These Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars have a classic pumpkin pie flavor, smooth and creamy texture, baked in a sweet buttery crust. They're the perfect sugar-free holiday treat!
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❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Classic pumpkin pie flavor
- Creamy cheesecake texture
- Sweet buttery gluten-free crust
- Make the perfect sugar-free holiday treat
- Kid friendly
If you're looking for a sweet pumpkin indulgence that won't knock you out of ketosis, you've come to the right place! It all starts with a buttery crust, a layer of creamy vanilla cheesecake and topped with a pumpkin cheesecake layer.
I recently updated this recipe creating separate layers for the vanilla and pumpkin flavors, which really allows both to stand out more. It's also much more visually appealing and we all know that we eat with our eyes first!
These low carb pumpkin bars are not only great during the fall months, but since the ingredients are available year round, you don't have to wait for fall to enjoy them! The same is true for these Keto Pumpkin Cookies, Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse and Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Cups!
🛒 Ingredients for Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
- Super fine almond flour
- Butter
- Eggs
- Cream Cheese
- Pumpkin Puree
- Sour Cream
- Monk fruit/allulose
- Vanilla extract
- Vanilla bean paste
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Optional: whip cream for the topping
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
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🔪 How to Make Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
To Make the Gluten-Free Crust
Preheat oven to 350°F. Add all of the crust ingredients into the bowl of a food processor.
Blend until the dough comes together.
Press the dough out in your 8 x 8 baking dish lined with parchment paper. The dough will be sticky, so you can wet your hands to make it easier. Bake for 10 minutes, while you mix up the cheesecake and pumpkin layers.
To Make the Cheesecake Layer
Add the cream cheese and sour cream in a mixing bowl and whip up using a hand mixer.
Mix in the egg, sweetener and vanilla and mix until well combined.
Set aside, while the crust cools and you make the pumpkin layer.
To Make the Pumpkin Layer
Add the cream cheese and pumpkin puree in a mixing bowl and whip up using a hand mixer.
Mix in the egg, sweetener and vanilla and mix until well combined.
To Assemble the Cheesecake Bars
Pour the cheesecake layer batter over the cooled crust and smooth the top using an offset spatula
Pour the pumpkin layer over the cheesecake layer, and gently smooth the top.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until there is only a slight jiggle in the center. Allow to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then chill in the fridge to fully set for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Once fully set, cut into squares and top with (optional) whip cream and serve.
💡 Tips
- Always use full fat cream cheese. It's all about quality ingredients when you’re making a Keto cheesecake recipe. Low fat cream cheese has fillers that can cause a cheesecake to very easily flop. The more fat, the creamier the cheesecake will be.
- Use room temperature cream cheese to prevent lumpy cheesecake bars.
- Don’t skip the sour cream. Not only does the tanginess of sour cream balance out the flavor of cream cheese, it helps add a smoother texture.
- Don't over mix the batter, otherwise air pockets can form, which will not only make your Keto cheesecake bars look unattractive when bubbles rise to the top during baking, the added air can cause them the crack.
- Don't over bake them, this will help prevent cracking. These low carb cheesecake bars will still have a slight jiggle to them when they're done, but the edges will be set.
- Make sure they are fully set to get nice clean slices. Then cut them with a sharp knife and wipe the knife clean between cuts.
- Put your leftover pumpkin puree to good use with these Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, Pumpkin Bars, Pumpkin Coffee Cake, Pumpkin Cupcakes and much more!
☑️ Storage Instructions
Store leftover pumpkin bars in an airtight container for several days in the fridge or freeze. If you're planning to serve them with whip cream on top, I would wait to add it until they are thawed and ready to serve.
🍴 What to Serve with Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake
Enjoy a piping hot cup of Pumpkin Spiced Bulletproof Coffee or Cold Brew Coffee with these cheesecake bars.
🔄 Substitutions and Additions
- You can certainly substitute the vanilla bean paste with vanilla extract, but you won’t get the same intense vanilla flavor or the flecks of vanilla beans in the middle layer.
- For an additional topping idea, serve with whip cream, chopped roasted pecans and a dusting of ground cinnamon.
- For extra richness, drizzle this homemade salted caramel sauce over them just before serving.
- If you don't have monk fruit/allulose, you can use all monk fruit or Swerve at a 1:1 ratio. Or you can use all allulose at ⅓ cup for the crust and ½ cup for each of the cheesecake layers.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Carbs in Pumpkin?
With only 3 net carbs in an ¼ cup serving of pumpkin puree, it's an excellent choice for your Keto recipes.
Is Pumpkin Keto?
Yes, indeed! Pumpkin is easily incorporated into any low-carb diet. But like with any fruit or vegetable, portion control is important. The good news is most recipes only call for about ½ cup of pumpkin for the entire recipe.
Pumpkin is also very nutritious. On top of being high in vitamins and minerals it's considerably low in calories. It’s a great source of beta-carotene. To read all about the health benefits of pumpkin, check out this article.
How Many Carbs are in a Pumpkin Bar?
For this recipe, there are 12 servings, each having 5 net carbs.
Does Cheesecake Belong in a Keto Diet?
Absolutely. In fact,because cream cheese, being the main ingredient in cheesecake has only 1 carb per ounce, I have several other cheesecake recipes that are also Keto friendly. Be sure to check out my Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce, Blueberry Cheesecake Bars, Cheesecake Fluff and Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars!
🍽️ More Keto Pumpkin Recipes
- Pumpkin Coffee Cake
- Pumpkin Donuts with Maple Cream Cheese Glaze
- Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cheesecake Frosting
- Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes
- Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse
- Pumpkin Pie Fat Bombs
If you'd like to know more about baking on Keto, this article, Keto Baking Made Easy, is loaded with tips and info that you'll find helpful. You might also check out my Keto Sweet Treats eBook that has 50 amazing Keto dessert recipes, all with color pics, macros and more! I'm offering it at 50% off when you subscribe to my free weekly emails here.
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Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 ¾ cups super fine almond flour
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup monk fruit/allulose, or Swerve
- 1 whole egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Cheesecake Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup monk fruit/allulose, or Swerve
- 1 whole egg, room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste , see notes
- pinch of salt
For the Pumpkin Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ⅓ cup monk fruit/allulose, or Swerve
- 1 whole egg
- 2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
- pinch of salt
- *Optional: Homemade whip cream for the topping
Instructions
To Make the Crust
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Add the almond flour, butter, egg, sweetener, ground cinnamon and vanilla extract to the bowl of a food processor and mix until a dough is formed.
- Place the dough in a 8 x 8 glass or ceramic baking dish lined with parchment paper and press out in an even layer. Bake for 10 minutes.
To Make the Cheesecake Layer
- Add the cream cheese and sour cream to a mixing bowl and whip up using a hand mixer. Mix in the egg, sweetener and vanilla and mix until well combined. Pour the batter over the cooled crust and smooth out using an offset spatula. Set aside, while the cools and you make the pumpkin layer.
To Make the Pumpkin Layer
- Add the cream cheese and pumpkin puree in a mixing bowl and whip up using a hand mixer. Mix in the egg, sweetener and vanilla and mix until well combined.
To Assemble the Cheesecake Bars
- Pour the cheesecake layer batter over the cooled crust and smooth the top using an offset spatula. Pour the pumpkin layer over the cheesecake layer, and gently smooth the top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until there is only a slight jiggle in the center. Allow to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then chill in the fridge to fully set for at least 4 hours or overnight.Once fully set, cut into squares and top with (optional) whip cream and serve.
Recipe Notes
*Make sure to scroll up and read the post for substitutions, additions and helpful tips for making this recipe.
*Nutritional data is provided as a courtesy and is accurate to the best of my knowledge. You can verify it using the nutrition calculator of your choice. All data is based on net carbs, without sugar alcohol: Swerve, Erythritol, Monk Fruit or Allulose.
© Copyright for Keto Cooking Christian LLC. Please use the share buttons to share on social media, but please do not copy/paste the recipe.
Rate this Recipe*Originally published on October 7, 2018, updated on August 22, 2023 with new photos, improvements to the recipe and helpful tips.
Marci
Made this today, and it is very good. I love that it’s not too sweet, and the layers are pretty. One small edit to your recipe card: need to replace “vanilla” with “pumpkin spice” in the instructions for the pumpkin layer. Great recipe! Thank you!
Keto Cooking Christian
Yay! I'm so happy you enjoyed them.
Patti Weyers
Hi,
I don't have a square glass or ceramic baking dish, only metal. Is this a problem?
Thanks
Keto Cooking Christian
I do not think it will matter. Just watch your baking time to make sure you don't overbake them in the metal pan.
Brenda Anderson
I am making this very recipe right now and have a question. How long do you cook the crust before adding the Cheesecake Layer?
Keto Cooking Christian
The crust should bake for 10 minutes.
Bonnie Le
I just made your Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars last night. They are SO good! I wanted to use pecan meal for my crust, but was out, I had a bit of walnut meal left, so I used a mix of walnut meal and
almond flour for my crust. The walnuts give a fantastic flavor to this! I love that there isn't any need for Almond flour in other the two layers! So often I am disappointed after I've taken the time to make a recipe and the almond flour just creates a dry and dense dessert that I don't even want to eat. Thank you!
Keto Cooking Christian
I am so happy you enjoyed them.
Jade
The guilt-free way to enjoy layers of cheesecake and creamy vanilla. These bars came as a treat. Really good!
Keto Cooking Christian
Thanks so much. I am so happy you enjoyed them.
Elizabeth S
I used allulose and these turned out great! They were beautiful to look at and yummy. Definitely making these all fall season long!
Keto Cooking Christian
Yay! I am so glad you enjoyed them. I will definitely be making them a lot more during the upcoming fall season.
JD Alewine
I was sold when I saw the combo of pumpkin and cheesecake, and then once we made these and tried them....well now I'm a believer!
Keto Cooking Christian
Thank you! I love hearing this!
Ali
First of all, these turned out so cute!!!!! OMG! But the best part is that they were so delicious, too - the best treat at the dessert bar!! Thank you!
Keto Cooking Christian
Thank you so much! Reviews like this make my day.
Shelby
I'm mind boggled that these are free from traditional sugar, they're absolutely delicious!
Keto Cooking Christian
Right? They really do taste like traditional dessert.
Ivory Herman
Are you supposed to bake the crust? Mine seemed a bit soft.
Keto Cooking Christian
No, these crust for these cheesecake bars isn't baked first. It should have a soft and tender crust.
Teresa
Very good! I made this twice and it was delicious! The second time I made it I used a little more pumpkin pie spice and didn’t separate the mixture but added it all together with the pumpkin pie spice and it really tasted like pumpkin cheesecake! Very good!
Keto Cooking Christian
Glad to hear it!
Natalie
Made this yesterday and so good.
Keto Cooking Christian
Fantastic, glad you liked it!
Lisa
If you don’t have the vanilla bean paste, would you suggest adding more vanilla extract?
Keto Cooking Christian
Yes, you can just add more vanilla extract in place of the vanilla bean paste and it will still taste great!