Summer is blueberry season and these recipes are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Blueberries are delicious and nutrient-packed fruits that work well in so many dishes, from healthy breakfasts to indulgent desserts. Loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, blueberries boast several health benefits, such as reduced risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure and protection against cancer.
Here are some of our favorite vegan blueberry recipes to help you incorporate more of these sweet, succulent fruits into your diet all year round. Below, we also share some tips on storing blueberries to keep them fresh and how to freeze them.
Jump to each section:
When are blueberries in season in the UK?
Why are blueberries good for you?
Healthy Blueberry Recipes
1. Berry Good Smoothie Bowl
Colorful meals are the best meals, and this vibrant smoothie bowl by Wunda is sure to brighten up your day. Made with frozen fruit, plant milk, and dragon fruit powder, it’s an easy and nutritious breakfast or brunch you can make in minutes.
Aside from giving you two of your five fruit and vegetable servings a day, the smoothie bowl is a great source of protein and fiber. Why not top it with more of your favorite fruits and seeds to boost your nutrient intake even further?
2. Apple and Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
You can’t go wrong with oats for breakfast, as they’re full of fiber, B vitamins, iron, and other important minerals. When you have a little extra time in the morning, give your oatmeal a simple upgrade by baking it for 25 minutes.
Only a few ingredients are needed to make this budget-friendly oatmeal (including frozen blueberries), so you can still eat healthily without breaking the bank.
3. Banana and Blueberry Granola Bars
Why rely on store-bought snacks when you can make your own? These delicious granola bars by Indigo Herbs have plenty of natural sweetness from the date syrup and shredded coconut, and they’re also a source of plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Whether you’re in need of post-workout fuel, snacks for a picnic, or something to get you through the workday, these granola bars come in handy.
4. Banana Pancakes with Blueberries
Is there anything better than fluffy pancakes? These banana and blueberry pancakes by Flora Freedom are easy to make, even if you’re not a pro in the kitchen. Blueberries are ideal for taking plain pancakes to the next level.
You’ll only need a few kitchen basics to whip up these pancakes, so this is a recipe you can make on a budget. Top them with a generous amount of maple syrup and the remaining fresh blueberries.
5. Blueberry Vanilla Pops
Healthy doesn’t mean boring! When the hot weather hits, you’ll be rushing to make these homemade lollipops by All About Vegan Food. This is one of our favorite vegan blueberry recipes because it’s a refreshing treat that packs in hidden fruit and veggies (you’d never know there’s spinach in there).
These lollipops are a great way to use up fresh blueberries during the summer, and they’ll be popular with kids and adults alike. You can even customize them by adding different fruits and veggies of your choice to create some interesting flavor combinations.
Blueberry Dessert Recipes
6. Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake
This vegan blueberry lemon cheesecake by Laura Hemmington is a decadent dessert you can make for any occasion. If vegan baking isn’t your strong suit, don’t worry – it’s a no-bake recipe so you can’t mess it up!
The tart lemon flavor is perfectly balanced by the kick of the blueberries and the crust is made with rolled oats. Free from refined sugar and oil, this healthy cheesecake is light and not too rich.
7. Easy Vegan Blueberry Cake
Baking a cake can seem scary, but there’s nothing difficult about this easy-peasy blueberry cake! With only 8 main ingredients and a cooking time of about 30 minutes, this rich and blueberry-filled cake can come together in less than an hour and is sure to impress a crowd.
Top your cake with some powdered sugar, homemade (or store-bought) vegan icing, or some more fresh blueberries, and get ready to enjoy a perfect summer recipe we are positive will become your go-to sweet treat.
8. Blueberry Wagon Wheels
Enjoy a taste of nostalgia with these blueberry wagon wheels by Nourishing Amy. All the components of the perfect wagon wheel are present in this recipe: the soft biscuit layer, tart blueberry jam, fluffy coconut marshmallow, and a thick outer layer of chocolate.
Although it requires some time to get these just right, it’s well worth the wait. The recipe makes 12 wagon wheels, which can be refrigerated in a sealed container for up to seven days (that’s if you don’t eat them all at once).
9. Chocolate Blueberry Love Hearts
Do you have an upcoming occasion that requires something extra special? Check out these chocolate blueberry love hearts by Trinity’s Kitchen. This recipe calls for heart-shaped molds, but you can use any shape you like.
Making your own vegan chocolate at home is a lot of fun, and the finished result can be a thoughtful gift for birthdays or weddings.
10. Blueberry Layered Dessert
Now here’s a summer treat you won’t be able to get enough of. This vegan blueberry layered dessert is the gift that keeps on giving. The layers include a blueberry jam, rich tofu cream, and a topping of flaked almonds or nuts of your choice.
You’ll need at least two hours to prepare this dessert in advance of occasions like parties or barbecues, but your guests will love it.
When are blueberries in season in the US?
According to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, in the U.S., blueberries are harvested from April to July in the South, June through October in the Midwest and Northeast, and April through October in the West. Other factors that affect the season include weather conditions and the fact that some blueberry varieties bloom earlier than others. Within a region, there may even be multiple peaks of blueberry season, depending on the varieties being grown.
However, you can still buy blueberries out of season in the supermarkets and frozen fruit can be used in plenty of recipes.
Why are blueberries good for you?
Blueberries are a good source of fiber, manganese, vitamin C, and Vitamin K. According to Dr Michael Greger, founder of NutritionFacts.org, berries offer almost 10 times more antioxidants than other fruits and veggies, which can help protect against cancer.
Numerous studies have also shown the role blueberries can play in reducing blood pressure, preventing heart disease, and aiding brain function.
Dr Michael Greger suggests eating one serving of berries such as blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries every day to make the most of their health benefits. Check out the Daily Dozen checklist for more information.
How to store blueberries
To keep blueberries fresher for longer, refrigerate them in the original packaging or use another container with good airflow. You can also place them in a shallow container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Before putting them in the fridge, remove any that are starting to look fuzzy or moldy. They should stay fresh for around a week.
Can you freeze blueberries?
Yes, you can freeze blueberries when ripe and save them for future use. First, wash the blueberries and remove any stems. Then, spread them out evenly on some baking paper and freeze them for a few hours.
Remove them from the baking paper and put them into a freezer-safe container or bag. Return them to the freezer, where they’ll last for up to 10 months.
If a recipe requires frozen blueberries, you don’t need to thaw them first, but if it calls for fresh berries, thaw them overnight in the fridge or use the defrost setting on the microwave. The texture won’t be the same as fresh berries, but they’ll still taste good.
