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Blueberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

4.3 from 51 reviews

Delicious and wholesome Blueberry Oatmeal Bars made with a buttery oat crust and a sweet-tart blueberry filling. These bars combine old-fashioned oats and fresh or frozen blueberries for a perfect balance of texture and flavor, baked until golden with a crumbly topping. Ideal for breakfast, snack, or dessert, with an easy-to-follow preparation method and minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust and Crumble Topping

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup old-fashioned oats (do not use quick cook or instant oats)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • Pinch of salt (optional and to taste)

Blueberry Filling

  • 12 ounces (about 2 cups) blueberries, fresh or frozen (do not thaw if frozen)
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray to ensure easy removal and cleanup.
  2. Prepare Crust and Topping: In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter for about 1 minute on high power. Add the flour, oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and optional salt to the melted butter and stir until fully combined. The mixture will be dry and sandy with some larger crumble pieces.
  3. Reserve Topping Mixture: Set aside 1 heaping cup of the oat mixture to use later as the crumble topping.
  4. Form the Crust: Transfer the remaining oat mixture into the prepared pan. Using a spatula or clean fingers, press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan to create a smooth crust layer. Set this aside.
  5. Make Blueberry Filling: In the same bowl used for the crust (no need to wash), combine the blueberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly mixed. Some sugar granules may remain, but they will dissolve during baking.
  6. Assemble Bars: Spread the blueberry mixture evenly over the packed oat crust in the pan. Then, sprinkle the reserved crumble topping over the blueberry layer, squeezing the topping mixture in your palm to encourage larger crumble pieces.
  7. Bake: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 55 minutes. The bars are done when the edges are set, the center has just firmed up, and the crumble topping is pale golden. Note that baking times may vary; fresh berries may require 10 to 15 minutes less, while very juicy berries could extend baking time.
  8. Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and place the pan on a wire rack. Allow the bars to cool completely for at least 30 minutes before slicing to prevent them from falling apart and becoming messy.

Notes

  • Use old-fashioned oats instead of quick or instant oats to ensure proper texture; finer oats can cause the mixture to be too dry.
  • Frozen blueberries should not be thawed before baking; this helps retain their shape and prevents excess moisture.
  • Lining the pan with foil and spraying it makes removal and cleanup much easier.
  • Cooling the bars completely before slicing is crucial for clean cuts and to keep their structure.
  • Baking time varies depending on whether you use fresh or frozen berries and their juiciness, so watch the bars rather than strictly following the clock.

Keywords: blueberry oatmeal bars, blueberry dessert, oatmeal bars, fruit bars, baked bars, blueberry recipes, healthy dessert, easy baking recipe