Is there a swap for tapioca starch?

Tapioca starch can be substituted with arrowroot starch. It is necessary for thickening the filling and creating the right crust/crumble texture.

Do I have to use frozen strawberries?

I have only tested this recipe with frozen strawberries, but fresh should work as well. You may not have to cook the filling quite as long over the stovetop if you're using fresh strawberries.

Strawberry Crumb Bars (Paleo, Gluten Free)

Description

Healthy strawberry crumb bars with an almond flour crust and crumble and gooey strawberry filling. Paleo, gluten free, dairy free and egg free!

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

3 cups chopped frozen strawberries (about 12 oz)
2 Tbsp maple syrup
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1.5 Tbsp tapioca starch

Crust and Crumble

2 1/4 cups blanched almond flour (205g)
3/4 cup tapioca starch (90g)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup palm shortening (93g) or butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8 inch or 11x7 inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
Make the Filling: combine all filling ingredients in a small saucepan. This includes the chopped strawberries, maple syrup, lemon juice, lemon zest and tapioca starch.
Cook the filling on the stovetop, over medium heat, for 20 minutes. Be sure to stir the mixture and scrape down the sides of the pan every few minutes so that the filling doesn't burn.
Make the Crust and Crumble: while the filling cooks, make the dough for the crust and crumble. In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, tapioca starch, baking powder and salt. Then, mix in the palm shortening, maple syrup and vanilla. Stir first with a spatula or fork, then use your hands to combine the dough.
Assemble the bars: press half of the dough into your lined pan, making the crust. Save the other half for the crumble topping.
Pour the filling over the crust.
Crumble the remaining dough on top of the filling (making the crumble topping), then lightly press it down so that some of the crumble sinks into the filling.
Bake: Place the bars in your preheated oven and bake at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes.
Cool: After baking, let the bars cool to room temperature in the baking dish.
You can serve them warm, or chill them overnight in the fridge. Just note: the bars cut better after chilling in the fridge overnight.
Storage: store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Notes

These bars cut best if chilled in the fridge overnight.