Pina Colada Crumb Bars are three layers of goodness that just happen to have a fun name. Pineapple coconut filling in the middle and all are easy to make.
Pina Colada Crumb Bars are layers of sweet goodness that just happen to have a fun name too. I think bars can be for breakfast, snacks or a dessert.
Wouldn’t three layers with the middle layer being a pineapple coconut filling be perfect with a cup of coffee in the morning?
Normally breakfast bars are packed full of granolas and other wonderful ingredients but, hey, once in a while you can go a little crazy … and these do have oats, you know.
If I like appetizers for dinner then you know I like snacks for breakfast. If you cook these with the intention of freezing them for quick snacks – have no fear.
Can You Freeze Pina Colada Crumb Bars?
The bars freeze perfectly so it is one of those things that you can grab right out of the freezer as you are running out the door.
They also defrost in no time so they are wonderful for a grab and go.
I thought I was going to freeze some but it turns out that Ed really really really likes them. The bars aren’t all gone but they will be fine in the fridge for the few days that they are going to last.
I will admit Ed isn’t eating them all. You know I have to test them. So I tested them three times!
The crumb topping is crumbly and perfect and all layers are very easy to make.
What Other Homemade Bars Are There for Variety?
You came to the right place. Not only are dessert bars delicious but you can freeze some for On-the-Go snacks.
Cranberry Date Breakfast Bars have three different kinds of dried fruit inside.
Irish Blackberry Cakes are called a cake but can be handled and enjoyed like any other bar.
Just for a visual, I’d love to show you a picture of the Cranberry Date Breakfast Bars. Here they are!
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Pina Colada Crumb Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup dairy free butter
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup chopped macadamias, walnuts or pecans - your choice - to keep with the theme I used macadamias
For the middle layer:
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3/4 cup dried pineapple, chopped fine or processed in a food processor
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- I used the food processor to cut up my dried pineapple and it actually made it all roll up into a ball because it was chopped so fine and it stuck all together. That is good because when it is cooked it will be a smooth filling. If you want to chop it by hand into small bits - that is good too. It will just be a little more textured filling.
For the filling:
- In a small saucepan add the water, coconut sugar, cut up dried pineapple and cornstarch.
- NOT the coconut - yet.
- Cook over medium high heat until sauce thickens.
- Take off the heat and stir in the coconut.
- It will thicken even more as it cools. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Set aside.
For the crumb mixture:
- To a large bowl add the flour and butter.
- Cut the butter into the flour until it is like a coarse meal.
- To this mixture add the oats, brown sugar and baking soda.
- Mix well and I use my fingers to really get it well incorporated.
- Take out 1/2 cup of the mixture. Add the nuts to this 1/2 cup and set aside.
- Press the remaining mixture into an ungreased 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 inch baking pan.
- I used 8x8x2 but I will tell you the different cooking times at the end during the baking instructions.
- Spread you filling evenly all over this layer.
- Sprinkle the crumb mixture that you set aside - all over this filling mixture.
- Spread it out evenly and press, lightly, with your hand.
- Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes for a 9x9x2 pan and 35 to 40 minutes for an 8x8x2 pan.
- The 8x8x2 pan will make your bars a little taller as in my photo.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
- I cut all around the edge of the pan to separate to get anything unstuck.
- The whole piece actually lifted out of the pan and I was able to place it on a cutting board and put it there.
- I made three slices in each direction and got 16 nice size square bars.
Nutrition
What an amazing recipe! Love the layers and it all tastes delicious. It’s fruity and sweet and so good!
The only one that I think will work is almond flour. The other flours (that I can think of) would mean changing the amounts of other ingredients. I don’t know about taste because I haven’t made it but I know I do love almond flour. I think it would work fine.
Do you think I could substitute with a gluten free flour without sacrificing taste/texture? Thanks! ?
That is a guess but worth a try. Use half the water when you are cooking the mixture and add more if you think you need it. It shouldn’t need to take as long to cook down. Let me know how it works. Thanks Aimee.
These look amazing! Do you think fresh pineapple would work?
I feel that I used organic pineapple but even if I didn’t I think a drier pineapple would be fine. it will soften with the cooking and even if the filling is not creamy it will still be excellent.
Wow, looks incredible!!! I wonder, if I’m using organic dried pineapple (which tends to be dryer) will the center filling still be the same?
One of the vegan butters that is most easily found is Earth Balance. They have it at our Safeway. Coconut sugar is a little harder to find but it is at Trader Joe’s, Sprouts and other stores that feature natural and whole foods. Regular sugar can be used too.
what is coconut sugar? and Vegan butter?
they look great!
These look perfect for summer! Yum!
Oh my gosh! Pina Colada in a bar! Drooling ! 🙂
Pina colada is the perfect flavor for summer!
Oh my! I’ll take two batches please!
Great Lauren! Thanks so much!
Thank you Brenda. That makes me feel good!
Thanks Kim! Aren’t pineapple and coconut a perfect combination?
I love these! What great flavors for a bar!
How different and unique!
Ok, definitely pinning these. They look so sweet and perfect. I die for anything pina colada flavored!
Pina Colada ANYTHING is like heaven to me 🙂
Now that’s the kind of crumbs I wouldn’t mind ; )
These crumb bars look amazing! Love the pina colada!
I love this idea! And I love the pineapple filling!
Well, you’ve done it. I am officially craving these 😉
making these for sure!
Thank you so much Christie! They layers turned out perfect!
Ha! Thanks Rebecca!
They would be the life of the party Samantha!
These sound like the perfect bar. Love the layers of flavor.
Oh yes, please! I love bar cookies and this is a wonderful combo!
Pina colada crumb bars! These would have been perfect for all of the parties I went to this weekend!