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You need 2 cups of fresh blueberries. Choose ripe, juicy ones for the best flavor. Look for berries that are plump and firm. Fresh blueberries add a sweet burst to each bite. Next, gather your dry ingredients: - 1 cup rolled oats - 1 cup all-purpose flour - 1/2 cup brown sugar - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon baking powder These ingredients form the base and crumble topping. The oats give a hearty texture, while the sugars add sweetness. Cinnamon brings warmth and depth to the flavor. For the wet ingredients, you will need: - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1 tablespoon cornstarch Melt the butter to help bind the dry mix. Lemon juice enhances the blueberry flavor. Cornstarch helps thicken the filling and gives it a nice texture. With these ingredients ready, you are set to create delightful blueberry crumble bars. Each layer works together to give you a treat that is sweet and satisfying. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is key for even baking. Grab an 8x8-inch baking pan. Line it with parchment paper. Leave some paper hanging over the edges. This will help you lift the bars out later. In a medium bowl, mix together the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder. Use a fork to combine these dry ingredients well. Then, pour in the melted butter. Mix until you see a crumbly dough forming. Set aside about one cup of this mixture for later. Press the rest evenly into the bottom of the baking pan. This creates a solid crust for your bars. Now, take another bowl. Toss the fresh blueberries with lemon juice and cornstarch. Stir gently so you coat the blueberries well. This mix adds flavor and thickens the filling. Once ready, spread this blueberry mixture evenly over the crust in your baking pan. Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture over the blueberries. Make sure to cover them fully. This adds a crunchy top layer. Place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Look for a golden brown top and bubbling blueberries. Once baked, take it out and let it cool for at least 15 minutes in the pan. Use the parchment paper to lift the bars out. Finally, let them cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares. Enjoy your delightful blueberry crumble bars! When choosing blueberries, look for firm, plump berries. They should be deep blue in color with a silvery sheen. Avoid any that are soft or mushy. Fresh blueberries have a sweet, fruity scent. If you can, buy them from a local farmer's market. They often have the best flavor. To get a great crumble texture, mix the dry ingredients well. Use your hands to combine them with melted butter. This helps create small clumps. The mixture should feel like wet sand. Reserve part of this mix for the topping. This will give your bars a nice crunch. These bars shine when served warm. Cut them into squares and dust with powdered sugar. Add a few fresh blueberries on top for a pop of color. They pair well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You can also enjoy them with a cup of tea or coffee. Pro Tips Use Fresh Blueberries: Fresh blueberries provide the best flavor and texture. If using frozen, make sure to thaw and drain them to prevent excess moisture in the filling. Chill the Butter: If you prefer a flakier crumble, chill the melted butter slightly before mixing it into the dry ingredients. Let it Cool Completely: Allowing the bars to cool completely before cutting ensures they hold their shape and makes for cleaner squares. Experiment with Spices: Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the crumble for an extra layer of warmth and flavor. {{image_2}} You can switch blueberries for other fruits. Ripe strawberries, tart raspberries, or sweet peaches work great. Each fruit gives a new taste. Mix and match to find your favorite. If you use juicier fruits, add a bit more cornstarch. This helps keep the bars firm. To make these bars gluten-free, use almond flour or oat flour. Both options keep the taste and texture nice. Check that your oats are certified gluten-free. This ensures they do not have any wheat traces. You can still enjoy the same yummy crumble with this swap! Nuts or seeds add a nice crunch. Chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans mix well. You can also use pumpkin or sunflower seeds for a fun twist. Just fold them in with the crumble mixture. This gives your bars extra flavor and nutrition. To keep your blueberry crumble bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. Make sure they cool completely before sealing. You can keep them at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to store them longer, the fridge is a good option. They can last up to a week in the fridge. Just remember to let them come to room temperature before serving. Freezing is a great way to save your bars for later. First, let them cool completely. Then, cut them into squares. Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Place the wrapped bars in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you're ready to eat, just thaw them in the fridge overnight. If you want to enjoy warm blueberry crumble bars, reheating is easy. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bars on a baking sheet. Heat for about 10-15 minutes. This will make them warm and nice. You can also microwave them for about 20-30 seconds. Just be careful not to overheat them, or they may become rubbery. Enjoy your bars warm or at room temperature! Yes, you can use frozen blueberries. Just make sure to thaw them first. Drain any extra juice. This keeps the filling from being too watery. The taste will still be great, and the bars will be just as yummy. You can tell the bars are done by looking at the top. It should be golden brown. The blueberries should bubble a bit around the edges. A toothpick can help too. Insert it in the center; it should come out mostly clean. Absolutely! You can make these bars a day ahead. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep them fresh longer, put them in the fridge. They taste great chilled or at room temp! In this blog post, we covered how to make delicious blueberry crumble bars. We discussed fresh and dry ingredients, along with the steps for preparing the crust and filling. Tips and tricks offered best practices for choosing blueberries and achieving a great texture. You learned about variations, storage options, and answers to common questions. Experiment with your recipe, and enjoy these tasty treats. The possibilities are endless!

Blueberry Crumble Bars

Delicious and easy-to-make blueberry crumble bars with a buttery oat crust.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups fresh blueberries
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 2 brown sugar
  • 1 2 granulated sugar
  • 1 2 unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder.
  • Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until a crumbly dough forms. Reserve about 1 cup of this mixture for the crumble topping.
  • Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
  • In another bowl, gently toss the blueberries with lemon juice and cornstarch until well coated.
  • Spread the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust in the baking pan.
  • Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture over the blueberries, covering them completely.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the blueberries are bubbling.
  • Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes. Then, use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out.
  • Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares.

Notes

Serve the bars on a whimsical plate, dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with fresh blueberries for a pop of color.
Keyword bars, blueberry, crumble, dessert