I’ve always loved recipes that walk the line between breakfast and dessert — and these Blueberry Oatmeal Bars are exactly that. They remind me of lazy summer mornings at my grandma’s house when she’d make a big pan of fruit bars with whatever berries were in season. The house would smell of oats, butter, and sweet bubbling fruit, and we’d sneak bites before they had a chance to cool.
This recipe pairs a crumbly, golden oatmeal crust with a juicy, slightly tart blueberry filling — easy to make, endlessly snackable, and so versatile.
Why You’ll Love These Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
- Quick & Simple: Just a few pantry staples and fresh (or frozen) blueberries.
- Hearty & Satisfying: Made with oats for a wholesome, chewy texture.
- Great for Any Time: Breakfast, snack, dessert — these bars do it all.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
For the Crust & Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Blueberry Filling:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Crust and Topping
In a large bowl, mix together the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is crumbly and evenly combined.
Step 3: Prepare the Blueberry Filling
In a medium bowl, toss the blueberries with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, zest, and vanilla (if using).
Step 4: Assemble the Bars
Press about two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Pour the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top, gently pressing it down.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Allow to cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars — this helps them firm up for cleaner cuts.
Serving Suggestions
- Warm with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
- Chilled with Greek yogurt for breakfast.
- Wrapped up for lunchbox treats or hiking snacks.
Tips for the Best Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
- Use rolled oats, not quick oats, for the best chewy texture.
- Don’t skip the lemon — it brightens the blueberries and adds freshness.
- Cool completely before slicing or they may fall apart (but sneaking a warm corner is totally understandable!).
Variations to Try
- Swap the Fruit: Strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries work beautifully too.
- Add Nuts: Chopped walnuts or almonds in the topping for crunch.
- Coconut Twist: Add shredded coconut to the oat mixture for extra flavor.
Make-Ahead & Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze bars individually wrapped for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm in the microwave or enjoy them cold straight from the fridge.
Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 40
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Homestyle
Description
Bake up these sweet and chewy Blueberry Oatmeal Bars—bursting with juicy berries and hearty oats. Perfect for snacks, breakfast, or dessert!
Ingredients
For the Crust & Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Blueberry Filling:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Crust and Topping
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is crumbly and evenly combined.
Step 3: Prepare the Blueberry Filling
- In a medium bowl, toss the blueberries with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, zest, and vanilla (if using).
Step 4: Assemble the Bars
- Press about two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Pour the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top, gently pressing it down.
Step 5: Bake
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Step 6: Cool and Slice
- Allow to cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars — this helps them firm up for cleaner cuts.
Notes
- Use rolled oats, not quick oats, for the best chewy texture.
- Don’t skip the lemon — it brightens the blueberries and adds freshness.
- Cool completely before slicing or they may fall apart (but sneaking a warm corner is totally understandable!).
Keywords: blueberry oatmeal bars, oat bars, breakfast bars, blueberry recipes, fruit dessert, oatmeal dessert, easy snack bars, make-ahead breakfast, homestyle baking
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes! Use them straight from the freezer — no need to thaw. Add 1 extra teaspoon of cornstarch to help with the extra liquid.
2. Can I make these gluten-free?
Absolutely. Use a gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats.
3. Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes — cut the sugar by 1/4 cup in both the crust and filling, or swap with coconut sugar or maple syrup.
4. What if I don’t have cornstarch?
You can use arrowroot powder or flour to help thicken the blueberry filling.
5. Can I double the recipe?
Yes — double the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Increase baking time by 5–10 minutes as needed.
