Start by preheating your oven to 325°F and lining your baking pan with parchment paper. Crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs using a rolling pin or food processor. Mix the crumbs with melted butter, brown sugar, and salt until evenly coated.
Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake it for about 10 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. This step helps create a sturdy and crunchy base for the cheesecake filling.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing gently after each addition. Stir in sour cream and salt until fully combined.
Pour the cheesecake mixture over the warm crust and spread it evenly using a spatula. Make sure there are no air bubbles for a smooth and creamy texture after baking.
Sprinkle the fresh blueberries evenly across the cheesecake layer. The berries will soften while baking and create juicy bursts of flavor in every bite. Fresh blueberries work best because they release less moisture.
If you only have frozen blueberries, you can still use them without thawing first. This prevents excess liquid from making the cheesecake watery.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cold butter. Use a fork or pastry cutter to mix until crumbly. Stir in oats and sliced almonds for extra crunch and texture.
Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the blueberry layer. Make sure the topping covers most of the surface so every bite gets that buttery crumble goodness.
Bake the bars for about 35–40 minutes until the edges are set and the center slightly jiggles. The crumble topping should turn golden brown and crisp on top.
Avoid overbaking because cheesecake continues to set while cooling. A slightly soft center creates the perfect creamy texture after chilling.
Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature before transferring them to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 3 hours so the cheesecake firms up properly.
Once chilled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper and slice into squares. Wipe the knife between cuts for clean and neat slices.