Ingredients
The Blueberry Jam Layer:
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 tbsp chia seeds (the secret to thickening the fruit into a jam without tons of sugar!)
1 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tsp lemon juice
The Oatmeal Crust & Crumble:
2 cups certified gluten-free rolled oats
1 cup oat flour (just blend your oats into a powder if you don’t have it)
½ cup vanilla plant-based protein powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup smooth almond butter (or peanut butter)
⅓ cup pure maple syrup
¼ cup melted coconut oil
🥣 Directions
Step 1: Make the Quick Blueberry Jam
In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the blueberries, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, and lemon juice. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, mashing the berries with a fork as they heat up and release their juices. Remove from heat, stir in the chia seeds, and set aside. It will thicken up into a perfect jam as it cools.
Step 2: Prep the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides so you can lift the bars out easily later.
Step 3: Mix the Oat Base
In a large bowl, mix together the rolled oats, oat flour, protein powder, and salt. Pour in the almond butter, maple syrup, and melted coconut oil. Stir everything together until it forms a thick, crumbly dough that holds together when you pinch it.
Step 4: Layer It Up
The Bottom Crust: Take about ⅔ of the oat mixture and press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of your lined baking pan to form a solid base.
The Fruit: Spread your thickened blueberry chia jam evenly over the oat crust.
The Crumble Top: Scatter the remaining ⅓ of the oat mixture loosely over the top of the blueberry layer, pressing down just a tiny bit so it sticks.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the top crumble layer is a beautiful light golden brown and the blueberry jam is bubbling around the edges.
Step 6: Chill, Slice, and Serve
Remove from the oven and let the pan cool completely on the counter, then pop it into the fridge for at least 1 hour. Don’t skip the chilling step! This sets the bars up so they cut cleanly without falling apart. Lift them out using the parchment paper handles, slice into 8 bars, and enjoy your clean breakfast or snack!