Soft and healthy blueberry oatmeal bars, filled with fresh summer blueberries.
These whole-grain blueberry oatmeal bars are a deliciously healthy breakfast or snack.
They’re easy to make, great for picnics or barbecues (hello, Fourth of July!), and the recipe is totally vegan – NO eggs or butter required.
Plus, the wholesome snack bars have less than 1/4th the amount of sugar called for in most traditional blueberry bar recipes.
I really have no idea why traditional recipes call for so much added sugar. Blueberries are perfectly sweet on their own, and all that extra sugar—often a shocking 1 1/2 cups or more packed into an 8×8 pan—is completely unnecessary.
Cut them into bars or squares, and serve either plain or topped with coconut butter if you’d like.
See the following easy tutorial for How To Make Coconut Butter.
Both fresh and frozen blueberries work here; just be sure to thaw the berries first if using frozen. And yes, other berries will work as well if you want to change up the flavor. These were actually adapted from a recipe for strawberry oatmeal bars that I posted a few months ago. After I published the recipe, so many of you wrote in to ask if they could be made into blueberry bars that I decided the blueberry version needed its own post.
Honestly, I also wanted to do the blueberry version in a new post because I loved how beautiful the bars looked with the coconut butter and really, really wanted to take pictures!
Homemade Blueberry Oatmeal Bars!
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1/2 cup spelt, white, or oat flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- optional 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/3 cup sugar, unrefined if desired
- 1/3 cup oil
- 2 cups fresh or frozen thawed blueberries
- 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch or arrowroot
- 1 tbsp sweetener of choice, or pinch uncut stevia
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flour, salt, baking powder, sugar, and optional cinnamon. Stir in the oil, then very firmly press 2/3 of the dough into the prepared pan, reserving the remaining dough. In a separate bowl, stir blueberries, starch, and 1 tbsp sweetener. Press this mixture on top of the dough in the pan, then sprinkle the remaining dough on top. Press down very firmly again. Bake 35 minutes on the center rack. Let cool, then refrigerate at least 1 hour before cutting, as they firm up considerably. Eat plain, or top with melted coconut butter, frosting, or a basic powdered sugar glaze.View Nutrition Facts
Notes
Have you made this recipe?
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More Healthy Blueberry Recipes:
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Chia Pudding Recipes (5 flavors, including blueberry pie)
Carol says
Hello,
What kind of oil to use ? Would coconut oil be ok ?
Thanks !
Looks delicious!
Jason Sanford says
Coconut oil definitely works! Just be sure to use it in liquid form 🙂
Jason
Emmy says
If using frozen blueberries, do I have to wait until they are defrosted to add them to the mix?
Jason Sanford says
Yes do be sure to thaw them first. That way you’re not getting watery or icy results.
Natasha @ Thoughts of Tradition says
Such beautiful blueberry treats were never seen before! I enjoy all of your posts featuring the sweet and colorful little fruit. I have tried Clif bars, and assume these will have a similar texture, but with a much better sugar to nutrient ratio. These are so appealing to look at and I can understand why you were eager to write a new post featuring the photos.
Thank you for sharing the recipe. Have a wonderful Monday.
Paige Cassandra Flamm says
These oatmeal bars look so yummy! I totally need to give them a try asap!
Paige
sabrina says
I completely agree that most of these bar or similar recipes call for way too much sugar, so your very much lower sugar count in favor of the natural sugars in the blueberry is very much appreciated, thank you
Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite says
I agree, so often recipes use way more sugar than is needed! These look delicious 🙂
Linda @ the Fitty says
I wonder if it’s blueberry season? I know it’s the season for strawberries! In which case I’d be using strawberries to sub in his recipe.
New England Flybaby says
Prevention magazine has been decrying the overuse of sugar in American “food” products for at least 40 years. You may want to check the following book out of your library. It is about the food industry’s systematic “pushing” of sugar and fats in their products to get Americans addicted to sugar. The book is: “The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Diet” by David Kessler, MD, who was formerly the head of the FDA. Although the book is copyrighted in 2010, it is very well researched and documented. (However, I warn you, it is a bit of a cynicism producing read…)
Alison says
Can regular old fashioned oats be used as well?
Jason Sanford says
They would probably be a little more crumbly but it would still work.
Alison says
They came out great!! I used old fashioned oats, subbed organic unsweetened applesauce for the oil, used Lakanto monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar and even reduced the flour to 1/4. I also used half blueberries and half strawberries since this recipe was adapted from the strawberry bars and I just couldn’t pick one! Lol. ?
Jason Sanford says
Love your photo!
Destiny Ramsey says
Oh Dang!! I’m trying this version!!! Thank U!
Denise says
You can use old fashioned oats but put them in a food processor and pulse several times to break oats down a bit! Worked great!
ALICE HOWELL says
I used regular oats with white flour, butter instead oil, granulated sugar throughout, & added some fresh lemon zest to the berries. It is so delicious!!!
ALICE HOWELL says
I used regular oats with white flour, butter instead oil, granulated sugar throughout, & added some fresh lemon zest to the berries. It is so delicious!!!
***I used unsalted butter instead of oil & I also increased the salt to 1/2 tsp.
Cassie Autumn Tran says
Combining oatmeal and blueberries is the best! I think layering some of the oats on top of the blueberries is such a great idea. Glad that you addressed sugar–there is SO much refined sugar in pre-packaged nutrition and granola bars nowadays! What a shame!
Christina says
I loved this! I think I’m going to use less sugar in it because the honey I mixed with the blueberries added a lot of sweetness already. Can’t wait to make it again!
Nancy Tipton says
I love these. Used old fashioned oats and a bit less sugar than 1/3 cup. What I found, however, is that I wanted more oat mixture….so doubled the recipe. A bit “thicker” bar. Took a bit longer to bake.
Victor says
I made this 3 times already, about to make it again, but with blackberries instead of blueberries. This thing is delicious and super easy to make. I always cut the sugar down about half, and it’s still sweet and yummy. I’ve also mixed in vanilla protein powder and chopped nuts and it still turned out delicious. Like this recipe. Thanks. .
Amanda says
Can apple sauce be an oil substitute and honey a substitute for sugar?
Jason Sanford says
Edible experiments are the best kind. Be sure to report back if you experiment 🙂
Sarah says
I used applesauce in place of the oil and they turned out great!
Vj says
What’s the healthiest sugar you can use ?
Thanks
Jason Sanford says
Coconut sugar is good in these, and it’s lower glycemic than regular sugar, so maybe try that? https://amzn.to/2Q4I3Ur
Jason
Caitlin says
These turned out amazing! My entire family loved them!
Elle says
These were great! I substituted water for the oil, and it works with 1/2 a cup of water. Thank you so much for the recipe, it really was delicious.
Marcy Ostdick says
Delicious! Love these
Brianna G says
Will white whole wheat flour work?
CCK Media Team says
Hi sorry we haven’t tried that one here!