Blueberry Oat Crisp Recipe

Blueberry oat crisp is sure to be a crowd favorite. So versatile, you can enjoy it for breakfast with yogurt or as dessert with ice cream. Be sure to make a lot, because everyone will be wanting seconds!

My family can’t decide whether we love this blueberry oat crisp recipe more for breakfast or dessert. Let me explain.

First, as a breakfast casserole, this recipe checks all the boxes. Healthy fruit, oats, and nuts means we get a well balanced meal that will fill us up and provide energy for whatever activities we have planned for the day.

If you or your family isn’t a fan of oatmeal, this is a great alternative because it feels like you’re eating dessert, when really it’s loaded with nutrients. After baking, add a serving of yogurt on top for a creamer texture.

Second, as an after dinner dessert, this recipe doesn’t leave me feeling guilty with indulgence. Let’s be honest, how often do you eat dessert after dinner and then regret eating a high calorie and overly sweet treat? The great thing about this dish, it’s sweet, but not too sweet and will still hit the spot.

You can eat it alone, but if you’re looking to throw caution to the wind, it also goes great with a dollop of cool whip or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Last, this recipe brings back memories of blueberry picking in Idaho. Some may not realize, but North Idaho is a fantastic climate for growing blueberries. Whether we eat this dish for breakfast or dessert, we always find ourselves talking about some of the best blueberries we’ve ever had.

So, you can probably guess what happens often. I’ll make it for breakfast, but we’ll end up eating it for dessert the same day! Did I mention this recipe leaves room for leftovers? Well, it does!

DOES BLUEBERRY OAT CRISP FREEZE WELL?

Yes! this recipe is great to make ahead of time, freeze, and bake later. When I do this, instead of using a glass casserole dish, I usually make it in a tin pan and cover with tin foil for better storage.

I have also found this to be my go to recipe when preparing dishes for meal trains or simply as a surprise to a friend just needing a morning off from making breakfast for their family.

When gifting this dish to others, I don’t bake it, but rather store it in the freezer till it’s ready to bake. Always remember to give them the oven temperature and baking time. This way, their family can choose when best to serve it.

If you have a small family, this recipe can also be split into two casserole dishes and baked separately.

VARIATION OF BLUEBERRY OAT CRISP

Sometimes you may have on hand other fruits depending on seasons and your geographic area. Not a problem! There are other options and variations you should consider using.

• Peaches would be a great alternative in this recipe. You may also consider mixing blueberries and peaches.
• Sliced apples with a hint of cinnamon would make a wholesome, warm treat for those cool fall and winter mornings.
• Try a fruit berry medley! If you have a variety of berries on hand, including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, consider combing these for a delicious variation your family is sure to love.

TIPS FOR MAKING BLUEBERRY OAT CRISP

DO use fresh or frozen blueberries. As I mentioned above, this recipe works well with both fresh or frozen blueberries. I most often use frozen blueberries simply because of the large amount of blueberries needed in this recipe. Frozen blueberries also makes it easier to toss the filling mix with sugar and corn starch for an even coating.

DO consider altering the recipe to your taste or needs. If you are looking for less sugar, consider foregoing or lessening the sugar in the filling. The sweetener in the topping though helps create the crisp crumble. If you choose to adjust this, make sure you keep the volume of liquid the same.

DON’T worry about varying the ingredients to your taste.

I like to use unsweetened coconut shreds, but sometimes they aren’t available in stores, so I use the more common sweetened version of coconut shreds and simply lower the amount of sweetener I use in the topping.

Or, if you aren’t a coconut fan at all, just skip this ingredient and consider adding more nuts, oats, or seeds of your choice. As for my family, we’re a coconut loving family!

FOOD SENSITIVITY AND ALLERGY ADJUSTMENTS

If you’re like me, you have friends or family that need to avoid certain foods due to food sensitivities or allergies. Or maybe it’s you! Don’t worry, this is the perfect recipe to adjust to the needs of those you’re baking for.

Walnuts are high in fat and may cause complications if you are worried about nut allergies. If you are looking to lower the fat content or trying to avoid a nut allergy, consider adding almonds to the crumble instead. Be sure to always check first to see if almonds are a safe nut to eat for your friends and family! My brother can eat almonds, but we have to avoid pecans and walnuts when cooking for him. He loves this recipe though with almonds.

Another concern is gluten. This is an easy fix too! Simply use a gluten free oat, like Bob’s Red Mill offers and a gluten free flour, like Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 cup flour mix. I’ve personally used both, and they work great in this recipe.

Corn, while not as common, may be of concern with some diets. Instead of corn starch, you can use flour to add a thickening agent to the fruit.

WHAT COMBINATION IS YOUR FAVORITE?

Did you make this simple blueberry oat crisp recipe for your family? Let me know in the comments some of your favorite combinations.

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