I absolutely adore this Blueberry & Pecan Oaties Recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between chewy oats, sweet bursts of blueberry, and the satisfying crunch of pecans. When I first whipped these up, the cozy cinnamon aroma and wholesome textures made them an instant favorite in my kitchen. Whether you’re craving a comforting snack or a breakfast treat, these oaties fit the bill beautifully.
You’ll find that this recipe is wonderfully forgiving but incredibly rewarding. It’s great for when you want to bake something straightforward yet packed with flavor and texture—perfect for sharing with friends or packing for a lunchbox. Plus, with the lovely addition of dried blueberries, you get that juicy sweetness without any fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples you likely already have, making it an easy go-to recipe.
- Perfect Texture: The oats give a lovely chewiness, while pecans add crunch and dried blueberries a juicy pop.
- Versatile Snack: Great for breakfast, a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or a portable sweet treat.
- Make Ahead Friendly: You can prep the dough in advance and bake fresh whenever the mood strikes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Blueberry & Pecan Oaties Recipe plays a key role bringing together flavor, texture, and a hint of spice. Sourcing quality pecans and dried blueberries makes a noticeable difference, so if you can find unsweetened or lightly sweetened dried fruit, that works best to balance the sugar.
- Plain flour: Provides the structure to your oaties; make sure it’s fresh for the best results.
- Baking powder: Helps give a slight rise so the biscuits aren’t too dense.
- Porridge oats: These give that hearty chewiness, so don’t substitute with quick oats.
- Golden caster sugar: Adds sweetness and a tender crumb; you can swap for light brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and cozy spice—you can increase slightly for extra punch.
- Butter (chopped): Use unsalted, cold butter for best control over dough texture.
- Dried blueberries: I love using these for their tart-sweet bite; you can replace with raisins or dried cranberries if preferred.
- Pecans (roughly broken): Fresh pecans add a satisfying crunch, but walnuts work nicely too.
- Egg (beaten): Acts as a binder, holding everything together without drying out your biscuits.
Variations
Over time, I’ve experimented with this Blueberry & Pecan Oaties Recipe and found a few tweaks that add fun twists or suit dietary needs. Feel free to play around with different nuts, dried fruits, or even add a splash of vanilla extract for extra aroma.
- Nut swap: I once used chopped walnuts instead of pecans when I ran out, and they were just as delicious with a slightly earthier bite.
- Fruit alternatives: Dried cherries or apricots work beautifully, giving a different kind of sweetness and chew.
- Gluten-free option: Try gluten-free flour blend to make this suitable for friends with gluten intolerance—I’ve done this and still got great results!
- Less sugar: You can dial back the sugar slightly if you prefer a less sweet biscuit, and rely more on the natural sweetness of dried fruits.
How to Make Blueberry & Pecan Oaties Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients and Rub in the Butter
Start by tipping the plain flour, baking powder, porridge oats, golden caster sugar, and ground cinnamon into a large bowl. I like to mix everything well with my hands because it warms the butter slightly and helps combine evenly. Then add the chopped cold butter and give it all a good rub until it disappears into the dry ingredients, leaving a lovely crumbly, sandy texture. This step is essential to get that tender crumb in your oaties, so don’t rush it.
Step 2: Add the Fruit, Nuts, and Egg, Then Form the Dough
Once the buttery mixture is ready, stir in the dried blueberries and roughly broken pecans. Pour in the beaten egg, then use a cutlery knife or wooden spoon to bring everything together into a big dough ball. If it seems too sticky, a tiny dusting of flour on your hands or surface can help. Lightly flour your work surface, roll the dough into a fat sausage about 6cm across, wrap it tightly in cling film, and pop it in the fridge to chill until it’s firm. Chilling is key for easy slicing and helps the flavors mingle.
Step 3: Slice, Bake, and Cool
Preheat your oven to 180C (160C fan). Unwrap the chilled dough log and slice it thickly into discs—about 1cm thick works well for me. Arrange the slices on baking sheets lined with parchment, leaving a bit of space between each. Bake for 15 minutes, or a few minutes longer if baking from frozen, until golden brown. I like to leave them on the trays for a few minutes afterward to firm up, then transfer them onto a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling step helps them crisp up perfectly while staying slightly chewy inside.
Pro Tips for Making Blueberry & Pecan Oaties Recipe
- Use Cold Butter: Keeps the dough crumbly and prevents it from getting greasy before baking.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling firms up the dough, making slicing easier and ensuring evenly baked oaties.
- Slice Thickly: Thick slices create lovely chewy centers with just the right crispy edges.
- Cool Completely: This helps the biscuits set properly and prevents them from crumbling when you bite in.
How to Serve Blueberry & Pecan Oaties Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar on top before baking for a subtle sparkle and extra flavor burst. Sometimes, a light dusting of powdered sugar once they’re cool adds a lovely touch for when friends drop by. Fresh berries on the side also brighten the presentation and echo the dried blueberries inside.
Side Dishes
These oaties pair wonderfully with a steaming cup of chai tea or coffee, making an ideal mid-morning or afternoon snack. For brunch, I often serve them alongside Greek yogurt with honey and fresh fruit for a balanced meal. They’re also lovely with a dollop of cream cheese spread or almond butter for a richer bite.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged these oaties stacked on a pretty wooden board surrounded by fresh flowers and little bowls of pecans and dried fruits. Another favorite is presenting them in cute treat bags tied with twine—makes for a delightful homemade gift. They also fit beautifully in layered dessert jars with yogurt and fresh fruit for a grab-and-go treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover Blueberry & Pecan Oaties in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh and tasty for about 4-5 days. They hold their texture well, so you get that lovely chewy bite even after a few days. Just make sure the container is sealed tightly to avoid them going stale.
Freezing
I often freeze the dough log, wrapped tightly in cling film, which makes baking fresh batches super quick and convenient. When you’re ready, just slice straight from frozen and add a few extra minutes to the bake time. The baked oaties freeze well too—pop them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a preheated oven at 160C for 5-7 minutes to revive their crunch and warmth. Microwave works in a pinch but can make them a little softer, so I prefer the oven method for the best texture. Either way, they taste great warm or at room temperature.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh blueberries instead of dried blueberries in this recipe?
Fresh blueberries add a lot of moisture and could make the dough too wet, which affects texture and baking time. I recommend sticking to dried blueberries or other dried fruits for the best texture unless you adjust the flour and baking time accordingly.
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Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes! Substitute the butter with a vegan margarine and replace the egg with a flax or chia egg (1 tbsp ground flax/chia seeds mixed with 3 tbsp water, set until gelled). This swap works well but expect a slightly different texture.
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How long will these oaties keep fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these oaties stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature. To extend freshness, freeze baked oaties and thaw as needed.
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What if I don’t have pecans?
No worries! Walnuts, almonds, or even hazelnuts are excellent substitutes. You can also omit nuts altogether if preferred—just keep in mind that’ll change the texture somewhat.
Final Thoughts
I truly love how this Blueberry & Pecan Oaties Recipe brings a little joy to my day with its simple, wholesome ingredients and delightful textures. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a comforting hug from the inside out, and I can’t recommend it enough for anyone who wants to bake something both easy and delicious. Give it a go—you might just find yourself coming back to it time and time again!
PrintBlueberry & Pecan Oaties Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: Approximately 20 cookies
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Description
Deliciously crunchy blueberry and pecan oaties featuring a wholesome blend of oats, dried blueberries, and pecans, perfect for a satisfying snack or breakfast treat. These cookies combine the nutty flavor of pecans with the sweet tartness of dried blueberries, all held together with a hint of cinnamon and golden caster sugar for warmth.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 175g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 85g porridge oats
- 175g golden caster sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Wet and Mix-ins
- 140g butter, chopped
- 70g dried blueberries (or raisins or dried cranberries)
- 50g pecans, roughly broken
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Tip the flour, baking powder, oats, sugar, and cinnamon into a bowl. Mix well with your hands to combine all the dry ingredients evenly.
- Add Butter and Rub In: Add the chopped butter to the dry mixture and rub it in using your fingers until the butter is fully incorporated and disappears into the mixture, creating a crumbly texture.
- Incorporate Blueberries, Pecans and Egg: Stir in the dried blueberries and pecans. Add the beaten egg and mix well with a wooden spoon or cutlery knife until the dough comes together into a big ball.
- Shape and Chill Dough: Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough into a thick sausage shape about 6cm across. Wrap the dough log in cling film and chill it in the refrigerator until solid, which helps with slicing later.
- Preheat Oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 180°C (fan 160°C) or gas mark 4.
- Slice and Bake: Unwrap the chilled cookie log and slice it thickly into discs. Arrange the discs evenly spaced on baking sheets.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or a few more minutes if baking from frozen, until the cookies are golden and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Leave the baked oaties on the trays to harden slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute dried blueberries with raisins or dried cranberries depending on your preference.
- Chilling the dough log is crucial to ensure neat slices and maintain shape while baking.
- Store cooled oaties in an airtight container to keep them fresh and crisp.
- For a vegan option, replace butter with a plant-based alternative and use a flax egg in place of the beaten egg.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 30g)
- Calories: 130 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg