Gluten Free Raspberry Crumble Bars
Hey there, fellow dessert lover! If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly on the lookout for treats that hit all the right notes, sweet, tangy, and just a little crispy around the edges. And if you’re also gluten free, finding a dessert that ticks all those boxes can sometimes feel like searching for a unicorn. Well, I’ve got good news: gluten free raspberry crumble bars are here to save the day! These bars are not only insanely delicious but also super easy to make, and they’re perfect for snacking, sharing, or just indulging yourself after a long day.
I’ve been experimenting with gluten free baking for a while now, and I can tell you, these raspberry crumble bars are a personal favorite. They combine the tartness of fresh raspberries with a buttery, crumbly topping that makes every bite feel like a warm hug. Plus, they’re naturally gluten free, so you don’t have to worry about any weird fillers or additives. Ready to get baking? Let’s do this!
Why You’ll Love These Gluten Free Raspberry Crumble Bars
Before we jump into the recipe, here’s the scoop: these bars are sweet, tangy, and satisfyingly crumbly. They’re perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, honestly, I’ve even eaten them for dinner when no one’s watching. They’re versatile, portable, and made with simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
Here’s what makes them special:
- Gluten free but still totally indulgent.
- Packed with fresh raspberries for that natural tartness.
- The crumble topping adds a buttery, crunchy texture.
- Sweetened with maple syrup for a touch of natural sweetness.
- Easy to store and serve later – no fuss involved.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses wholesome, simple ingredients. FYI, I love recipes that don’t require a million obscure items, and this one’s no exception.
For the Crust & Crumble Topping:
- 2 cups rolled old-fashioned oats
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil (melted)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (or 1 large egg if not vegan)
For the Raspberry Filling:
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed (these add natural sweetness and help bind)
- 1 ¼ cups fresh or frozen blueberries, divided
- Additional blueberries for topping (optional but recommended!)
For Serving:
- Extra blueberries, nut butter, and maple syrup (for drizzling and extra flavor, yum!)
How to Make Gluten Free Raspberry Crumble Bars
Now for the fun part, baking! Trust me, these are straightforward, and I promise you’ll love the process almost as much as the finished product.
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Lightly spray an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Make the Crust & Crumble Mixture
- In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla, and flaxseed (or egg).
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until everything is well-coated and crumbly.
- This mixture will serve as both the crust and the crumble topping, so it needs to be crumbly but hold together when pressed.
Step 3: Prepare the Raspberry Filling
- In another bowl, mash the bananas until smooth.
- Gently fold in ½ cup of blueberries.
- The bananas add natural sweetness, so you don’t need much extra sugar, FYI, I tried this with just bananas and blueberries, and it’s perfection.
- Carefully fold in the remaining 1 cup of blueberries. Be gentle so you don’t burst all the berries, your bars will look prettier and stay more intact.
Step 4: Assemble the Bars
- Pour the raspberry mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Crumble the oat mixture over the top, pressing lightly to create an even layer.
- Scatter the remaining blueberries on top for a pop of color and extra tartness.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
- Pop it into the oven and bake for about 40 to 55 minutes.
- Keep an eye on it, you’re looking for a golden top and a set middle.
- If the edges brown too quickly, tent with foil to avoid burning.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
- Once baked, let the bars cool in the dish for about 10 minutes.
- Then, transfer to a wire rack or cut directly in the dish.
- Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with extra blueberries, a drizzle of nut butter, and a splash of maple syrup.
Tips for the Perfect Bars
- Use fresh or frozen blueberries, frozen works just as well, just don’t thaw them before adding.
- Adjust sweetness: If you like your bars sweeter, add a drizzle of honey or extra maple syrup.
- Make ahead: These bars store beautifully and only get better after a day or two.
- For crispier edges: Bake a little longer, and consider broiling for the last minute, just watch closely!
Storing & Reheating
Once you’ve devoured the bars (no judgment here), here’s how to keep them fresh:
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 15–20 minutes.
- For individual portions, microwave for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until warm and gooey.
If you want to freeze these for later:
- Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container.
- They’ll stay good for up to 3 months.
- To thaw, just leave them at room temp for a few hours or reheat in the oven.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, gluten free raspberry crumble bars that are simple, tasty, and healthy enough to make on a whim. Whether you’re gluten sensitive or just love a good berry treat, these bars won’t disappoint.
Honestly, I make these at least once a month, and my friends always ask for the recipe. They’re perfect for picnics, brunches, or just a cozy night in. Plus, they’re pretty forgiving, if you’re short on blueberries, swap in raspberries or blackberries.
So go ahead, give this recipe a shot. I promise you’ll be reaching for seconds, and maybe thirds. Happy baking, and don’t forget to share your photos with me, I love seeing your creations! 😊
P.S. If you want to jazz them up even more, sprinkle some chopped nuts or a drizzle of dark chocolate over the top before baking. Just saying!
Enjoy your homemade gluten free raspberry crumble bars, sweet, tart, and irresistibly crumbly!
9
servings20
minutes55
minutes260
kcalIngredients
2 cups rolled old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (or 1 large egg if not vegan)
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1 1/4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, divided (reserve some for topping)
Extra blueberries for topping (optional)
Cooking spray or parchment paper (for the pan)
Nut butter and maple syrup, for serving (optional)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and sea salt.
- In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and ground flaxseed (or whisk in an egg if using).
- Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients and stir until evenly coated and crumbly.
- In a separate bowl, mash bananas until smooth. Fold in 1/2 cup of the blueberries.
- Gently fold in remaining 1 cup blueberries, taking care not to burst them.
- Spread the blueberry-banana mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Crumble the oat mixture evenly over the top and press lightly to form an even layer. Scatter extra blueberries over the top if using.
- Bake for 40 to 55 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is set. If edges brown too quickly, tent loosely with foil.
- Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack or cut in the dish. Serve warm or at room temperature with extra blueberries, and drizzle with nut butter and maple syrup if desired.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Reheat at 350°F for 15–20 minutes (foil-covered) or microwave 30 seconds to 1 minute for individual portions.
