Blueberry Crumb Bars

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Blueberry crumb bars are a sweet dessert with a blueberry filling and an oatmeal crumb crust. These bars are perfect for a casual dessert or for a fun lunch box treat. Fresh or frozen blueberries can be used in this recipe.

These blueberry bars are a fun treat! I’ve made a similar dessert in the past using applesauce in these oat bars and raspberry jam in raspberry oat bars.  For this recipe I made a quick pie filling and added it to the bars.  You might like is peach crumb bars or strawberry bars. 

How do you make the crust?

This crust is easy to make. I do it all in the food processor and the ingredients are simple. You just need flour, brown sugar, butter, ground cinnamon, salt and oats. 

To make the bars,

1. Place everything except oats in the food processor
2. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs
3. Add oats and pulse until incorporated
4. Divide mixture in half and press half the mixture into the bottom of a pan.
5. Save the other half to crumble over filling

How do you make the filling?

You need blueberries, cornstarch, sugar, lemon zest, salt and water.

1. Add all filling ingredients to a pot.
2. Heat over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Stir often to avoid scorching.
3. Remove from heat and pour over crust

How long do the bars bake?

These blueberry crumb bars bake in a low 325 degree oven for 40 minutes.

Fresh or frozen blueberries?

One of the best parts of this recipes is that you can use either fresh or frozen blueberries! I often have blueberries in my freezer and it’s so easy to pull them out and add to this recipe. You will use fresh or frozen berries in the exact same way and the only thing that will change is it will take a few extra minutes for the frozen berries to come to a simmer. 

Does it matter what kind of oats I use?

I use old fashioned oats which are a thicker, slower cooking oat. I don’t care to use quick oats or 1 minute oats. They will work in this recipe, but I prefer the oats to be a bit more substantial in the crust. You can use whatever you have on hand. 

These blueberry bars are best eaten at room temperature. The bars will hold together once they are cooled. I’ve cut these apart while still warm and they are delicious, but the bars don’t hold their shape very well. 

Tips for making Blueberry Crumb Bars

• Use old fashioned oats for the best texture
• Cut butter into small pieces before adding to food processor
• Add a bit of water to the bottom of the pot prior to adding blueberry filling ingredients. This helps prevent scorching before the blueberry juices start flowing.
• Allow bars to cool before cutting and serving

Other great blueberry recipes

• Blueberry pancakes
• Blueberry lemon bread
• Blueberry muffins
• Blueberry banana coffee cake
• Blueberry popsicles

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