Best Blackberry Oatmeal Bars (Easy and Delicious)

Blackberry Oatmeal Bars are a great way to enjoy the sweet and tangy flavor of fresh blackberries in a healthy and satisfying snack or dessert. Made with rolled oats, flour, and brown sugar, they are easy to make and customizable with different types of fruit or nuts, and can be stored in the fridge or freezer for later enjoyment. Perfect for breakfast, a mid-day snack, or a sweet treat after dinner.

These bars can be easily turned into a gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free snack with appropriate substitutions discussed in the post below.

Jump to:

• Why you'll love this recipe
• Ingredients
• Substitutions and Variations
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Tips
• Storage and Make Ahead Instructions
• Recipe FAQs
• More Berry Recipes to Love
• Recipe card
• User Reviews

Why you'll love this recipe

1. Delicious Flavor: The combination of blackberries and oats creates a delicious flavor that is both sweet and tart, making for a satisfying and enjoyable snack.
2. Nutritious: Oats are a great source of fiber and protein, making them an ideal choice for a healthy snack or breakfast option. Blackberries are also packed with antioxidants and vitamins, which can boost your immune system.
3. Convenient: These bars are easy to make and can be stored for several days, making them a suitable snack option for those on the go or with a busy schedule.
4. Versatile: This recipe can be modified to suit your preferences or dietary restrictions, such as using gluten-free oats or swapping out the blackberries for another fruit. You can also add chopped nuts for additional crunch.

If you love baking goodies using berries, then be sure to check out my readers' favorite Strawberry cupcakes with buttercream frosting recipe, my kids' favorite Strawberry turnovers and Strawberry shortcake recipes. My personal favorites are Strawberry tarts and Rustic apple blackberry pie - so give them a try.

Ingredients

• Rolled oats: Provide a hearty and nutritious base for the bars, adding fiber and protein to the recipe.
• Blackberries: Add natural sweetness and a burst of flavor while also providing antioxidants and vitamins.
• Brown sugar: Provides sweetness and helps to bind the ingredients together.
• Flour: Provides structure and helps to hold the bars together.
• Baking powder: Helps in making the bars light and airy.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps to bind the ingredients together.
• Coconut: Adds a unique tropical nutty aroma and crunch to the bars.
• Salt: Enhances the flavor and balances out the sweetness.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Substitutions and Variations

Substitutions

• Rolled oats: Substitute with quick oats, steel-cut oats, or a blend of different types of oats.
• Blackberries: Use other types of berries such as blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries, or use other fruit such as apples or peaches.
• Brown sugar: Use white sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey.
• Flour: You can use gluten-free flour or almond flour if you need to avoid AP flour or wheat.
• Baking powder: Substitute with ½ teaspoon on baking soda.
• Butter: Feel free to use coconut oil, vegetable oil, or another type of oil or fat.
• Coconut: Replace this with an equal amount of chopped nuts of your choice, such as pecans, almonds, pistachios, cashews, walnuts, etc.

Variations

• Mixed Berry Oatmeal Bars: Instead of just using blackberries, you can use a mixture of different types of berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries, to create a colorful and flavorful bar.
• Vegan Blackberry Oatmeal Bars: You can substitute the butter with coconut oil or another type of oil to make the recipe vegan.
• Gluten-Free Blackberry Oatmeal Bars: Use gluten-free oats and a gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe gluten-free.
• Streusel-Topped Blackberry Oatmeal Bars: Add a streusel topping made with flour, butter, and sugar to create a crispy, crumbly texture on top of the bars.
• Blackberry Oatmeal Bars with Nuts: Add chopped nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, to the recipe to add extra crunch and flavor.

A great way to serve these breakfast bars is with some hot coffee or along with some cold berry-inspired drinks such as Strawberry banana smoothie, Blueberry mojito, or Raspberry lemonade. During peak summer, if we are having a brunch party, I like to also serve some Strawberry popsicles alongside my breakfast-lunch spread.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and keep it ready.

Step 2: In a bowl, combine oats, flour, baking powder, coconut, brown sugar, and salt. Add softened butter and mix till the dry ingredients are evenly moistened and form a crumbly mixture.

Step 3: Reserve ½ cup of this crumbly oatmeal mixture and press the remaining mixture onto the baking pan, and spread it evenly. Press the mixture using the back of a spatula/spoon.

Step 4: Scatter the blackberries over the crust. Sprinkle cornstarch, lemon juice, and sugar on top of these berries. Sprinkle reserved oatmeal mixture on top of this and lightly press.

Step 5: Bake for about 35 minutes or until the top becomes toasted and develops a golden color. Let it cool completely before cutting them into pieces.

Tips

Here are some expert chef tips to help you prepare the best blackberry oatmeal bars:

1. Use fresh blackberries: Fresh blackberries will have the best flavor and texture, but if you're using frozen blackberries, make sure to thaw them completely before using. You can also use blackberry preserves to prepare these bars.
2. Use the right oats: Use rolled oats, which have a chewy texture, rather than quick oats, which can become too mushy.
3. Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to tough and dry bars. Mix the ingredients until just combined.
4. Use parchment paper: Line the baking dish with parchment paper so that the bars don't stick to the bottom.
5. Press the mixture firmly: Use your hands or the back of a spoon to press the oatmeal mixture firmly into the baking dish. This will ensure that the bars hold together and have a nice, even texture.
6. Let the bars cool completely: Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing them into bars. This will help them hold together better and prevent them from crumbling.
7. Add a touch of cinnamon: A pinch of cinnamon can enhance the flavor of the bars and complement the sweetness of the blackberries.

Storage and Make Ahead Instructions

Here are the storage and make-ahead instructions for blackberry oatmeal bars:

Storage:

• Allow the bars to cool completely before storing.
• Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• To freeze, wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a freezer-safe container. The bars will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Make-Ahead:

• You can make the oatmeal mixture up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake.
• Alternatively, you can bake the bars in advance and store them in the refrigerator or freezer until you're ready to serve them.
• To reheat, place the bars in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

Note: If you're adding a streusel topping or any other toppings, it's best to add them just before baking to ensure they don't get too soggy when stored.

Recipe FAQs

More Berry Recipes to Love

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Recipe card