THIS RECIPE IS SPONSORED BY BOB’S RED MILL
It wouldn’t be Summer without one standout blueberry comfort food recipe – and this is it!
As we enter Summer fruit season, I would be remiss to not include a low carb blueberry crumble bars recipe. I grew up on my mom’s fruit crumbles, buckles, brown Betty’s, and cobblers. My mom doesn’t eat fresh blueberries, but she’d love them cooked and almost jam-like in these blueberry bars. I know my family did!
Cultivated blueberries grow well in my part of California. Every year we take our kids to the local blueberry farm to pick quarts and quarts of fresh blueberries. Of course homemade blueberry pie is a must, as is low carb blueberry ice cream and sugar-free blueberry jam. Any leftover blueberries are frozen to enjoy during the year.
For this low carb blueberry crumble bar recipe, I used frozen blueberries with a few fresh blueberries for additional visual texture. If you’re a fan of crumb or streusel toppings, like I am, then this recipe is especially for you. Bob’s Red Mill super-fine almond flour and Bob’s shredded coconut combine to make the perfect shortbread crust and topping.
Those new to a ketogenic lifestyle, have noticed that low carb baking flours are quite different than conventional ingredients. We rely on a variety of nutritious ground nuts and seeds for our baked goods. Most recipes call for super-fine almond flour or coconut flour, but ground desiccated coconut or seeds add nice texture and flavor variations. If these products are new to you, you’ll find them in the Bob’s Red Mill section of your local grocery store or on Amazon.
Lastly, fruit does contain natural sugar. I try my very best to balance taste with carb count. Berries have the least amount of sugar compared to other fruits and are perfect for low carb keto dieters. These low carb blueberry crumble bars are delicious and offer ½ an ounce of blueberries per serving. But let’s be honest, it’s all about the crumble anyway!
Each low carb blueberry crumble bar is 5 net carbs.
[This post and recipe may contain affiliate links.]
Low Carb Blueberry Crumble Bars
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust (reserve 1 cup for topping)
- 2 cups Bob's Red Mill Super Fine Almond Flour
- 1 cup Bob's Red Mill Shredded Coconut, powdered in a coffee grinder
- 1/3 cup whey protein powder
- 1/3 cup erythritol based sweetener like Sukrin :1 or Swerve Granulated
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 9 tbsp butter, melted
Blueberry Layer
- 2 cups frozen blueberries (8 oz)
- 1/4 cup erythritol based sweetener (see above)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tsp cornstarch or arrowroot
- 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
- 1-2 pinches cinnamon
Crumble Topping
- 1 cup reserved shortbread crust
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- more sweetener to sprinkle on top
Instructions
- Blueberries: Place the blueberries, lemon juice, and water in a small pot over medium heat to thaw. Mix the dry ingredients together. When the berries have thawed, stir the dry ingredients into the blueberries and bring up to a simmer, stirring until thickened. Remove from heat to cool.
- Shortbread Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x9 inch metal pan with baking spray and line with a piece of parchment that covers all or most of the bottom of the pan and overhangs two opposite sides. This will help you remove the whole dessert from the pan. Powder the coconut in a coffee grinder.
- Measure all of the dry ingredients into a smallish mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly with a whisk. Melt the butter and add it to the dry ingredients. Stir and press the mixture with a large spoon or rubber spatula until the butter is incorporated. Squeeze a small amount in your hand to test if it will hold together nicely. If not, add 1-2 more tablespoons of melted butter.
- Assembly: Remove 1 cup of the shortbread crumb mixture. Dump the rest of the mixture into the prepared pan, spread it evenly and top with a piece of waxed paper. Press the crust firmly into the pan with a flat bottomed glass. Pour the blueberries over the crust. There will be open spaces. Crumble 1/2 of the reserved crust mixture over the blueberries and then half of the almonds. Repeat. Sprinkle with additional sweetener if desired.
- Bake: Place into the middle of the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let cool completely before lifting out of the pan.
- Cut the blueberry crumble into 16 squares with a large chef's knife, cutting straight down. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Makes 16.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Hi I don’t have a coffee grinder would a food processor grind coconut up enough
It sure would, Carol. -Kim
Where it says “erythritol based sweetener” can I just use straight up Erythritol?
Sure, Liz, but remember that plain erythritol is about 70% as sweet as sugar. I like using a 1:1 low carb sugar alternative like Sukrin: 1, Swerve or Lakanto. Enjoy. -Kim
Looks amazing. Is it possible to exchange the powdered shredded coconut with coconut flour and if so how much please, assuming that was the goal of grinding down the shredded coconut? Thanks!
H Terry. The ground coconut adds moisture and a unique texture to the crust, as well as bulk to the ingredients. Coconut flour is defatted and then ground coconut (some people say it is the coconut husk), so it is fine in texture and very absorbent since there is very little fat in it. The shredded coconut contributes much less carbs than an equal amount of coconut flour would. I hope that helps. If you want to use all almond flour, go ahead, but know that your macros will be much different as well as the texture. Enjoy the recipe. -Kim
This looks so delicious! I’m going to make it this weekend. I don’t have xanthan gum though. Do you think I can substitute it with Chia seeds? Thank you!
I wouldn’t sub chia seeds, Daria. You can just cook the mixture a tiny bit longer. Blueberries contain a lot of pectin and will thicken if cooked on their own. Enjoy the recipe. -Kim
Okay, thanks. I’ll play around with it and let you know how it turns out.
Quick question: would I be able to substitute coconut flour instead of powdering the coconut?
I’m sure you could, Kim, but I haven’t tested it with the substitute so I would know the amount. The shredded coconut (powdered) lends bulk, sweetness, moisture, and texture to the base. You may be able to use just more almond flour. -Kim
I don’t think coconut flour will work. It doesn’t have the outspoken flavor of the coconut, plus it absorbs all liquid it seems to come in contact with.
How much coconut flour would I use if replacing the almond flour (nut allergy)?
Thanks.
Tami
Hi Tami. I’m not exactly sure. Since coconut flour is so absorbent, much less is used and that would result in a smaller amount of the base and crumb mixture. Have you used sunflower seed flour before? -Kim
I would like to try this recipe, however don’t care for coconut. What can I replace coconut with, more almond flour? Thanks.
Hi Sharon. You can add more almond flour. It changes the texture and is a tiny bit higher in carbs, but should still taste good. -Kim
Can I leave out the protein powder? I don’t have any right now. Thanks
Sure Kate. It affects texture just a little, but it will still taste good. -Kim
I have a food intolerance to almonds. What flour could I sub in it’s place?
What about ground raw sunflower seeds? -Kim
Used Truvia in a smaller amount, replaced the shredded coconut with 1 scant Tbsp coconut flour and combined reserved crumb mixture with the almonds, omitting the extra sweeter i used fresh blueberries cooking long enough that there were still plenty of whole berries. They came out perfectly and the taste was absolutely delicious.
Thanks for sharing your subs and tweaks, Sara. Glad you enjoyed it. Have a great day. -Kim
Made this tonight–had only fresh blueberries and no xanthum gum–and it was excellent. Really hit the spot since I couldn’t indulge in the banana cream pie my family was enjoying. Thanks for the recipe and I’m happy I found your site.
I’m glad you liked the recipe and had your own dessert to enjoy, Immi! Have a great weekend! -Kim
Have you tried adding almond extract instead of water to the blueberry mixture?
Hi Liz. You can add almond extract to the blueberry mixture to flavor it, but don’t use it instead of the water – it’s pretty strong. Add it after cooking the blueberries and only 1/8th at a time until you get the flavor you like. Enjoy!
-Kim
I am a new fan of the Bob’s fine almond flour and I have to say it is wonderful! It is my go to now all the time. Especially after making these Blueberry crumb bars. I made them this weekend and OMG they are so delish!
What a wonderful recipe. I love the way you make it so easy in the instructions. I only happened to have fresh blueberries and they worked out just fine. My husband went Ga Ga over them and I loved that shortbread crust too! Thanks again Kim for a wonderful recipe! I will be making these again for sure :)
Thanks so much Allison for promoting this recipe all over Facebook and Instagram today with the lovely pictures of your blueberry bars. I’m so glad your husband and family liked the recipe. I have started using the Bob’s Red Mill fine almond flour too, over Honeyville, and buy it from Amazon in a big bag. Lol. I appreciate you taking the time to bring your kind comments to the blog. Have a wonderful week. -Kim
This looks so delicious, I can’t wait to make it! What kind of whey protein did you use? What can I use to substitute the cornstarch or arrowroot?
Hi Audry, thank you and great questions. I like to use Isopure zero carb whey protein powder plain flavor. The cornstarch/arrowroot only adds 3 carbs to the whole recipe and when combined with the xanthan gum has a stronger thickening power than either do alone. I only use it when excess xanthan gum will make something slippery in texture or glucomannon powder will make it gloppy or gummy. Use what you want, I just offer the best ingredient combination. Feel free to tweak it for your specific dietary needs. ? enjoy your weekend. -Kim
I’d love to make this for work, but my manager is allergic to coconut. Any ideas to substitute for the shredded coconut in the crust?
You can try all almond flour and then see what you think. -Kim
These look totally amazing! I love the blueberry filling and that you use almond flour. And did you say sugar free? I could eat the whole pan all by myself! :)
Awww. Thanks, Kathy. They were pretty great! Enjoy the rest of your week. -Kim
I am getting jealous here – you are entering summer and we are not even entering spring…. It is so cold for May, definitely not normal. On the brighter side – I love this kind of bars and your version looks perfect!
Thank you, Adina. I will wish for warm weather to arrive soon where you live! -Kim
Thank so much for the awesome recipe…with or without the macro’s! :)
Thank you. I don’t post macros but I do list calories, fat, carbohydrates, fiber and protein. I hope you enjoy the recipe. -Kim
How do you make the shortbread reserve
Hi Kate. You just remove 1 cup of the shortbread mixture and add it to the top. I will check the recipe to see if it’s clear. Thanks for your question. -Kim
Recipes for low-carb eating are pretty useless without the macronutrient breakdown.
Ooops! I forgot to add the code that shows it. I will do so now. Thanks for taking the time to let me know there was a problem. I really appreciate it. Have a wonderful day. -Kim
gracious reply to say the least! Thanks so much In the oven now. Didn’t have any xanthan gum so we shall see how I did substituting. Smells great. Hope you have a wonderful day!
I hope you enjoy the recipe, Carla. Enjoy your week. -Kim