Name: Homemade Blueberry Zucchini Bars Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups zucchini, peeled and cut into cubes; 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice; 3/4 cup white sugar; 3 cups blueberries; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar; 3/4 cup quick-cooking oats; 1 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 cup butter, cut into pieces

Jump to Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the surprise and delight of Homemade Blueberry Zucchini Bars. Tender, buttery crumbs encase a jammy filling of juicy blueberries and melt-in-your-mouth zucchini, creating a bar that’s both homey and elegantly unique. The secret? Zucchini blends seamlessly with the berries, giving moisture and body without overpowering the natural sweetness, making these bars a go-to treat for breakfast, brunch, or a picnic basket. If you’ve ever wanted to sneak more veggies into dessert, or simply want to try a new twist on classic berry bars, you’re in for a joyful, delicious ride.

Homemade Blueberry Zucchini Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list for Homemade Blueberry Zucchini Bars is refreshingly simple, yet each component plays a role in shaping the flavor, texture, and irresistible look of these bars. Don’t skip the little things—they all matter!

Zucchini (4 cups, peeled and cubed): Its delicate moisture helps bind the filling and makes it perfectly tender with every bite.
Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice (1/3 cup): Lifts the flavor of both berries and zucchini, adding brightness and a touch of tang.
White Sugar (3/4 cup): Balances the tartness of the lemon and brings out the natural sweetness of the fruit and veggie combo.
Blueberries (3 cups): Juicy and vibrant, they’re the star of the show, giving a luscious pop of color and flavor.
All-Purpose Flour (3 cups): Builds the structure of the crumbly crust and topping.
Packed Brown Sugar (1 1/4 cup): Offers a subtle caramel note and extra moisture for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Quick-Cooking Oats (3/4 cup): Add a bit of chew and rustic character, keeping the bars hearty and satisfying.
Baking Powder (1 1/2 tsp): Gives a little lift to the crust so it’s not too dense.
Ground Cinnamon (1/2 tsp): Just a touch enhances the fruitiness, making every bite cozy and aromatic.
Butter (1 cup, cut into pieces): The backbone of the crumb; it ensures each layer is rich, flaky, and wonderful.

How to Make Homemade Blueberry Zucchini Bars

Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Zucchini Filling

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lining a 9 x 13-inch pan with parchment paper. In a saucepan over low heat, combine your peeled, cubed zucchini with fresh lemon juice and let it simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes. The zucchini should soften and become almost translucent. Once it’s tender, stir in the sugar and let the mixture absorb the sweetness fully. Remove from the heat and set aside—your house will already start smelling delightful!

Step 2: Combine Blueberries with the Filling

While the zucchini is still hot, add the blueberries directly to the pan. Gently fold them in, allowing them to burst just a bit and mingle with the soft zucchini. This not only creates the signature purple hue of Homemade Blueberry Zucchini Bars but also ensures a beautiful blend of sweet and juicy textures. Set the mixture aside to cool slightly; this will make spreading it onto the crust easier later.

Step 3: Make the Crumb Mixture

In the bowl of a stand mixer, toss together flour, packed brown sugar, quick oats, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. Mix until everything is evenly distributed. With your mixer on low speed, add the butter one chunk at a time, mixing until the dough forms coarse, even crumbs. For a little magic, take out 1/2 cup of this crumb mixture and stir it into your cooled blueberry and zucchini filling. This thickens the filling and binds it just right.

Step 4: Assemble the Bars

Using about two-thirds of the remaining crumb mixture, press an even layer into your lined baking pan to form a sturdy but tender crust. Spread the blueberry and zucchini filling—now thickened, sweet, and fragrant—on top. Scatter the rest of the crumb mixture over the filling, pinching some of it into small clumps for extra texture. This layering is what gives the Homemade Blueberry Zucchini Bars their beautiful, bakery-style look.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown with irresistible bubbling at the edges. Once finished, remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. For ultra-clean, professional-looking slices, pop the cooled bars into the fridge for about an hour before cutting. Patience pays off with neat edges and perfect portions!

How to Serve Homemade Blueberry Zucchini Bars

Garnishes

A light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of simple vanilla glaze adds an elegant finish to Homemade Blueberry Zucchini Bars. Try a handful of fresh blueberries on top for a burst of freshness, or a sprinkle of lemon zest to brighten everything up with a citrusy pop.

Side Dishes

Serve these bars alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream for a decadent dessert platter. For brunch or breakfast, pair with a creamy Greek yogurt or an icy cold glass of milk. The gentle sweetness and tang of these options perfectly complement the juicy filling and crisp crumb.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut your bars into bite-sized squares for party trays or wrap them individually for picnic baskets and school lunches. For a rustic touch, serve them on a wooden board lined with parchment, surrounded by bowls of mixed berries and mini jars of honey. Stack them for dramatic effect at your next gathering—these bars are as gorgeous as they are tasty!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Homemade Blueberry Zucchini Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer freshness, pop them in the fridge, where they’ll keep beautifully for about a week. The chilling actually helps the bars hold together even better when slicing.

Freezing

These bars freeze like a dream! Simply wrap each square in parchment or wax paper, then layer them in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a last-minute sweet treat.

Reheating

If you like your bars a bit warm, just pop a slice in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or gently reheat in a low oven. This brings back that fresh-from-the-oven coziness and makes the filling extra jammy—perfect with a scoop of cold ice cream.

FAQs

Can I use frozen blueberries?

Absolutely! Just use them straight from the freezer, but add an extra minute or two to the cooking time with the zucchini to let any excess moisture cook off. Frozen berries work wonderfully in Homemade Blueberry Zucchini Bars.

Should I peel the zucchini?

Peeling the zucchini is highly recommended here to keep the filling silky and let the flavors blend seamlessly with the berries. It also prevents any green flecks from distracting from that gorgeous blueberry color.

Do these bars taste like zucchini?

That’s the beauty—zucchini is the sneakiest addition! It adds moisture and tenderness but takes on the taste of lemon and berries, letting the Homemade Blueberry Zucchini Bars be all about the fruitiness.

Can I make these gluten-free?

You sure can! Swap in a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour, and make sure your oats are gluten-free. The bars will be just as delicious, slightly more crumbly but full of flavor.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Go for it! You can easily double the ingredients and bake in two separate pans or use a larger sheet pan. Just keep an eye on the baking time—it may need a few extra minutes, but the results will be just as crowd-pleasing.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly special about baking Homemade Blueberry Zucchini Bars from scratch—the burst of blueberry, the soft surprise of zucchini, and the golden, cozy crumb. Give this recipe a go and treat your friends and family to a slice (or two!) of joy. I can’t wait for you to try them and see how fast they disappear!

Homemade Blueberry Zucchini Bars Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 13 reviews

Author: Olivia
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Homemade Blueberry Zucchini Bars are a delightful combination of sweet blueberries and tender zucchini sandwiched between layers of buttery crumb mixture. Perfect for a sweet treat or a light dessert.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Zucchini Filling
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 9 x 13-inch pan with parchment paper. Cook zucchini and lemon juice in a saucepan until tender. Stir in sugar and set aside.
Step 2: Combine Blueberries with the Filling
Add blueberries to the zucchini mixture and stir gently. Let it cool.
Step 3: Make the Crumb Mixture
In a stand mixer, combine flour, brown sugar, oats, baking powder, and cinnamon. Add butter and mix until crumbly. Reserve 1/2 cup for filling.
Step 4: Assemble the Bars
Press 2/3 of crumb mixture into the pan. Spread filling over crust. Crumble reserved mixture on top.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake for 40 minutes until golden. Cool completely before slicing.