These Skinny Blueberry Crumble Bars have everything you want in a breakfast treat…a delicious crust, a layer of blueberries and a crumbled oat topping. So delicious!
So Monday was a scary day for me. My husband texted me at about 11:30am and told me his stomach was killing him and he felt like he had an ulcer or something. This guy never, ever complains so I knew it had to be bad. He called me at 12:30pm and had left his office and said he was trying to walk around to see if that would alleviate the pain. I told him to come home but he wanted to stay in the office for a conference call he had at 1pm.
I didn’t hear from him, despite texting him a million times until about 2:45pm when he comes walking into our house, pale as a ghost, and heads right for our bed.The pain was specifically in his lower right abdominals and he said it was the worst pain he had ever felt.
This is coming from the dude who broke his ankle as a kid and walked around on it broken for weeks until having to get surgery where they had to re-break it. This is the guy that broke his chin playing football and kept playing. This is the guy that while setting a very large window in a house (he was a framer before a lawyer) it fell on him, leaving a couple large glass shards sticking out of his chest and he calmly walked into the hospital on his own. Basically, my husband is about the toughest guy I know.
Anyway, about 30 minutes later the pain had gotten worse. I decided to take him in to the hospital. Luckily my brother in law was in town visiting so I was able to take him to the emergency room without taking my four kids too, lol!
Let’s talk about emergency rooms for a moment, shall we? This is truly amazing that in my 12 years of being a parent to four boys, I have never had the joy of experiencing the emergency room. My now 9 year old broke his toes at the park when he was two but that’s the only (knock on wood) broken bone we’ve had.
Anyway, the emergency room is a joke! There were about 30 people in the waiting room, most of whom did not look sick. (The nurse told me that many people will use the emergency room as their primary care). It took us forever to be seen, meanwhile my husband is in so much pain doubled over in the seat next to me.
Honestly, I had thought it would be like on the tv shows where the actor walks in with their ailing spouse and the nurses and doctors rush them onto a gurney and away to surgery. HA! I had to complain (aka beg) to the staff to get them to see him quicker. They put an IV in and gave him anti-nausea medicine as well as some morphine for the pain. Finally, the pain subsided and he was able to have some comfort. Yay for morphine!
We waited in the waiting room until he went in for a cat scan. Never seen one of those machines before, so that was kind of cool. And then they brought us to a room with a bed while we awaited the results. At this point, my husband was really groggy and tired but had no pain. I was thrilled the pain was gone!
The cat scan came back negative for appendicitis but his white count was high. Because he was feeling better, they just sort of told us to visit our primary care physician if it happens again and sent us home with some pain meds. Since then, I’ve had people tell me it could be his gallbladder or possible kidney stones. Whatever it was, I hope that never happens again!
It’s the scariest to see people you love in pain! I think it sort of puts everything into perspective. I’m so grateful for my healthy family and for doctors and hospitals.
We were in the hospital for over 7 hours. Lessons learned? Next time, I’ll grab a jacket before heading to the emergency room. I was still wearing my workout clothes and I froze my booty off! Also, I hate needles. And blood. Oh, and I’m a germaphobe. 🙂 I was almost drinking the hand sanitizer. Ha!
Now that I’ve told you a giant long story, lets’ talk about the food. These cute little crumble bars started out as a wanting for a breakfast bar and evolved into these.
It took me awhile to get the recipe where I wanted it but I think that was okay because I had my brother in law here to help me with the taste-testing. 😉 These bars have a yummy layer of crust, a layer of blueberries and a layer of crumble on the top. Delicious and addicting.
I’m not sure whether I would call these a dessert or a breakfast. They have quick oats in them and fruit, so I’m going with breakfast…which means I can have more, right? 🙂
Skinny Blueberry Crumble Bars
Ingredients
Crumbled Oat Crust & Topping Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 1/4 cup quick cooking oats
- 2 Tbsp. apple or orange juice
Blueberry Layer Ingredients:
- 1 Tbsp. Truvia
- 1 Tbsp. flour
- pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375º F. Spray an 8x8" dish with cooking spray.
- In a food processor, combine the 1/2 cup flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1 1/4 cup oats, and 2 Tbsp. apple or orange juice. Pulse until combined and crumbly.
- Take out 3/4 cup of the oat mixture and set aside (this will be the topping).
- Press the remaining part of oat mixture into the bottom of prepared dish. (I used the back of a measuring cup to press it down evenly)
- In a medium sized bowl, combine the 1 Tbsp. Truvia, 1 Tbsp. flour, pinch of salt, 1 1/2 cups blueberries and 1 Tbsp. lemon juice. Toss together. Pour blueberries over crust.
- Top the blueberries with the reserved 3/4 cup of crumbled oat topping. Bake for 35 mins or until golden brown on the edges. Let cool and cut into bars and enjoy!
Wow! What a crazy day you guys had. I am so glad everything is ok and I hope all is well for now on!
These bars look awesome. Thanks for creating this recipe for the rest of us. I can’t wait to try it. Pinning!
Thanks Becky! You are so sweet! Thanks for the pin! XO!
Scary night! Going to the ER is never a good experience. Sending well wishes your husband’s way. And these bars?! Oh my gosh, they don’t even look a little bit healthy and yet they are – love that Jen!
Thanks Chelsea! You’re so sweet! Thanks for stopping by!
What a story, Jen. Glad he’s okay so far. Thank you for the nice recipe.
You make everything look amazing! Can’t wait for blueberry season now.
Thanks Melanie!! We’ve been having blueberries for sale around here! I can’t go to the store without buying a huge pack of them! They are so good! And you can use any berries in place of the blueberries!
I had to laugh because I have stories like that about my husband too. Broke his foot and continued to walk on it until it healed. The dr wants him in the hospital, but can’t leave the office because he has a conference call. The only time he took off from work, he had emergency surgery. So, Keep an eye on your big guy! And I’ll enjoy your yummy blue berry bars and keep n eye on mine!
Hahaha, that sounds JUST like my husband, Laurie! Men, right?! Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great week!
they look yummy!
Thanks Dina!! They really are. 😉
That sounds so scary and frustrating! Glad he’s okay! These bars look great!!
Thanks Jaren!! These bars are SO GOOD. I’m excited to see you got rid of your .blogspot! Yay! I love your blog!! Hope you’re having a great week.
Wow! What a scary day! I’m glad that your hubby is feeling better. Waiting in the ER is not fun and is not quick by any means. Thanks for the yummy recipe! Can’t wait to try it!! I’m loving all your healthy recipes since my family made 2014 the year to get healthy and we are doing great so far. Thanks so much 🙂
YAY Crystal! Good for you and your family – that is so awesome! And thanks for your sweet comment! I hope you have a great weekend!
I hope that never happens to your husband again, so scary! I love these crumble bars. I just made some similar raspberry crumb bars and they were practically gone before I could even try them. I can’t wait to try these blueberry ones and love how you made them skinny!
Oh Ashley, I need your raspberry crumb bar recipe! That sounds SO good! Love your blog! Thanks for stopping by!
I’m glad your husband is okay now. Hope it doesn’t reoccur. I hate hospitals and blood, too. But I love crumbly bars like this 🙂
Thanks Bianca! So far, he’s been fine. Fingers crossed he doesn’t have this happen again. Thanks for stopping by and commenting! Off to your blog now…
Yikes, what a scary night. Glad to hear your husband is better now but will be sending good thoughts your way and hoping it doesn’t happen again. These bars look incredible Jen, I love the fresh blueberries with lemon juice 🙂
These look amazing! And wow, I hope that never happens to your hubby again! Emergency rooms suck. Not that I have a “true” experience living in a small town with a small hospital 🙂
Sorry about your husband. The same exact thing happened to me 3 years ago and it ended up being Lyme Disease. Just keep on eye on him and make sure no other symptoms start popping up.
This recipe looks awesome!! Might have to try it gluten free! 🙂
Seriously? Lyme Disease?? Wow. Thanks for telling me this, I’ll google it and make sure I keep an eye out for any of those symptoms. He’s been fine so far, fingers crossed it was something strange that won’t ever happen again. Yes! Please tell me if you like it gluten free! I need to try more gluten free recipes, for sure. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!
These look great! I adore blueberries!! Sorry about your hubby 🙁 I had that happen to me once as well…never did figure it out but at least the pain meds helped!
Appendicitis starts out in the middle and works its way over to the right. Or, kidney stone. Really should go see the primary physician. Heart attacks also can present that way.
Hope he’s better. Recipe looks great!
Sounds like a super scary day, Jen! I am usually the one being rushed to the hospital for random attacks….appendicitis, kidney infection….my poor husband! I hope your hubby is all better and it was just a fluke. And I’m sure these bars made him feel better:)
Oh my gosh, me too Cathy! I had freaking SHINGLES last year! WHO gets that?! I’m always sick and going into the doctor but my husband never does. It was definitely weird. But he’s better, thank goodness! Thanks for stopping by! XO!
This sounds so yummy! Could frozen blueberries possibly be used? Winter in Wisconsin, blueberries can get pricey.
Thanks!
Hi Chris! I haven’t tried this recipe using frozen blueberries but I’m sure it would be fine to sub them instead of fresh. I would say thaw them a bit prior to using. I’ll be trying it out ASAP to see how they turn out. If you do give them a try, let me know how you like it!
Would this work with frozen blueberries?
Hi Gail! I haven’t tried this recipe using frozen blueberries but I’m sure it would be fine to sub them instead of fresh. I would say thaw them a bit prior to using. This is the second comment about using frozen berries instead of fresh so I’ll be trying it out ASAP to see how they turn out. If you do give them a try, let me know how you like it!
I just now noticed Chris from Wisconsin comment. Just wanted to say I live in Winnipeg or sometimes called Wiinterpeg Manitoba Canada. Where today’s temp was -11 below 0 Even colder with the wind chill. Yes we also pay more for fresh blueberries out of season. So I’m going to try with the frozen. Wish I was in California or maybe Hawaii. The sun always shines in Winnipeg so that makes us feel better.lol. have a good day ladies.
These look fantastic! Pinning your recipe right now and following you on facebook and google+!
Sandra
http://www.notesfromtheslife.com
Thanks Sandra!! Following you back! I hope you’re having a great week! TGIF! 🙂
Hi Jen. I just tried the bars using frozen blueberries. I rinsed them under cold water 1st then proceeded according to your recipe. They taste great. I will make them again. Also might try with frozen raspberries. Thanks.
Looks like a great recipe! I will try it soon…thank you!
I am a little worried that your husband may have had an infection in his appendix that burst..explaining the wbc and the relief from pain. My friend’s brother had similar incidents and when they finally removed his appendix it was remarkably scarred from multiple infections over time. I am not a Dr, just a concerned person!
Thanks Sue! I will keep an eye on him. So far so good. I’m hoping it doesn’t ever happen again!
I love these!! I tried it yesterday and it tastes so good. I will definitely make these again 🙂 My friend showed me your website yesterday and I can’t wait to try more recipes!!
I am SO happy you liked them!! They don’t even taste skinny at all! Thanks for checking out my blog! I hope you’ll try some of my other recipes, Dagny! xo!
Hey Jen! Just gotta say! Love your resipies!
Made these and the no bake granola bites and can´t wait to have more free time to try out more! I love your motto yummy healhty easy!!!! 😀 Thank you for sharing!! 😀
Does the white whole wheat flour matter? I have whole wheat but I don’t think it’s white….I took it out of the original bag. That’s a dumb question I’m sure but if hate to have to buy it if I don’t need to.
Not at all, Camille! Feel free to use all-purpose flour instead! I think that would be better than using whole wheat. White whole wheat just has a little more in terms of nutritional value so I try to use it where I can, lol! Thanks for the comment, let me know if you have any other questions! I hope you like them!
My blueberry bars do not look anything like yours, not enough crumble mixture. I used an 8\8 pan. Not sure what happened. Also not enough blue berries.
I’m so sorry, Tracy! That’s so weird! I’ve made these a bunch of times and they always turn out good. I’m sorry! I hope you’ll try another one of my blueberry recipes, like my blueberry cheesecake bites.
Sally, Glad your husband is better. Same thing happened to mine recently and it was scary. He got better in the emergency room too after a bit. Dr. Said he passed a kidney stone. I have a question about these amazing looking blueberry bars. I have blueberries to use today before leaving on a trip to Savannah, GA, but I don’t have Triuvia. What can iI substitute with? Thanks..
Hi! You can use 2 Tbsp. of regular sugar instead of the 1 Tbsp. Truvia. I hope you like the bars!
Just put these bad boys in to bake! No brown sugar so i subed with dates! Also added coconut! Hope it turns out as yummu as they look!
How did it turn out?!
I LOVE these bars! They’re soo good! I use frozen mixed berries and double the amount- so it’s more like a cobbler than a bar. Then we eat them warm with a scoop of froyo on the top. It is divine. And I love how healthy these are!
I might try this recipe with pumpkin pie filling… I really want a healthy pumpkin bar for the fall! Thanks so much@
OMG a pumpkin version MUST be made. Thanks for your sweet comment! You made my day!