​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Blueberry Crumble Bars Recipe You’ll Make Again and Again

Picture this: you’re craving something sweet, but you don’t want the fuss of making an elaborate dessert. These blueberry crumble bars are your perfect solution, they deliver all the comfort of a homemade blueberry pie with half the effort. The buttery, golden crumble pairs beautifully with bursts of juicy blueberries, creating a dessert that’s both rustic and refined.

What makes these bars truly special is their versatility. They work equally well as a weekend baking project, a potluck contribution, or an afternoon snack with coffee. The crumbly topping provides a delightful textural contrast to the tender fruit layer beneath, while the shortbread-like base holds everything together perfectly. Whether you use fresh summer blueberries or frozen ones from your pantry, these bars deliver consistent, crowd-pleasing results every single time.

Ingredients

For the Base and Topping:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

For the Blueberry Filling:

• 3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Substitution Options:

• Gluten-free: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
• Dairy-free: Substitute cold vegan butter or coconut oil for regular butter
• Vegan: Use plant-based butter and ensure your sugar is vegan-friendly
• Lower sugar: Reduce sugar by ¼ cup in both base and filling

Time & Planning

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour

Make-ahead tips: The crumb mixture can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator. You can also assemble the entire dish and refrigerate it overnight before baking.

Time-saving strategy: While your oven preheats, prepare the blueberry filling. This allows the berries to macerate slightly, creating more flavorful bars. The butter cubing and crumb mixing can happen simultaneously if you have someone to help.

How to Make It

1. Prepare Your Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment with cooking spray or butter.

2. Make the Blueberry Filling

In a medium bowl, gently toss the blueberries with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and lemon zest. The mixture should look glossy, and you’ll notice the berries starting to release their juices. Set aside while you prepare the crumble.

3. Create the Crumble Base

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, oats, both sugars, vanilla, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger butter pieces remaining. This creates the perfect rustic texture.

4. Assemble the Layers

Press two-thirds of the crumb mixture firmly into your prepared pan, creating an even base layer. Pour the blueberry filling over the crust, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the top, pressing lightly to help it adhere.

5. Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and you can see the blueberry filling bubbling around the edges. The bars should feel set when gently pressed in the center.

6. Cool Completely

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan for at least 2 hours. This cooling time is crucial for clean slicing and prevents the bars from falling apart.

Nutrition Overview

Each bar contains approximately 185 calories, with a good balance of carbohydrates from the oats and natural fruit sugars. The blueberries provide antioxidants and vitamin C, while the oats contribute fiber and sustained energy. These bars offer more nutritional value than many traditional desserts thanks to the whole grain oats and fresh fruit.

The butter provides richness but can be reduced or substituted with healthier alternatives if desired. Nutritional values may vary based on ingredient brands and portion sizes.

Healthier Variations

For a lighter version, replace half the butter with unsweetened applesauce, though this will create a slightly more tender texture. Reduce the sugar by ¼ cup in both the filling and crumble for a less sweet treat that lets the berry flavor shine through.

Boost the fiber content by substituting ½ cup of the flour with almond flour or adding 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed to the crumb mixture. For extra nutrition, try mixing in other berries like raspberries or blackberries with the blueberries.

Serving Ideas

These bars shine on their own but become extra special when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. They pair beautifully with morning coffee or afternoon tea, making them perfect for brunch gatherings or book club meetings.

Try them crumbled over Greek yogurt for a protein-rich breakfast, or pack them in lunch boxes for a homemade treat. During summer, serve them alongside fresh berries and mint for an elegant dessert presentation.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

Soggy bottom crust: Ensure your butter is cold and don’t overmix the crumble. Press the base layer firmly to create a solid foundation.

Runny filling: Don’t skip the cornstarch, it thickens the berry juices during baking. If using frozen berries, don’t thaw them first as this adds excess moisture.

Crumbly bars that fall apart: Let them cool completely before cutting. The filling needs time to set properly, which creates stable, sliceable bars.

Storage & Reheating

Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to one week. For longer storage, wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.

To refresh day-old bars, warm them in a 300°F oven for 5-8 minutes. Avoid microwaving as this can make the crumble topping soggy. Frozen bars thaw beautifully at room temperature in about an hour.

Final Thoughts on These Irresistible Bars

These blueberry crumble bars prove that the best desserts often come from simple, quality ingredients combined with care. They’re forgiving enough for novice bakers yet satisfying enough to impress seasoned cooks. The combination of textures and the bright blueberry flavor makes them a recipe you’ll find yourself returning to season after season.

Whether you’re baking for a crowd or treating yourself to something special, these bars deliver consistent, delicious results. Give them a try, and don’t be surprised when they become your go-to dessert for every occasion.

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Frequently Asked Questions

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Blueberry Crumble Bars Recipe You’ll Make Again and Again

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• Author: Amy
• Total Time: 1h
• Yield: 16 bars 1x

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Description

Blueberry Crumble Bars are an irresistible dessert with juicy blueberries and a buttery crumb topping that everyone will love.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Base and Topping:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

For the Blueberry Filling:

• 3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Substitution Options:

• Gluten-free: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
• Dairy-free: Substitute cold vegan butter or coconut oil for regular butter
• Vegan: Use plant-based butter and ensure your sugar is vegan-friendly
• Lower sugar: Reduce sugar by ¼ cup in both base and filling

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Instructions

• Prep the Pan
  Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment and lightly grease.

• Make the Blueberry Filling
  Mix blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and zest in a bowl. Set aside.

• Make the Crumble
  Combine flour, oats, sugars, vanilla, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.

• Assemble
  Press ⅔ of the crumble into the pan. Spread blueberry filling on top, then sprinkle with remaining crumble.

• Bake
  Bake 40–45 minutes until golden and bubbly.

• Cool & Slice
  Cool completely (about 2 hours) before cutting into bars.

• Prep Time: 15m
• Cook Time: 45m
• Category: Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Calories: 185 calorie