• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Unconventional Baker
  • Recipes
  • Book
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Book
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Book
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Sweet Bread

    Chocolate Chip Anise Pumpkin Oaties

    Published: Nov 24, 2015 · Modified: May 14, 2019 by Audrey · This post may contain affiliate links · 17 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Chocolate Chip Anise Pumpkin Oaties {Free from: gluten, dairy, eggs, refined sugars, gums, and oil}

    I know, I know... where are the promised alfajores, right? Patience, friends ;) They are coming -- pinky swear. But while there's still time to pumpkin, I thought I'd share these quick and easy chocolate chip & anise pumpkin oaties. I felt like I needed a bit of a break from the dulce de leche, since no lie it ended up on everything. So simple, light oat squares it was....

    Chocolate Chip Anise Pumpkin Oaties {Free from: gluten, dairy, eggs, refined sugars, gums, and oil}

    Ok, who am I kidding... these squares are amazing with the dulce de leche too ;) But they are also a great snackable on their own -- a cross between cake, muffins, and a blondie texture-wise, but bite size. Taste wise -- if I've learned anything from the pumpkin molasses muffins, it's that those two things are inseparable. Add chocolate to the mix and it's a party! But the real kicker here is the anise -- the magical ingredient nobody can ever put their finger on, but one that adds an amazing flavor to these little squares.

    Chocolate Chip Anise Pumpkin Oaties {Free from: gluten, dairy, eggs, refined sugars, gums, and oil}

    I feel like hidden in these humble squares is a flavor profile that accomplishes a lot in a little: gives you another way to enjoy any extra pumpkin this season, a way to use up that pumpkin spice, a way to add molasses and chocolate into your snacks / breakfast, and a way to marry your autumnal baking with your winter baking with that anise...

    Chocolate Chip Anise Pumpkin Oaties {Free from: gluten, dairy, eggs, refined sugars, gums, and oil}

    And as a bonus, these are super easy to make -- just process everything in a food processor and bake away. Cut and munch. They are kind of addictive, but quite light and wholesome -- no gluten, no refined sugar, no oil, eggs, or dairy, ...and there's a veggie snuck in there -- so you can munch away to your heart's content :)

    ...And they're "tiny-hands" approved -- sent some off to a friend who called to say her 6 year-old said "mom, can you tell Audrey she needs to bake more of these so we can go and buy them from her" :)

    Chocolate Chip Anise Pumpkin Oaties {Free from: gluten, dairy, eggs, refined sugars, gums, and oil}

    You can find pure anise extract at the baking section in grocery stores, especially around this time of year (or online). It's relatively inexpensive and will come in handy in your cookie baking this season ;)

    P.S. If you can't do oats, you can try grinding down quinoa flakes or rice flakes, like I did in this recipe as an alternative.

    Print

    Chocolate Chip Anise Pumpkin Oaties

    Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Oaties {Free from: gluten, dairy, eggs, refined sugars, gums, and oil}
    Print Recipe

    ★★★★★

    4.8 from 5 reviews

    A light, gluten-free pumpkin snack bar with a hint of chocolate and a texture that's a cross between cake, muffins, and a blondie. Dairy-free.

    • Author: Audrey @ Unconventional Baker
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 40 minutes
    • Total Time: 50 minutes
    • Yield: 12 - 14 squares
    • Category: Bars
    • Method: Baked
    • Cuisine: Dessert

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups gluten-free quick oats
    • 1 cup pumpkin puree
    • ¾ cup agave (or maple syrup, brown rice syrup, yacon, etc.)
    • 1 tbsp blackstrap molasses(unsulphured)
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • ½ tsp pure anise extract (not anise oil)
    • ½ cup water
    • 2 tsp pumpkin spice
    • ½ tsp cinnamon
    • ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate of your choice)
    • 1-2 tablespoon more quick oats for sprinkling on top

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a loaf pan with some parchment paper and set aside (I used a 4.4" x 10" loaf pan, but any baking dish of a similar size will do)
    2. Process oats into a meal in a food processor. Add all remaining ingredients, except chocolate chips and sprinkling oats, and process to combine into a batter. Add chocolate chips and pulse a few times to mix them in. Transfer into the lined pan and smooth out the top with a spatula. Sprinkle with oats on top.
    3. Bake in a pre-heated oven for 40 mins. Remove and cool on a rack. Once cool, cut into squares and enjoy!

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @unconventionalbaker on Instagram and hashtag it #unconventionalbaker

    Happy baking!

    x Audrey

    ~~

    This recipe contains affiliate links for pure anise extract , the loaf pan I used here, and unsulphured blackstrap molasses.

     

    Share on PinterestShare on FacebookShare on Twitter

    More Sweet Bread

    • Blueberry Banana Bread
    • Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Spice Muffins
    • Apple Butter Bread Pudding
    • Sweet Potato Chocolate Rolls with a Toffee Sauce

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gigi says

      January 01, 2022 at 1:48 pm

      These are absolutely divine! I love anise and the subtle, barely detectable touch of it here absolutely makes the dark chocolate pop. The texture is insanely addictive, almost like a dense, chewy, sink-your-teeth-into-it fudge. I used a tiny loaf pan in order to cut thick chunks. These are total keepers and I’ll be making them time and time again! Please, more creations using anise extract!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 24, 2022 at 10:22 am

        Hi Gigi, thanks so much for the lovely feedback. I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe. I love the anise extract, and would love to create more recipes once I get my hands on some more of it :)

        Here's a cookie recipe using some in the meantime: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/speculaas-cookies-gluten-free-dairy-free-egg-free-refined-sugar-free/

        P.S. another interesting extract you might enjoy playing around with is rosemary.

        Reply
    2. Talia says

      January 30, 2019 at 9:27 am

      This sounds yummy! Is there an alternative you can use to substitute the anise extract? I think it is very hard to find and quite pricey where I live 😊

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        February 01, 2019 at 12:41 pm

        Hi Talia, you can just omit it -- can add a bit more cinnamon and vanilla instead. You'll lose the magical anise flavor, but they should still be good. You can also order the extract online for future if you wanted to give the fuller flavor in the recipe a try.

        Reply
    3. cel says

      April 19, 2016 at 8:25 am

      I loooove that its vegan and fat free/free of everything! any way to make it oat free? mulberries perhaps? :)

      ★★★★

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        April 19, 2016 at 6:54 pm

        Hey Cel,

        I haven't tried it without the oats, so not entirely sure. I'd try it with a gf all purpose flour mix. Not sure if you've seen, but there's an oat-free tab in the recipes section that you might like as well.

        Reply
      • Audrey says

        February 01, 2019 at 12:38 pm

        Hi Cel. I don't think mulberries will work as a good substitute for oats here as oats are absorbent and more dense. I do have different sections on my recipes page that you might find helpful though -- for example you can select "oil-free" + "oat-free", etc. to see what other options might suit your needs :)

        https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/all-recipes/

        Reply
    4. Anne says

      November 26, 2015 at 3:31 pm

      This pumpkin cake is so cute! I just love it !

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 12, 2016 at 4:40 am

        Thank you, Anne! ♥

        Reply
    5. Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says

      November 24, 2015 at 11:54 am

      There is something about these squares that I find very endearing, just so cute and nibble-able :) The squareness reminds me of fudge, but the flavors remind me of muffins. And everything about that last sentence sounds delicious to me! I've never heard of an oatie, but I really love this concept <3 You are really making me want to try baking with anise now too!

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 12, 2016 at 4:45 am

        I just made up the "oatie" :) That's probably why you've never heard of it! I couldn't think of a name to describe all those things you picked up on, so oaties it was ♥

        Reply
    6. Natasha says

      November 24, 2015 at 9:56 am

      Oh my! these look heavenly!
      I'm always on the look for anise recipes, 'tho i only have the seeds (not star anise but green anise seeds), do you think it could work? They are pretty fragant but i don't know how concentrate is the extract, so...

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 12, 2016 at 4:43 am

        Hi Natasha,

        So sorry I missed your comment. I'm not sure how the seeds will taste in this. Usually I cook whole star anise in a dish for example, but then discard it. I've never worked with the seeds alone. I think if you grind them finely, they will add some nice flavor here. But overall, I think the extract will blend into the recipe in a more balanced way.

        Reply
    7. GiGi Eats says

      November 24, 2015 at 9:34 am

      Anise in a brownie of sorts... Now THAT is interesting!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 12, 2016 at 4:42 am

        Very! :D

        Reply
    8. Trinity Bourne says

      November 24, 2015 at 3:03 am

      What a wonderful recipe. It sounds delectable. I'm very curious about anise now. The whole anise thing is new to me, something I've never really explored - I love discovering new things.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 12, 2016 at 4:41 am

        Thanks Trinity! I love Anise, but only when it's paired with the right things. Otherwise it can be very strong. A touch of the extract though and you get such a wonderful new flavor. Hope you get to play around with some!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Popular

    • Anti-Inflammatory Lemon Ginger Turmeric Iced Tea
    • Simple Gluten-Free Vegan Shortbread Cookies
    • Coconut Mango Tapioca Pudding
    • Raw Tiramisu

    I'm Audrey—a baker, blogger, and author who loves to create and explore simple, wholesome, and allergy-friendly recipes. I hope you enjoy the site and find something yummy to make!

    More about me →

    Citrus Season

    • Blood Orange Tart
    • Blood Orange Bundt Cake with Salted Chocolate Ganache
    • Coconut Lime Cream Chocolates
    • Ginger Turmeric Lemon Cream Bars

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Baking Resources

    Subscribe

    • Sign Up! for recipe updates

    Questions?

    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Unconventional Baker