Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly balanced dessert that combines the wholesome goodness of oats with the burst of fresh blueberries and a crumbly, buttery topping. These Blueberry Oatmeal Crumb Bars are not just a recipe; they're a culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into a decadent treat that will have everyone begging for seconds. Whether you're looking for a quick breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a crowd-pleasing dessert, these bars are about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x9-inch baking pan by greasing it lightly with butter or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir the dry ingredients together until well mixed.
- Pour the melted unsalted butter into the dry ingredients. Use a fork or a pastry cutter to blend the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve about 1 cup of this crumb mixture for the topping.
- Press the remaining crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even layer. Make sure it is tightly packed for a sturdy base.
- Evenly distribute the fresh blueberries over the pressed crumb base. You can gently toss the blueberries in a little flour beforehand to help prevent them from sinking.
- Take the reserved crumb mixture and sprinkle it evenly over the blueberries, covering them completely. This will create a delicious crumb topping.
- Bake the bars in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the blueberries are bubbling around the edges.
- Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes. This cooling time will help the bars set up properly.
- After cooling, cut the bars into 12 squares. If you used parchment paper, you can lift the entire batch out of the pan for easier cutting.
- Serve the blueberry oatmeal crumb bars warm or at room temperature. They can be enjoyed as a breakfast treat, a snack, or a dessert.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Tips
- Use fresh, ripe blueberries for the most intense flavor. If using frozen berries, do not thaw them first to prevent excess moisture.
- Toss blueberries in a light dusting of flour before adding to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the bars.
- Press the bottom crust firmly and evenly to ensure a stable base for your bars.
- For extra richness, you can substitute half of the butter with brown butter for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting to help them set and make clean, neat slices.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- These bars can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week, making them perfect for meal prep or advance baking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg
