Indulge in the delightful combination of blueberries and almonds with these scrumptious bars. Perfect for a quick snack or a sweet treat, these bars are both nutritious and delicious. The blend of rolled oats, almond flour, and maple syrup creates a wholesome base, while the fresh blueberries add a burst of natural sweetness.
If you don't typically stock almond flour or coconut oil in your pantry, you might need to pick these up at the supermarket. Almond flour is a gluten-free alternative to traditional flour, made from finely ground almonds. Coconut oil is a versatile ingredient often used in baking for its subtle flavor and health benefits.
Ingredients for Blueberry Almond Bars Recipe
Rolled oats: A whole grain ingredient that adds texture and fiber to the bars.
Almond flour: A gluten-free flour made from finely ground almonds, providing a nutty flavor and moist texture.
Maple syrup: A natural sweetener that adds a rich, caramel-like flavor to the bars.
Coconut oil: A plant-based oil that helps bind the ingredients together and adds a subtle coconut flavor.
Vanilla extract: A flavor enhancer that adds a sweet, aromatic note to the bars.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor by balancing the sweetness.
Fresh blueberries: Adds a burst of natural sweetness and juiciness to the bars.
Sliced almonds: Provides a crunchy texture and enhances the almond flavor.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When pressing the oat mixture into the baking pan, use the back of a spoon or the bottom of a measuring cup to ensure an even and compact layer. This will help the crust hold together better and provide a sturdy base for the blueberries.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Rolled oats - Substitute with quinoa flakes: Quinoa flakes provide a similar texture and are also gluten-free, making them a great alternative for those with gluten sensitivities.
Almond flour - Substitute with oat flour: Oat flour has a mild flavor and similar consistency, making it a good substitute for almond flour in baking.
Maple syrup - Substitute with agave nectar: Agave nectar has a similar sweetness and consistency, making it a suitable alternative for maple syrup.
Coconut oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used as a healthier fat option and provides a slightly different but pleasant flavor profile.
Vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract offers a different but complementary flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
Salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt provides a similar salty taste but with a slightly different mineral content, enhancing the overall flavor.
Fresh blueberries - Substitute with frozen blueberries: Frozen blueberries can be used when fresh ones are not available, and they retain most of their nutritional value and flavor.
Sliced almonds - Substitute with chopped walnuts: Chopped walnuts provide a similar crunch and nutty flavor, making them a good alternative to sliced almonds.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This
How to Store or Freeze These Bars
Allow the blueberry almond bars to cool completely before storing. This helps to maintain their structure and prevents them from becoming soggy.
For short-term storage, place the bars in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer a firmer texture, store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.
To freeze, first cut the bars into individual servings. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and to keep them fresh.
After wrapping, place the bars in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour. This initial freezing step ensures that the bars won't stick together.
Once the bars are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label the container with the date to keep track of their freshness.
When you're ready to enjoy a bar, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes. For a quicker option, you can microwave the bar for 10-15 seconds, but be cautious not to overheat and make it mushy.
If you prefer a warm treat, you can reheat the bars in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the bars on a baking sheet. Warm them for about 5-10 minutes, or until they reach your desired temperature.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the blueberry almond bars on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. This method helps maintain the crispiness of the bars.
Microwave Method: Place a blueberry almond bar on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on medium power for 20-30 seconds. Check the temperature and continue heating in 10-second intervals if needed. This method is quick but may result in a softer texture.
Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the blueberry almond bars on the toaster oven tray. Heat for about 8-10 minutes or until they are warmed through. This method is great for a small batch and keeps the bars slightly crispy.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Place the blueberry almond bars in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they don't overcook. This method gives a nice, even reheat with a bit of crispiness.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the blueberry almond bars at the specified temperature of 350°F (175°C).
Baking pan: An 8x8 inch pan lined with parchment paper to hold the mixture and ensure easy removal of the bars.
Parchment paper: Lined in the baking pan to prevent sticking and make it easier to lift the bars out after baking.
Large bowl: Used to mix the oats, almond flour, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt.
Mixing spoon: Used to combine the ingredients thoroughly in the large bowl.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the rolled oats, almond flour, maple syrup, and coconut oil accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the vanilla extract and salt accurately.
Spatula: Used to press the mixture into the baking pan and to spread the remaining oat mixture and sliced almonds over the blueberries.
Cooling rack: Used to cool the bars completely before cutting them into pieces.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out the rolled oats, almond flour, and other ingredients ahead of time to streamline the process.
Use a food processor: Quickly combine the oats and almond flour mixture by pulsing in a food processor.
Line the pan efficiently: Use pre-cut parchment paper to line the baking pan quickly and neatly.
Melt coconut oil in microwave: Save time by melting the coconut oil in the microwave instead of on the stove.
Cool in the fridge: Speed up the cooling process by placing the baked bars in the fridge.
Blueberry Almond Bars Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup almond flour
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix oats, almond flour, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
- Press ⅔ of the mixture into the prepared baking pan.
- Spread blueberries evenly over the crust.
- Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture and sliced almonds over the blueberries.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Main Courses
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Garlic Herb Blend Recipe5 Minutes
- Garlic Basil Sauce Recipe15 Minutes
- Fusilli Recipe25 Minutes
- Fig And Prosciutto Pizza Recipe25 Minutes
- Eggplant and Chickpea Tagine Recipe1 Hours
- Dessert Wine Recipe10 Minutes
- Custard Filling Recipe25 Minutes
- Cucumber Mint Spritzer Recipe10 Minutes
Leave a Reply