Soft Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Sweet & Scrumptious Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Sweet mornings start with a delightful strawberry oatmeal bars recipe that promises pure comfort.

Bursting with fresh strawberries and warm, golden oats, these bars offer a perfect balance of fruity tang and wholesome goodness.

Homemade treats like these bring joy to breakfast tables and afternoon snacks alike.

The crumbly, buttery crust melts beneath layers of vibrant strawberry filling, creating a dessert that feels both indulgent and nourishing.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that dance across your palate.

Simple ingredients transform into an irresistible treat that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 174 kcal

Servings: 11

Ingredients For Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

For The Base and Crumble:
  • Old-Fashioned Oats: Hearty whole grains that create a robust, nutty foundation with delightful texture.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the crumbly layers together seamlessly.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds rich caramel undertones and helps create a deliciously golden, crispy topping.
  • Unsalted Butter: Brings luxurious richness and helps bind ingredients while creating a melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
  • Cinnamon: Introduces warm, aromatic depth that complements the sweet strawberry filling.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity and balances the sweetness.
For The Fruity Filling:
  • Fresh Strawberries: Juicy, vibrant berries that deliver natural sweetness and bright, tangy flavor.
  • Cornstarch: Helps thicken the strawberry mixture and prevent excess liquid in the bars.
  • Granulated Sugar: Boosts strawberry sweetness and helps create a glossy, jammy consistency.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds a subtle brightness and helps balance the strawberries' natural sweetness.
For Optional Finishing:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates a delicate, elegant dusting that adds a touch of sweetness and visual appeal.

Tools Needed For Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

  • 8×8-inch baking dish: Perfect for creating evenly sized strawberry oatmeal bars.
  • Parchment paper: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking.
  • Mixing bowls: One large for dry ingredients, one medium for wet ingredients.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements guarantee delicious results.
  • Whisk: Helps blend ingredients smoothly.
  • Spatula: Great for mixing and spreading batter evenly.
  • Cooling rack: Allows bars to cool without getting soggy.

How To Make Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

  • Oven Preparation

Warm up the kitchen appliance to a cozy temperature that will transform your ingredients into a delightful treat.

  • Baking Dish Setup

Create a smooth foundation for your bars by carefully placing parchment paper inside the baking vessel, ensuring every corner is lovingly covered with a light touch of grease.

  • Oat Mixture Creation

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Introduce melted butter to the dry ingredients, mixing until the mixture becomes a crumbly, promising landscape of texture.

  • First Layer Magic

Press two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the prepared baking dish, creating a solid, golden base that will cradle the fruity filling.

  • Strawberry Spread

Gently spread fresh strawberry jam across the oat foundation, ensuring an even blanket of sweet, vibrant color covers the surface.

  • Crumbly Topping

Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the strawberry layer, allowing it to create a rustic, inviting top that promises delicious texture.

  • Baking Transformation

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and let the magic happen. Watch as the edges turn golden brown and the strawberry peeks through the crumbly topping.

  • Cooling Moment

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely. This patience allows the layers to set and the flavors to mingle beautifully.

  • Cutting Celebration

Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper and slice into perfect squares that showcase the layers of love you’ve created.

Tips For Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

  • Fresh Fruit Swap: Experiment with different berries like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries for a delightful twist on the classic strawberry bars.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Replace regular flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegan Adaptation: Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) to make the recipe completely plant-based.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: These bars can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature, making them perfect for meal prep or quick snacks.
  • Low-Sugar Modification: Reduce sugar content by using fresh strawberries with no added sugar and replacing some sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a lighter, healthier version.

Serving Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

  • Berry Brunch Delight: Serve warm bars alongside a freshly brewed cup of coffee for a delightful morning treat.
  • Dessert Elegance: Top each bar with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent after-dinner dessert.
  • Picnic Perfect: Pack these bars in a portable container for a sweet outdoor snack during weekend adventures or family gatherings.
  • Gifting Goodness: Wrap individually in clear cellophane with a ribbon for a homemade gift that shows personal touch and culinary love.

Keeping Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Fresh

  • Fresh Batch Strategy: Prepare these bars in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum flavor and texture.
  • Refrigeration Technique: When storing longer, place bars in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days, which helps maintain their freshness and prevents potential spoilage.
  • Freezing Magic: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. These delightful treats can be frozen for up to 2 months, perfect for quick breakfast or snack options.
  • Serving Temperature Tip: Allow frozen or refrigerated bars to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying, helping restore their soft, delectable texture and bringing out the rich strawberry flavor.
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Soft Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Soft Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe


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4.9 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 11 1x

Description

Homemade strawberry oatmeal bars blend sweet, tangy fruit with buttery oat layers for a delightful dessert. Crumbly edges and rich strawberry filling make these bars perfect for sharing with family and friends.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries (diced, or frozen, thawed and drained)
  • 1.5 cups (120 g) rolled oats
  • 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour)
  • 0.5 cup (115 g) butter, melted
  • 0.5 cup (100 g) brown sugar
  • 2 tbsps honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon (optional)
  • 0.25 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring slight overhang and lightly coating with cooking spray for effortless removal.
  2. Oat Base: Combine dry ingredients and press two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the prepared pan, creating a solid, compact foundation that will support the fruity layer.
  3. Strawberry Layer: Generously distribute the strawberry mixture across the oat base, ensuring even coverage from edge to edge, which will infuse the bars with vibrant, sweet flavor.
  4. Crumble Topping: Scatter the remaining oat mixture over the strawberry layer, creating a rustic, textured surface that will transform into a golden, crisp crown during baking.
  5. Baking Process: Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake until the edges turn a rich golden brown and the center sets with a gentle, stable consistency.
  6. Cooling and Serving: Allow the bars to cool completely within the pan, which helps them set and intensify their flavor profile, then lift out using parchment paper and slice into neat, uniform squares.

Notes

  • Precision with Strawberry Selection: Choose ripe, sweet strawberries at peak season for maximum flavor intensity and natural sweetness.
  • Moisture Management: Pat strawberries dry before adding to prevent excess liquid from making the bars soggy and compromising the base’s crisp texture.
  • Oat Mixture Consistency: Ensure oat mixture is just moist enough to hold together when pressed, avoiding dry or overly wet crumbles that could affect bar structure.
  • Temperature Control: Let bars cool completely before cutting to allow proper setting and prevent crumbling, creating cleaner, more professional-looking serving pieces.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 174
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 58 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Marcus Foley

Marcus Foley

Food Critic & Kitchen Coach

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Troubleshooting; Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks; Global Flavor Exploration; Engaging Food Writing and Honest Reviews.

Education

Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), New York, NY

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in foundational techniques, flavor development, recipe creation, and kitchen efficiency, with an emphasis on real-world application and storytelling through food.

Marcus Foley, based in Atlanta, GA, is a friendly food expert who makes cooking fun and simple.

With hands-on training from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of tasting everything from street food to fine dining, he shares easy kitchen hacks, global flavor ideas, and step-by-step recipes that turn kitchen mishaps into delicious surprises.

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