No Sugar Added Blueberry Pie Bars - These soft and healthy treats have NO added sugar or oil and are sweetened only with fruit. Gluten-free and nut-free.
Sugar-free or no added sugar?
These days, you have to be really careful how you market 'sugar-free' recipes.
Describe a recipe with fruit as being 'sugar-free', and you'll have ten people lovingly remind you that 'fruit has sugar!'
Then, you may start writing 'no sweeteners added', and if you've got stevia in the list, you'll get a similar reaction.
Sheesh, I'm just trying to tell ya that I didn't add any sugar!
It used to be that if you didn't add white sugar, a recipe was considered 'sugar-free'. Now, there's a wide range of available sweeteners, thus widening the spectrum.
For me, sugar-free means no added sweeteners, not including fruit. However, for the sake of being super clear and PC, I've called these no sugar added. 🙂
Fruit-sweetened bars
Lately, I've been in the mood for fruit with pears, apples, and blueberries topping the list!
The filling reminds me of blueberry pie, and the soft, oat-based surrounding layers are bursting with cinnamon pear deliciousness.
I didn't find the recipe needed any added oil or butter, as the fruit purees do an excellent job of adding moisture.
This recipe is a crowd-pleaser in our home, which always makes me happy!
Looking for more blueberry goodness?
Light and Healthy Blueberry Crisp
Blueberry Oat Bran Muffins
Date-Sweetened Blueberry Muffins
No Sugar Added Blueberry Pie Bars
Ingredients
TOP AND BOTTOM LAYER:
- 2 large ripe pears, preferably Bartlett
- ½ cup applesauce
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ + ⅛ tsp sea salt
- 2 ¼ cups oats
FILLING:
- 1 ½ cups blueberries fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup 100% organic apple juice divided
- 1 Tbsp arrowroot
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Process the pears until they are applesauce consistency.
- Pulse in the applesauce, lemon juice, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
- Add in the oats and process until everything is well combined.
- Meanwhile, heat the blueberries with three tablespoons of apple juice until boiling.
- Lower the heat to a simmer, and cook five minutes, stirring a few times during the process.
- In a small bowl, mix the arrowroot with the remaining tablespoon of apple juice.
- Pour the arrowroot mix into the hot blueberries, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the vanilla and remove the pan from the heat, continuing to stir until thick.
- Lightly oil an 8 x 8 baking dish.
- Spread about half of the batter into the bottom of the dish.
- Top with the blueberry mixture.
- Dollop the remaining half of the oat batter on top, similar to how you would dollop biscuit dough for chicken and dumplings.
- Bake 25-30 minutes.
- Cool, cut, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Inspired by this recipe
Some of the items I use to make this recipe include:
Liza
This recipe is AWSOME! What a genius idea to use fruit as a sweetener! 🙂 Can't wait to make them! 🙂
Tori
Omg, so delicious!! I'm ready for my second batch, lol!
Kathy
I use these as energy bars throughout a day and before i go to the gym! These are just delicious!!
Rebekah
If I used all apple sauce, instead of pear, how much do you think I should use? thanks! I've recently discovered your page 🙂
Lauren
Hi Rebekah,
I would be guessing...maybe about one cup? I'm not certain though.
helyndunn
Looks great! Thanks for sharing :))
Liz
Yes, can we all just agree that people are CRAZY? I'm with Catherine. People are OBSESSED with food (probably, as she said, to their own detriment as stress wreaks more havoc than a crappy diet) and have completely overcomplicated the notion of "eating healthy". Now, that term is so subjective and so individualized, differing from person to person; it's come to the point that you can no longer call ANYTHING healthy.
But, that's one of the reasons why you are one of my favorite bloggers. You don't post as much as I'd like (I love your offerings so much, I want to be hearing from you every.single.day. :D), but you are open-minded and non-exclusionary (is that a real word?), without judgement and full of common sense. You do what works for you and respect that others do the same, without damning or criticizing them. (Plus, we happen to have very similar ideas and definitions of what "healthy" is. 🙂 )
You can tag or entitle your recipes any way you want. You're awesomeness allows you to do so. 🙂
Lauren
Hah, thanks so much Liz! You always know how to boost my ego. 🙂
athleticavocado
these would be lovely with adding some cranberries to the filling! 🙂
Catherine
well, there is a form of sugar in a lot of food, even in their natural state : grains, fruits and veggies, dairy... Sugar is naturally occuring and is necessary in our diet so let's not get crazy over that. Refined sugar is a different thing, of course we should not have too much of it if any. People are getting so obsessed with food nowaday; maybe that is even worst for our health because we stress and forget to enjoy and be grateful for all that we have.
vanessa
is it possible to use another fruit instead of blueberries?
Lauren
I would assume so, but I haven't tried!
Cheri
Lauren,
What a great looking snack! I'm sorry you, like everyone else on the internet, get bashed by some of the haters hiding behind computers. Maybe there SHOULD be sugar added to get those people out of their sour state. lol While I hardly ever comment, but am a follower, I just wanted to let you know that most of us aren't critical and enjoy your posts. Don't let the few sour grapes spoil what you do. 🙂
Lauren
Haha, thanks so much Cheri! I think it's a part of every walk of life, not just blogging. I just get to put my rants in writing. 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
Strength and Sunshine
These look fun! I love the pear!
Lauren
Thanks girl!
Dawn
that looks yummy!!!! i'm visiting my grandmother this weekend. i will make this for her!
Lauren
Thanks Dawn, let me know how it goes if you do!