Lemon Blueberry Crumble Bars
Published 7/18/2023
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These lemon blueberry crumble bars are naturally sweetened and we love the almond flour crust. Cook down the blueberries with the sweetener, bake the bars, and let them set for a delicious summer bar. Don’t forget to add the fresh lemon zest to the top before serving!
These lemon blueberry bars are one of Fit Foodie Finds’ oldest and most delicious desserts. Not only do we love these bars, but so many of you have made these bars and loved them!
Crumble bar recipes may look intimidating to make, but it’s actually quite easy. Think of it as a two-part recipe. You’ve got your delicious crust and crumble and the fruit filling.
Before even starting this recipe, if you don’t want to end up with a soggy crust, make sure you all the crust to cool after you par-bake the crust and make sure you cook down the blueberries enough!
Featured Comment
“I’ve made this twice in the past week. It is SO SO good. Comes together easily and is deliciously sweet without a lot of added sugars!” -Becky
What You Need for Blueberry Crumble Bars
8×8-inch pan: these bars are made in a specific pan for a reason, don’t change it. Using a smaller pan will create thick bars and a larger pan will create very thin bars that won’t hold together.
Fine almond flour: when shopping for almond flour, there are usually two types of almond flour to choose from. It can be confusing because they can be called different things. Be sure to buy superfine or blanched almond flour. It is a cream color.
The other options for almond flour on the shelves are an almond meal or raw almond flour which is more coarse. Do not use this type of flour for these bars.
Fresh blueberries: we always prefer fresh blueberries for this recipe. If you have to use frozen blueberries, be sure you let them thaw, discard the excess moisture, and then boil them down.
Tapioca flour: this is the thickener we use for the blueberry filling.
Variations or Substitutions
If you don’t have blueberries, you can use strawberries or raspberries. Be sure you cook the berries down no matter what berry you use.
We do not recommend substituting any other flour for the almond flour.
FAQ
Yes, you can use frozen blueberries in this recipe. Keep in mind that frozen blueberries may release more liquid during baking, so you might need to adjust the baking time slightly.
While lemon zest provides a more concentrated lemon flavor, you can substitute it with lemon juice if needed. Keep in mind that lemon juice is more acidic, so you may need to adjust the amount to avoid making the filling too liquidy.
Absolutely! Lemon Blueberry Crumble Bars can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage, tightly wrapped in foil or plastic wrap.
Yes, you can experiment with other fruits like raspberries, blackberries, or a combination of berries. Just keep in mind that different fruits may have different moisture levels, which can affect the texture and baking time.
Certainly! If you enjoy the addition of nuts, feel free to incorporate chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans into the crumble topping for added crunch and flavor.
how to
Freeze Blueberries
Got extra blueberries? Freeze them for later. Here is how to easily freeze blueberries.
Storage
Room Temperature
If you plan to consume the bars within 1-2 days, you can store them at room temperature in an airtight container. Ensure they are completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation and maintain their texture.
Refrigerator
For longer storage, place the bars in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. They can typically stay fresh for up to 3-4 days in the fridge. Before serving, you can bring them to room temperature or enjoy them chilled.
Freezer
To store lemon blueberry crumble bars for an extended period, freeze them. First, ensure the bars are fully cooled. Individually wrap each bar with plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe container, separating the layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the bars in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. You can also reheat them in the oven at a low temperature for a few minutes to restore their freshness and warmth, if desired.
Serving Variations
- À la Mode: Serve warm lemon blueberry crumble bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures.
- Drizzled with Lemon Glaze: Elevate the bars by drizzling a tangy lemon glaze over the top. Mix powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice until smooth and pour it over the bars for an extra burst of flavor.
- Breakfast Parfait: Crumble the bars and layer them with Greek yogurt and fresh blueberries in a glass or jar for a delicious and filling breakfast parfait.
- Brunch Dessert: Serve the Lemon Blueberry Crumble Bars as a sweet ending to a brunch spread. Arrange them on a platter alongside other brunch favorites like fresh fruit, pastries, and beverages.
Lemon Blueberry Crumble Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust and Crumble
- 3 cups almond meal, superfine⠀⠀
- 1 cup rolled oats⠀⠀
- 2 tablespoons milk, any kind⠀⠀
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, room temp⠀⠀
- 1/4 cup honey, or maple syrup ⠀⠀
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract⠀⠀
- 1/8 teaspoon salt⠀⠀
For the Berry Filling⠀
- 3 cups fresh blueberries⠀⠀
- 1/2 cup water⠀⠀
- 1/4 cup lemon juice⠀⠀
- zest from one lemon ⠀⠀
- 1/4 cup honey, or maple syrup⠀⠀
- 2 tablespoons tapioca flour⠀⠀
- pinch of salt⠀⠀
Instructions
- First, preheat oven to 350ºF and spray an 8×8-inch pan with coconut oil cooking spray and set aside.
- Next, mix all crust/crumble ingredients together in a medium/large mixing bowl.
- Then, take 2/3 of the mixture and press it evenly onto the bottom of the oiled 8×8 pan. Set the rest of the crust/crumble mixture aside (this is what you will use for the crumble topping).
- Bake crust at 350ºF for 10 minutes. Remove crust and set the crust aside to cool.
- Next, place all ingredients for the berry filling into a medium sauce pan. Turn heat to high and bring filling to a boil, stirring often and breaking up the blueberries. Once boiling, turn heat down to low and let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Continue stirring.
- Once the berry filling has thickened, pour on top of the crust. Spread the rest of the crumble mixture over the top of the berry filling and then bake for another 10 minutes at 350ºF.
- Let cool for 20 minutes before placing into the fridge for at least 2 hours to let the filling set. Slice and enjoy!
Tips & Notes
- Be sure to let the almond flour crust cool before pouring the blueberry filling over the top of the crust.
- We used honey as our sweetener but you can use maple syrup or agave as well.
- When you pull the bars out of the oven it is very important that you let the bars set and cool and then set in the fridge for at least 2 hours. If you cut them before that, they will fall apart.
Watch It
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Question — is almond meal the same as almond flour? Thank you.
They are essentially the same thing, but almond meal is usually more finely ground which is better for baking!
Thank you! Great blueberry lemon crisp!!
Delicia gracias.
If one doesn’t have tapioca on hand, could cornstarch be substituted?
Yes, absolutely!
Can I substitute the almond flour with whole wheat flour?
Can I use coconut milk insead of cows milk?
I made this for Mother’s Day as one of the attendees at dinner had a gluten intolerance. It was delicious! Thank you for sharing this with us! It’s definitely a keeper!
YAY! SOOOO good.
What would be the main difference between using frozen blueberries for this recipe rather than fresh blueberries?
You can use frozen!
Can I substitute regular flour for the tapioca flour?
Hi Susan! The tapioca flour acts as a thickening agent, so normal flour will not work. If you have corn starch, that will work!!
How many grams of sugar in a portion