Easy Blueberry Oat Bars (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Base & Topping

01 - 1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - ⅓ cup granulated sugar
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
05 - ¼ cup whole milk
06 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
07 - ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Filling

08 - ½ cup high-quality blueberry jam
09 - 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
10 - 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest

# Instructions:

01 - Heat your oven to 350°F and line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave some overhang on two sides - this will be your lifesaver when it's time to remove the bars later.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, sugar, melted butter, milk, vanilla, and salt. Mix everything together until you have a thick, cohesive mixture that holds together nicely when you press it between your fingers.
03 - Scoop out about 1 cup of your oat mixture and set it aside - this will become your crumbly topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan to create a solid base layer.
04 - Spread the blueberry jam evenly over your oat base, then scatter the fresh blueberries and lemon zest on top. Gently press the berries down just a bit so they nestle into the jam.
05 - Crumble that reserved oat mixture over the entire surface, pressing it down lightly. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown.
06 - Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack - patience is key here! Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper to lift them out, then cut into bars using a sharp serrated knife with gentle, firm pressure.

# Notes:

01 - These bars keep wonderfully at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container, or you can refrigerate them for up to a week.
02 - Don't skip the cooling step - cutting them while warm will result in a crumbly mess! A serrated knife works best for clean cuts through the textured top.
03 - Choose a blueberry jam you really love since it's one of the star flavors in these bars.
04 - For gluten-free version, swap in cup-for-cup gluten-free flour and certified gluten-free oats.
05 - Make them dairy-free by using vegan butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter, plus your favorite plant-based milk.

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