These blueberry crumble bars are fresh, flavorful and easy to make. They’re naturally gluten free, vegan and perfect with a dollop of coconut whipped cream on top!
Fruity desserts (ok lemon too) are my favorite kind of dessert. I see you peach crisp. Aside from vanilla cupcakes that is. They’re fresh and sweet but don’t weigh you down the way chocolate can.
These blueberry crumble bars, or blueberry pie bars as I like to call them, are made with a buttery brown sugar crust, layered with juicy blueberries and topped with more crust for good measure.
This recipe is naturally vegan, gluten free, easy to make and perfect on a summer day with a dollop of coconut whipped cream on top.
This recipe requires a few steps, but it all comes together quite easily! If you want something even easier, try my blueberry crisp instead.
How to make blueberry crumble bars
For these blueberry crumble bars, the crust and the crumble will be the same recipe (all made in the same bowl) so the first step is to make this. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the baking powder, salt, cinnamon, oats and almond flour.
Add in all remaining ingredients and use a fork to mash the butter or oil into all ingredients. I prefer using butter, but either works.
The dough shouldn’t be too wet, but it should be dry either, so keep mixing until the wet ingredients are well incorporated. When you touch it, it should feel moist, but crumble easily if you run it between your fingers.
Add about 2/3 of the dough to an 8×8 pan lined with parchment paper. Press down firmly with your hands. If you only have a 9×9 pan, that should work just fine too, but the crust won’t be as thick.
Bake for 10 minutes and set aside the remaining dough.
While baking, add the blueberries, lemon juice and maple syrup to a pot on the stove. Heat over low heat until the blueberries start to melt and bubble. You can mash some of them with a fork if you like, but I generally leave them whole.
Whisk in the starch and let simmer for about 1 minute to allow it to thicken.
Remove from heat and let cool for about 5 minutes while the crust finishes baking. The blueberry juice part should continue to thicken as it cools.
When the crust is done baking, remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
Add the blueberry mixture to the crust and crumble on the remaining dough on top. Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 1 hour before slicing.
The crust should hold up if you just hold the bar and bite into it, but I generally recommend serving these on a plate with a fork since they can get a bit messy.
They’re best with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top!
Fresh vs frozen berries
You can use fresh or frozen berries for this recipe, but I recommend using fresh if you can. Frozen berries will release more moisture and can make the crust and bit soggier.
If you use frozen, I suggest baking the crust for a few extra minutes so it has more structure to support the extra liquid.
Cool before slicing!
It’s very important to let these cool before slicing. When you remove them from the oven, place the pan directly on a cooling rack and let cool for 1 hour.
After they’ve cooled, pick up the sides of the parchment paper from the pan and pull the bars out of the pan, then slice into 16 even squares. You can slice directly in the pan, but I find it easier to remove them before slicing.
Variaitons
Berries. You can use any berry in place of blueberries if you prefer, but I find raspberries, blackberries and blueberries work best. If you use strawberries, I recommend slicing them finely before melting them on the stove.
Add lemon. Turn these into blueberry lemon crumble bars by adding some lemon zest into the blueberry filling and on top of the crumble when they come out of the oven!
Pro tip: You want the oil/butter to be softened, but not completely melted. I usually use butter and will slice it into 1 tbsp bits and microwave for about 15 seconds and then add that to the dough.
Coconut oil usually melts faster, so it should only need about 10-15 seconds in the microwave to soften. If you press your finger into the butter it should leave an intent, but not completely fall apart. That’s how you’ll know it’s ready.
Try these berry recipes next!
- Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
- Blueberry Muffins
- Blueberry Crisp
- Avocado Blueberry Smoothie
- Lemon Blueberry Pancakes
- Strawberry Shortcake
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Blueberry Pie Crumble Bars
by: claire cary
Ingredients
Crust/Crumble:
- 1 ½ cups almond flour*
- 1 ½ cup quick oats
- ⅓ cup butter or refined coconut oil, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted runny almond butter*
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar can sub coconut
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
Filling:
- 3 heaping cups fresh blueberries
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1 ½ tbsp arrowroot starch can sub tapioca or corn starch
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the baking powder, salt, cinnamon, oats and almond flour.
- Add in all remaining ingredients and use a fork to mash the butter or oil into all ingredients.
- The dough shouldn’t be too wet, but it should be dry either, so keep mixing until the wet ingredients are well incorporated.
- Add about 2/3 of the dough to an 8×8 pan lined with parchment paper. Press down firmly with your hands. I suggest lining the pan going both ways, it makes for much easier removal!
- Bake for 10 minutes and set aside the remaining dough.
- While baking, add the blueberries, lemon juice and maple syrup to a pot on the stove. Heat over low heat until the blueberries start to melt and bubble.
- Whisk in the starch and let simmer for about 2 minutes to allow it to thicken.
- Remove from heat.
- When the crust is done baking, remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Add the blueberry mixture to the crust and crumble on the remaining dough on top.
- Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 1 hour before slicing. It will get pretty messy if you slice when they're still warm! I slice into 16 squares, but you can also do 9 or 12!
Rachel says
Made these for the first time and I’m obsessed! I actually ended up using frozen mixed berries but just let them defrost in a colander about an hour before whipping it all together and moisture was not a problem at all. I’ll be saving this recipe!!!
Claire Cary says
So glad the mixed berries worked out well!
Joanne says
I cannot find almond flour can I substitute all purpose flour?
Claire Cary says
That would require you change the proportions of other ingredients because all purpose flour is very absorbent, your best bet would be oat flour! If you can’t find that, you can grind up quick or old fashioned oats in a blender until they look like flour.
Jess says
I’ve made these 3 times and they’re amazing each time!!! Only complaint is we eat them too fast!!! Awesome recipe, taste / look bakery made.
Claire Cary says
Love hearing that! Thanks Jess!
Sarah says
I agree 💯 so delicious and beautiful!!!
Susan Frank says
I only have frozen blueberries. Do you recommend draining some of the juice after the berries defrost to reduce the possibility of a soggy crust? Or any other ideas if using frozen blueberries?
Claire Cary says
I would just add about 1/2 tbsp more arrowroot to help soak up some of the moisture! Let me know how it turns out!
Susan Frank says
I ended up reducing the blueberries a bit longer, and the bars were delicious! I think next time I will try more arrowroot as the blueberries did break down a little more. Thank you!!!
Claire Cary says
So happy you enjoyed them! Thanks for the feedback!
Ciela Tacoma says
if you cut before 1 hour what will happen?
Claire Cary says
The crust just needs a little more time to hold its shape, so if you cut prematurely the bars will crumble much more easily.
Latasha says
Tried this the other night! Super simple to follow, and was amazing! Looking forward to trying out other recipes!!
Claire Cary says
Thank you for the love Latasha! So happy you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
Olivia says
I need to try these. I miss you a lot. looking forward to seeing you
Claire Cary says
Hi Olivia! I miss you and Lindsay too! Tell your family I say hi 🙂
Sarah | Well and Full says
These bars look amazing! I need to try them!
Jessica says
Made these tonight and they’re definitely going to be a staple in my house. Easy and insanely delicious!!!!
Claire Cary says
Thanks Jessica!! So happy you enjoyed 🙂