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 and apricot jam in these apricot 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.
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,
- Place everything except oats in the food processor
- Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs
- Add oats and pulse until incorporated
- Divide mixture in half and press half the mixture into the bottom of a pan.
- Save the other half to crumble over filling
Make the filling
You need blueberries, cornstarch, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and water.
- Add all filling ingredients to a pot.
- Heat over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Stir often to avoid scorching.
- Remove from heat and pour over crust
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 crisp
- Blueberry lemon bread
- Blueberry muffins
- Blueberry banana coffee cake
- Blueberry popsicles
- Blueberry lemon bundt cake
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Blueberry Crumb Bars
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Glass Baking Dish 7x11
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup butter (cut into small pieces)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup oats
Filling
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 3 cups blueberries
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- lemon zest (from one lemon)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
Crust
- Place butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt in a food processor.1 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, ½ teaspoon salt
- Pulse until mixture is combined and crumbly.
- Add oats and pulse until combined.1 cup oats
- Divide mixture into two equal parts. Place one half into a greased 11 X 7 inch baking dish. Pat crust firmly down. Reserve other half for top.
Filling
- Place water, berries, sugar, corn starch, lemon zest, lemon juice and salt in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring often, until simmering. Remove from heat.1 Tablespoon water, 3 cups blueberries, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons corn starch, lemon zest, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, 1 pinch salt
- Pour filling over prepared crust.
Baking
- Sprinkle remaining crust on top.
- Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 40 minutes.
- Allow bars to fully cool before cutting and serving. Cut into 12 equal pieces.
Notes
- Use old fashioned oats
- 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
- Fresh or frozen berries may be used in this recipe
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Connie's cooking says
I made the apple version of this recipe twice. So good!
With this recipe you mention lemon zest, but when I jump to the recipe, it is no longer mentioned. Could you clarify? Zest or no zest?
Kathy says
Hi Connie,
You are correct - I somehow omitted the lemon zest and juice from the recipe card! I've updated it with the correct measurements. Thank you so much for checking and letting me know.
Enjoy!
Kathy 🙂
Allison Williams says
Could oat flour be used instead if all purpose flour? These look delicious!
Kathy says
Hi Allison,
I have not used oat flour before so I don't know how it is for baking. If it's something you can normally substitute 1:1 in baking, then it should work fine.
Enjoy!
Allison Williams says
I did make it using only oat flour and measured it by weight and not volume. It turned out fabulous and was so delicious. This is definitely a keeper.
Kathy says
Wonderful! Thanks so much for letting me know! 🙂
Raine says
Can I double the recipe and use a larger pan
Kathy says
Hi Raine,
You should be able to double this recipe if using a larger pan. Let me know how they turn out!
Happy Baking! 🙂
Valentina says
I love that these can be a lovely after dinner dessert as well as an on-the-go snack -- or like you said, in the lunch box treat. Delicious in all cases. 🙂 ~Valentina
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I LOVE anything blueberry Kathy, so I'll be trying these soon! Bet they're so delicious!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I have a bunch of blueberries on hand so these crumb bars would be a perfect use for 'em! Love that buttery exterior and fruity interior! Perfect with my cuppa coffee right about now 😉
David @ Spiced says
Thank you so much for reminding me how much I love crumb bars! The oat topping is so good - I love oat topping on all sorts of baked goods, but then go add in the layer of fruit? Done! I could definitely go for one of these bars on this snowy Monday morning. Looks delicious, Kathy!
Kathy says
They are so simple, yet so delicious! Stay warm out there! 🙂