Gluten-Free 7-Layer Bars! A gluten-free version of the classic with a buttery, graham cracker crust topped with lots of deliciousness. Easy to whip up for any occasion and always a crowd-pleaser!
If you’re in need of an ooey-gooey, decadent gluten-free treat look no further! Gluten-free 7-Layer Bars are a classic recipe that’s also known as Hello Dollies (by my parents!) and Magic Cookie Bars.
They’re made with chocolate chips, butterscotch, coconut flakes, and graham cracker crumb. Then you’ll add sweetened condensed milk, which makes them extra ooey gooey and delicious. Finally, nuts add a salty crunch that perfectly complements the sweet bars.
It’s an incredible combination and they really are magic!
I also love these gluten-free 7-layer bars because they are so easy to make. This gluten-free version is just as good as the original, and I only had to swap out the graham crackers for a gluten-free version.
This recipe also makes a whole 9×13 pan so they’re the perfect treat for a crowd.
Every time I’ve made these I try and give away as many as possible afterwards because they are too good! I could probably eat the whole pan if left to my own devices! And everyone I’ve given them to has raved about how delicious they are.
I hope you love them too!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love this Recipe:
- Chewy, gooey, and delicious
- Easy to make
- Perfect for a crowd
- Irresistible combination of flavors and textures
For more tried-and-true gluten-free recipes, try these gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, gluten-free brownies and gluten-free banana bread.
For more gluten-free bars, try these gluten-free s’mores bars, gluten-free lemon bars, gluten-free raspberry crumb bars and gluten-free blondies.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make these yummy 7 layer magic bars!
- Gluten-free graham cracker crumbs: Any kind of gluten-free graham crackers will work for this gluten-free 7-layer bars recipe. My favorite is Schar! You also might like this recipe for gluten-free graham cracker crust or this article on gluten-free graham crackers.
- Butterscotch chips: Be sure to use gluten-free butterscotch chips to keep these bars gluten-free. My favorite brand is Guittard. Aldi and Walmart also have gluten-free butterscotch chips. Note: Nestle Butterscotch Morsels are NOT gluten-free!
- Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips work best for this recipe, but milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips could also work.
- Nuts: I like to use chopped walnuts in these gluten-free 7-layer bars, but you could also use pecans for a similar texture and flavor.
- Coconut: Sweetened flaked coconut works best for these bars!
- Butter: I always like to use salted butter for my gluten-free baking. It gives these 7 layer magic cookie bars more depth of flavor! Check out this article on is butter gluten-free.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Sweetened condensed milk is the key to making these amazing bar cookies chewy and delicious!
How to Make this Recipe
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium or small bowl, combine the gluten-free graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Stir to combine.
- Press the gluten free graham cracker crust into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
- Evenly sprinkle the remaining ingredients one by one over the crust to form layers, beginning with the chocolate chips and followed by the butterscotch chips.
- Top bars with coconut and walnuts.
- Pour the condensed milk evenly over the top, and spread with a rubber spatula to make sure it’s evenly distributed.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown on the edges and set in the middle.
- Let the bars cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Storage Instructions
Store gluten free magic cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to three months.
FAQs
The name “7-layer bars” refers to the seven layers of ingredients in these bars: 1. graham cracker crumbs 2. butter 3. chocolate chips 4. butterscotch chips 5. coconut flakes 6. nuts 7. sweetened condensed milk. Once you bake up these seven ingredients, they meld together for a deliciously chewy and gooey treat!
No one knows for sure how the name “Hello Dolly Bars” came about, but many people suggest it’s because the Broadway musical, “Hello, Dolly!” was popular at the same time the bars were created — sometime around the mid-1960s.
Dolly Parton Bars have the same ingredients as Hello Dolly Bars, Magic Bars, and 7-Layer Bars. To make them, crush graham cracker crumbs and combine with melted butter, then press them into a baking dish. Top with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut flakes, nuts, and sweetened condensed milk, then bake and cool. You can also make gluten-free 7-layer bars by using gluten-free graham crackers.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Be sure to use gluten-free butterscotch chips to keep these bars gluten-free. My favorite brand is Guittard. Note: Nestle Butterscotch Morsels are NOT gluten-free!
- Any kind of gluten-free graham cracker will work for this gluten-free 7-layer bars recipe. My favorite is Schar!
- I have seen some variations of this recipe use an Oreo cookie crust, which could be equally delicious! If you try this version of gluten-free 7-layer bars, just make sure you buy gluten-free Oreos.
More Gluten-Free Bar Recipes
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you try these gluten-free 7-layer bars, be sure to leave me a comment/rating below. I’d love to hear from you!
Easy, Gluten-Free 7-Layer Bars
Ingredients
- 7-8 ounces gluten-free graham crackers (210g) crushed into fine crumbs
- 4 tablespoons salted butter (56g) melted
- 1 cup chocolate chips (170g)
- 1 cup butterscotch chips (170g)
- 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut (100g)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (65g)
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (395g)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the gluten-free graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Stir to combine.
- Press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
- Evenly sprinkle remaining ingredients one by one over the crust to form layers, beginning with the chocolate chips, followed by the butterscotch chips, coconut, and walnuts. Pour the condensed milk evenly over the top, and spread with a rubber spatula to make sure it’s evenly distributed.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden on the edges and set in the middle.
- Let the bars cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to use gluten-free butterscotch chips to keep these bars gluten-free. My favorite brand is Guittard. Aldi and Walmart also have gluten-free butterscotch chips. Note: Nestle Butterscotch Morsels are NOT gluten-free!
- Any kind of gluten-free graham cracker will work for this gluten-free 7-layer bars recipe. My favorite is Schar!
- I have seen some variations of this recipe use an Oreo cookie crust, which could be equally delicious! If you try this version of gluten-free 7-layer bars, just make sure you buy gluten-free Oreos.
Can I substitute sweetened condensed coconut milk for the sweetened condensed milk. I am lactose intolerant and would have to take a Lactaid pill before every piece. It would be so much easier to use sweetened condensed coconut milk for me. And thank you for mentioning that Nestle’s butterscotch morsels are not gluten free. Who knew!
Yes sweetened condensed coconut milk will work great! I hope they turn for you.
So many delicious flavors packed into one bar! My family couldn’t get enough of these, thank you!
Would never know these are gluten free. So tasty!
AMAZING!! Thank you for making going gluten free so easy for my son. We love these bars!
Hi Erin,
After reading the whole article I understand why you eliminated the butterscotch bits.
Thanks again,
Joan Schoppe
Hi Erin,
My granddaughter has just been diagnosed with celiac disease so I am very grateful for this blog.
Six layers as I call them because we do not like coconut is one of her favs so this recipe is heaven sent.
Just wondering why the omission of the butterscotch bits on top of the chocolate bits.?
Also, a neighbor uses cup4cup gluten -free flour. Have you ever tried it?
Again, my deepest thanks for this blog.
Joan Schoppe
Yes cup for cup flour will work great in my recipes! I hope you like this recipe!
They bars are seriously magical. I mean salty, sweet, crunchy, smooth. It’s everything you could want in a treat.
I first tried these at a friends house and I had to make them myself. They were SO tasty! I love the little bit of salty and crunchy that goes with the decadent sweet flavors. Mmmm. I’m drooling just thinking about them.
Canned sweet condensed milk is not gluten free is it?
I haven’t seen a brand that isn’t gluten-free! Most are!
I’m having a difficult time finding the Glutino salted caramel pretzels anywhere, do you have any ideas for a substitute?
Butterscotch or white chocolate chips would work great! You could add a few crushed regular gluten-free pretzels along with the chips. It would be delicious that way too!
Love the recipe but when you try to print it, there’s an ad smack dab in the middle and No picture of the finished product. I understand the need for ads but on the printed recipe? Did not print because of it
looks amazing but we don’t like coconut, any suggestions?
I wish I could think of a substitute for you but I don’t think there is anything that could replace it here!
on those 7 layer bars I thought chocolate chips had to be gluten free
Yes! Most chocolate chips are naturally GF. I love the brand Enjoy Life or the chocolate chips from Costco!
I love how you used glutino brand!! I can not wait to try these–I have everything to make them as well 🙂