These blackberry crumble bars are a perfect way to use summer berries! The buttery, crunchy oat topping is just irresistible! These delectable bars are gluten free and vegan.
It’s summer time, and that means it’s time to break out all the berry recipes! Strawberry shortcake, blueberry ice cream, and these amazing blackberry crumble bars.
This is the perfect recipe for you if you love berry desserts, but are too busy to make a pie. Or just don’t feel like making a pie. There’s no chilling of the dough, no rolling of the crust. This is an easy blackberry crumble that has tons of flavor, but requires little work.
The blackberry filling is perfectly complemented by the crispy, buttery, sweet, oat crust and topping. It’s very easy to make, and it’s so delicious.
The other great thing about this dessert is that it’s suitable for a variety of diets. It’s vegan, gluten free, egg free, nut free, and top 8 allergen free.
Ingredient Notes
- Blackberries – You’ll want to get beautiful, sweet, fresh blackberries at the store or at your farmer’s market. Now, if you’re in a pinch, frozen berries will work for this recipe, but I find frozen berries to be a little bit tart, so you may have to adjust the amount of sugar. Blackberries should be very plump and dark purple-black. This article has more information about picking out ripe berries.
- Sugar – I used brown sugar in this recipe, but you could even use coconut sugar or date sugar to make this dessert refined sugar free. I haven’t tried this with sugar substitutes, so I don’t know if that would work or not.
- Certified Gluten Free Oats – Oats are naturally gluten free. However, many brands of oats may be processed in such a way that they are cross-contaminated with wheat or other gluten-containing grains. Make sure you only purchase oats that are made in a gluten free facility, and are certified gluten free. You can read more about the safety of oats here.
- Vegan Buttery Spread – We like Earth Balance Soy Free Vegan Buttery Spread for baking. You could also use the baking sticks if you prefer.
Step by Step Instructions
- Make the crust mixture with gluten free oats, gluten free flour, sugar, and vegan buttery spread. Press half of that crust into an 8×8 pan that’s been lined with parchment paper. Use your fingers to press the crust down firmly into the bottom and corners of the pan.
- After baking the bottom crust for a few minutes, add the fresh blackberries to the pan.
- Add another layer of buttery, crispy, oat mixture on top. Press it down, pop it in the oven, bake at 375 degrees F, and soon you’ll have a warm pan of delicious blackberry crumble bars.
Tips for Success
- Don’t forget to use parchment paper – that will make it much easier to get the bars out of the pan.
- If you want to slice these into bars, you do need to wait for them to cool completely. If you’re not worried about perfect squares, go ahead and spoon it out of the pan while it’s warm!
Toppings
These blackberry crisp bars are wonderful plain, or topped with dairy free ice cream, dairy free whipped topping, or even whipped coconut cream.
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Recipe
Blackberry Crumble Bars (Gluten Free, Vegan).
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups certified gluten free oats
- ¼ cup gluten free flour all purpose flour works as well
- ¾ cups brown sugar or coconut sugar
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup vegan buttery spread cut into cubes
- 2 ½ cups fresh blackberries rinsed and dried
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper so that it hangs over two sides.
- Put the gluten free oats, gluten free flour, vegan buttery spread, brown sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
- Using a pastry cutter or two forks, mix the ingredients together until it resembles large crumbs.
- Place half of the crumbs in the bottom of the prepared pan. Use your hands to pat it down firmly.
- Bake the bottom crust at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes. Remove from oven.
- Put the blackberries on top of the crust, and evenly distribute them. Top with the remaining crumble mixture, patting it down lightly.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 25-50 minutes, until the berries are bubbling and the crumb topping is golden brown.
- If you plan to slice this into neat bars, be sure to let it cool completely. Otherwise, you can use a spoon to scoop it out and enjoy it while it is warm.
Lola
Turned out great. I used blackberries and raspberries. Also coconut sugar and butter. Will make again. Might add pecans next time.
Marina
I’ve made it twice so far. Both times it came out excellent. First time I made it with only blackberries and second time with blueberries and blackberries. My kids loooved it either way. Super simple recipe with great results!
Kelly Roenicke
I’m so happy you loved it!
Michelle
These look delicious! Do you think I could mix raspberries with the blackberries?
Kelly Roenicke
Yes, that would be delicious!
Jamie @ Dishing Out Health
These are totally speaking to me for summer. And these photos are gorg!
Kelly Roenicke
Thank you, Jamie!
Elizabeth
What a great recipe for summer! I love the addition of fresh berries, it just sings the season! And great tip about using frozen berries, too!