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These no bake lemon blueberry bars are fresh, lightly sweetened, and packed with bright lemon flavor and homemade blueberry chia jam. Made with simple ingredients and no oven required, they’re the kind of dessert that feels perfect for spring and summer.
A lot of lemon blueberry bars rely on a buttery shortbread crust or heavier filling, but these feel a little fresher and lighter while still tasting like a real dessert.
The homemade blueberry chia jam adds a jammy texture and bright berry flavor, while the oat crumble keeps the bars soft, chewy, and easy to make completely without baking.
They’re especially perfect for spring and summer when you want something sweet and refreshing without turning on the oven, just like these No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars and No Bake PB&J Bars.
No Bake Lemon Blueberry Bars – Bright, Jammy, and Easy to Make
These bars have all the bright lemon blueberry flavor you want in a spring or summer dessert, but with a softer, more refreshing texture than traditional baked bars. The combination of chewy oat crumble, jammy blueberry filling, and sweet lemon glaze makes them feel homemade, cozy, and just a little lighter at the same time.
Here’s why you’ll love them:
- No oven required. These bars come together completely without baking, making them perfect for warmer months.
- Bright lemon and blueberry flavor. The combination of lemon juice, zest, and blueberry jam keeps the bars tasting fresh and vibrant.
- Soft, chewy texture. The oat crumble stays soft and slightly chewy straight from the fridge.
- Made with simple ingredients. Everything comes together with pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients.
- Perfect for make-ahead desserts. These bars store well in the fridge, making them great for prepping ahead for gatherings or snacks throughout the week.
- Sweet without feeling overly heavy. The lemon and fresh blueberries keeps the bars feeling fresh and balanced.
Ingredient Notes
You’ll just need a few ingredients for this lemon blueberry dessert!
For full recipe instructions and complete list of ingredients, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Blueberries: Fresh or frozen both work well. Frozen blueberries tend to create a deeper color and slightly jammier filling.
- Honey: Adds sweetness while keeping the bars from tasting overly sugar.
- Chia seeds: Help thicken the blueberry filling into a soft jam texture without needing to cook it down too much.
- Lemon juice + zest: The combination keeps the bars tasting bright and fresh with plenty of lemon flavor throughout.
- Quick oats: Create a soft chewy crumble that holds together well after chilling.
- Almond butter: Helps bind the bars together while adding richness and a softer texture.
- Vanilla extract: Softens the tart lemon flavor and adds warmth.
- Powdered sugar: Creates a simple lemon glaze that makes the bars feel a little more like dessert.
Variations to Try
One of the best things about these bars is how easy they are to customize depending on the season or what you have on hand. The soft oat crumble and jammy filling work well with lots of different fruit and flavor combinations.
- Swap the fresh berries. Try raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, or a mixed berries instead of blueberries for a slightly different flavor.
- Make them extra lemony. Add additional lemon zest to the oat crumble or glaze for a stronger citrus flavor.
- Use cashew butter. It creates a slightly softer, creamier texture.
- Add mix-ins. Change it up by adding white chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or chopped almonds or pecans.
How to Make No Bake Lemon Blueberry Bars
These make ahead dessert bars come together with simple ingredients and just a few easy steps. The blueberry chia jam and soft oat crumble create a fresh, chilled dessert that’s perfect for warmer months.
- Make the blueberry filling: Add the blueberries, honey, and lemon juice to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring to a gentle boil, crushing the berries with the back of a spoon as they cook. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes jammy.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the chia seeds and lemon zest. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Make the crust and crumble topping: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the oats, almond butter, honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, and salt. Stir until fully combined and the mixture holds together when pressed.
- Assemble the bars: Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. Press about 1 ¾ cups of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the base layer.
- Spread the blueberry filling evenly over the top, then crumble the remaining oat mixture over the filling.
- Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Add additional powdered sugar if needed for a thicker glaze consistency.
- Finish, chill, and serve: Drizzle the glaze over the bars and sprinkle with extra lemon zest if desired. Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours, or until firm and chilled. Slice into 12 bars and serve cold.
Jamie’s Tips
Expert Recipe Tips
- Let the blueberry filling cool before layering. This helps the chia jam thicken and keeps the layers more distinct.
- Press the oat layer firmly into the pan. Compact layers help the bars hold together better once chilled and sliced.
- Use parchment paper for easy removal. Lining the pans make it much easier to lift and slice the bars cleanly.
- Chill the bars until fully firm. The bars slice best after at least 2 hours in the fridge, but overnight chilling gives the best texture and flavor.
- Make the glaze thicker for a more bakery style finish. Adding a little extra powdered sugar creates a thicker white drizzle that stands out beautifully against the blueberry filling.
How to Store Lemon Blueberry Bars
These no bake bars are best stored chilled, which helps keep the blueberry filling set and keeps the oat crumble soft and chewy.
Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The bars get firmed and more flavorful after chilling for several hours of overnight.
These chilled dessert bars are the perfect treat for spring and summer, or whenever you’re craving a fresh snack or dessert with lemon and blueberry flavor.
More No Bake Dessert Recipes
If you’ve made and loved these No Bake Lemon Blueberry Bars or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and comments below!
No Bake Lemon Blueberry Bars
Ingredients
For the jam filling:
- 1 1/2 cups blueberries, (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tablespoons honey, or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
For the base layer:
- 2 cups quick oats
- 1/2 cup almond butter, (or cashew butter)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the lemon glaze:
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar, (more if needed for a thicker glaze)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Lemon zest for topping
Instructions
- Make the jam filling: Add the blueberries, lemon juice, and honey to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, crushing berries with the back of a spoon.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5-7 minutes. Make sure blueberries are reduced and liquid is thick and jammy. Remove from heat, stir in chia seeds and lemon zest. Set aside to cool.
- Next, make the bar layer. In a medium bowl mix together all of the bar ingredients until well combined.
- Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. Press ~1 3/4 cups of the bar mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan. Spread evenly with the jam filling. Crumble the remaining bar mixture over the top.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice. Drizzle with a spoon over the top of the bars. Sprinkle with lemon zest if desired.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Slice into 12 equal-sized squares.
Notes
- Don’t forget to let the filling cool. Let the blueberry filling cool slightly before assembling the bars.
- Chill the bars at least 2 hours. This ensures the best texture and makes it easier to slice the bars.
- Make a thicker glaze. Add extra powdered sugar for a thicker, more visible lemon glaze.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an estimate.
Food photography by Marie-Catherine Dubé.
