Featured Comment
From Liz: “I just made these for a baby shower. Huge success and raves. I was happy that there were leftovers. I am excited to try more of your recipes ★★★★★“
From Debbie: “I remember my mom making this recipe back in the 80’s, so I was thrilled when I found this gluten free version. I receive rave reviews every time I share this recipe. Thank you for this recipe and all your recipes. Much appreciated. ★★★★★“
From Cara: “AMAZING!! Thank you for making going gluten free so easy for my son. We love these bars! ★★★★★“
Recipe Overview
⏱️ Time to Taste: About 45 minutes plus cooling time
✨ Texture: Chewy, gooey, crunchy, and rich
🥣 Ease: Easy
🌾 Flour Used: Gluten-Free Graham Crackers
🍫 Key Ingredients: Chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, walnuts, and sweetened condensed milk
🎉 Best For: Potlucks, bake sales, holidays, parties, and cookie trays
❤️ Why You’ll Love It: All the classic flavors of traditional magic cookie bars with a simple gluten-free swap that nobody will notice.
If you’re craving a gooey, decadent gluten-free treat, look no further—these gluten-free 7-layer bars are it! Also known as magic cookie bars or Hello Dolly bars (as my parents call them), this recipe is easy to make and perfect for a crowd (it makes a 9×13 pan!).
These rich, buttery bars are packed with both flavor and texture! The graham cracker crust is topped with chocolate and butterscotch chips, coconut, and nuts. Then sweetened condensed milk melts through everything as it bakes, giving the bars their signature gooey texture that makes them so irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are a few notes on some of the key ingredients to make these gluten-free 7-layer bars. Jump to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Gluten-free graham cracker crumbs: Any kind of gluten-free graham crackers will work. I put together this article about gluten-free graham crackers to help you find the best option for you! My favorite brand to use is Schar. I also use it in this gluten-free graham cracker crust!
- Butterscotch chips: Be sure to use gluten-free butterscotch chips to keep these bars gluten-free. My favorite brand is Guittard.
- Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are traditionally used in 7-layer bars, but milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips will also work, if you prefer those flavors.
- Nuts: I like to use chopped walnuts, but chopped pecans also work well!
How to Make Gluten-Free 7-Layer Bars
Here’s an overview of how to make this recipe. You can jump to the recipe for the full instructions!
The perfect 7-layer bars start with a well-made graham cracker crust. Once the salted butter and gluten-free graham cracker crumbs are combined, I firmly press the mixture into the pan to create a sturdy base that won’t crumble when sliced.
I love how quickly this recipe comes together! It only takes a few minutes to layer everything in the pan and top it with sweetened condensed milk to hold it all together.
The key to a perfect bake is to pull them when the edges are lightly golden and the center looks set. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool. I’ve learned that slicing while they’re still warm can cause them to fall apart, so it’s best to let them cool completely for clean, perfect squares.
Make-Ahead/Storage/Freezing Instructions
To Make-Ahead: These bars come together quickly, but you can bake them 1–2 days in advance and still enjoy fresh, delicious gluten-free 7-layer bars.
To Store: Let the bars cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
To Freeze: These bars freeze well! Once they’re completely cool, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 1-2 hours before serving.
What Do Gluten-Free 7-Layer Bars Taste Like?
These bars are rich, buttery, and sweet. A little chocolatey, a little nutty, with hints of caramel-like butterscotch flavor and toasted coconut throughout. The sweetened condensed milk adds a creamy sweetness that perfectly balances all of the flavors.
Can I Use Different Mix-Ins?
Definitely! I’ve left out the nuts before to make a nut-free version, but these bars are easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins. Try white chocolate or peanut butter chips, toffee bits, or even a gluten-free Oreo crust for a fun twist on the classic recipe.
No matter what variations you choose, be sure to pour the sweetened condensed milk over the top so all of the layers bake together into perfectly sliceable bars.
When I want similar flavors, but in cookie form, I love making these gluten-free cowboy cookies. They feature oats instead of graham crackers, but otherwise use a lot of the same mix-ins. They use my favorite gluten-free oatmeal cookies as the base.
More Gluten-Free Bar Recipes
Gluten-Free 7-Layer Bars
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (227g) gluten-free graham crackers, crushed into fine crumbs
- 4 tablespoons (56g) butter, melted
- 1 cup (170g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup (170g) butterscotch chips
- 1 cup (80g) sweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 (14-ounce) can (397g) sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the gluten-free graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.
- Press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
- Evenly sprinkle the remaining ingredients one by one over the crust to form layers, starting with the chocolate chips, followed by the butterscotch chips, coconut then nuts. Pour the condensed milk evenly over the top and spread it with a rubber spatula into a smooth layer.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden on the edges and set in the middle.
- Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely for 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
white chocolate chips (in place of the butterscotch chips) and dairy-free
sweetened condensed milk. Nut-Free: Omit the nuts. You could add some crushed gluten-free
pretzels for crunch instead. To Make-Ahead: You can bake them 1–2 days in advance and still enjoy fresh, delicious gluten-free 7-layer bars. To Store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To Freeze: Place cooled bars into an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 1-2 hours before serving.
Nutrition
More Gluten-Free Bar Recipes
This post was originally published in March 2017. It was updated with new photos and instructions in June 2026.
My crust didnt stay together the best but they still tasted amazing!!!! I can’t make them but once a year! 🙂
Hi Stacy, glad to hear you enjoyed them! Thanks so much for sharing your review.
I just made these for a baby shower. Huge success and raves. I was happy that there were leftovers. I am excited to try more of your recipes
Hi Liz, we’re so happy to hear the recipe was such a hit! Thank you for your positive feedback. Happy baking!
Erin, thank you for publishing this particular recipe, as it was a favorite from my teenage years in the 80s! My best friend’s stepmom would make them when we had a sleepover, and she did refer to them as Hello Dollies, as that was what her mother had called them. Her name was Rena and we both loved her to bits, so it’s very special to see this recipe listed exactly the same as how she made it, and that you also listed the other names it is known by. Rena’s recipe was THE reason I came to love baking, so this really warms my heart, thank you!! ❤️❤️
Aww, this makes us so happy, Angie! We’re so glad this recipe meant so much to you. Thank you for sharing with us! Happy baking!
I remember my mom making this recipe back in the 80’s, so I was thrilled when I found this gluten free version. I receive rave reviews every time I share this recipe. Thank you for this recipe and all your recipes. Much appreciated. Debbie
Thank you for the positive feedback, Debbie! We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for sharing it with others!
Yummy bars! Just an update about the Nestle butterscotch chips– as of March 2024 the package now actually says they are gluten-free. I do remember awhile ago they weren’t. Wondering if I can trust the packaging — I’d think so. If anyone knows otherwise I’d love to hear from you! 🙂
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.
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!
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 🙂