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Cherry Rhubarb Crumble Bars

Name: Gluten Free Cherry Rhubarb Crumble Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 1½ cup almond flour; 1 cup oat flour; ¾ cup gluten free oats; 1 tsp cinnamon; ½ tsp salt; ¼ cup coconut sugar; ½ cup melted butter; 1 tsp vanilla; 2 cups strawberries (sliced); 2 cups rhubarb (chopped); ½ cup fresh cherries (sliced); ½ lemon juiced; ¼ cup maple syrup; 1 tsp vanilla; 1 tbsp corn starch; ¼ cup chia seeds; pinch of salt

Created by: Teri-Ann Carty

These Cherry Rhubarb Crumble Bars are a quick, nutritious treat perfect for breakfast, snacking, or dessert! They are gluten free, dairy free optional, refined sugar free and packed with fiber-rich chia seeds, making them a healthy and delicious choice.

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Gluten Free Cherry Rhubarb Crumble Bars

This dessert screams summer in all the ways. This dessert combines some of my favourite things about summer: fresh fruit, pairing everything warm with a scoop of ice cream, and the simplicity of no-fuss baking! There’s something magical about summer desserts, and these Gluten Free Cherry Rhubarb Crumble Bars are no exception. I have always loved making crumbles and crisps because they’re super easy to whip up and require minimal effort. Any recipe where a crust can double as a topping is a win in my book!

When I stumbled upon this combination of cherries and rhubarb, I knew I had to turn it into a crumble bar that everyone could enjoy. To make it even better, I’ve added chia seeds to the mix. Not only do they help bind the filling together, but they also add a nutritional boost with their omega-3s, fibre, and plant based protein. Whether you’re enjoying these bars as a breakfast treat, a snack, or a dessert, they’re sure to bring a touch of summer magic to your table.

Cherry Rhubarb Crumble Bars Ingredients

Crust & Topping Ingredients

Almond Flour: Providing a nutty flavour and a gluten-free base for our crumble bars. Finely ground almonds make the perfect gluten free flour that’s rich in healthy fats, protein, and vitamin E. Almond flour gives the crust a tender texture and helps keep the bars moist. If you don’t have almond flour, you can substitute it with hazelnut flour or a blend of gluten free all purpose flour.
Oat Flour: Adds a soft texture and blends well with almond flour to create a balanced and flavorful crust. It’s made by grinding oats into a fine powder and is naturally gluten free, provided you use certified gluten-free oats. These are the oats that I use for anything and everything. Oat flour is high in fibre, which aids in digestion and keeps you full longer. If you don’t have oat flour, you can make your own by blending oats in a food processor until they reach a flour like consistency or all purpose flour if gluten is not an issue.
Gluten-Free Oats: Gluten-free oats add chewiness and extra fibre to the crumble topping. They provide a satisfying texture that complements the fruit filling. Oats are also a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For a different texture, you could also try using rolled spelt flakes or millet flakes.
Cinnamon: Enhances the flavour with its warm, spicy notes, making the crumble topping aromatic and delicious. It pairs well with the sweetness of the fruit and the nuttiness of the almond flour.
Salt: Crucial in balancing the sweetness and enhancing the other flavours in the recipe. It brings out the natural flavours of the ingredients and ensures the crumble topping isn’t overly sweet. I would avoid using table salt and opt for something higher quality like sea salt or Himalayan.
Coconut Sugar: Adds a natural sweetness with a hint of caramel, making the crumble topping irresistibly flavorful. It is derived from the sap of coconut palm trees and has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar, which means it has a slower impact on blood sugar levels. You can also opt to use light brown sugar.
Butter: Melted butter binds the ingredients together and adds richness to the crust and topping. It helps create a crumbly texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft fruit filling. For a dairy free option, you can use melted coconut oil or vegan butter.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract adds depth and sweetness to the crust, enhancing the overall flavour profile of the crumble bars.

Cherry Rhubarb Filling Ingredients

Strawberries: These delicious berries pair perfectly with the tartness of rhubarb to create a harmonious filling. They are rich in vitamins C and K, fibre, and antioxidants. Fresh strawberries work best, but you can also use frozen strawberries—just be sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture.
Rhubarb: The main ingredient of this crumble filling provides a tart and tangy flavour. It’s a great source of vitamins K and C, calcium, and fibre as well. If you’re making this outside of rhubarb season, you can substitute it with tart apples or cranberries.
Cherries: Adding colour and a burst of sweetness to the filling, complementing both the strawberries and rhubarb. Cherries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, making them a nutritious addition. If fresh cherries are not available, you can use frozen cherries or even dried cherries that have been rehydrated.
Lemon: Lemon juice enhances the tartness of the rhubarb and balances the filling. It also helps to preserve the bright colour of the fruit and adds a refreshing citrus note.
Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener that complements the fruit flavours, adding a rich, earthy sweetness to the filling. It’s also lower on the glycemic index compared to refined sugar and contains minerals like zinc and manganese. If you prefer, you can substitute maple syrup with honey, agave nectar, or date syrup.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla is a staple in many dessert recipes for a reason – it simply makes everything taste better!
Cornstarch: Cornstarch thickens the fruit mixture, ensuring that the filling is not too runny and holds together well when the bars are cut. It helps to create a nice, thick consistency that complements the crumbly topping. Arrowroot powder or tapioca starch will also work in this case.
Chia Seeds: Chia seeds add fibre and help bind the filling, making it more cohesive. They absorb moisture and swell up, creating a gel-like texture that helps hold the fruit mixture together. Chia seeds are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and plant-based protein.
Pinch of Salt: A pinch of salt balances the flavours in the filling, enhancing the sweetness of the fruit and the other ingredients. It’s a small addition, but it makes a big difference in the overall taste of the crumble bars.

How to Make These Cherry Rhubarb Crumble Bars

Follow these quick and easy instructions to make the cherry rhubarb crumble bars of your dreams! This recipe is gluten free, and easily made vegan with the swap butter.

Preheat and Prepare the Crust

Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper. This will prevent the bars from sticking and make for easy removal once they are baked. In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, oat flour, gluten free oats, cinnamon, salt, and coconut sugar. Stir in the melted butter and vanilla extract until the mixture holds together when pinched. Press 3/4 of this mixture firmly into the prepared baking dish to form the crust, ensuring an even layer. Set this aside while you prepare your filling.

Prepare the Filling

In a small pot over medium heat, add the strawberries, rhubarb, and cherries. Once the fruit starts to soften, add the lemon juice, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Cook until the fruit breaks down and becomes a cohesive mixture. Reduce the heat to low, add the cornstarch, and cook for 2 more minutes to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in the chia seeds, then allow the mixture to cool slightly.

Assemble and Bake

Spread the fruit mixture evenly over the crust in the baking dish. Scatter the remaining crumble mixture over the top, creating a slightly crumbly texture. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust starts to turn golden brown. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing. Serve with ice cream, yogurt, or whipped cream for a delightful treat.

What’s the Difference Between a Crisp and a Crumble?

Crisps and crumbles are similar but have key differences. Both feature a fruit filling with a streusel topping, but crisps often include oats and nuts for added crunch, while crumbles typically have a more straightforward topping made with flour, butter, and sugar. This recipe blends elements of both by incorporating gluten-free oats in the topping for added texture.

What Does Rhubarb Taste Like?

Rhubarb has a unique, tart flavour that’s somewhat similar to green apples. It’s often paired with sweet fruits like strawberries or cherries to balance its tanginess. In these crumble bars, the rhubarb adds a delightful tartness that complements the sweetness of the other fruits.

How Much Sugar To Add to Rhubarb?

Rhubarb’s tartness means it often needs a bit more sugar than other fruits to balance the flavour. In this recipe, the natural sweetness of strawberries, cherries, and maple syrup helps to offset the tartness without overwhelming the other flavours or making things too sweet. Adjust the sugar to your taste, but the provided amounts should create a perfect balance. If you prefer a tartier dessert then rhubarb will be your bestie!

How To Serve and Store Rhubarb Crumble

These Cherry Rhubarb Crumble Bars are best served warm with a dollop of vanilla ice cream, yogurt, or whipped cream. The combination of warm fruit and cold cream is simply irresistible. To store, keep the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Make sure they are completely cooled before storing to maintain their texture. You can also freeze them for up to three months; just thaw them at room temperature or warm them in the oven before serving.

Other Rhubarb Recipes to Try!

If you loved these Cherry Rhubarb Crumble Bars, be sure to try my other delicious dessert recipes and don’t forget to leave a comment and rate this recipe if you tried it out! I would love to hear your feedback.

Strawberry Rhubarb Galette

Strawberry Rhubarb Slow Cooker Oats

Vegan Rhubarb Scones with Rhubarb Strawberry Chia Jam

TERI ANN CARTY

Food Photographer and Recipe Developer based in Toronto, Canada.

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Gluten Free Cherry Rhubarb Crumble Bars

Print Pin Rate

Servings: bars

Author: Teri-Ann Carty

Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 45

Total Time: 1 15

Equipment

8x8 baking dish
oven
measuring spoons and cups
mixing bowl
small pot

Ingredients

Crust & Topping Ingredients

1½ cup almond flour
1 cup oat flour
¾ cup gluten free oats
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
¼ cup coconut sugar
½ cup melted butter
1 tsp vanilla

Cherry Rhubarb Filling Ingredients

2 cups strawberries sliced
2 cups rhubarb chopped
½ cup fresh cherries sliced
½ lemon juiced
¼ cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp corn starch
¼ cup chia seeds
pinch of salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350. Layer parchment into a 8x8 pan.
Mix crust and topping ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Add butter and stir until crust holds together when pinched.
Add 3/4 of the mixture into the pan. Firmly press the crust down using a rubber spatula or flat bottomed ramekin.
Add fruit into a medium sized pot over medium heat. Once fruit starts to soften add lemon juice, maple syrup and vanilla. Continue to cook until fruit has completely broken down. Reduce heat to low and add cornstarch. Cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from the heat and add chia seeds. Stir well and allow mixture to cool slightly.
Spread fruit mixture over crust in an even layer.
Scatter remaining crust over the top of the fruit and place in the oven.
Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the crust starts to turn brown.
Wait for the bars to cool completely before slicing.
Serve with ice cream, yogurt or whipped cream.

Notes

Bars keep well in the fridge for up to a week but they won't last that long.
Swap out your fave fruit all year round to keep this recipe seasonal!

My fave baking essentials

Nutrition

*Macros are provided as an estimate for convenience. Your final numbers will vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and how you portion the recipe.

Cherry Rhubarb Crumble Bars

Gluten Free Cherry Rhubarb Crumble Bars

Cherry Rhubarb Crumble Bars Ingredients