Healthy Blueberry Crumble Bars
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These healthy blueberry crumble bars are made with fresh blueberries and have a delicious oat crumble crust and topping. They’re vegan, gluten-free and the perfect summer treat!
These healthy blueberry crumble bars have been a favorite of mine ever since I first made them almost 9 years ago, which is crazy to think about!
They’re filled with sweet blueberry goodness and have a delicious oat crumble topping and crust. And I love the addition of the hemp hearts in the topping for some added nutrients!
Seriously, I can’t get over how good these bars are. If you haven’t made them before here’s your sign! They’re the perfect healthy dessert to have on hand this summer and would also be a great addition to bring to all your summer potlucks.
Why You’ll Love These Bars
- Healthier – These crumble bars are made with real blueberries, coconut sugar, rolled oats, coconut oil and hemp seeds for a healthier dessert option. No butter, white sugar and white flour needed! One bar has under 150 calories and only 10 grams of sugar!
- Simple – This recipe requires only 10 simple ingredients and about 15 minutes of prep time.
- Delicious – These bars taste like blueberry pie in bar form. I love eating them warm, but they’re also delicious cold straight from the fridge.
- Dietary friendly – These bars are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and refined sugar-free.
// ★★★★★ Review //
“This was my FAVORITE dessert I’ve ever made and what a plus that it’s healthy! The whole pan is gone and I just made them today (the family loved it)!” – Carly
Ingredients Needed
You only need 10 simple ingredients to make these crumble bars. I bet you already have most everything on hand. Here’s what you need:
- oat flour – provides a gluten-free base for the crumble and crust, adding a mild, slightly sweet flavor and plenty of fiber. Use store-bought or make your own oat flour at home.
- old fashioned rolled oats – gives texture and crunch to the bars, enhancing the crumble topping. Oats are naturally gluten-free but are often cross-contaminated during processing, so if you need this crisp to be gluten-free, make sure you look for oats that say “gluten-free” on the package. I like using Bob’s Red Mill gluten free old fashioned rolled oats.
- coconut sugar – a natural sweetener that offers a lower glycemic index compared to regular sugar, adding a caramel-like sweetness.
- sea salt – enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- coconut oil – used to bind the crumble and crust instead of butter, adding a subtle coconut flavor and healthy fats.
- hemp hearts – these are raw, shelled hemp seeds. They add texture and a boost of protein, omega-3s, omega-6 fatty acids and fiber. I love the Manitoba Harvest organic hemp hearts.
- blueberries – the star of the show here! I used fresh blueberries, but frozen blueberries will work just fine. And no need to thaw them!
- lemon zest – adds a bright, citrusy note that complements the blueberries wonderfully.
- water – helps to thin the blueberry mixture slightly, allowing for easier spreading.
- arrowroot powder or cornstarch – thickens the blueberry filling, ensuring it sets properly without being too runny.
Ingredient Swaps
I recommend making this recipe as-is for the best results! That said, I understand how ingredient substitutions are needed sometimes so here are a few simple swaps you can make that will still result in delicious crumble bars:
- Swap the flour: I haven’t tried it, but I bet all-purpose flour would work as a sub for the oat flour.
- Coconut oil: If you don’t have coconut oil on hand, butter would be the best substitute to make the crumble.
- Sugar: Brown sugar would be a good substitute for the coconut sugar.
- Don’t have hemp hearts? Use chia seeds instead!
- Swap the fruit: The great thing about this recipe is how versatile it is! Feel free to swap the blueberries with another berry if you want like strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or a combo of them all!
How to Make Healthy Blueberry Crumble Bars
Step 1: Prepare the blueberry filling by simmering the blueberries, lemon zest, water and arrowroot powder or corn starch in a saucepan until thickened.
Step 2: Mix dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Then add the coconut oil and use your hands or a spoon to combine the mixture until it forms into a crumble. Measure out ⅔ cup of the oatmeal crumble mixture for the topping into small bowl and stir in the hemp hearts.
Step 3: Add the remaining oatmeal crumble mixture to your prepared baking dish and evenly press into down using your hands to form the crust. Layer the blueberry filling on top, then sprinkle the remaining oat mixture with hemp hearts over the filling.
Step 4: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 35-40 minutes or until golden on top and blueberry filling is bubbling. Allow it to cool completely before cutting into bars for the best texture and firmness.
Recipe Tips!
- Simmer blueberries properly: To get the right consistency for your blueberry filling, make sure to cook it until it thickens properly. You want your mixture to coat the back of a spoon without being too drippy. This helps prevent the bars from becoming too soggy. If you’re using frozen blueberries, allow a little extra time for the excess water to evaporate.
- Let cool completely: Let the bars cool completely before cutting them! If you don’t let them cool before cutting them from the pan they will fall apart.
How to Store Blueberry Crumble Bars
You can store these bars covered at room temp for 1-2 days, but I recommend storing them in the fridge to help maintain their freshness and texture. Here’s how to store them:
In the fridge: Cover the pan or place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them. They will stay fresh for up to a week.
In the freezer: These bars are freezer-friendly! To freeze, make sure they’ve cooled completely and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before enjoying.
More Healthy Desserts
- Cherry Crisp
- Healthy Peach Crisp
- Healthy Blueberry Crumble
- Banana Ice Cream
- Blueberry Frozen Yogurt
- Healthy Banana Pudding
- Healthy Cheesecake with Cottage Cheese
- Healthy Peanut Butter Bars
- Date Bars
Be sure to check out all of the blueberry recipes as well as the full collection of dessert recipes here on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Healthy Blueberry Crumble Bars
Ingredients
Crumble
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 6 Tablespoons coconut oil, room temperature/solid
- 2 Tablespoons hemp hearts
Blueberry Filling
- 2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
- zest of one lemon
- 2 Tablespoons water
- 1 Tablespoon arrowroot powder or cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a square 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.
- Add blueberries, lemon zest, water and arrowroot powder to a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and stir constantly for about 3-5 minutes or until mixture has thickened and some of the blueberries have started to pop. You want your mixture to coat the back of a spoon without being too drippy. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Combine oat flour, rolled oats, coconut sugar and sea salt in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add coconut oil to the mixture and using your hands or a spoon combine mixture until it forms into a crumble.
- Measure out ⅔ cup of the oatmeal crumble mixture for the topping into small bowl and stir in the hemp hearts.
- Add remaining oatmeal crumble mixture to the prepared baking dish and evenly press into down using your hands to form the crust.
- Pour blueberry filling on top of your crust
- Sprinkle the oatmeal and hemp crumble on top
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the bars are golden brown on top and the blueberry filling is bubbling and sticking to the edges of the pan. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely. Be patient, if you don’t let them cool before removing them from the pan they will fall apart.
- Once cool, cut into 12 bars and enjoy right away or chill in the fridge before serving. I personally like the bars chilled, after they’ve been in the fridge for a bit.
Notes
- Recipe adapted from these Raspberry and Pine Nut Bars.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
This post was originally published on August 27, 2015, updated on May 14, 2021 and republished on May 6, 2024.
I halved this recipe since I didn’t have enough blueberries and it came out gorgeous! I loveeee the crumble mixture so much, I excluded the hemp seeds and subbed coconut oil and sugar for monkfruit sweetener and butter and it came out flawlessly! I look forward to using the crumble with other fruit fillings thanks so much! Quick question though, for the future can I add anything to make the filling more thick?
So glad you loved this recipe, Laurie! You can definitely make the filling thicker by adding a little more arrowroot powder or cornstarch next time. I’d start with an extra teaspoon or two. Thanks for making it and for sharing!
What is coconut sugar?
Hi Beverly! Coconut sugar is an unrefined sweetener made from the sap of coconut palm trees. It has a flavor similar to brown sugar, just a little less sweet. I love using it because it’s less processed and has a lower glycemic index than white sugar!
These have become one of our favorite desserts!
Yay! That makes me so happy to hear. I’m so glad these bars have become a hit in your house! Thanks for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!
Would you recommend I make these with cherries?
I hope so!
Also what can I use instead of coconut sugar and hemp hearts?
Regular cane or granulated sugar would work instead of coconut sugar. You can swap the hemp hearts with chia seeds or just skip them all together.
Hi Madeleine – I don’t see why not! I bet cherries would be delicious! Let me know if you try it. 🙂
Do you think you can sub the blueberries for raspberries and add lemon juice for a raspberry lemon bar crumble? Can the lemon juice sub the water?
Hi Amanda! You an absolutley sub the raspberries for the blueberries. With the lemon zest, I don’t think you’d need the lemon juice. Let me know if you give this a try and how it turns out for you!
Forgot to add star rating!
Made the Blueberry Crumble bars this weekend. They were easy, delicious and well received by guests. Added a pinch of cinnamon to crumble. Felt good to eat a dessert and not feel weighed down by excess sugar, fat or gluten. Thanks Brittany!
WOO! This is so great to hear, Lynn. I am so glad you are loving these bars and they turned out amazing for you. Thank you for taking the time to share your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
I was asked to make a gf/sf/df dessert for my friend’s upcoming wedding. I did these as a trial this weekend. They were easy and delicious! I didn’t change a thing and they came out perfectly. The one thing I may add to the recipe is a bit of cinnamon & nutmeg in the topping. Thank you for sharing a delicious and healthy dessert!
The recipe shows 16 servings at the top and says to cut into 12 bars. I think either is fine but the 16 at the top may be incorrect.
Hi Stacy! I am SO glad you found this recipe and are loving it, makes me so happy to hear and I hope they are also a hit at the wedding. Ah great catch, it is supposed to be 12 bars, I just updated the post. Thank you for sharing your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
Love this recipe for healthy blueberry crumble bars. Would rhubarb be good, instead of blueberries. Rhubarb is springing up here in Ontario, Canada.
Hi Kathy! I haven’t tried this specific recipe with Rhubarb, I have tried it with strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries so I bet adding rhubarb and strawberries would be great in this recipe. Let me know if you give it a try!
Is there a swap for the hemp hearts please
Yes! You can use chia seeds instead. Enjoy!
Would frozen strawberries work in this recipe instead of blueberries?
I bet that would work great, Carrie. You might have to bake them a little longer using frozen fruit, but let me know how it turns out for you.
Wow wow wow!!!! Huge winner in our house! Love the simple recipe with only a few ingredients! Made them for a road trip and we al love them, they may not make it far. This may be my favorite EBF recipe to date. Thank you!
Woo!! This makes me so happy to hear, Jennifer! I’m so glad everyone’s been loving these crumble bars! Thanks for the review. I so appreciate it!
I want to make this, but am wondering where the cup of oat flour goes. I read and reread the instructions and cannot find it 😊
Hey Debbie, I used one cup of oats to make oat flour and then you add it with the remaining crumble ingredients. 🙂
I haven’t made these yet. They look delicious. Just had a quick question, can you sub the coconut sugar with monk fruit sweetener? And would the amount be the same?
Thank you,
Tina
Hi Tina! Great question! I definteily think you can use monk fruit sweetener instead of the coconut sugar, but it’s hard to know if the amount would be the same. That said, if you’re using powdered or granulated monk fruit I would assume it’s a 1:1 sub! Always read the packaging to be sure.
Hi Brittany can I use oat flour? If so, would the 2 sups remain the same? TIA.
Was excited to try this after making your blueberry crisp recipe recently. These are SO good! I love the hemp seeds. I didn’t have any lemons so substituted a tablespoon of lemon juice and it worked great. We’ve been eating them as a dessert with some dairy free ice cream. Yum!!
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Alissa! I’m glad you enjoyed these bars. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment + star rating. The reviews are super helpful for other readers, so I appreciate it. 🙂
Would I be able to use frozen blueberries or frozen berry blend?
Frozen should work just fine, you might just need to cook them longer because the frozen berries will release more liquid.
These are delicious!
Hey! Would dried blueberries from Trader Joe’s work for this recipe?
Hey Hannah. You could certainly try it with the dried blueberries but I’m nots sure it would turn out because the juice from the berries helps to make the filling. If you’re looking for a recipe to use those dried berries, you could try my blueberry muffin energy balls. They’re SO good!!
This was my FAVORITE dessert I’ve ever made and what a plus that it’s healthy! The whole pan is gone and I just made them today (the family loved it)!
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Carly!! I’m so glad these crumble bars were a hit. 🙂 Thanks for trying them and again for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it!
We swapped the hemp seeds with Chia seeds and these crumble bars were a HUGE hit. Gone within 36 hours with only our family of 4 eating them.Not sure what this says about our family, but the blueberry crumble bars were delicious.
Ahh yay!! I think that just says they were a hit with your family and I’m so happy to hear that. 🙂 Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it!
In the Healthy Blueberry Crumble could you swap hemp seeds for Chia seeds? If so, do the Chia seeds need to soak first and what would the substitution ratio be for this recipe? Thank you!
Hey Crista! You can swap the hemp seeds for chia seeds. No need to soak them prior and you can use 2 Tablespoons!
I made these to give to a friend and they were excellent! She loved them too. Thanks for the recipe.
These are simple, quick to put together, & down right delicious! Will def make these again!
Our team supervisor at work is vegan. So for our team meeting, I decided to make the Blueberry Hemp Crumble Bars. I had all the ingredients in my kitchen except for the brown rice flour, but I had almond flour so I used this as a substitute. Other then this change, I followed the recipe exactly.
Our team supervisor really enjoyed the bars as well as our non-vegan team members. In fact there were no left overs by the time the meeting ended. I got wonderful compliments on the dish.
You may even get a few new followers since I posted a picture of the finished product on Facebook and some of my friends asked for the recipe. I did credit you and told them to go to your site to get the recipe.
Thank you Brittany!!
Earlier this summer I was looking to make a recipe EXACTLY like this. Sweet and satisfying, but healthy too, BUT I couldn’t find one. I think there are berries still at the market to get a batch of these going before the season ends. Brittany, these are PERFECT! xx
I’d use it with my daily oatmeal fix — would be a great addition!
I would use it to top my smoothie bowls! And to make these bars 🙂
First I’d make these bars – they look delicious! Then, I’d use the hearts on yogurt & smoothies 🙂
I love putting it in yogurt!
I’ve never tried hemp hearts, so I’d try them in some oats or a smoothie first. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d want to make this recipe!
Yum! I can’t wait to try these bars!
I don’t have much experience with hemp hearts but would love to try- sounds delicious!
I love using hemp seeds in place of nuts when I make pesto and right now my basil plant is overflowing! I need to make a few batches before fall time.
I would sprinkle them on my daily greek yogurt!
YUMMMM! These look so delicious! Can’t wait to try them out!
This looks super fun and nutritious 🙂 and easily adaptable for any fruit that is in season!
I LOVE hemp seeds!!! I sprinkle them on everything… salads, smoothie bowls, soups, you name it. I love how it adds crunch and protein 😀
I would love to make these blueberry bars with hemp seeds! I use them in smoothies, and in granola bar recipes frequently.
I always see hemp hearts in Trader Joe’s and never knew how to cook with them. These bars look delicious!
These look great — I have never tried hemp hearts or rice flour.
I think I would use them in oatmeal or yogurt!
There are so many recipes that call for hemp hearts that I am dying to try from salad dressings, to smoothies, to baked goods. I have to have some!
I discovered your blog a few days ago and I can’t stop going through every entry, I love it!!
Thank you for the giveaway 😀
I would use hemp seeds in my protein bites!
I would like to try hemp hearts
I would try this recipe first if I had some hemp hearts. I’ve never tried them but I will now.
I’ve been topping my sun butter toast with hemp and chia seeds
I would love to add hemp hearts to my morning smoothies!
I would love to add them to my homemade granola!
I love using hemp hearts in my smoothies!
We have some frozen blueberries already, so making these bars are probably how we’d use them!
They look great. But I must tell all that once you heat the blue berries their is no nutrition left so this is truly a dessert
I would love to try these out in my protein pancakes!
I’d use them over yogurt.
I’ve seen a lot of hemp heart cereal-type recipes that intrigue me. These bars look great too!
Your recipe for sure! Looks so delicious!!
Can almond or coconut flour be used instead of rice? If so, please let me know how much to use. Thanks.
I haven’t tried using coconut or almond flour but you could certainly test it out.
Would love to use these in smoothies!
I haven’t used them before, so I would start with your recipe first.
I’ll be making these for my sisters birthday this weekend 🙂
Smoothies, yogurt, and oatmeal dont stand a chance!
I would add them to oatmeal…seeing as that’s pretty much my favorite food!
As a fan of yogurt, I’d love to add these to my daily one, or toss in a smoothie, or granola bar recipe!
Would love to try hemp seeds on yogurt, smoothies, and granola!
I’d like to try adding hemo seeds to yogurt or a smoothie. These crumble bars look delicious though too!
I love hemp seeds… and blueberries! Can’t wait to try out this recipe
I would be making this delicious recipe.thanks so much for sharing.
I have had hemp protein before, but not hemp hearts!! I would make baked goods with them (like brownies), or make my own own nut butter with hemp, flax, and chia 🙂
My favorite way to eat hemp hearts is to slice up an apple (granny smith is my favorite) and press the apple slices into a pile of the hemp hearts. Delicious!
Yum, blueberry bars are my favorite so I’ll have to try making a batch of these bars!
I would put hemp seeds into smoothies and salads!
Oatmeal and smoothies!
I am obsessed with hemp hearts! I eat them every day — on nut butter toast. I even sprinkled them on pasta last night!!
I’d use them in my oatmeal!
I do add hemp hearts to smoothies, and I sometimes put them in my coffee grinder. I love to use them in no-bake energy bars with nut butter, honey and protein powder, and other add in’s. I love to sprinkle them before baking mac ‘n cheese! I love to use them in meat loaf!
These look amazing! Love your disclaimer about them not being “special” ha!
I would probably make some energy balls with them.
These seriously look so great! I just started using hemp hearts and can’t get enough!
I love hemp seeds in my smoothies, and I also through them in my granola!
I would use the hemp hearts in smoothies and granola bars!
I would make these bars if I win them! They look so yummy. I wonder if they would work if you replaced half the brown rice flour with brown rice protein powder?
I’d sprinkle em on everything
I would totally make these bars. Love the short and simple ingredient list.
I love using hemp seeds in dressings. Great nut-free alternative!
I love hemp hearts in smoothies!
If using frozen blueberries do they have to be defrosted first. Thanks.
I think you could just use frozen blueberries as is, without defrosting.
My favorite use of hemp hearts is in brownies — they add a great nutty flavor! And when you add hemp protein…
Ohh! I love that idea.
I would add them to my yogurt or maybe a recipe.
I love Hemp Hearts! Thanks for a good recipe that incorporates them into the batter rather than sprinkling on top (my usual protocol).
I’d sprinkle these on top of yogurt or cereal.
I would sprinkle this in with my granola and yogurt and also in my oatmeal.
I’ve never had hemp seeds before so I’d have to discover some new recipes, but this one looks like a great place to start!
I’m from Manitoba (Canada) and just thought it was so cool that you were using one of our local products! Love your blog and your recipes 🙂
So cool!! I’d love to come visit one day! 🙂
I loveee hemp seeds in my smoothies, and topped on my oatmeal and salads!
I would use it in yogurt, oatmeal, sprinkles on cereal, or just eat spoonfuls right out of the package.
I’ve been adding hemp seeds to smoothies a lot lately. I can’t wait to try these bars though! I think I will make them today!
Yay! Let me know how they turn out. 🙂