Here’s a great recipe to keep bookmarked until Maine’s blueberry season is underway. These bars are a delicious snack, easy to throw together, and simple enough to let the blueberries’ natural flavors shine!
On the Ingredients:
- Blueberries may be Maine’s famous berry crop, but there’s another excellent reason to love them. They’re often called a superfood because of the nutrients packed in their tiny package. In fact, they’re one of the most nutrient-dense berries. Antioxidants are abundant in blueberries, especially low bush or wild blueberries. Specifically, they’re high in polyphenol antioxidants called flavonoids, which are known to protect against free radicals which cause DNA damage. This means blueberries may help slow aging and reduce the risk of cancer. Blueberries may lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. The antioxidants in blueberries may also affect areas of the brain that are essential for intelligence, helping to maintain brain function and improve memory. The anthocyanins in blueberries may help improve insulin sensitivity. (Read more about the health benefits).
- Oats are generally considered a very healthy grain. They are highly nutritious, with lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They’re a good source of carbohydrates and fiber, including beta-glucan, the special fiber responsible for oatmeal’s famous heart-healthy reputation. Beta-glucan is also good for reducing blood sugar and improving insulin sensitivity. It is highly digestible and sticks to your ribs! Oats are naturally gluten-free but are often milled around other grains, which may cause cross-contamination. The bulk department has “gluten-free oats,” which have been processed in a gluten-free facility, so if you’re gluten-sensitive, you should stick to this kind. (More on the health benefits).
Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
Servings
9
servingsPrep time
15
minutesCooking time
50
minutesTotal time
1
hour5
minutesHere's a great recipe to keep bookmarked until Maine's blueberry season is underway. These bars are a delicious snack, easy to throw together, and simple enough to let the blueberries' natural flavors shine!
Ingredients
- Crust and Top
1/2 cup butter (melted)
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup sugar OR monk fruit sweetener
1/2 tsp salt
- Filling
2 cups fresh blueberries
2 tbsp sugar OR monk fruit sweetener
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp potato starch OR cornstarch
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly grease an 8x8" square baking pan, then line with parchment paper.
- Combine the crust and topping ingredients in a bowl until crumbly. Set aside a cup of the mixture. Add the rest to the baking pan and press into an even, tight crust.
- In another bowl, combine the filling ingredients so the blueberries have an even coating of the sugar, lemon juice, and starch. Pour the blueberries onto the crust and spread them into an even layer.
- Take the cup of crumble and sprinkle it over the blueberries. A combination of small and large crumbles will give it a good texture once baked.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes, until the crumble top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. Let the bars cool for an hour before removing them from the pan by lifting the parchment paper. Slice into nine squares and serve!
Notes
- Nutritional Info Per serving (approx. 9 serving)
Unmodified recipe:
337 Calories
6g Protein
26g Total Fat
25g Carbs
Recipe with sugar substitute:
236 Calories
4g Protein
11g Total Fat
29g Carbs
