You must make these healthy blueberry bars! These Blueberry Crumb Bars are made grain-free using almond flour, sweetened with honey and maple syrup and bursting with juicy blueberry filling.
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Who’s ready for some healthy blueberry crumb bars?!
(Blueberry bars, crumble bars, whatever you want to call them.)
My adult self loves these things but I probably wouldn’t have liked it as a kid because I didn’t eat much fruit or anything similar to fruit preserves… No PB&J, no jam on toast, NADA. I think the only fruit I ate when I was a kid was canned peaches and strawberries dipped in sugar. Goodness gracious I was pathetic.
But thankfully throughout my teenage years I learned that fruit wasn’t so scary after all, and berries are easily one of my favorite foods now.
And you can make healthy desserts like these blueberry bars, impressing all of your friends and family with this better-for-you alternative that will surely pass as the “real” thing.
Nothing wrong with a little sugar, but there are definitely ways to make those traditional desserts healthier.
Why You’ll Love these:
For this healthy dessert bar recipe we’re talking:
- mostly fruit sweetened (blueberries!)
- a little honey and maple syrup to add the perfect amount of sweetness
- nutrient dense almonds make up the grain free crust
- ready in less than one hour
This recipe doesn’t require many ingredients and it’s fairly easy to make!
Simple Ingredients Needed
- almond flour (from blanched almonds, not raw almond meal) & tapioca flour – make up the base for these bars
- optional spices to add a unique flavor – like cinnamon, ginger and cloves.
- honey
- grass-fed butter (ghee for paleo friendly, coconut oil may work too)
- blueberries + maple syrup + extracts + tapioca flour for the blueberry layer.
How to make paleo blueberry bars
This blueberry crumb bars recipe is super easy and the perfect way to use some up some frozen blueberries! Or, fresh works too.
Here’s how simple this recipe is…
Make the Crust
Make the crust by combining all of the dry ingredients with honey and melted butter; add to baking dish and pre-bake the crust first.
Prepare the Filling
While the crust is baking, mix the blueberry mixture in a saucepan and allow it to cook down and thicken.
Prepare the Crumb Topping
Prepare the crumb topping and set aside
Combine and Bake
Once the blueberry mixture has cooled, pour onto baked crust and top with crumb mixture.
Bake bars for about 25 minutes, or until crumb topping is lightly golden.
Cutting Tip
Be sure to chill the bars (or cool completely) before cutting so they hold together better.
These gluten free blueberry crumb bars are too easy not to give a try! Whether you’re looking for a dessert to bring to a friends or you’re just in the baking mood.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear from you! Comment below with a review to let me know what you think.
Grain Free Blueberry Crumb Bars
Ingredients
for the crust
- 2 cups blanched almond flour
- 2 TBS tapioca flour
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves, optional
- 3 TBSP honey
- 4 TBSP butter, melted
blueberry filling
- 2 1/2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
- 2 TBS maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract
- 1 1/2 TBSP tapioca flour
crumb topping
- 2/3 cup blanched almond flour
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 TBSP butter, melted
- sliced almonds for sprinkling on top, optional
Instructions
- Make the crust: Preheat oven to 350ºF and line 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper; set aside. In large bowl whisk together melted butter with honey; add in almond flour, tapioca flour, and spices; mix with fork or spoon until combined. Press mixture into bottom of pan, making sure to press in even and flat – I like to use a pastry roller. Poke crust with toothpick to prevent bubbling. Bake for 9-12 minutes; edges should be lightly golden. Set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile prepare filling: In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, warm blueberries, maple syrup and and vanilla (or almond) extract; bring to simmer and continue cooking for 10 minutes, then stir in tapioca flour until combined and remove from heat. Allow mixture to stand for 10 minutes to thicken.
- While the mixture is cooling, make the crumb topping: In medium bowl mix together almond flour, cinnamon and melted butter. Use pastry blender or hands to work butter into almond flour well. Mixture should hold together when pressed in between fingers, but it will not be wet.
- Once blueberry mixture has thickened pour onto cooled crust; sprinkle on crumb topping and sliced almonds. Gently press crumb topping into mixture.
- Bake for 22-27 minutes, or until crumb topping is lightly golden. Allow pan to cool completely before lifting parchment paper out of pan and cutting bars. Bars will need to cool for almost an hour at room temperature, or chill in fridge for about 30-45 minutes.
- Cut bars into 16 squares, serve at room temperature but leftovers should be stored in fridge.
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