Blueberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars (Easy Breakfast Recipe!) (2024)

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These blueberry oatmeal bars are made with a thick layer of oatmeal crust, a sweet bubbly layer of fresh blueberries, and topped with more cinnamon crumble. They’re simple to make, easy to freeze, and delicious any time of day.

Need another healthy breakfast or snack option with fresh blueberries? Try theseblueberry muffin energy bitesornaturally sweet blueberry popsicles.

Blueberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars (Easy Breakfast Recipe!) (1)

Table of Contents

  • Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
  • The Simple Ingredients
  • How to Make Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
  • Variations and Dietary Modifications
  • Storage Instructions
  • More Blueberry Recipes
  • Blueberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

I had some blueberries remaining from a 5-pound box and I wanted to use ingredients I had on hand — the final product was these gooey blueberry oatmeal bars.

Blueberry Oatmeal Bars

Imagine your favorite buttery crumb topping on coffee cake muffins. Take all of of that sweet goodness and press it into the bottom of a pan, top it with gooey blueberry filling, and more crumb topping sprinkled on top.

That’s exactly what’s happening in these blueberry oatmeal bars!

There are three layers, but you only need to make 2 of them because the top and bottom layers are from the same dough. This simple dessert makes such a statement!

I highly recommend serving them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect dessert. I love warm fruit desserts with ice cream (helloooopeach apple crisp).

Next time you have extra blueberries or are just craving a sweet to go with your cup of coffee, I hope you think of these blueberry oat bars (but you wouldn’t be mad if you made a blueberry muffin either).

Looking for a breakfast version? Try thisblueberry baked oatmeal next!

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The Simple Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients for these easy blueberry oatmeal bars. Most are pantry staples and easy (and affordable) to find in the grocery store. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.

  • Unsalted butter:I love the flavor butter gives this recipe. We tested these with vegan butter and it worked well, but you could also use coconut oil.
  • Flour:White whole wheat flour is a great option for whole grains. We also tested this using 1:1 gluten-free flour (Bob’s Red Mill). 3/4 cup
  • Old fashioned oats:This is the best type of oat for this recipe, but instant oats or quick oats will work if you have those on hand.
  • Cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt:For extra flavor.
  • Brown sugar:I like to use the brown sugar if I’m making it for dessert, but I opt forcoconut sugaror maple syrup for the breakfast version.
  • Blueberries:Fresh or frozen work well (so you can have these year round!)
  • Pure maple syrup:This helps sweeten up the blueberries just enough.
  • Lemon juice:The acid balances the sweetness in this recipe. Add a little lemon zest too if you feel like it!
  • Corn starch:This helps the blueberry layer become extra gooey. Great subs for this are tapioca or arrowroot starch.
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How to Make Blueberry Oatmeal Bars

Here are the basic steps, with images, for these blueberry oatmeal breakfast bars. Skip down to the recipe card below for the full instructions and a printable recipe.

Mix the oatmeal crumbAdd all of the dry ingredients to a large bowl with the melted butter and mix well until it starts to come together and creates large, sandy clumps.

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Press it into a square pan. Reserve 1 heaping cup of the mixture then firmly press the rest into the bottom of a square pan lined with parchment paper.

Make the blueberry filling:Mix all of the blueberry filling ingredients together (you can use the same bowl).

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Assemble:Pour the blueberries evenly on top of the bottom layer. Sprinkle the reserved crumble on top.

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Bake:Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the blueberries are bubbling.

Success tip: check the bars with 15 minutes left and cover the pan with foil if the top is browning too much.

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Variations and Dietary Modifications

  • Use other fresh fruit:If you’re not a big fan of blueberry flavor or you have peaches or strawberries on hand, they would be great options!
  • Gluten-free:Use 1:1 gluten-free flour and gluten-free rolled oats.
  • Dairy-free:Swap the butter or vegan butter or coconut oil.
  • Refined sugar-free:Use coconut sugar and maple syrup instead of brown sugar and granulated sugar.
  • Add protein:Serve with a scoop of Greek yogurt or drizzle natural peanut butter on top.

Storage Instructions

These can easily be a meal prep recipe! Kids love these in the morning, so follow the instructions to individually wrap each oatmeal crumble bar separately if you want to freeze them so they last longer.

Storage:Allow the bars to cool to room temperature and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Freezer:Cut the bars into squares then wrap each one in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight then warm in the microwave until warmed through.

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If you make these delicious blueberry oatmeal bars, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. You can alsotag me on Instagramso I can see it!

More Blueberry Recipes

Looking for more delicious recipes with blueberries? Give these recipes a try next time:

  • Blueberry overnight oats are an easy breakfast to prep ahead of time and even take out the door with you!
  • Overnight blueberry waffle casserole is layered with thick waffles and juicy blueberries and covered in cinnamon crumble.
  • Brown butter blueberry coffee cakeis always a crowd pleaser.
  • Blueberry muffins with crumb topping are bursting with fresh blueberries and piled high with streusel topping.
  • Lemon blueberry turnovers are like blueberry pie bars with a puff pastry outer layer.

Tap stars to rate!

5 from 1 vote

Blueberry Oatmeal Bars

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 55 minutes mins

Total: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

These blueberry breakfast bars are made with a thick layer of oatmeal crust, a sweet bubbly layer of fresh blueberries and topped with more cinnamon crumble. They're simple to make, easy to freeze and delicious any time of day.

Blueberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars (Easy Breakfast Recipe!) (10)

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Molly Thompson

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Servings: 16 bars

Ingredients

Crust and Crumble Topping

  • 1 cup (2 sticks; 227g) unsalted butter melted
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour gluten-free if needed
  • 1 1/2 cups (150g) old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar packed

Blueberry Layer

  • 16 ounces fresh blueberries (Note 2 Frozen)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice (juice from 1/2 lemon)
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch metal pan with parchment paper.

  • In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter, flour, oats, sugar and salt. The mixture will be dry and sandy with some larger, well-formed crumble pieces. This makes up the crust and crumble. Set 1 heaping cup (I used almost 1 1/2 cups) of the mixture aside for the crumb topping.

  • Transfer the remaining crumb mixture to the prepared pan, and use a spatula or your fingers to press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan to create an even crust,

  • In the same or a separate large mixing bowl, add all ingredients for the blueberry layer and toss to coat the berries in the sugar and cornstarch. Dump the blueberries over the bottom layer.

  • Sprinkle the reserved crumb topping over the blueberries. There will be blueberries still showing, this is what you want.

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until the crumble is golden and the blueberrries are bubbling around the edges. Check the bars with 15 minutes remaining and cover with foil if the top is starting to look to brown.

  • Allow the bars to cool for 30-60 minutes then use the parchment paper overhang to remove the bars and cool them completely. You can place them in the freezer to speed up the cooling process. Slice cooled bars into squares and enjoy.

Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!

Notes

Note 1. Frozen Blueberries. I don’t recommend using frozen blueberries because the filling will be more soupy. If you choose to use frozen blueberries, do not thaw. The bars will take longer to cook due to the increased liquid.

Gluten-free: use 1:1 gluten-free flour and gluten-free rolled oats.

Dairy free: swap the butter or vegan butter or coconut oil.

Refined sugar free: use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar and maple syrup instead of granulated sugar.

Equipment

  • 8×8 inch baking pan

Blueberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars (Easy Breakfast Recipe!) (2024)

FAQs

Are oatmeal bars healthy? ›

And while granola bars are not diet-friendly, oat bars can help you lose weight, as long as you're eating healthy oat bars that are low in sugar and contain fiber and protein and stick to one serving. Granola bars often have little protein and fiber and a lot of sugar.

What is blueberry crumble made of? ›

Make filling: Combine blueberries, brown sugar, and lemon zest in a large bowl. Pour filling into the prepared baking dish. Make topping: Combine brown sugar, flour, oats, butter, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in a medium bowl; rub mixture between your fingers until crumbly. Sprinkle topping evenly over blueberries.

Are oatmeal bars as good as oatmeal? ›

Not only are oat bars full of healthy, whole-food ingredients like oats, nuts and honey, but they also flaunt some pretty impressive health benefits—benefits like fighting off hunger pains and boosting your fiber intake.

What is considered a healthy breakfast bar? ›

  • Kashi Grain Free Coconut Almond Chewy Granola Bar.
  • Bob's Red Mill Peanut Butter Coconut & Oats Bob's Bar.
  • EPIC Beef Apple Bacon Bar.
  • 88 Acres Blueberry Lemon Seed + Oat Bar.
  • Kind Breakfast Protein Almond Butter Bar.
  • Super Team Everything Bagel Bar.
  • Clif Nut Butter Bar Chocolate and Peanut Butter.
  • Evolve Almond Cherry Fuel Bar.
Aug 9, 2023

What's the difference between blueberry crisp and crumble? ›

A crisp is extremely similar to a crumble in that it is a baked dessert made with fresh fruit and a crumbly streusel-esque topping. Originally, the difference between a crumble and a crisp, however, was an ingredient used in the topping: crisps would contain oats and crumbles would not.

What is crumble called in America? ›

Apple crisp is a dessert made with a streusel topping. In the US, it is also called apple crumble, a word which refers to a different dessert in the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Ingredients usually include cooked apples, butter, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and often oats and brown sugar, ginger, and/or nutmeg.

What is the difference between blueberry crumble and blueberry cobbler? ›

Cobbler: A fruit dessert made with a top crust of pie dough or biscuit dough but no bottom crust. Crisp/crumble: In Alberta, the terms are mostly interchangeable. Both refer to fruit desserts similar to cobbler but made with a brown sugar streusel topping sometimes containing old-fashioned rolled oats.

What are the healthiest food bars? ›

Best Protein Bars With Healthy, Natural Ingredients
  • OverEasy Peanut Butter Breakfast Bar. Courtesy Image. ...
  • Rise Bar Almond Honey. ...
  • Epic Protein Beef Sea Salt + Pepper Bar. ...
  • GoMacro Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bar. ...
  • Promix Snickerdoodle Protein Puff Bar. ...
  • Perfect Bar Peanut Butter. ...
  • ALOHA Peanut Butter Cup Bar. ...
  • Kize Cocoa Protein Bar.
Nov 1, 2023

How healthy are oatmeal cookies? ›

Both whole grain oats and raisins are a good source of fiber. The presence of whole grain oats will also help you stay fuller longer. That said, oatmeal raisin cookies are still cookies with higher butter and sugar content than other snacks, so they should only be considered a healthy snack in moderation.

Are Quaker chewy bars healthy? ›

Are Chewy bars the worst snack in the world? No. The overall calorie total is fairly low and the sugar total could certainly be worse. However, the bars are simply too small and too lacking in fiber and protein to consistently satisfy hunger and prevent overeating.

Are overnight oat bars healthy? ›

Healthy, Convenient & Delicious

They'll fill you up and make you feel great, like you can take on the day in your best way. These overnight oats bars give you a great breakfast option to take on the go on those busy mornings when sitting down to a bowl of oatmeal just isn't possible.

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