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Lemon blueberry oatmeal bars (aka my favorite dessert EVER) are here! I love all things lemon blueberry and these bars have the most amazing, fresh flavor. The oatmeal layer is perfectly soft and crumbly with a lovely lemon taste. The blueberry layer is so fresh and delicious with just enough sweetness added so it’s not overpowering. I made this recipe as a dessert but it has incredibly nourishing, whole food ingredients so, I could eat these for breakfast and still feel good. Whether you’re making them for breakfast or a healthy dessert, you’ll love these oatmeal bars!
Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
These lemon blueberry oatmeal bars are not only delicious, but they’re also vegan, gluten free, dairy free, soy free and refined sugar free.
Want More Vegan & Gluten Free Recipes?
If you’re interested in more vegan & gluten-free recipes, feel free to check out any of these amazing options!
- Strawberry Oatmeal Bars (Vegan + Gluten Free).
- Paleo Orange Cranberry Cookies (Vegan + Gluten Free).
- Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies (Vegan + Gluten Free).
- The Best Granola Clusters (Vegan + Gluten Free).
Gluten Free Oatmeal Bars Ingredients:
Rolled oats: I used organic, old fashioned rolled oats in this recipe.
Blanched almond flour: I used almond flour for a healthier option in this recipe but you can replace this with an all-purpose gluten-free flour if you prefer.
Baking soda: This is used as the leavening agent in this recipe.
Maple syrup: This is an unrefined sweetener that has a delicious maple flavor. You can substitute honey or agave if you prefer.
Coconut oil: This is the oil we’re using to replace butter in this recipe. You want to add it when it’s still solid but soft enough to combine with the other ingredients. Refined liquid coconut oil will change the texture in this recipe but you can substitute butter or ghee if you like.
Lemon juice: I recommend using fresh lemon juice for a better flavor.
Lemon zest: Using lemon zest is what brings the amazing lemon flavor in these bars but you can leave it out if you like.
Frozen blueberries: You can substitute fresh blueberries if you prefer.
Coconut sugar: This is a granulated sweetener that is unrefined and pairs well with maple syrup. You can substitute cane sugar if you choose.
Tapioca starch or arrowroot starch: These two options are starches in order to thicken the blueberry layer. Tapioca starch creates a better texture but arrowroot powder still works if you want to use that (the mixture will become a little more gummy).
Sea salt: I love to add a little sea salt to bring out other flavors, but you can leave it out.
Vegan Oatmeal Bars Instructions:
- To a glass mixing bowl, add rolled oats, almond flour, baking soda, maple syrup, coconut oil and sea salt.
- Mix thoroughly using the back of a fork or your hands to get out most of the clumps. After you’ve finished mixing, add lemon juice, lemon zest and stir them in while being careful to not overmix.
- Set aside 1/2 – 3/4 cup of the mixture for crumbling on top (I used 1/2 cup). Then, transfer the rest to a baking dish lined with unbleached parchment paper. Press into a firm, even layer using your hands or the back of a spoon.
- After adding blueberry layer, use your fingers to crumble remaining oatmeal mixture on top before baking.
Lemon Blueberry Layer Instructions:
- To a sauce pan on low-medium heat add blueberries, lemon juice, lemon zest, coconut sugar, maple syrup and sea salt. Heat for 4-5 minutes or until blueberries begin to burst and release their juice.
- Use a potato masher or the back of a fork to mash berries a little then, add in your starch.
- Stir in starch and keep on heat until thickened, which will only take 1-2 minutes. Once thickened, remove from heat.
- Spread this blueberry layer on top of the oatmeal base layer of your bars.
Equipment for Oatmeal Bars:
There are a few simple kitchen tools you’ll need to prepare these oatmeal bars. Here are just a few options that I love for healthy cooking that work for these oatmeal bars as well as so many other cooking and baking projects!
- I love my glass mixing bowl for so many recipes and here’s a similar glass mixing bowl with a lid for those times you need one!
- I reach for stainless steel pots and pans because they can last a lifetime and don’t have any non-stick coatings. Here’s a really high quality stainless steel saucepan and here’s another 2 quart stainless steel saucepan that’s less expensive.
- Here’s an 8 inch square baking dish with a lid that’s perfect for these baking these oatmeal bars and storing leftovers.
- I prefer to use unbleached parchment paper. These precut sheets are my favorite.
Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe:
Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
Oatmeal Layers
- 1 3/4 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/4 cups blanched almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup coconut oil (solid at room temperature)
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
Blueberry Layer
- 2 cups frozen blueberries
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1-1 1/2 Tablespoons lemon zest (I used 1 1/2 because I like more lemon flavor)
- 2 Tablespoons coconut sugar
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- a pinch sea salt
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons tapioca starch or arrowroot starch (arrowroot will make it more gummy)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper (I like to use unbleached parchment paper) and set aside.
- To a mixing bowl add rolled oats, almond four, baking soda, maple syrup, coconut oil and sea salt. Mix to thoroughly combine ingredients. You can use the back of a fork or your hands to do this but you'll want to get most of the clumps out. After all the ingredients are combined, add lemon juice and lemon zest. Then, stir those in while being careful not to overmix.
- To make your blueberry layer, add frozen blueberries, lemon juice, lemon zest, coconut sugar, maple syrup and sea salt to a sauce pan on low-medium heat. Let the blueberries heat up 4-5 minutes until they start to burst and release their juice. Use a potato masher or the back of a fork to mash blueberries a bit and then stir in tapioca starch. When the texture thickens (after about 1 minute) remove from heat.
- Now, it’s time to layer your bars. Set aside 1/2 – 3/4 cup of oatmeal mixture to sprinkle on top and spread the rest of the mixture across the bottom of your baking dish in an even layer. Use your hands or the back of a large spoon to firmly press down and make a solid base.
- On top of the oatmeal base, you are going to spread your blueberry mixture. Make sure it’s an even layer and covers the entire oatmeal base. Now use your fingers to sprinkle the remaining oatmeal mixture across the top of your bars.
- Place bars in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until oatmeal turns a golden brown color. When they’ve finished baking, remove from oven and allow to cool before slicing into bars.
Interested in More Healthy Dessert Recipes?
If you’re interested in more healthy dessert recipes, feel free to check out the dessert category of my menu! You may also want to check out some of these recipes!
- Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread (Paleo + Gluten Free).
- Paleo Orange Cranberry Cookies (Gluten Free + Vegan).
- Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies (Gluten Free + Dairy Free).
- Edible Cookie Dough (Vegan + Grain Free).
Leave a Comment
This post is a recipe for Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Bars which are vegan and gluten free. I hope you love this healthy dessert as much as I do and thank you for visiting my page! Please leave a comment below if you make these bars and let me know how you like them. I’d also love to know what you’d like to see more of!