As we all know summer is coming to a close, and with it all the summer recipes. I have made some recipes this summer that I absolutely love and will most likely be making all throughout the year … like my s’mores cookie cups and feta turkey burgers. And to top off all the fruit filled, s’more inspired, and barbecue themed recipes …. I’ve got Vegan Berry Crumble Bars for you guys. These bars scream summer and are absolutely delicious! They’ve got a sort of sugar cookie base, a delicious mixed berry middle, and a scrumptious oat crumble topping. Not to mention they are healthy!
These berry crumble bars are full of all simple, wholesome, & healthy ingredients. I absolutely love making desserts and sweet treats that taste absolutely delicious, but are also good for me! These are just that. They are gluten free, vegan, and refined sugar free.
Almond Flour: You guys know that I love almond flour. I use it in almost all my gluten free recipes! It provides a wonderful texture and a delicious flavo
Oat Flour: And this is my other gluten free flour of choice! You can buy oat flour in most stores nowadays, but I always make my own by blending oats in a high speed blender until a fine flour forms.
Pure Maple Syrup: You guys also know I love pure maple syrup and use it in almost all my recipes! It is an absolutely delicious refined sugar free option. I have not tested, but I’m sure you could replace this with a different liquid sweetener of your choice, such as honey or agave syrup.
Refined Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is my favorite oil to bake with! However, make sure you use refined coconut oil in this recipe. Unrefined coconut oil or virgin coconut oil tastes like coconuts, and thus your treats will taste like coconut.
Vanilla Extract and Salt for flavor.
Berries: You could use fresh or frozen mixed berries. I used a combination of fresh and frozen raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Strawberries would of course be delicious too.
Pure Maple Syrup: Just a touch of maple syrup to add to the natural sweetness of the berries.
Corn Starch: Corn starch is used to thicken up the berry mixture and give it that smooth & velvetty texture that you love to see in a crumble or crisp.
How to make these Vegan Berry Crumble Bars!
- Set the oven to 350 degrees.
- Start with the base layer. In a mixing bowl combine the almond flour, oat flour, and salt.
- Add in the maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract and combine.
- Add the mixture to a greased or lined 8×8 baking dish and evenly flatten. Set aside.
- Then for the berry layer add the berries, maple syrup, and water to a pot.
- Heat the berries on low to medium heat. Once the berries start to soften mash with a potato masher or fork to eliminate any large chunks. Let the berries simmer and thicken for 5-10 minutes.
- Once the berries have thickened, remove from the heat. I recommend transferring to a bowl and placing in the fridge to thicken further.
- Lastly for the crumble topping combine the oats, oat flour, almond flour, and salt.
- Then add in the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract and combine. Set aside.
- Remove the berry mixture from the fridge and pour on top of the base. Spread evenly.
- Top with the crumble topping. It helps to squeeze chunks of the crumble topping between your fingers to combine/flatten and then place on top of the berry layer.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Let cool, cut into squares, and enjoy!