Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
User Reviews
4.5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
55 mins
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Cooling Time
30 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 35 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
414 kcal
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Course
Baked Goods
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Cuisine
American
Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
Description
Blueberry Oatmeal Bars start with a crust made from melted butter mixed with all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, sugars, and an optional pinch of salt. Part of this mixture forms a compact base in a lined pan, while the remainder is reserved for a crumble topping. The blueberry layer, made with fresh or frozen blueberries combined with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch to thicken, is spread evenly over the crust. The crumble topping is sprinkled over the fruit layer before baking at 350°F. The result is a dessert or snack bar featuring a tender oat crust, a moist, slightly thickened blueberry filling, and crunchy oat topping.
The grainy texture from the oats and the balance of sweet, tart, and buttery elements make these bars versatile treats to serve at tea time, for a simple dessert, or a fruit-forward snack.
These bars store well at room temperature for about a week, longer in the fridge, and can be frozen for up to six months, making them practical for batch baking or advance preparation.
Ingredients
Crust and Crumble Topping
- ½ cup butter melted, unsalted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup old-fashioned oats (don’t use quick cook or instant, they’re finer and behave like flour and will make mixture too dry)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- pinch salt optional and to taste
Blueberry Layer
- 12 ounces blueberries fresh or frozen; I used frozen and didn’t thaw, 2 cups
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray; set aside. Lining the pan helps with cleanup and is recommended.
Make the Crust and Crumble Topping
- In a large, microwave-safe bowl melt the butter, about 1 minute on high power.
- Add the flour, oats, sugars, optional salt, and stir to combine. Mixture will be dry and sandy with some larger, well-formed crumble pieces.
- Set 1 heaping cup mixture aside to be sprinkled on later as crumble topping.
- Transfer remaining mixture to prepared pan, and using a spatula or your fingers, hard-pack the mixture to create an even, smooth, flat crust; set aside.
Make the Blueberry Layer
- In a large mixing bowl (same one used for crust and crumble is okay), add all ingredients and toss to combine. If sugar hasn’t dissolved fully that’s okay because it liquifies while baking.
- Evenly distribute blueberry mixture over the crust.
- Evenly sprinkle with the reserved heaping 1 cup crumble topping mixture. Before sprinkling, I squeeze the mixture in my palm to encourage bigger crumble pieces to form.
Bake the Bars
- Bake for about 55 minutes, or until edges are set and center has just set. Crumble topping should appear set and very pale golden. I used frozen berries without thawing and the pan was very cold going into the oven. If using fresh berries, baking time will be reduced, but I’m not sure by how much, I’d guess at least 10-15 minutes, possibly less. Bars may take longer than 55 minutes if blueberries are very juicy. Watch your bars, not the clock, when evaluating doneness.
- Place pan on a wire rack and allow bars to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. If you try to slice bars before they’ve cooled completely, they’ll be extremely messy and could fall apart.
Notes
- Use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats to maintain the correct texture; quick oats tend to dry out the mix.
- For easy cleanup, line your baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray before adding the crust mixture.
- These bars keep well for up to one week at room temperature and may be refrigerated for longer freshness.
- Freezing the bars extends their shelf life up to six months.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 414 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 414kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 62g | 21% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Cholesterol | 31mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 22mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 33g | 66% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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