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Updated: April 2019
A healthy dessert recipe for berry crumble bars, made completely gluten free and vegan so they are perfect for all diets! Using real fruit and no refined sugar, these bars are perfectly sweet with a delicious almond flour oatmeal crust.
Fresh, sweet berry crumble bars filled with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
You’re going to want to make this recipe as soon as possible. The thick almond flour and oatmeal base is really just a delicious platform for the thick berry jam made from chia seeds and a few other simple ingredients.
This whole recipe in total only requires 9 ingredients from start to finish, and for something like berry crumble bars, which typically have three layers, that is impressive. I love making bar recipes so much. My Copycat Starbucks Oatmeal Fudge Bars Healthy are another one of my favorites!
Plus they are made from real, wholesome ingredients and won’t leave you with that crazy sugar crash after! ๐
Let’s break berry crumble bars down layer by layer
The crust and crumble
- oatmeal
- almond flour
- nut butter of choice (I’ve tried with almond butter and peanut butter)
- maple syrup
Mix it all together with a little bit of baking powder and a little bit of baking soda and you’re going to want to stick your hand in so you can eat some of those chunks.
Now the mixed berry chia jam filling that is literally my favorite jam I’ve ever had, seriously. It’s perfectly sweet with a little tang. I’ve only ever made this with frozen berries, but I’m sure you could use fresh as well.
The berry layer
- mixed berries, I like to buy frozen berries and use them in this recipe because it’s a cheaper and more efficient way to get a variety of berries for better price. You can definitely use fresh berries, but frozen will most likely be cheaper.
- lemon juice
- maple syrup
- chia seeds
How to make berry crumble bars
They are actually really easy to make, even though they can seem intimidating with all of the layers. Trust me on this one, you’re going to be making these bars for every single friend gathering or holiday brunch.
First. You’ll start off by making your chia jam, so that it has time to sit and gel a little bit before needing to be baked.
In a large saucepan over medium-high , add your berries, maple syrup, and lemon juice. They will take about five minutes to reduce down, and make sure you are using some sort of potato masher or large fork to press them down. You want your berries to be bursting and not in original shape.
Once completely warmed through, turn off heat and add in chia seeds. Stir well to combine. Let cool for five minutes on stove top before putting into the fridge for the next 20 minutes.
Second. Start making your crust and crumble. It’s may one of the easiest things in the world to do.
You mix together your flour, oatmeal, salt, and baking powder. Then directly to that bowl add in your nut butter and maple syrup. You’re gonna want to mix this really well, until it holds shape and there is no dry or loose flour.
It’s okay if its crumbly because well, it is a crumble, but just make sure everything is incorporated. I liked to use my hands for that.
You’re going to want to reserve a heaping 1/2 cup of the dough for later, so set that aside for now. But then press the remaining dough into a greased 8×8 dish until it is completely flat, tightly packed, and touching all corners.
Third. Take your jam out of the fridge and pour it onto the unbaked crust. Sprinkle remaining crumble on top of berry jam.
Fourth. Bake in oven for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely before cutting into.
Lastly. Cut and serve!
How to store berry crumble bars
If you aren’t going to be eating them right away, I highly suggest storing them in the fridge for freshness. As we cook with ingredients like almond flour and real food, there are no preservatives to help maintain freshness, so I highly recommend eating within the first 2-3 days.
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment below and let me know how it was! Also tag @erinliveswhole on Instagram and use the hashtag #erinliveswhole so I can see it and feature you!
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Mixed Berry Crumble Bars (Gluten-free, dairy-free)
A healthy dessert recipe for berry crumble bars, made completely gluten free and vegan so they are perfect for all diets! Using real fruit and no refined sugar, these bars are perfectly sweet with a delicious almond flour oatmeal crust.
Ingredients
Crust + Crumble
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup almond butter
Filling
- 2 cups frozen berries (I did 1 cup each frozen raspberries + blueberries)
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper or nonstick spray.
- Warm berries, lemon juice, andย maple syrupย in a saucepan on medium heat.
- Continually mash with fork or potato masher until berries are bursting.
- Turn off heat and add in chia seeds.
- Stir and let cool completely, putting in fridge for 30 minutes, allowing the mixture to firm up.
- In a bowl, combine almond flour, oats, baking powder and salt.
- Add in maple syrup and almond butter and stir, feel free to use your hands to make sure everything is blended completely. You should be able to pinch the mixture and have it stick together.
- Save a heaping 1/2 cup of dough to the side and flatten the rest into the 8×8 dish, pressing down firmly on the bottom. Set aside.
- After jam has chilled in fridge, pour berry filling over top of crust.
- Sprinkle remainder of topping evenly over top of filling and bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool before cutting.
- Enjoy!
- Store in fridge.
There may be affiliate links in this post!ย By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat ๐
Sophie says
These were SOO easy and yummy! I made them before a road trip and they were a perfect morning snack. I actually ended up eating them with yogurt for breakfast as well! I used almond butter but I may do peanut butter next time. Would make again and again!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sophie, so glad you enjoyed them!! ๐
Veronica says
Made this today and it’s SO yummy! I didn’t have almond butter so I used peanut butter and it was delicious. I always make your raspberry chia jam, so I knew this would be so good
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Veronica, thank you so much for your kind words! I am so happy you enjoyed it and made it your own!
Katie says
These are DELICIOUS! So easy to make. I used mostly blueberries and raspberries, but also mixed in some strawberries. Everyone in the fam loves them!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Katie, I’m thrilled you and your family love the bars so much! ๐
Alona says
Make this all the time & still canโt get enough
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Alona, I am thrilled you love the bars!!
Maria says
These were pretty tasty but after making the strawberry crisp bars (I made them mixed berry) I was a little disappointed. Not as much of a flavor in the jam as other recipes Iโve tried. Still pretty good but I just found the other recipes Iโve made of Erins are more of a hit.
★★★★
Megan says
Could I sub rice flour for the almond flour?
Erin says
Hi Megan, yes, you can use a different flour. Before you bake just be sure to check the ratio because some flours are not a 1:1 ratio. Let me know what flour you use and how it comes out!ย
Joy says
Very easy & delicious! I used fresh Blueberries instead of frozen. Next time Iโm going to try using raspberries or strawberries too! This definitely will be my go to for crumble bars. I love them!
★★★★★
Erin says
So happy that you love them!!
Kristi says
So love this recipe! My kids love it even the kids with no wheat or dairy allergies. Thank you for this recipe.
★★★★★
Erin says
I’m so glad they liked it!! ๐
Michelle Finan says
Do you have to put the Chia seeds in this?
Erin says
Yes, it will not ‘gel’ without it.
Laurence says
Hi!
I was wondering if it would be possible to make an apple version of this recipe ?
Erin says
I think it would work! Just dice apples or slice them thin.
Laurence says
Hi me again! ๐
I was also wondering if this recipe could be frozen if made in big batches ?
My best friends is getting married next weekend, and I’m in charge of doing all the desserts. Since I canโt make everything last minute, I was wondering if I could freeze it in the big baking sheet I’ll be baking them, and thaw them on my way to the wedding and cut them there in pieces ?
Sorry I know it’s a weird question ahah!
By the way, I did a test batch with sunflower seed butter and it was simply amazing!! ๐
Erin says
I haven’t tried freezing them myself! I’mafraid the bottoms would get soggy…but maybe you could do a little test batch?!
Alex says
Made these a while back and they were a huge success!
Question- can I sub agave for maple syrup?
★★★★★
Erin says
Yes you totally can!
Melissa says
Always looking for recipies that will work for everyones eating habits and this is a great one! Im making this for the 2nd time but am going to add more nut butter so that it will taste even more like a pb&j! Yum!
Thanks so much, Erin!
★★★★★
Erin says
Thanks for sharing Melissa!!! So glad you like them!
Ali Tate says
Hi
Iโm wanting to make these but you call for 1/2 cup of maple syrup and according to your instructions i am to add that to both the sauce and the flour base. So how much goes in each. Maybe Iโm not seeing it.
Erin says
1/2 cup goes into the crumble, and 2 tbsp goes into jam – you can see that in the ingredients list portion of this recipe.
Lisa Hipelius says
Could I substitute the nut butter for sunflower seed butter?
Erin says
Yes!! Should work well ๐
Katie says
Can I sub almond flour with cassava ?? Or green banana flour?
Erin says
Cassava should work!!
Morgan says
This. Is. Incredible!!!! It almost taste like a pop tart but obviously 100x better. Love, love, love and HIGHLY recommend!!!!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Morgan, this makes me so happy!! So glad you like them!
Chelsea says
Erin, a few weeks ago I made this recipe but as I’m coming back to make it for a second time I see it’s quite different. Do you still have the old recipe posted? It quickly became a family favorite and I was planning to make it for an Easter treat.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Chelsea!! Ahhh! Just updated the recipe, didn’t think anyone was making it:)
Here is the old recipe below:
*Jam recipe stays the same!
Crust:
2 cups almond flour
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-2 tablespoon water
Combine this well and bake in 8×8 pan at 350 for 12-14 minutes. Let cool before putting jam on.
Crumble:
1 cup walnuts
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2 tablespoons maple syrup/honey
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
Pulse in food processor until crumbles.
Add jam to cooled crust, then add crumbles on top.
Bake in 350 oven for about 15 minutes
Cool before cutting and store in fridge!
Hope that helps ๐
Chelsea says
Erin, thank you so much! It was a huge hit with my kids. I made it for Easter and everyone loved it!
★★★★★
Erin says
Yay!! Thank you for sharing, Chelsea ๐ Glad I could get you the old recipe lol!!
Jen says
What can I substitute for chia seeds? Arrowroot? Flaxseeds?
Erin says
Arrowroot would be good! Should help thicken. Please note this recipe has changed, as I worked on updating it today for a new version ๐
Michelle says
These look incredible!
My little people would love these, but what could I use in place of walnuts ??
(kindy is a nut-free zone) ?
Erin says
Maybe sunflower seeds?! They might work!
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Do they keep long?
Erin says
In the fridge for 5 days! ๐