Blueberry Jam Oatmeal Bars

These blueberry jam oatmeal bars start with a buttery brown sugar oat crust, then layer on blueberry jam and sweet vanilla cream cheese for an irresistible treat!

Easy Blueberry Jam Oatmeal Bars

Jam is one of those sweet little baking shortcuts I find myself returning to again and again. While you could buy fresh fruit and cook it down on the stovetop before embarking on a recipe, why would you do all that when you can simply use a jar of jam and get the same results? 

These blueberry jam oatmeal bars are the perfect showcase for your favorite store-bought (or homemade!) jam. Unlike cheesecake bars, these blueberry bars have a higher ratio of crust to fruit, which makes them a little less heavy—the kind of bar you can enjoy for a snack and not just dessert.

So, here’s what we’ve got. We start with a buttery oat crust that’s topped off with lots of jam. Then, a sweet cream cheese mixture is dolloped on top, along with a bit more crust. The result is a delicious, fruity bar that’s definitely big on flavor.

And, if you love these blueberry oatmeal bars, you’ll want to check out these lemon blueberry cheesecake bars, too! They’re not to be missed.

Why You’ll Love These Blueberry Bars

Blueberry jam oatmeal bars are a guaranteed hit. Here’s why I think you’ll fall head-over-heels for this recipe:

• Sweet and buttery. These blueberry bars are made with a buttery brown sugar crust packed with oats, tangy cream cheese, and sweet blueberry jam. Every bite is a sugary delight!
• Great texture. The chewy, crispy oat crust combined with the thick blueberry jam filling is a combination you’ll absolutely adore!
• Quick and easy. These bars only require 20 minutes of prep work. Then, for the rest of the time, all you have to do is wait for them to come out of the oven!

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

For the Crust

• All-purpose flour – Here’s how to measure flour.
• Sugar – You’ll need both granulated sugar and light brown sugar today. Take a look at this post on Light Brown Sugar vs Dark Brown Sugar: What’s the Difference? to learn more!
• Baking powder – This will keep the oat crust from becoming too heavy or dense.
• Salt – To balance out the sweetness.
• Unsalted butter – Find out the difference between unsalted vs. salted butter.
• Oats – Use rolled oats for this recipe.

For the Topping

• Blueberry jam – It’s the star here, so be sure to spring for a high-quality brand.
• Cream cheese – Use the full-fat cream cheese that comes in a bar, not a tub.
• Sugar – For the topping, simply use granulated sugar.
• Vanilla extract – Store-bought or homemade vanilla extract.

What’s the Difference Between Jam and Preserves?

Jam and preserves are both shelf-stable spreads made with fruit and sugar. The main difference between the two is that jam is a spreadable mixture made with smashed or chopped pieces of fruit, while preserves have larger chunks (and sometimes entire berries or pieces) of fruit. Both make excellent additions to baked goods, and if you’d like, you can use blueberry preserves in this recipe instead of jam.

How to Make Blueberry Jam Oatmeal Bars

Like most bar recipes, this one is quite easy. The rustic look means they’re much easier to pull off than your average cheesecake bar, though!

• Prepare. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9″ x 13″x 2″ baking pan, then line it with aluminum foil or parchment paper and lightly grease the lining.

• Make the crust. Combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until combined. Add the butter and pulse again, until the mixture is crumbly. Add the oats and pulse until blended.

• Form the bottom crust. Set aside 1 1/2 cups of the oat mixture; press the rest into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes.

• Add the jam layer. Spread the blueberry jam on top of the crust in an even layer, leaving a 1/4-inch border along the edges.
• Make the cream cheese layer. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.

• Assemble. Drop small dollops of the cream cheese mixture on top of the jam, then sprinkle the reserved oat mixture over the top of the bars.
• Bake. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown and set.
• Cool and cut. Let the bars cool completely, then use the foil or parchment paper to remove them from the pan and cut them into squares.

Watch These Blueberry Jam Oatmeal Bars Come Together

To watch how these blueberry bars are made step by step, check out the video below:

Substitutions & Recipe Variations

Here are some ideas for customizing this recipe if you’d like to switch things up a little:

• Substitute the jam. Swap out the blueberry jam for another flavor. Raspberry, strawberry, or apricot would all be delicious!
• Instead of vanilla extract, use almond extract. It’s a flavor that goes particularly well with blueberries.
• Add nuts. Add chopped pecans to the crumble topping for some additional crunch.
• Melt white chocolate. Then, drizzle it over the bars before cutting them into squares!
• Add citrus. Stir lemon or orange zest into the jam for a hint of citrus flavor in the blueberry filling.

How to Store 

Keep your blueberry jam oatmeal bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can place parchment paper between the layers to keep them from sticking.

Can I Freeze These Blueberry Bars?

Yes, these blueberry bars can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. Let them thaw in the refrigerator before serving again.

More Blueberry Bar Recipes

Can’t get enough when it comes to blueberry dessert bars? Try out some more!

• Blueberry Pie Bars
• Blueberry Jam Bars
• Creamy Blueberry Oat Cheesecake Bars

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