4.2 113 Published May 06, 2024, Updated Jul 03, 2024 They’re filled with sweet blueberry goodness and have a delicious oat crumble topping and crust. And I love the addition of the hemp hearts in the topping for some added nutrients! Seriously, I can’t get over how good these bars are. If you haven’t made them before here’s your sign! They’re the perfect healthy dessert to have on hand this summer and would also be a great addition to bring to all your summer potlucks.
Why You’ll Love These Bars
Healthier – These crumble bars are made with real blueberries, coconut sugar, rolled oats, coconut oil and hemp seeds for a healthier dessert option. No butter, white sugar and white flour needed! One bar has under 150 calories and only 10 grams of sugar! Simple – This recipe requires only 10 simple ingredients and about 15 minutes of prep time. Delicious – These bars taste like blueberry pie in bar form. I love eating them warm, but they’re also delicious cold straight from the fridge. Dietary friendly – These bars are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and refined sugar-free.
Ingredients Needed
You only need 10 simple ingredients to make these crumble bars. I bet you already have most everything on hand. Here’s what you need:
oat flour – provides a gluten-free base for the crumble and crust, adding a mild, slightly sweet flavor and plenty of fiber. Use store-bought or make your own oat flour at home. old fashioned rolled oats – gives texture and crunch to the bars, enhancing the crumble topping. Oats are naturally gluten-free but are often cross-contaminated during processing, so if you need this crisp to be gluten-free, make sure you look for oats that say “gluten-free” on the package. I like using Bob’s Red Mill gluten free old fashioned rolled oats. coconut sugar – a natural sweetener that offers a lower glycemic index compared to regular sugar, adding a caramel-like sweetness. sea salt – enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. coconut oil – used to bind the crumble and crust instead of butter, adding a subtle coconut flavor and healthy fats. hemp hearts – these are raw, shelled hemp seeds. They add texture and a boost of protein, omega-3s, omega-6 fatty acids and fiber. I love the Manitoba Harvest organic hemp hearts. blueberries – the star of the show here! I used fresh blueberries, but frozen blueberries will work just fine. And no need to thaw them! lemon zest – adds a bright, citrusy note that complements the blueberries wonderfully. water – helps to thin the blueberry mixture slightly, allowing for easier spreading. arrowroot powder or cornstarch – thickens the blueberry filling, ensuring it sets properly without being too runny.
Ingredient Swaps
I recommend making this recipe as-is for the best results! That said, I understand how ingredient substitutions are needed sometimes so here are a few simple swaps you can make that will still result in delicious crumble bars:
Swap the flour: I haven’t tried it, but I bet all-purpose flour would work as a sub for the oat flour. Coconut oil: If you don’t have coconut oil on hand, butter would be the best substitute to make the crumble. Sugar: Brown sugar would be a good substitute for the coconut sugar. Don’t have hemp hearts? Use chia seeds instead! Swap the fruit: The great thing about this recipe is how versatile it is! Feel free to swap the blueberries with another berry if you want like strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or a combo of them all!
How to Make Healthy Blueberry Crumble Bars
Step 1: Prepare the blueberry filling by simmering the blueberries, lemon zest, water and arrowroot powder or corn starch in a saucepan until thickened. Step 2: Mix dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Then add the coconut oil and use your hands or a spoon to combine the mixture until it forms into a crumble. Measure out ⅔ cup of the oatmeal crumble mixture for the topping into small bowl and stir in the hemp hearts. Step 3: Add the remaining oatmeal crumble mixture to your prepared baking dish and evenly press into down using your hands to form the crust. Layer the blueberry filling on top, then sprinkle the remaining oat mixture with hemp hearts over the filling. Step 4: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 35-40 minutes or until golden on top and blueberry filling is bubbling. Allow it to cool completely before cutting into bars for the best texture and firmness.
How to Store Blueberry Crumble Bars
You can store these bars covered at room temp for 1-2 days, but I recommend storing them in the fridge to help maintain their freshness and texture. Here’s how to store them: In the fridge: Cover the pan or place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them. They will stay fresh for up to a week. In the freezer: These bars are freezer-friendly! To freeze, make sure they’ve cooled completely and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before enjoying.
More Healthy Desserts
Cherry Crisp Healthy Peach Crisp Healthy Blueberry Crumble Banana Ice Cream Blueberry Frozen Yogurt Healthy Banana Pudding
Be sure to check out all of the blueberry recipes as well as the full collection of dessert recipes here on EBF! This post was originally published on August 27, 2015, updated on May 14, 2021 and republished on May 6, 2024.
