Healthy Berry Crisp (Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free)
Mixed berries and honey-oat clusters combine in this perfect Healthy Berry Crisp. With tons of flavor and plenty of natural sweetness from honey, they not only meet sugar-free and gluten-free needs but are also super tasty.

Mixed Berry Granola Bars
Granola bars are a favorite in our home. And these Healthy Berry Crisp Bars are one of my husband’s top favorites.
The first time I made this recipe, my husband arrived home from work and gobbled down several bars in one sitting. He also asked me “What is in this?” which–for him–signifies that he loves a recipe.
You might have the same question. So let me share with you all the amazing-ness packed inside this healthy berry crisp.

Gluten-Free Berry Crisp with Oats
One of the first things I set out to do when I invented this recipe was to keep out refined sugar and refined flour.
There are so many tasty ways to put together a berry crisp. But most of them rely on refined ingredients that I simply try to avoid whenever possible in our daily snack line-up.
A very simple solution was to make homemade oat flour to use in place of refined flour.
This solution is so easy that it has become one of my favorite go-to hacks for making healthier versions of snack recipes.
The crust and topping in this recipe for Healthy Berry Crisp both feature this oat flour as the base, with some extra quick oats added into the mix for texture.
Sugar-Free Mixed Berry Crisp
When we whip up snacks (and even some desserts) in our kitchen, we like to use natural sweeteners rather than refined sugar.
This Healthy Berry Crisp recipe fits with that cooking practice.
Instead of using refined sugar, we trade out the white sugar usually used in mixed berry crisp for honey.
Since the temperature of the honey rises when this recipe is baked, I don’t prioritize using raw honey as the substitute for sugar, though that is usually my practice.
If you avoid honey, then using a 1:1 ratio of exchange of honey for maple syrup should work just fine in this recipe, though it might have a slightly different flavor.

Easy Healthy Berry Crisp
To make this recipe even easier, begin with a jar of homemade Frozen Berry Chia Seed Jam (Sugar-Free).
Using this already-made berry puree cuts down the time you need to spend in the kitchen and keeps it to a minimum.
It also means that you get the added benefit of chia seeds as well as a sugar-free filling, since we don’t use refined sugar in our homemade berry jam recipe.
I keep jars of Frozen Berry Chia Seed Jam in our deep freezer and just pull them out whenever we want to make a recipe like this Healthy Berry Crisp.
Mixed Berry Crisp without Cornstarch
To make the berry filling for this recipe, you do not need cornstarch.
But what about the thickening agent?
Instead of using the typical corn-derived ingredient to thicken our berry sauce, we use a nutrient-packed substitute: chia seeds.
When soaked, chia seeds make a natural gel that holds the berry mixture together just like a pectin or gelatin would–meaning there is not need to use cornstarch.

What Is In This Healthy Berry Crisp
Mixed Berries.
For vitamins and nutrient conrent, berries are out-of-this-world amazing (source).
In fact, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health makes a bold claim: “Berries are among the healthiest foods you can eat.”
Chia Seeds.
Chia seeds form the natural thickening agent in our berry filling for this recipe–a great substitute for cornstarch.
But they also add some important nutrients to the recipe.
According to Harvard Health, “Chia seeds contain a variety of nutrients including fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and various vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus that are beneficial to your health.”
Organic Quick Oats.
We use organic oats to avoid residual pesticides (source).
Honey.
The Mayo Clinic has an impressive list of the benefits of honey. For me, enjoying the flavor and using honey as a natural sweetener are reason enough. 😉
Pure Vanilla Extract.
Real vanilla extract does not include coloring agents and may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties not present in imitation vanilla (source).
Coconut Oil.
Be sure to use cold-pressed virgin coconut oil for optimal nutrient content. (source)

Which Berries to Use in This Berry Crisp Recipe
So many varieties of berries make delicious filling for a homemade berry crisp. I usually purchase a pre-mixed package of frozen berries.
You can, however, make your own mix using fresh (or frozen) berries.
Here are some of our favorites to include:
- blueberries
- strawberries
- mulberries
- blackberries
- raspberries
- cherries
And some berries to avoid:
- cranberries (a bit too tart for this mixed berry crisp recipe)
- goji berries
What to Serve with Healthy Mixed Berry Crisp
We love topping our healthy berry crisp with homemade ice cream!
One of our go-to recipes is Easy Thai Coconut Ice Cream. (Note that this recipe does contain sugar, but you can easily substitute honey or maple syrup for a naturally sweetened version.)
Another favorite (that adds no refined sugar) is Easy Homemade Maple Vanilla Whipped Cream. (What does this not taste absolutely wonderful on?!?)

Tools You Need to Bake Healthy Berry Crisp
You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to make this recipe. Just gather together these tools:
- a food processor (for making your own oat flour)
- an 9″x9″ glass baking dish
- a spatula
- a mixing bowl
- a reusable silicone baking mat
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Can’t have (or simply don’t have) almond flour? Substitute more homemade oat flour.
- Use just one type of berries instead of a mix for a stronger specific flavor.
- Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Use butter instead of coconut oil.
- Make a glaze of the cream skimmed from the top of a can of full-fat coconut milk. Mix the cream with a bit of honey and pour on top of the cooled berry crisp.
- Use animal-derived gelatin instead of chia seeds to thicken the berry filling.

Ingredients and Measurements for Healthy Berry Crisp
Find the full recipe in the printable recipe card below.
Berry Filling:
- 1 cup frozen or fresh mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, mulberries, etc.), thawed with juice retained
- 3 Tbsp. honey
- 1/2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp. coconut water (or filtered water), as needed
- 2 Tbsp. chia seeds
Oat Crust and Crumble Topping:
- 1 cup organic quick oats
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup quick oats (for making oat flour)
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
- 1/4 cup honey (or maple syrup)
- 1/4 cup cold-pressed virgin coconut oil (in liquid state)
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp. organic dessicated coconut
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Garnish
- 2 Tbsp. organic desiccated coconut

How to Make Healthy Berry Crisp with Oats (Step by Step)
Step One: Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a 9″x9″ glass baking dish with a reusable silicone baking mat. (This will make the berry crisp easy to remove from the pan later.)
Step Two: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, stir together all the ingredients for the berry filling. Set aside to soak the chia seeds for at least 15 minutes, or until the chia seeds are fully gelled. (NOTE: If you are using frozen mixed berries that you have thawed and already have plenty of liquid to soak the chia seeds, you may not need the full amount of coconut water. Start with the juice from the thawed berries and then mix in the coconut water, as needed.)
Step Three: In a food processor, grind the 1/2 cup organic quick oats until it forms a fine flour.
Step Four: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mix together the almond flour, homemade oat flour, 1 cup quick oats, sea salt, and desiccated coconut until mixed well.
Step Five: Add the pure vanilla extract, honey, coconut oil, and egg and stir until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Step Six: Reserve 1/3 cup of the oat mixture to use as the topping.
Step Seven: Press the rest of the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish, on top of the reusable silicone baking mat. Press into an even crust, compacting firmly but not until completely flattened.
Step Eight: The berry and chia seed mixture should be thickened by now. If it has not yet thickened, give it a few more minutes to soak.
Step Nine: Pour the berry filling on top of the oat crust and spread evenly.
Step Ten: Add the reserved 1/3 cup oat mixture on top as a crumble. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. desiccated coconut on top as garnish.
Step Eleven: Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Step Twelve: Cool slightly before serving.
Step Thirteen: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Storage Instructions
Because of the sugar-free nature of these Healthy Berry Crisp Bars and their deliciously soft berry filling, we recommend that you store them in the refrigerator to prevent mold growth. Consume immediately (the best option!) or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
Can You Freeze Healthy Berry Crisp?
While berry crisp is technically freezable, it does change in texture when frozen. The oat crust and crumble topping become quite mushy as they thaw.
Thus, I recommend that you simply store these Healthy Berry Crisp bars in the refrigerator if you must make them ahead of time.

More Delicious Healthy Berry Recipes to Try
Can’t get enough berries? We have plenty of healthy berry recipes to go around!
Healthy Berry Crisp Granola Bars Recipe Card

Healthy Berry Crisp Granola Bars (Sugar-Free, Gluten-Free)
Mixed berries and honey-oat clusters combine in these perfect Healthy Berry Crisp Granola Bars. With tons of flavor and plenty of natural sweetness from honey, they not only meet sugar-free and gluten-free needs but are also super tasty.
Ingredients
Mixed Berry Filling
- 1 cup frozen or fresh mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, mulberries, etc.), thawed and juice retained
- 3 Tbsp. honey
- 1/2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp. coconut water (or filtered water), as needed to soak the chia seeds
- 2 Tbsp. chia seeds
Oat Crust and Crumble Topping
- 1 cup organic quick oats
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup quick oats (for making oat flour)
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
- 1/4 cup honey (or maple syrup)
- 1/4 cup cold-pressed virgin coconut oil (in liquid state)
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp. organic dessicated coconut
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Garnish
- 2 Tbsp. organic desiccated coconut
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a 9"x9" glass baking dish with a reusable silicone baking mat. (This will make the berry crisp easy to remove from the pan later.)
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, stir together all the ingredients for the berry filling. Set aside to soak the chia seeds for at least 15 minutes, or until the chia seeds are fully gelled. (NOTE: If you are using frozen mixed berries that you have thawed and already have plenty of liquid to soak the chia seeds, you may not need the full amount of coconut water. Start with the juice from the thawed berries and then mix in the coconut water, as needed.)
- In a food processor, grind the 1/2 cup organic quick oats until it forms a fine flour.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mix together the almond flour, homemade oat flour, 1 cup quick oats, sea salt, and desiccated coconut until mixed well.
- Add the pure vanilla extract, honey, coconut oil, and egg and stir until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Reserve 1/3 cup of the oat mixture to use as the topping.
- Press the rest of the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish, on top of the reusable silicone baking mat. Press into an even crust, compacting firmly but not until completely flattened.
- The berry and chia seed mixture should be thickened by now. If it has not yet thickened, give it a few more minutes to soak.
- Pour the berry filling on top of the oat crust and spread evenly.
- Add the reserved 1/3 cup oat mixture on top as a crumble. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. desiccated coconut on top as garnish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Cool slightly before serving.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Can't have (or simply don't have) almond flour? Substitute more homemade oat flour.
- Use just one type of berries instead of a mix for a stronger specific flavor.
- Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Use butter instead of coconut oil.
- Make a glaze of the cream skimmed from the top of a can of full-fat coconut milk. Mix the cream with a bit of honey and pour on top of the cooled berry crisp.
- Use animal-derived gelatin instead of chia seeds to thicken the berry filling.
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