How does a no bake dessert sound that is gluten free? Well I’m here to assist in that! These easy to make No Bake Gluten Free 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.
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!
These easy to make No Bake Gluten Free 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.
- 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
- 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.
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 these take no time at all to make.
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 reaches you before a trip to the market! Let me know Farida.
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!
Yum! I wish it were blueberry season where I live. I love the color, Kevin. I’ve never had blueberries and strawberries mixed with chai, but I love all of those things separately, so I’d be eager to give them a go mixed together. The almond base sounds fantastic.
Thanks Jeff, it’s a tasty combination of flavors (at least I think so!)… 🙂
I happen to have not one, but two almond meal packages needing some purpose in life! And I’m a chai latte lover, so… yeah… I predict that your Chai Berry Bars will be a reality in my near future!
Oh yay! I think you’ll like these Olivia – super easy and healthy. Win, win. Keep them chilled, and they are good to go anytime. My 9×9″ baking dish was empty in 3 days. 🙂
Ohh, I’m SO glad you decided to switch things up and make these bars with berries instead of lemon, Kevin!! These babies are BEAUTIFUL!! And I love that they are healthy! I absolutely looove chia seeds, so I’m swooning over these! The perfect spring and summer treat, buddy! Pinned! Cheers!
Yes! The berries were so abundant and beautiful. I love the purple hue these have, too. Thanks Cheyanne, appreciate it. 🙂
Kevin. It’s not right. The colors involved in your food literally make my stomach ache. I know that probably doesn’t sound like a good thing – but it’s actually the best thing. I have a physical reaction to your food and photography. Why don’t we live closer? No bake? Ground almonds? Berries and chai? Fabulous!!
Color me blushed. 🙂
Thanks Annie. I think we would have fun if neighbors, we could be each others taste testers. I think a citrus curd or rhubarb might have to happen next with this no bake dough base!
These look seriously good! ????
Hi Lucy, thanks for stopping by. These were quite tasty. I have 2 left, but sadly we are not neighbors. Although if we were I’d gladly trade you for a slice or two of your delicious looking Lemon Drizzle Polenta Loaf Cake? Cheers!
That’s such a shame we are not neighbours, I would of jumped at the chance to trade my lemon drizzle polenta loaf cake for one of your delicious chai berry bars.
Yes! 🙂
These bars look so good. I bet that crust would be great with your Lemon Berry Cheesecake bars too – reminds me of a graham cracker crust. yummy yummy
Now that’s a great idea, thanks. I need to play around with a few more versions. 🙂
I’m not one to drink a cup of chai, but in food it adds such a nice and spicy aroma. Combined with the sweet berries and crumbly almond base, this is one very special snack!
Thanks John. Playing in the kitchen and trying to pair the chai with something was a no brainer when the fruit was right there. I love the flavors and it’s no bake and so easy.
Oh, these bars are gorgeous! I love the pairing of bright, vibrant berries with chai. Plus the fact that these are no bake (and gluten free!) is great. I could go for one of these beauties right now, in fact!
Thanks Faith, these ended up better than I thought with the chai/berry combo. I nice pop of freshness for a snack!
Kevin! These bars would be a perfect breakfast for me! I could make it using my home canned jams. I can’t wait for a lemon curd version, I have a serious weakness for that stuff! 🙂
Thanks Dorothy, breakfast is, I mean was, a great idea! I had one this morning. Good minds think alike. 🙂
These look fantastic!! The ingredients intrigue me… I bet they taste amazing 🙂 The photos certainly look good!!
Thanks Natasha and if chai isn’t your thing the fruit topping or really any, is just fine on it’s own. I foresee a chocolate peanut butter and lemon curd in my future! Maybe the dough can even be rolled as energy bites… Endless possibilities. Have a wonderful day. 🙂
Those are all excellent ideas! I look forward to seeing what you come up with 🙂
These look like the perfect little bite, Kevin! Loving the no-bake base with ground almonds. Yum! And how can you go wrong with chai infused berries? What a lovely Spring/Summer dessert. They are made with such wholesome ingredients, I wouldn’t mind a bit if I ate the whole batch, lol.
Thanks Dawn, I had three after taking their photos! The chai adds a wonderful twist to the berries and that dough has endless topping possibilities. 🙂
Based on these photos, I’d say you’ve nailed that base, Kevin! I could see that base being used on all sorts of yummy summer desserts. The chai combined with both blueberries AND strawberries? Now that is just the perfect way to introduce the world to this base! #WolfpackInvents
Thanks Dave, it’s toppings could be endless. I see chocolate peanut butter in it’s future!