Apple Blackberry Oat Bars
These bars hit that sweet spot between breakfast and dessert. The fruit gets jammy while baking, but the oat topping stays crispy.
You’ll get twelve generous squares that keep well for days.
Why Fresh Fruit Works Better
Fresh apples and blackberries release moisture slowly during baking. This creates a jammy filling without making the oat layers soggy. Frozen fruit dumps too much water too fast, turning your bars mushy. Tart apples like Granny Smith balance the sweet blackberries perfectly.
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Press That Bottom Layer Hard
Your bottom oat layer needs serious compression to hold everything together. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or your clean hands to pack it down firmly. A loose base means crumbly bars that fall apart when you cut them. Think of it like making a graham cracker crust.
Temperature Timing Prevents Burning
Start at 375°F for the first 15 minutes to set the bottom crust. Then drop to 350°F for the remaining 20-25 minutes. This prevents the top from browning too fast while the fruit cooks through. The edges should be golden brown when done.
Getting Clean Square Cuts
- Chill bars for 30 minutes before cutting – cold fruit filling slices much cleaner than warm.
- Wipe your knife between cuts to prevent dragging fruit pieces across the oat topping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which apples work best besides Granny Smith?
Honeycrisp and Braeburn hold their shape well during baking and provide good tartness to balance the sweet blackberries.
Do frozen blackberries ruin the texture?
Frozen berries release too much moisture and make the bars soggy. If using frozen, thaw completely and pat very dry first.
How long do these bars stay fresh?
Store covered at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for a week. The oat topping stays crispy either way.
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Apple Blackberry Oat Bars
Ingredients
Filling
Equipment Needed
- 9×9-inch baking pan
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
Instructions
- Prepare pan: Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- Make oat mixture: Mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Form bottom crust: Press half of the oat mixture firmly into the prepared pan using the bottom of a measuring cup. Pack it down well.
- Prepare fruit filling: Toss diced apples, blackberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice in a bowl until fruit is evenly coated.
- Assemble bars: Spread fruit mixture evenly over the pressed oat layer. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture on top.
- Bake bars: Bake for 15 minutes at 375°F, then reduce temperature to 350°F and bake 20-25 minutes more until golden brown.
- Cool and cut: Cool completely in pan before lifting out using parchment overhang. Cut into 12 squares.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving (1 bar)
