31 Blueberry Recipes to Make Your Summer the Sweetest

By Cooking Light
May 12, 2018
Photo: Randy Mayor
Blueberries are the hallmark of summer. These healthy blueberry recipes make the most of the season's bounty from breakfast to dinner to everything in between. 
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Blueberry-Lavender Yogurt Pops

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Blueberry-Lavender Yogurt Pops

These just might be the most sophisticated ice pops we've ever had. Reach for regular whole-milk yogurt here instead of Greek yogurt; the texture is looser, and the flavor is richer and less tart.

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Ricotta Lemon-Blueberry Waffles

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Ricotta Lemon-Blueberry Waffles

A sweet berry mixture tops these ricotta cheese-flavored waffles. Seriously, what's not to love?

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Quinoa-Blueberry Breakfast Salad

Photo: Ann Pittman
View Recipe: Quinoa-Berry Breakfast Salad

A little bit of fragrant lemon rind adds just a whisper of sweetness to complement the tart-sweet berries in this salad. If you’d like a little more overt sweetness, you can add 1 teaspoon honey to the dressing (it’ll add about 20 calories).

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Cornmeal Waffles with Fresh Blueberry Compote

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Cornmeal Waffles with Fresh Blueberry Compote

Whole buttermilk is the key to fluffy, tender cornmeal's waffles. For an even quicker a.m. meal, make the batter the night before.

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Blueberry-Strawberry Smoothie Bowl

Photo: Jamie Vespa
View Recipe: Blueberry-Strawberry Smoothie Bowl

A study published a couple of years ago suggests that the thicker your smoothie, the more satiating it is (i.e., the more staying power it has, helping you feel satisfied for hours). So a smoothie that’s thick enough to eat with a spoon is bound to keep you fuller longer. This one gets its richness and creaminess from avocado, which also provides fiber and heart-healthy fats to keep you full.

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Blueberry-Mint Frozen Gimlet

Photo: Jen Causey
View Recipe: Blueberry-Mint Frozen Gimlet

Dazzle guests with this made-to-order icy beverage that couldn't be easier. This recipe was developed to go in the Magic Bullet--that inexpensive blender that whips up one drink at a time. (If you don't have one, use a regular blender; just start with 2/3 cup ice and add more as needed.) Use bagged, small-piece ice over large, hard chunks. For kids, nix the liquor.

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Blueberry, Lemon and Thyme Chia Jam

Photo: Teresa Sabga
View Recipe: Blueberry, Lemon and Thyme Chia Jam

Forget pectin—relying on chia seeds to thicken jam is quick and easy. In just 15 minutes, you’ll have homemade fruity goodness on the table. Spread it on whole-grain bread, swirl in your yogurt, or serve alongside salmon.

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Blueberry and Feta Bulgur Salad with Mint Dressing

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Blueberry and Feta Bulgur Salad with Mint Dressing

You can make this fresh, summery picnic dish up to two days ahead. If you'd like a fresh herb garnish, pack the leaves separately, and sprinkle onto the salad shortly before serving.

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Lemon-Herb Chicken Skewers with Blueberry-Balsamic Salsa

Photo: Jason Varney
View Recipe: Lemon-Herb Chicken Skewers with Blueberry-Balsamic Salsa

Blueberries are the standout ingredient for the sweet and sour sauce that accompanies these grilled kebabs. We used cilantro, basil, and parsley, but you can omit the cilantro. You can also serve this salsa on small toasts spread with creamy Camembert or tangy goat cheese.

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“Royal Blueberry” Gazpacho with Lemon and Mint

Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: "Royal Blueberry" Gazpacho with Lemon and Mint

This twist on gazpacho is an unexpected first course, a new idea for brunch, or a great summer dessert. Keep it simple by topping it with grated lemon zest and fresh mint, or add drama and texture with flake salt and finely diced honeydew.

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Blueberry Crisp

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe: Blueberry Crisp

Spend your time in the garden or at the farmers’ market instead of in the kitchen today: This crisp offers a quick reward with little effort. Crisps are a traditional favorite for highlighting fresh berries, and this lighter version may become your new tradition.

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Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
View Recipe: Flaxseed Oatmeal with Blueberries

We give this hearty whole grain breakfast a double dose of blueberry flavor using fresh blueberries and blueberry preserves.

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Glazed Blueberry Scones

Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Glazed Blueberry Scones
Rediscover a delightful morning treat in these gluten-free scones loaded with fresh blueberries and drizzled with a sweet lemon glaze. Instead of wedges, you can also scoop and drop the dough by 1/4 cupfuls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet for easier prep and more crispy browned edges.

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Blueberry-Sour Cream Muffins

Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Blueberry-Sour Cream Muffins

When our crumbly-crisp topping meets the light, fluffy belly of this muffin, you'll swoon.

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Creamy Blueberry Chicken Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Creamy Blueberry Chicken Salad

Red onion and celery add crunch to this quick chicken salad. Blueberries have thick skins, so they won't break apart when tossed with the chicken.

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Blueberry-Peach Ice Pops

Photo: William Dickey
View Recipe: Blueberry-Peach Ice Pops

An icy-fruity blueberry layer sandwiches creamy summer peach mousse for a stunning and delicious treat that children and adults will love.

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Blueberry Margaritas

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Blueberry Margaritas

To get a half-salted rim, you'll need to start with a tablespoon of salt—but only about 1 teaspoon ends up sticking to the glasses.

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Blueberry-Peach Cobbler with Pecans

Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Blueberry-Peach Cobbler with Pecans

It's best to make this cobbler during the summer months when fresh blueberries and peaches are at their peak, but you can enjoy it year-round if you use frozen fruit.

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Sparkling Sangria

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Sparkling Sangria

Blueberries bring a pop of color and flavor to this delicious cocktail. Top with a mint sprig for a fragrant garnish and serve a big batch for a summer evening gathering.

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Blueberry Power Smoothie

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Blueberry Power Smoothie

Power up with delicious seasonal blueberries before you hit the gym. Surprise ingredient: firm silken tofu. Just combine, blend, and enjoy.

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Blueberry Cheesecake

Photo: Lee Harrelson
View Recipe: Blueberry Cheesecake

Swirl a fresh blueberry puree into the filling and over the finished cheesecake for a double shot of delicious berry flavor. Combine graham cracker and vanilla wafer crumbs for a great-tasting crust.

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Healthy Blueberry Recipes

Photo: Anna Williams
View Recipe: Blueberry Thrill

Sweet blueberries infuse spicy gin for summer’s most refreshing sipper. For a fizzy cocktail, pour gin, cardamom syrup, and lemon juice over crushed ice in a glass; top with chilled club soda. 

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Blueberry Pancakes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Blueberry Pancakes

A time-honored pancake filler, blueberries not only add natural sweetness, but pack in antioxidants as well.

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Gingered Blueberry Shortcake

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Gingered Blueberry Shortcake

Blueberries signal the arrival of summer's sweetest days, and this dessert highlights them perfectly. Crumbly shortbread and homemade whipped cream elevate a simple berry to a memorably indulgent treat. The components of this dish can be made in advance, then assembled just before serving.

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Blueberry and Maple-Pecan Granola Parfaits

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Blueberry and Maple-Pecan Granola Parfaits

Blueberries and maple-pecan granola make this a sweet morning treat. Whether enjoying at home, in the carpool line, or at the office, you won’t regret making time for our breakfast parfait.

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Fresh Blueberry Sauce

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Fresh Blueberry Sauce

Serve this sauce chilled over low-fat pound cake or ice cream. It's also nice warm over pancakes or waffles for breakfast.

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Glazed Lemon-Blueberry Poppy Seed Bundt Cake

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Glazed Lemon-Blueberry Poppy Seed Bundt Cake

Perfect for brunch, this light cake features sweet berries and a lemony glaze. Garnish with ribbons of lemon rind and fresh blueberries.

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Blueberry Coffee Cake

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Blueberry Coffee Cake

This sweet creation works well for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or a snack. It's packed with juicy pockets of berries, and the turbinado sugar on top adds a crunchy texture.

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Lemon-Blueberry Muffins

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Lemon-Blueberry Muffins

Lemon-blueberry muffins, with a sour-sweet glaze and hint of nutmeg, are perfect any time of day. Nutritional bonus: A mere half-cup of berries provides as much antioxidant oomph as five servings of peas, carrots, apples, and broccoli.

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Pain Perdu

Photo: Sebastian Kopp / EyeEm
View Recipe: Pain Perdu

Pain Perdu—literally "lost bread"—was traditionally a simple breakfast of day-old French bread dredged in beaten eggs and pan-fried in butter. Our lightened version is a 5-star hit with the addition of blueberry sauce.

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Blueberry and Blackberry Galette with Cornmeal Crust

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Blueberry and Blackberry Galette with Cornmeal Crust

The rich, buttery pastry dough is easy and forgiving. Simply roll it out onto parchment paper with a lightly floured rolling pin, and then use the parchment to transfer it to a baking sheet. If you're lucky enough to find wild blueberries like the ones that grow in Maine, use them in this rustic summer tart.

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