These vegan and gluten-free blueberry crumble bars are sweet enough to be dessert but healthy enough for breakfast or a snack. They have a sweet juicy blueberry center surrounded by the perfect crumbly crust. These bars are easy to make and refined sugar-free. They can be made with fresh blueberries when in season or frozen blueberries year-round!
Vegan Gluten-Free Blueberry Crumble Bars
These irresistible vegan and gluten-free blueberry crumble bars are filled with a naturally sweetened blueberry filling that is so juicy, tart, fresh and satisfying. They are made with nutritious ingredients and are entirely plant-based. The blueberry bars are lightly sweetened with only maple syrup making them refined sugar-free. They are also full of whole grains from the oats and plant-based protein from the almond flour. The crust has a buttery taste even though it doesn't contain any butter. It is the perfect crumbly contrast for the tangy fruity center.
I love these blueberry bars for breakfast, brunch, snacking or dessert. I somehow find ways to enjoy them whenever!
How to Make Vegan Gluten-Free Blueberry Crumble Bars
Ready to bake? Here’s what you need to do:
These blueberry crumble bars come together so quickly and they don't require any fancy equipment. You simply stir together the crumble ingredients (almond flour, oats, baking soda, salt, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract). Then, press ⅔ of that mixture into a baking pan. On the stovetop you warm and mash the blueberries and stir in maple syrup, arrowroot starch (to thicken it) and a pinch of salt (to bring out the flavors). Once the blueberry filling is juicy and thick you pour it overtop the oat almond flour crust. Then, crumble the remaining oat almond flour mixture overtop. Bake it for 28 minutes and then let it chill in the freezer so it is easy to slice. That's it! Not too bad right? Just some stirring and easy layering. And yet they are super impressive.
If you love these vegan gluten-free blueberry crumble bars:
Try my blueberry muffins, blueberry pancakes, blueberry cobbler, blueberry galette, lemon blueberry muffins next!
Happy baking!
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Vegan Gluten-Free Blueberry Crumble Bars (refined sugar-free)
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These vegan and gluten-free blueberry crumble bars are sweet enough to be dessert but healthy enough for breakfast or a snack. They have a sweet juicy blueberry center surrounded by the perfect crumbly crust. These bars are easy to make and refined sugar-free. They can be made with fresh blueberries when in season or frozen blueberries year-round!
Ingredients
For the crust/crumble:
- 1.5 cups super-fine blanched almond flour
- 1.5 cups quick cooking gluten-free rolled oats
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- ½ cup melted unrefined coconut oil
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the blueberry filling:
- 2.5 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1.5 tablespoon arrowroot starch
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8 x 8 pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare the crust/crumble: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, stir together the almond flour, oats, baking soda and salt. Add the melted coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla and stir until well combined.
- Transfer ⅔ of the mixture to the parchment paper-lined baking pan. Place another piece of parchment paper overtop and use the bottom of a glass to press down into one even layer that coats the entire bottom of the pan. Place the remaining ⅓ of the mixture in the refrigerator (this will be the crumble topping).
- Prepare the filling: Add fresh or frozen blueberries to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Use a potato masher or fork to mash the blueberries (you can leave some whole for texture). Stir in the maple syrup, arrowroot powder and salt. Bring mixture to a boil and then simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes until it thickens. Pour the mixture overtop the crust and use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread into an even layer. Then, use your fingers to sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture overtop the blueberry layer.
- Bake for 28-30 minutes until the crumble is golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to fully cool. I highly recommend placing the pan in your freezer to speed up the process (this also makes slicing easier and less messy). When ready to enjoy remove from the freezer, slice into 16 bars with a sharp knife and serve at room temperature. Store fully cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or the freezer for up to two months.
Notes
Let the blueberry crumble bars cool completely before slicing them (otherwise the filling will ooze out).
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Dessert or Snack
- Method: Stovetop and Oven Baked
Keywords: vegan gluten-free blueberry crumble bars
This recipe is adapted from Ambitious Kitchen's Blueberry Pie Crumble Bars. I wanted to create a recipe similar to this but refined sugar-free, butter-free and using as few ingredients as possible.
Bridget K says
These are incredibly easy to make and so, so delicious. I had to substitute arrowroot starch with cornstarch because I didn't have any, and still great. They are perfect for spring and just the right amount of sweetness. Will definitely be making again!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Bridget! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed them so much! And, yes, cornstarch is a perfect substitute for arrowroot starch. I'm just allergic to corn, personally. So happy you plan to make again this spring! 🙂
Twinkle Doshi says
Another hit recipe and a keeper! Finally made these last week to send a sweet snack item in school lunch box. Such a delicious treat for my little one and both of us at home. Was easy to make, clean ingredients, refined sugar free makes it guilt free indulgence :)!!!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Twinkle! What a fun school treat! So happy you all enjoyed! Thank you so much for the five star review. Best, Elaine
Karen says
Very good & easy to make! The hard part is waiting to eat it.
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Karen! I'm so happy you enjoyed them so much. I agree - that is for sure the hardest part! 🙂
Abby says
These were so easy to make and taste sooo good! I imagine you could use this recipe with any fruit! I will definitely be making this again!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much for letting me know, Abby! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed them! We had them this weekend too! I'm hoping to use this recipe as a base for an apple crumble bar recipe for fall actually - so funny you should say that! 🙂
Reagan says
I love your recipes!!! I have made many of them and so appreciate your creativity and healthy approach. I am GF, DF and have to limit eggs. I also am having trouble with oats though. ? Any substitutions you would recommend?
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Reagan! I'm so happy to hear my recipes have been helpful. The oats in this recipe are key for flavor and texture. They help bind things together without the egg. Typically when I do a vegan + paleo recipe I use almond flour with arrowroot flour to help with the binding and texture. But I would have to test it out before telling you the proportions. I wish I could tell you an easy swap for the oats but they are a big part of this particular recipe. Vegan and gluten-free baking is tricky so it is important to follow recipes closely otherwise I cannot guarantee the results for you. I do have a recipe section on my site for all Paleo recipes (and all recipes on my site are also vegan so if you filter dessert recipes + paleo recipes on this page you can find an oat-free dessert: https://www.eatingbyelaine.com/recipes/
My vegan cupcakes are fairly new on the site and free of oats: https://www.eatingbyelaine.com/best-vegan-paleo-vanilla-cupcakes/
If you are looking for a fruity vegan + paleo dessert you could try these thumbprint cookies: https://www.eatingbyelaine.com/vegan-and-paleo-raspberry-thumbprint-cookies/ or these lemon bars: https://www.eatingbyelaine.com/vegan-gluten-free-lemon-bars-refined-sugar-free/ or this blueberry galette: https://www.eatingbyelaine.com/vegan-grain-free-blueberry-galette-gluten-free-and-refined-sugar-free/
I hope this helps - please let me know!
Grace Naughton says
I never review recipes, but this was really REALLY good. And super simple to make. Along with the vanilla extract I added just a tad over a 1/4 tsp of almond extract.... sooo so good.
I also used cornstarch instead of arrowroot (it was just what I had in the pantry).
Grace N says
I never review recipes, but this was really REALLY good. And super simple to make. Along with the vanilla extract I added just a tad over a 1/4 tsp of almond extract…. sooo so good.
I also used cornstarch instead of arrowroot (it was just what I had in the pantry).
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Grace! I so appreciate your review and five star rating as well! I'm so happy to hear how much you enjoyed this recipe. I agree it is super simple to make! Glad you found it and love your addition of the almond extract - one of my favorite sweet flavor additions! And yes, cornstarch totally works in place of arrowroot... I'm just allergic to corn personally 🙂 Best, Elaine
Josephine says
I used this recipe and subbed blueberries for huckleberries. I added an extra tablespoon of maple syrup. It was absolutely delicious!
Definitely keeping this recipe around and continuing to place with the berries.
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Josephine! I bet those huckleberries were delicious in this recipe! They are a bit tarter than blueberries so I'm glad you thought to add the extra maple syrup... smart move! You can also use maple sugar if they get too liquidy by adding the extra. Just a thought! Can't wait to hear what other berries you try with this one! Best, Elaine
Karen says
I cannot have coconut products. Is there anything I can substitute for the coconut oil?
Elaine Gordon says
Hi, Karen: Any fat that is solid at room temperature should work. Vegan butter for example! Pls LMK if you give that a try and how it turns out for you. Thanks, Elaine
Karen says
I used ghee in place of the coconut oil and they were terrific!! I took them to the school where I teach for a potluck day and everyone kept complimenting how yummy they were. Not many of them follow a “clean” diet so they were surprised they tasted so good AND were healthy! Thank you!!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much for letting me know, Karen! I'm so happy to hear they were a hit all around! Best, Elaine