Blueberry Pie Bars (Ultimate Guide)
If you love pie but don’t always have the time (or patience!) to make one from scratch, these Blueberry Pie Bars are your new favorite dessert. They have all the flavor of a homemade blueberry pie but in a simple, handheld bar form. The buttery crust, juicy blueberry filling, and crumbly streusel topping come together for a treat that’s sweet, tangy, and completely irresistible. Perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or anytime you want a fruity dessert without rolling out pie dough.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These bars are incredibly easy to make, no pie crust skills required! The crust doubles as the topping, making it a one-bowl, fuss-free dessert. You can make them with fresh or frozen blueberries, so they’re perfect year-round. Plus, they cut beautifully into bars, making them easy to transport and serve at potlucks or parties.
Nutritional Information
These bars are sweet, satisfying, and a great way to enjoy blueberries’ natural antioxidants. Each serving is a balance of carbs for energy, natural fruit sugars, and just enough butter for that indulgent pie taste. You can easily adjust the sugar or use whole wheat flour to make them slightly lighter without sacrificing flavor.
- Calories: ~220
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Sugar: ~18g
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: ~85mg
Time Breakdown
These bars are mostly hands-off once you pop them in the oven. You’ll spend a few minutes mixing the crust and filling, then just let the oven and cooling time do the work. Perfect for meal prepping or baking a day before your event.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 45 minutes
- Cooling Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: About 2 hours (mostly hands-off)
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need a lot of specialty ingredients to make these bars. A few pantry staples like flour, sugar, butter, and cornstarch come together with juicy blueberries for a dessert that looks and tastes impressive.
- For the crust & topping:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- For the filling:
- 4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Condensed Grocery Checklist
- Butter
- Sugar
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- Cornstarch
- Lemon
- Vanilla extract
How to Make – Step by Step
This recipe is versatile and easy to customize. You can swap out blueberries for raspberries, blackberries, or even a mix of berries for a colorful twist. You can add a hint of cinnamon for a warmer flavor or drizzle with a lemon glaze after baking for extra brightness.
- Prepare the crust/topping: Mix melted butter, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt until crumbly. Press 2/3 of mixture into a lined baking dish to form the crust.
- Make blueberry filling: Toss blueberries with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla. Spread evenly over crust.
- Add topping: Sprinkle remaining crust mixture over blueberries to form a streusel.
- Bake: Bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 45 minutes.
- Cool & cut: Let bars cool completely before slicing into squares for neat, clean cuts.
Ingredient Swaps & Variations
One of the best things about these Blueberry Pie Bars is how versatile they are. You can easily swap ingredients to suit your taste, dietary needs, or what you already have in your pantry. Whether you want to try different fruits, adjust the sweetness, or make them gluten-free, these bars adapt beautifully to your preferences.
- Swap blueberries for raspberries, blackberries, or a mixed berry blend.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to the crust for a cozy flavor twist.
- Drizzle with a lemon glaze once cooled for extra brightness.
- Make them gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Serving Suggestions
Blueberry Pie Bars are delicious straight out of the pan, but a few simple pairings can take them to the next level. Whether you want to serve them as a casual snack, a brunch treat, or a plated dessert, there are plenty of ways to make them shine. These bars are just as at home at a summer picnic as they are at a holiday dessert table.
Storing Tips
One of the best things about Blueberry Pie Bars is how well they store — making them perfect for meal prep or make-ahead desserts. They keep their texture beautifully for several days, and they even freeze well for longer storage. Follow these tips to keep your bars fresh and flavorful from the first bite to the last.
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate: Keeps fresh up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Chef’s Special Tips
Letting your bars cool completely is the secret to perfect slices — warm bars will fall apart when cutting. If you’re using frozen blueberries, don’t thaw them before baking to prevent extra moisture from making the bars soggy. Lining your pan with parchment paper also makes removing and cutting much easier.
- Lining your pan with parchment paper makes removing and cutting bars much easier.
- If using frozen blueberries, do not thaw before baking, this keeps the filling from becoming watery.
- Let the bars cool completely before slicing to prevent the filling from running.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle sliced almonds or oats on top before baking.
Conclusion
Blueberry Pie Bars are the perfect mix of easy and impressive; simple enough for a weekday treat but special enough for entertaining. With their buttery crust, juicy berry filling, and crumbly topping, they’ll quickly become a go-to recipe in your dessert rotation. Make a batch, slice them up, and enjoy the taste of blueberry pie without all the work.