Healthy Blueberry Crumble
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Jul. 4, 2025
I love this Healthy Blueberry Crumble because it’s a healthier, gluten-free recipe that’s every bit as delicious as all other desserts. With just one bowl and a handful of wholesome ingredients, it’s perfect for dessert and breakfast.
In This Article
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Amy’s Notes
This Healthy Blueberry Crumble is one of my favorite ways to enjoy blueberries. Here’s why I make this recipe over and over again:
- Packed with Wholesome Ingredients: I feel good serving this to my family because it’s made with whole oats, whole wheat flour, honey, and a big pile of fresh blueberries. It reminds us of our Blueberry Crumb Bars.
- Everything in One Bowl: Everything mixes up quickly in just one bowl. Fewer dishes mean more time enjoying that first bite.
- Perfect for Dessert or Breakfast: I’ll serve it warm with a scoop of frozen yogurt for dessert, then grab a slice the next morning with my coffee. It’s hearty enough to count as breakfast, just like this Blueberry Coffee Cake.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Fresh Blueberries – Naturally sweet and juicy, fresh blueberries make up the bulk of this crumble, letting their pure flavor shine with minimal added sugar.
- Old Fashioned Oats – Provide a hearty, wholesome base for the topping that bakes into a soft, lightly chewy texture, perfect for breakfast or dessert.
- Whole Wheat Flour – Adds nuttiness and extra fiber to the crumble topping, making it more satisfying and better for you than traditional white flour.
- Honey – Pure honey is the main sweetener, keeping this crumble naturally sweetened and allowing the blueberries to take center stage.
- Toasted Pecans – Bring a warm, buttery crunch to the topping that pairs beautifully with the juicy berries and cozy spices.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Berry Options: Fresh blueberries give the best flavor and texture, but frozen blueberries work too. Just add them straight from the freezer without thawing so they don’t release too much liquid.
- Add More Crunch: This crumble is more like a soft baked oatmeal. If you’d like it crispier, sprinkle toasted nuts or granola on top right before serving.
- Spice Adjustments: Cinnamon and ginger give this crumble a cozy flavor. If you like, add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for something different.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8×8 baking dish. This helps the crumble bake evenly and prevents sticking during serving.
- Whisk together oats, whole wheat flour, cinnamon, ginger, and salt in a bowl, then stir in honey, melted butter, and pecans until crumbly. Mixing the dry and wet ingredients this way keeps the topping loose, textured, and naturally sweet.
- Spread blueberries in an even layer in the prepared pan, then sprinkle with cornstarch and sugar and gently toss to coat. This evenly distributes the thickener and sweetness, so the berries release just enough juice without becoming watery.
- Sprinkle the oat mixture over the berries and bake for 45–55 minutes until set. Let it cool completely, then chill until firm. Cooling allows the crumble to set properly and makes it easier to slice cleanly for serving.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Prep the Topping in Advancei: Mix the oats, flour, spices, honey, butter, and pecans up to two days in advance. Keep it covered in the fridge until you are ready to use. This makes assembling quick and easy.
- Bake Ahead and Chill: This blueberry crumble can be made entirely in advance. Once it’s baked and has cooled at room temperature, cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. This helps it set nicely, making it easy to slice.
- Assemble and Bake Later: You can also follow recipe instructions and assemble it ahead of time, then cover and refrigerate for up to six hours before baking. This way it goes straight from the fridge to the oven when you need it.
Did you make this?
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Healthy Blueberry Crumble
This Healthy Blueberry Crumble is unbelievably easy. Top it with a scoop of light ice cream or frozen yogurt for a deliciously fit dessert. Serve it straight for a healthy, satisfying breakfast.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup old fashioned oats
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 4 tablespoons pure honey
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ cup toasted pecans
- 2 pounds fresh blueberries, 32 oz
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F with rack on lower middle position. Lightly grease an 8×8 baking dish.
- In a bowl, add the oats, flour, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Whisk gently to combine well. Add honey, melted butter, and pecans. Stir to fully incorporate. Mixture should become loose and crumbly.
- In the prepared baking dish, add the blueberries in an evenly layer. Sprinkle cornstarch and sugar evenly on top and very gently toss to coat. Be sure coated blueberries are evenly spread out in the pan. Evenly sprinkle the oat topping over the top of the blueberries.
- Bake 45-55 minutes or until set. Cool at room temp. Cover and chill until firm enough to slice (several hours.)
Notes
- Use fresh, sweet blueberries for the best flavor since most of the sweetness in this crumble comes from the berries themselves. If you’re using frozen blueberries, add them straight to the pan without thawing to avoid excess moisture.
- Make sure your honey is smooth and runny, not crystalized. This helps it blend evenly into the oat topping.
- Press the oat mixture gently over the berries without packing it down too firmly. This allows it to bake up with a pleasant, hearty texture.
- Let the crumble cool completely before slicing so it can set properly. This makes it much easier to cut into neat squares.
- If you’d like more crunch, sprinkle extra toasted nuts on top right before serving.
- This crumble tastes great both chilled and gently warmed, so serve it whichever way you like best.
- This recipe is part of our Sweet Breakfast Recipes Collection.
- Try it topped with a scoop of light ice cream or frozen yogurt for dessert. For breakfast, it’s delicious with extra fresh berries and a drizzle of honey.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 40.6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8.7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 10.2mg | Sodium: 66.9mg | Fiber: 5.4g | Sugar: 19.4g
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen blueberries, but fresh is strongly recommended. Fresh berries give the crumble a brighter, sweeter flavor since most of the sweetness in this recipe comes from the berries themselves. If using frozen, bake directly from frozen without thawing.
Is this blueberry crumble very sweet?
No, this is a lightly sweetened crumble that lets the natural sweetness of the berries shine through. Most of the sweetness comes from the ripe blueberries and a bit of honey. You can always drizzle extra honey on top before serving if you want more sweetness.
What makes this crumble healthier than traditional versions?
This recipe uses whole oats, whole wheat flour, pure honey, and very little added sugar. It’s lower in sugar and packed with fiber and wholesome ingredients, making it a treat you can even enjoy for breakfast.
Why is my topping not super crispy?
This crumble is designed to be more like a hearty baked oatmeal rather than a traditional very crisp crumble. It’s soft and slightly chewy, but if you’d like to add more crisp, sprinkle the top with toasted nuts when ready to serve.
How long does this healthy blueberry crumble keep?
Stored covered in the refrigerator, it keeps well for up to 3 days. Enjoy it chilled or gently warmed up.
More to Bake And Eat
- Peach Blueberry Crumb Bars -These Peach Blueberry Crumb Bars are bursting with juicy, fresh fruit cooked to perfection. The filling sits on top of a buttery crust all covered with a crunchy, crumbly topping.
- Baked Blueberry Oatmeal – This Baked Blueberry Oatmeal is gluten-free, loaded with nutrients, and fully satisfying. It’s a deliciously healthy way to start off the day.
- Blueberry French Toast Casserole – This Blueberry French Toast Casserole is easily prepared the night before and baked the morning of. It’s bursting with big flavors of fresh berries and refreshing lemons.
- Healthy Blueberry Muffins – These healthy blueberry muffins are a wonderful feel-good breakfast, as they’re loaded with whole grains and steel cut oatmeal.