No Added Sugar Blueberry Pie Bars Recipe

These blueberry pie bars offer a healthier take on a classic dessert. Made with whole-grain oats, ripe fruit, and pantry staples, they have no added sugar or oil—sweetened only with fruit purée and blueberries. They’re soft, naturally moist, and perfect for breakfast, lunchbox snacks, or a light dessert.

The blueberry filling tastes like the fruit layer of a pie, while the oat-based top and bottom are tender and satisfying. The recipe requires no pie crust: the oat batter forms both the base and the topping, with a warm blueberry center. Fruit purées (pear plus applesauce) supply moisture so no added butter or oil is necessary.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Pears – Ripe Bartlett pears work well because they blend into a smooth purée; other soft, ripe pears can be used.
• Applesauce – Use unsweetened applesauce for a neutral fruit sweetness and additional moisture.
• Baking powder – Helps the oat batter rise slightly and improves texture.
• Sea salt – A small amount balances and enhances the flavors.
• Vanilla extract – Adds warmth and depth to both the batter and filling.
• Oats – Rolled or quick oats both work; they create the hearty oat layers.
• Blueberries – Fresh or frozen; frozen are convenient and work fine straight from the freezer.
• Apple juice – Use 100% apple juice or another clear fruit juice to cook the berries and thin the starch slurry.
• Tapioca starch – Thickens the blueberry filling; arrowroot can be substituted.

Recipe overview and tips

This method uses a food processor to make the pear purée and to combine the oats into a cohesive batter. The oat batter is split into two portions: one to press into the bottom of the baking pan, and the other to dollop on top of the blueberry filling in a cobbler-like fashion. Baking until lightly golden yields bars that hold together when cooled and cut.

Quick tips:
– Use ripe pears for the smoothest purée.
– If using frozen blueberries, you do not need to thaw them first.
– Stir the fruit mixture continuously once the starch is added to avoid lumps and to achieve proper thickening.
– Let the bars cool completely before cutting so the filling sets and slices cleanly.

Recipe steps

Step 1

Gather all ingredients and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Oil an 8 x 8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment.

Step 2

Process the pears in a food processor until they reach an applesauce consistency. Add the applesauce, baking powder, salt, and vanilla; pulse to combine. Add the oats last and process until the mixture becomes a cohesive batter, about 1–2 minutes.

Step 3

Make the blueberry filling while the batter rests. Combine the blueberries with three tablespoons of the apple juice in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining tablespoon of apple juice with the tapioca starch to form a slurry. Add the slurry to the simmering berries and stir constantly until the mixture thickens, about 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Allow the filling to cool slightly.

Step 4

Press about half of the oat batter evenly into the prepared 8 x 8-inch pan. Spread the warm blueberry filling over the base. Dollop spoonfuls of the remaining oat batter on top of the berries and gently press or leave slightly rustic—this will create a cobbler-like top.

Step 5

Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the filling bubbles at the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan so the filling sets. Once cool, cut into squares or bars.

Serving suggestions

These bars are delicious on their own or served with a light accompaniment. Popular options include:

• Fresh whipped cream or a dairy-free alternative
• A dollop of Greek yogurt for added protein
• A thin smear of butter or coconut oil for extra richness
• A dusting of cinnamon or pie spice to enhance the fruit flavors

Recipe details

Prep time: 15 mins. Cook time: 25 mins. Total time: 40 mins. Yields about 9 bars.

Ingredients (summary)

• 2 medium ripe pears (about 10 ounces total)
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 + 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (batter) plus 1/2 teaspoon for filling
• 2 cups oats (rolled or quick)
• 1 1/2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 cup apple juice, divided (3 tbsp + 1 tbsp)
• 1 tablespoon tapioca starch (or arrowroot)

Instructions (summary)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare an 8 x 8-inch pan.
2. Process pears to a purée, then add applesauce, baking powder, salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add oats and process into batter.
3. Heat blueberries with 3 tablespoons apple juice until boiling, then simmer 4–5 minutes. Mix remaining apple juice with tapioca and add to the berries, stirring until thickened. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and cool slightly.
4. Press half the oat batter into the pan, add blueberry filling, and dollop remaining batter on top.
5. Bake 20–25 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely, then cut into bars.

Nutrition (approximate)

Per bar (estimate): Calories 105; Carbohydrates 27 g; Protein 4 g; Fat 1.6 g; Fiber 5.2 g; Sugar 8.6 g.

If you try this recipe, consider leaving a note about any variations you liked—substitutions, different fruit, or spice additions can change the character of the bars and are fun to experiment with.

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If you make these bars, please leave a rating or comment to share how they turned out for you.