Savor the best of fall with our Vegan Apple and Blackberry Crumble Bars Recipe. A delightful fusion of sweet apples and tart blackberries in a wholesome, plant-based bar. Perfect for a delicious and guilt-free treat!
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At this time of year we love to go blackberry picking in our local area. Picking wild blackberries is an easy peasy way to keep the children entertained for an hour or so and we love making goodies with our blackberry haul. This recipe was born as a result of one of these blackberry pickings during blackberry season. These blackberry oat bars are soft, really tasty and naturally sweet and full of protein and goodness - you can't not love them!
These blackberry oatmeal bars are a perfect late summer / autumn snack, whenever you find that blackberries are in season and something different for school bake sales.
You can also use frozen blackberries so if you find that you have some left from your blackberry picking endeavours you can pop them in a freezer bag and freeze for up to three months. They will just need a little bit of extra cooking time when you are making the blackberry layer. See below for more tips for making this with frozen blackberries.
This recipe is quite similar to my vegan raspberry flapjacks on this site, and pairs well warmed up and served with vegan cream.
Ingredients
You will need a few ingredients for this recipe. Most of them are store cupboard ingredients so hopefully you have most of them in the house already. There is nothing artificial in these oat bars and they are full of the goodness of natural ingredients and naturally sweetened by the fruit and maple syrup. Oats and almonds provide protein and make these not only delicious but filling too.
- Oats
- Ground almonds
- Coconut oil
- Maple syrup
- Apples
- Blackberries
- Ground cinnamon
- Chia seeds
- Flaked almonds
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Instructions
Grease and line a 9 x 9 baking tin with parchment paper and pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees celsius.
Start off by making the oat layer. Blitz the oats in a food processor to turn them into an oat flour. Mix this with the maple syrup, coconut oil and ground almonds. Divide this mixture into two, one 400g portion and another 200g portion. Set the 200g portion aside in a large mixing bowl for later and press the 400g portion into the base of your baking tin. Press it down using the back of a spoon or the bottom of a glass. Pop into the oven for 15 minutes or until starting to turn golden brown. Remove and leave to cool.
Next you will need to make the blackberry layer. Peel and finely chop 150g of apples (approx 2 medium apples). Put the cubed apple with the blackberries, maple syrup, cinnamon and chia seeds into a medium saucepan and cook over a medium heat, stirring often until the mixture thickens. Set aside to cool.
Top tip: Make sure to cut the apples into small pieces or otherwise the blackberry layer will be too chunky. Also you should keep an eye on this while it is cooking so that it doesn't overcook.
In the other bowl add cinnamon and flaked almonds to the remaining crumble mixture. Stir to combine.
When the base layer is cool spread the blackberry mixture over the top in an even layer and then sprinkle the oat and almond mixture over the top.
Bake for 20 minutes until starting to brown. Allow to cool completely in the tin before slicing into 12 portions.
Hint: Use a loose bottomed square baking tin for making these, it will help you to remove them without them crumbling or breaking.
📖 Recipe
Vegan Apple and Blackberry Oat Bars
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Savor the best of fall with our Vegan Apple and Blackberry Crumble Bars Recipe. A delightful fusion of sweet apples and tart blackberries in a wholesome, plant-based bar. Perfect for a delicious and guilt-free treat!
Ingredients
For the oat layer
- 180 g oats
- 210 g ground almonds
- 75 ml coconut oil
- 120 ml maple syrup
For the fruit layer
- 150 g apples
- 100 g blackberries
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 60 ml maple syrup
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
For the topping
- 200 g oat layer mixture
- 50 g flaked almonds
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
To make the oat layer
- Pre-heat the oven to 180°C
- Grease and line a 9 x 9 baking tin
- Blitz the oats in a food processor until they make an oat flour
- Mix in the ground almonds, coconut oil and maple syrup.
- Divide the mixture into two portions, 400g and 200g.
- Press the 400g mixture into the bottom of the prepared cake tin in an even layer.
- Bake for 15 minutes until starting to go golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and leave to cool.
To make the blackberry layer
- Peel and chop the apple before slicing into small pieces.
- Place the apple, blackberries, maple syrup, cinnamon and chia seeds into a saucepan and cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently until thickened.
- Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
To make the top layer
- Mix 200g of the oat mixture with the flaked almonds, cinnamon and combine well.
To assemble
- Once the base layer and blackberry mixture are cool, pour the blackberry mixture over the base layer.
- Crumble the top layer over, making sure of even coverage.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until starting to brown.
- Remove from the oven and leave to cool before removing from the tin and slicing into 12.
Nutrition
- Calories: 315
Variations and Substitutions
You can make a few substitutions to this crumble bars recipe
Blackberries - instead of using blackberries you could use a similar fruit such as raspberries or blueberries
Flaked almonds - you could swap these for another type of nut if you wanted such as chopped walnuts.
here are five creative variations on a vegan apple and blackberry crumble bar recipe:
Spiced Apple and Blackberry Bars - Add warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to the apple and blackberry filling for a cozy, autumnal twist.
Almond Butter and Date Crumble Bars - Instead of traditional crumble topping, use a mixture of almond butter and chopped dates for a unique, nutty flavor.
Coconut and Lime Zest Infusion - Enhance the tropical flavors by adding shredded coconut and a touch of lime zest to the crumble mixture.
Ginger and Pear Twist - Swap apples for pears and add some freshly grated ginger to the fruit filling for a zesty, sweet and spicy blend.
Chocolate Drizzle Delight - Elevate the bars by drizzling a melted vegan dark chocolate over the crumble top, providing a rich contrast to the fruity filling.
These variations will add exciting flavors and textures to your vegan apple and blackberry crumble bars, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy.
If you use gluten free oats this apple and blackberry oat bars recipe is gluten free, dairy free, egg free and soya free. It's also refined sugar free and butter free.
FAQs
How do I store these apple crumble bars?
These oat bars are best eaten warm out of the oven but they will keep in an airtight sealed container at room temperature or in a cool place for 2-3 days. Because of the fruit content these are best eaten sooner rather than later, although that's not a problem in our house!
Can I use frozen blackberries for this recipe?
Yes, you can typically use frozen blackberries for a vegan apple and blackberry crumble bars recipe. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Thawing: If you're using frozen blackberries, it's a good idea to thaw them first. You can do this by placing them in a strainer over a small mixing bowl to allow excess moisture to drain. You can also pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess water. This helps prevent the excess moisture from making the filling too runny.
Adjust for Moisture: Because frozen blackberries can release more moisture during baking, you might need to adjust the recipe slightly. You can add a bit more thickener (like cornstarch or tapioca) to the fruit filling to help absorb the extra liquid.
Taste Test: Depending on the quality and sweetness of your frozen blackberries, you may need to adjust the sugar in the recipe to suit your taste.
By following these steps, you can successfully use frozen blackberries in your vegan apple and blackberry crumble bars and still enjoy a delicious dessert.
Can I use other fruits instead of apples and blackberries in this recipe?
Certainly, you can experiment with other fruits to create unique variations of vegan crumble bars. Here are some fruit options you can substitute for apples and blackberries in a vegan crumble bars recipe.
Mixed Berry Crumble Bars: Try a fruit mixture - a combination of raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries for a colorful and tangy twist.
Peach and Raspberry Crumble Bars: Peaches and raspberries offer a delightful balance of sweetness and tartness.
Cherry Almond Crumble Bars: Use sweet or sour cherries with almond extract for a delicious cherry-almond flavor.
Mango and Pineapple Crumble Bars: Opt for a tropical twist with diced mango and pineapple for a sweet and tangy result.
Pear and Cranberry Crumble Bars: Combine the subtle sweetness of pears with the zing of cranberries for a flavorful, wintery treat.
Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars: Pair strawberries with rhubarb for a classic and slightly tart flavor combination.
Banana and Blueberry Crumble Bars: Ripe mashed bananas and blueberries offer a creamy and fruity crumble bar experience.
Feel free to get creative and use fruits that you enjoy or have on hand. Just be aware that different fruits may require adjustments to sugar and thickener quantities to suit your taste and maintain the desired texture.
Are there any recommended serving suggestions or accompaniments for this dessert?
Absolutely! Vegan apple and blackberry crumble bars can be delightful on their own, but you can enhance the experience with various serving suggestions and accompaniments.
Vegan Ice Cream: A scoop of dairy-free vanilla or blackberry ice cream pairs wonderfully with the warm crumble bars.
Coconut Whipped Cream: Top each bar with a dollop of coconut whipped cream for added creaminess.
Fresh Berries: Serve with a side of fresh blackberries or other seasonal berries for extra freshness and color.
Dusting of Powdered Sugar: Lightly dust the bars with powdered sugar for a touch of sweetness and an appealing presentation.
Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle vegan caramel sauce over the bars for a decadent touch.
Mint Leaves: Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a burst of color and a hint of herbal freshness.
Nuts: Crushed or chopped nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans, can add a satisfying crunch when sprinkled on top.
Hot Beverage: Enjoy your crumble bars with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or a vegan hot chocolate.
Yogurt: A side of dairy-free yogurt, such as coconut or almond yogurt, can complement the bars nicely.
Lemon Zest: Grate lemon zest over the bars for a citrusy aroma and flavor contrast.
These accompaniments and serving suggestions can elevate the taste and presentation of your vegan apple and blackberry crumble bars, making them an even more delightful dessert for any occasion.Absolutely! Vegan apple and blackberry crumble bars can be delightful on their own, but you can enhance the experience with various serving suggestions and accompaniments.
Vegan Ice Cream: A scoop of ice cream - dairy-free vanilla or blackberry ice cream pairs wonderfully with the warm crumble bars and turns this into the perfect late summer dessert.
Coconut Whipped Cream: Top each bar with a dollop of coconut whipped cream for added creaminess.
Fresh Berries: Serve with a side of fresh blackberries or other seasonal berries for extra freshness and color.
Dusting of Powdered Sugar: Lightly dust the bars with powdered sugar for a touch of sweetness and an appealing presentation.
Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle vegan caramel sauce over the bars for a decadent touch.
Mint Leaves: Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a burst of color and a hint of herbal freshness.
Nuts: Crushed or chopped nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans, can add a satisfying crunch when sprinkled on top.
Hot Beverage: Enjoy your crumble bars with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or a vegan hot chocolate.
Yogurt: A side of dairy-free yogurt, such as coconut or almond yogurt, can complement the bars nicely.
Lemon Zest: Grate lemon zest over the bars for a citrusy aroma and flavor contrast.
These accompaniments and serving suggestions can elevate the taste and presentation of your vegan apple and blackberry crumble bars, making them an even more delightful dessert for any occasion., but you can enhance the experience with various serving suggestions and accompaniments.
Vegan Ice Cream: A scoop of dairy-free vanilla or blackberry ice cream pairs wonderfully with the warm crumble bars.
Coconut Whipped Cream: Top each bar with a dollop of coconut whipped cream for added creaminess.
Fresh Berries: Serve with a side of fresh blackberries or other seasonal berries for extra freshness and color.
Dusting of Powdered Sugar: Lightly dust the bars with powdered sugar for a touch of sweetness and an appealing presentation.
Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle vegan caramel sauce over the bars for a decadent touch.
Mint Leaves: Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a burst of color and a hint of herbal freshness.
Nuts: Crushed or chopped nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans, can add a satisfying crunch when sprinkled on top.
Hot Beverage: Enjoy your crumble bars with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or a vegan hot chocolate.
Yogurt: A side of dairy-free yogurt, such as coconut or almond yogurt, can complement the bars nicely.
Lemon Zest: Grate lemon zest over the bars for a citrusy aroma and flavor contrast.
These accompaniments and serving suggestions can elevate the taste and presentation of your vegan apple and blackberry crumble bars, making them an even more delightful dessert for any occasion.
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If you are a fan of apples and blackberries here are some more blackberry recipes and apple recipes you might like.
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Chloe Edges says
These look delicious - I'm currently harvesting around 4 blackberries a day so I'll keep collecting them to try and make your oat bars...hopefully sooner rather than later!
Jo says
These look so good. I'm a sucker for any crumb bar type recipe so will definitely be trying these. Thanks for posting!