These easy to make No Bake Chai Berry Bars are made with healthy almonds and oats and kissed with a chai spice to accent Spring’s fresh berries. A perfect healthy dessert or snack anytime.
How does a no bake dessert sound that is gluten free? Well I’m here to assist in that!
I’ve been working on this no bake dough for a lemon bar recipe for a while now and I think I have it. Although with all of the amazing blueberries and fresh strawberries I picked up the other morning at the Farmers Market I had to switch it up for these No Bake Gluten Free Chai Berry Bars.
These will not disappoint, a great sweet tooth fix and made with fresh ingredients, too. Instead of using a flour based dough and baking it like I do for my Strawberry Lemon Bars I opted to make a gluten free version and it’s no bake, too.
I use almond meal, which is basically ground almonds, sometimes called almond flour. Along with almond butter, oats, honey and a whirl in the food processor these came together in no time and after refrigerating the dough it was good to spread with the fruit jam.
I opted to flavor the berries with chai spice. After a recent visit to the land of chai I felt it a nice nod. It works beautifully with the berries, a yin and yang of flavors, which is balanced with the almond and oat dough. I use Oregon Chai The Original™ Chai Tea Latte Powdered Mix, but feel free to use whatever brand you like. I am not being compensated by them, just a great, tasty product.
I also tried this without the chai and if it’s not your thing, simply omit. I loved it! My first couple attempts found the fruit filling in need of a thickener and the cornstarch worked just fine.
Besides making the dough in less then 5 minutes, the cooking process of making the jam is 15 minutes. With a 30 minute refrigerator chill to firm up and these take no time at all to make. Sprinkle with a little powdered sugar prior to serving and you’re set.
I keep them refrigerated in an airtight container for snacking. I hope you enjoy them!
No Bake Chai Berry Bars
Ingredients
- Dough:
- 2 cups almond meal ground almonds
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup oats
- 4 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp ghee butter or coconut oil
- pinch of kosher salt
- Chai Berry Jam:
- 1 cup blueberries
- 3 cups strawberries sliced
- 4 tbsp Chai Tea Latte Powdered Mix
- 2 tsp cornstarch
Instructions
- In saucepan over low heat, simmer berries until broken down and thickened, about 12-15 minutes. After 10 minutes stir in cornstarch and chai spice. Continue stirring often until thickened. Remove from heat, set aside to cool.
- In food processor, blend together the almond meal, almond butter, oats, honey, coconut oil and salt.
- Press nut mixture into bottom of 9x9" parchment lined baking dish. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Spread berry mixture on top of nut dough and refrigerate for another 30 minutes. Cut into bars and serve.
- Keep refrigerated in a airtight container or covered dish.
I’ve found some thickeners that do not require cooking that you can add to your pantry – ground psyllium husks, ground flax seeds, chia seeds. Great for making fruit “jams,” pie fillings, etc. None of these in the house – try substituting Metamucil (but don’t tell anybody) – it’s psyllium and the small amount needed to thicken a raw blueberry or strawberry pie or fruit for bars won’t trigger a thing.
A gluten free crust? I didn’t believe it on I saw it on Facebook, so much of good stuff you used! Berry and Chai is new to me. And I need to get out of my circle and making recipes with same ingredients! I think I’m gonna visit the grocery later today, and will pick some strawberries, but no blueberry here unfortunately!
Pining of course!
The chai spice flavors mix wonderfully with the berries I think. Subtle, but delicious. YES, all gluten free crust. Plus it’s no bake! The almond meal can be made both with whole or blanched almonds and almond flour is made with blanched almond. Both get ground in a food processor or you might find a store that sells them already ground for you . I like Bob’s Red Mill brand if that a possibility for you. I also responded to your FB email, best to catch me here though or email me. Have a great day and I hope this… Read more »
I love that you used almond butter in the dough! So good Kevin!!
This one finally came together and I am quite happy with the dough base. Thanks Lauren!