These delightful Vegan Berry Crumble Bars offer a delicious layer of juicy berries tucked between a crunchy oat and almond crumble that doubles as both base and topping. The recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients like oats, oat flour, ground almonds, and a mixture of your favorite berries, making it not only a treat to your taste buds but also a healthier dessert option. The bars are gluten-free and can be made vegan by opting for vegan butter, ensuring they cater to a wide range of dietary preferences.
Why You’ll Love This: You’ll adore these berry crumble bars for their delightful texture contrast—crispy on the top and bottom with a soft, sweet berry filling in the middle. The addition of cinnamon enhances the flavor, making every bite a perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Whether you’re a fan of healthy treats or simply love the taste of homemade fruit desserts, these bars will not disappoint. They are easy to prepare, wonderfully flavorful, and adaptable to whatever berries are in season or available in your freezer.
Perfect Occasion: These Vegan Berry Crumble Bars are perfect for nearly any occasion. Serve them at brunches, as a sweet snack in the afternoon, or as a dessert at gatherings. They’re especially suitable for picnics and potlucks because they’re easy to transport and can be eaten without any mess. Also, they make a thoughtful and delicious gift for friends and neighbors during the holidays or just as a special treat to brighten someone’s day.
Decoration Tips: For a visually appealing touch and extra flavor, you can sprinkle the bars with a light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle them with a simple icing made from powdered sugar and lemon juice. Adding a few fresh berries on top right before serving not only enhances their beauty but also gives a hint of freshness. If you’re serving them at a party or dinner, consider adding a dollop of whipped coconut cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside each bar for a decadent finish.
Ingredients:
- Rolled oats (gluten-free if needed), 150 grams
- Oat flour, 100 grams (make by blending oats until fine)
- Ground almonds, 50 grams
- Cinnamon, 1.5-2 teaspoons
- Salt, a pinch
- Baking powder, 1 teaspoon
- Brown sugar, 100 grams
- Coconut oil or vegan butter, 120 grams (use refined coconut oil for no coconut taste)
For the Berry Filling:
- Mixed berries (frozen or fresh), 400 grams
- Cornflour, 1 tablespoon
- Lemon juice, 1 tablespoon
- Optional sweetener (sugar or maple syrup), 2 teaspoons
Instructions:
- Heat your oven to 180°C (356°F). Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment, letting it hang over the edges for easy removal.
- Combine the berries, cornflour, lemon juice, and sweetener in a large bowl. Stir well and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the oats, oat flour, ground almonds, cinnamon, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Melt the coconut oil or butter and mix it into the dry ingredients until well combined.
- Press two-thirds of the crumble mixture into the prepared pan, forming a compact layer.
- Evenly distribute the berry mixture over this base.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture on top.
- Bake in the center of the oven for about 30 minutes until the topping is golden brown.
- Allow to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into nine squares.
Store these delightful squares in an airtight container in the fridge to maintain freshness. Enjoy!
