top your blondies with significant, chunky bits of chocolate before baking.
Here’s how:
- Take a small handful of large chocolate chunks or chips.
- Gently press them into the top of the batter after you spread it in the pan.
- Space them out to create a mosaic of melty chocolate on the surface.
Why this works: Not only does it look amazing once baked, but it also gives you extra bites of gooey chocolate layered on top. And let’s be honest, pumpkin + chocolate is the fall combo we all secretly crave.
Of course, you can skip this or switch it up. Try chopped pecans or walnuts for a crunchier texture and a nutty finish.
📐 Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
You’ve made it! Now it’s time to bring your pumpkin blondies to life.
Here’s what to do:
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Leave some paper hanging over the sides for easy lifting later. No need to grease the pan; parchment does all the heavy lifting here.
- Spread the batter into the pan using a spatula. Take your time to press it evenly into all corners and smooth out the top. An even layer ensures even baking!
- Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes.
How do you know when they’re done?
- The top should look set and slightly golden.
- A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- The edges will pull slightly away from the pan.
If your oven tends to run hot, start checking at the 22-minute mark. Overbaking will dry them out, and we’re going for fudgy perfection here.
⏳ After-Baking Must-Do: Let Them Cool!
Don’t skip this part! Once out of the oven:
- Set the pan on a wire cooling rack.
- Let the blondies rest for at least 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
Why? They need time to set and firm up, making them easier to cut and giving you those neat, bakery-style squares. Trying to slice too soon could lead to crumbly chaos; trust us, it’s worth the wait!
🍽️ Serving Tips & Storage: How to Enjoy Pumpkin Blondies to the Fullest

So you’ve baked the perfect batch of pumpkin blondies, now what?
Here’s how to serve and store them like a pro so you get the best texture, flavor, and longevity out of every fudgy square.
✂️ Serving Suggestions
These pumpkin blondies are delicious, whether eaten straight out of the oven or chilled the next day. Here’s how you can enjoy them depending on your mood:
- Warm & Melty: Serve them fresh from the oven after cooling for 5–10 minutes. The chocolate will still be slightly melted, and the texture will be gooey and rich, think molten pumpkin brownie vibes.
- Chilled & Firm: Pop them in the fridge for a couple of hours. The bars become denser and chewier, making them perfect for slicing cleanly into snack-sized bites. They’re almost like pumpkin protein bars without the chalky texture.
- With a Little Something Extra:
- Add a scoop of vanilla coconut milk ice cream on top
- Drizzle with almond butter or melted dark chocolate
- Top with whipped cream or a dusting of cinnamon
- Enjoy a hot cup of chai or espresso for a cozy snack moment
🧊 How to Store Pumpkin Blondies
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its excellent shelf life. You can make a batch on Sunday and still enjoy a moist, flavorful treat days later.
Here’s how to store your blondies:
Storage Method | How Long Does It Last | What to Do |
---|---|---|
Room Temperature | Up to 2 days | Store in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in parchment |
Refrigerator | 5–6 days | Keep in a sealed container to maintain moisture and texture |
Freezer | Up to 2 months | Slice first, then freeze between parchment layers in a zip-top bag |
Pro Tip: Let frozen blondies thaw at room temperature for 15–20 minutes, or microwave for 10–15 seconds to enjoy warm.
This makes them great for meal prep, back-to-school lunchbox treats, or a late-night sweet fix without the extra baking time.
🎨 Pumpkin Blondies Customization Ideas

One of the best aspects of this recipe is its ease of customization. Whether you’re catering to allergies, dietary preferences, or just switching things up for fun, these ideas will help you create a blondie that’s just right for you.
Here’s a handy customization table to guide your delicious experiments:
Customize For… | Ingredient Swap or Add-In |
---|---|
More Pumpkin Flavor | Add 1–2 extra tbsp pumpkin puree and increase pumpkin pie spice to 1½ tsp |
Nut-Free | Use oat flour instead of almond flour (texture will change slightly) |
Vegan Version | Replace egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 2.5 tbsp water) |
Extra Indulgent | Stir in white chocolate chips or swirl in almond butter before baking |
Lower Sugar | Use 2 tbsp coconut nectar instead of ⅓ cup, or sub monk fruit syrup |
Crunchy Texture | Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or sunflower seeds to the batter |
Spice Lover’s Version | Add a pinch of cayenne or extra nutmeg for a warm, spicy kick |
Holiday Twist | Fold in dried cranberries and orange zest for a festive flair |
Chocolate Overload | Double the chocolate chips and drizzle melted chocolate on top after baking |
Feel free to combine a few ideas, such as going vegan and adding cranberries for a holiday-themed version that still suits your lifestyle.
🧡 Final Thoughts: The Perfect Healthy Fall Treat
If fall had a flavor, it would be baked into these pumpkin blondies. They’re indulgent without being heavy, wholesome without being boring. And best of all, they’re so simple, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made them sooner.
Whether you’re prepping for a Halloween party, Friendsgiving potluck, or just a cozy Sunday afternoon, this recipe delivers on every level. Plus, it’s family-friendly and endlessly adaptable.
So grab your pumpkin, stir up a bowl, and share the joy of healthy fall baking with those you love.
🍂 More Pumpkin Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re not done with pumpkin season (and let’s be honest, who is?), here are three more reader-loved recipes that pair perfectly with a hot mug of something cozy:
🔥 Quick 20-Min Pumpkin Spice Cookies for Fall Nights
Craving something fast but packed with pumpkin spice flavor? These chewy cookies come together in just 20 minutes and are perfect for late-night fall cravings or a spontaneous baking session with the kids.
🧁 Best Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe
These bakery-style muffins are swirled with a dreamy cream cheese center and topped with a cinnamon-sugar crunch. They’re gluten-free, super moist, and perfect for fall brunches or make-ahead snacks.
🥧 The Best Pumpkin Crisp Recipe for Fall
Imagine pumpkin pie and apple crisp had a baby. That’s this dessert. Topped with a golden oat crumble, it’s the easiest way to impress guests at Thanksgiving or yourself on a quiet Sunday night.

Ella Foster, co-founder of FoodBears.com, is a skilled writer whose love for cooking fuels her creative work. Her passion for experimenting in the kitchen brings authentic flavor and culinary inspiration to every piece she crafts for the platform.