These Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Bars are everything you could want from a homemade sweet treat. They have a crisp base, a delicious centre of plump blueberries, brightened by the tang of lemon zest and juice, and a crisp crumble...
These Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Bars are everything you could want from a homemade sweet treat. They have a crisp base, a delicious centre of plump blueberries, brightened by the tang of lemon zest and juice, and a crisp crumble topping. If you love an easily made sweet snack or dessert that the whole family will enjoy, then this recipe is for you. You can have them prepared and baked in about 45 minutes. The hardest part is waiting for them to cool down. It doesn’t come much easier than this!
[feast_advanced_jump_to]Why you’ll love this recipe:
Using simple ingredients, you can easily make a batch of these delicious Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Bars.
The base and the topping are made from the same mixture, which makes this an especially easy recipe to prepare.
You will love these Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Bars because:
You can bake a batch of these Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Bars with minimal effort using, readily available ingredients. It only takes about 40 minutes to make and bake the bars. However, you will need to be patient while waiting for them to cool! No special equipment is required – you simply combine the ingredients in a bowl. The whole-grain rolled oats give the bars a very pleasing texture, which beautifully complements the fruit-filled blueberry centre. Like my Lemon Curd Cake and Caramel Oatmeal Bars, the base and the crumble topping are made from the same mixture. After pressing the base into the tin and covering it with plump, lemon-infused blueberries, you simply crumble the remaining mixture over the top and bake. Easy and delicious. They are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, enjoyed by children and adults alike. You can add them to school lunch boxes as they are nut-free.Ingredients in this recipe:
Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.
All-purpose/plain flour – this recipe has been tested with regular wheat flour and gluten-free all-purpose flour. Either will work well.
Rolled oats – old-fashioned rolled oats are best for this recipe. Use certified gluten-free if you require.
Salt – use a small amount of sea salt to boost the flavours.
Baking/bicarbonate of soda – acts as a raising agent. It is not the same as baking powder.
Butter – adds richness and flavour. We use unsalted butter for the base/topping.
Brown sugar – we use light brown sugar which adds a slight caramel flavour.
Vanilla extract – for the best result, use vanilla which is naturally extracted, not artificially flavoured.
Blueberries – I have used fresh blueberries. They have great flavour and are sweet and juicy.
Corn flour/starch – helps to thicken the juices from the blueberries, preventing your oatmeal base from becoming soggy. When making gluten-free, always check the label to ensure the product is suitable.
Lemon zest and juice – lemon and blueberries are a classic flavour combination. The acidity of lemon highlights the sweetness of the blueberries. Be sure to zest your lemon before juicing it.
How To Make Blueberry Oatmeal Bars:
Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.
1 – Make the base/topping mixture:
In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, salt and baking soda. In a smaller bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar and vanilla.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well. Reserve approximately 150 g (5.2 oz) of the mixture for the topping.
2 – Add the base to your tin:
Press the remaining mixture into your prepared tin and bake in your preheated oven for 12 minutes or until a pale golden colour.
3 – Make the blueberry filling:
While the base is baking, combine the blueberries with the corn flour, lemon juice, zest and brown sugar. Stir until well combined.
4 – Add the filling to your base:
Once the base is ready, top immediately with the fruit mixture, spreading evenly.
5 – Top the bars with the crumble:
Sprinkle the remaining oatmeal mixture over the top.
6 – Bake the bars:
Bake for a further 22-25 minutes, or until the top is cooked through and a light golden brown.
Remove from the oven and set aside to cool for 30 minutes in the tin, before placing in the fridge for a further 30 minutes or until completely cool. Once cool, the slice can be cut into bars.
Tips for success and FAQs:
To make it easier to lift the Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Bars out of the baking tin, I recommend that you leave a small amount of overhang when lining the pan with baking paper.
The Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Bars must be completely cooled before being cut. Otherwise, they will fall apart. I cool them on the bench for 30 minutes and then transfer them to the fridge for a further 30 minutes. Once cooled, I cut the bars into squares and enjoy!
The bars will be at their best for the first two days but will last for 4 (they will just soften a little). Keep them in the fridge in an airtight container; remove them about 10 minutes prior to serving.
Yes, they freeze well. Allow the bars to cool completely, then put them in an airtight container. When storing them in layers, place a sheet of baking paper between the layers so that they don’t stick. Thaw them overnight in the fridge.
You will also find recipes for Nutella Bars, Peanut Butter Bars and Jam Bars on the blog. They are all so delicious and very simple to prepare. Some other suggested fillings are listed below.
Variations and substitutions:
Lemon zest and juice – orange zest and juice are a great substitute.
Spice – cinnamon or ground nutmeg are great companions to blueberries.
Serving suggestions:
The Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Bars are very versatile. Some suggestions to enjoy them are:
For morning or afternoon tea – delicious with a cup of coffee! They are great as an after-school snack. As an easy breakfast when time is short. They travel well, so are ideal for picnics, potlucks or lunch boxes. Add some to a cellophane bag and tie with a pretty ribbon. They are a lovely homemade edible gift. As a dessert, with whipped cream.These Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They will be enjoyed by children and adults alike and you will love how easy it is to make them. They are certain to become a regular part of your baking repertoire.
Alex xx
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Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
For the Base and Crumble Topping:
1 ½ cups (225 g) all-purpose/plain flour See Note 11 ½ cup (120 g) old-fashioned rolled oats See Note 2½ teaspoon coarse sea salt½ teaspoon baking/bicarb soda ¾ cup (185 g) butter – melted½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar2 teaspoon vanilla extractFor the Blueberry Filling:
255 g (9 oz) fresh blueberries See Note 33 teaspoon corn flour/corn starch1 tablespoon lemon juice – freshly squeezed See Note 42 teaspoon lemon zest – finely grated2 tablespoon light brown sugarInstructions
Notes
Nutrition
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