Name: Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-484959H57M56S
Total time: PT-484959H57M56S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 1 tablespoon lemon juice

These Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars combine the wholesome goodness of oats with sweet, juicy strawberries for a delightful treat that works as breakfast, snack, or dessert. The buttery oatmeal crumble provides the perfect contrast to the jammy strawberry filling, creating bars that are both comforting and irresistible.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These bars strike the perfect balance between healthy and indulgent
They’re versatile enough for breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert
You can make them ahead of time for busy mornings
The recipe uses simple pantry staples you likely already have
Fresh strawberries provide natural sweetness and beautiful color
They’re easier to make than pie but deliver similar satisfaction
The crumbly topping and jammy center create wonderful texture contrast
They’re portable for lunchboxes or picnics
Kids and adults alike love them
The recipe can be adapted for different fruits throughout the year

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Old-fashioned rolled oats form the foundation of these bars, providing hearty texture, fiber, and that classic oatmeal cookie flavor. Quick oats can work in a pinch, but they’ll create a less textured final product.

All-purpose flour helps bind the crumble together and provides structure. For a healthier variation, you can substitute up to half with whole wheat flour.

Brown sugar adds a deep caramel-like sweetness to the crumble layers and helps them achieve that perfect golden color when baked. The molasses content in brown sugar also adds moisture to the bars.

Baking powder provides a slight lift to the crust and topping, preventing them from becoming too dense.

Salt is essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the flavors in the bars. Don’t skip this humble ingredient!

Cinnamon adds warmth and complexity that pairs beautifully with both the oats and strawberries. It’s a subtle but important flavor enhancer.

Unsalted butter brings richness and helps create that irresistible crumbly texture. Make sure it’s properly softened for easy mixing.

Egg acts as a binder for the crumble mixture, helping it hold together while still maintaining its delicate texture.

Vanilla extract complements the strawberries and adds depth to the crumble base. Pure vanilla extract offers the best flavor.

Fresh strawberries create the jammy filling that makes these bars special. When in season, they provide natural sweetness and vibrant color.

Granulated sugar helps macerate the strawberries, drawing out their juices to create that perfect jammy center.

Cornstarch thickens the strawberry filling, preventing it from being too runny and helping it set properly as the bars cool.

Lemon juice brightens the strawberry flavor and adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness of the filling.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Add the softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients, mixing until a crumbly dough forms.
In a separate bowl, mix the chopped strawberries with granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
Press about two-thirds of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
Spread the strawberry mixture evenly over the oatmeal base.
Crumble the remaining oatmeal dough over the top of the strawberries.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the strawberries are bubbly.
Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 12 serving-sized bars. You’ll need about 15 minutes for preparation and 35-40 minutes for baking, bringing the total time to approximately 50-55 minutes. Each bar contains roughly 220 calories.

For best results, allow the bars to cool completely (about 1-2 hours) before cutting to ensure they set properly. If you’re in a hurry, you can place them in the refrigerator after they’ve cooled for about 30 minutes at room temperature.

Variations

Berry Medley Bars: Replace half or all of the strawberries with other berries like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries.

Apple Cinnamon Bars: Substitute diced apples for strawberries, increase cinnamon to 1 teaspoon, and add a pinch of nutmeg.

Peach Crumble Bars: Use fresh diced peaches instead of strawberries for a summer variation.

Tropical Twist: Use a combination of diced mango and pineapple with a hint of coconut in the crumble mixture.

Chocolate Lover’s Version: Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the crumble mixture and use strawberries as directed.

Nut-Enhanced Bars: Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans to the crumble for extra crunch.

Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free.

Vegan Adaptation: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter, and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) instead of the regular egg.

Storage/Reheating

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Refrigerator: These bars will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cool temperature helps them maintain their shape and prevents the filling from becoming too soft.

Freezer: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Label with the date for reference.

Reheating: To enjoy warm, microwave an individual bar for 15-20 seconds or place in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. For frozen bars, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Serving Suggestions: While delicious on their own, these bars can be elevated by serving with a dollop of Greek yogurt for breakfast or vanilla ice cream for dessert.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, but thaw and drain them first to remove excess moisture. Pat them dry with paper towels before mixing with the sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice to prevent your filling from becoming too watery.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The top should be golden brown, and you’ll see the strawberry filling bubbling at the edges. If you notice the top browning too quickly before the filling bubbles, cover loosely with aluminum foil for the remaining bake time.

Can I make these bars ahead of time for an event?

Absolutely! These bars actually benefit from cooling completely, which allows the filling to set properly. You can make them a day ahead and store them in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature before serving.

Why did my bars turn out crumbly and fall apart when cutting?

The most common reason is not allowing them to cool completely. These bars need time to set up, particularly the filling. For clean cuts, refrigerate the cooled bars for at least an hour before slicing with a sharp knife.

How ripe should my strawberries be?

Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the best flavor, but avoid overly ripe ones that are too soft, as they can make the filling too wet. If your strawberries aren’t very sweet, you may want to add an extra tablespoon of sugar to the filling.

Are these bars healthy enough for breakfast?

While these contain wholesome ingredients like oats and fruit, they do contain butter and sugar. They’re healthier than many commercial breakfast pastries but are best enjoyed as an occasional breakfast treat paired with protein like Greek yogurt or eggs.

My filling leaked through the bottom crust. What went wrong?

Make sure you’re pressing the bottom crust firmly and evenly into the pan. If the crust has any thin spots, the filling can leak through. Also, ensure you’re using the proper ratio of cornstarch to strawberries to thicken the filling adequately.

Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?

Yes! Double all ingredients and use a 9×13-inch baking pan. The baking time may need to be increased by 5-10 minutes, so keep an eye on them and check for doneness with the visual cues mentioned above.

How do I prevent the top from getting too brown?

If you notice the crumble topping browning too quickly, loosely cover the pan with aluminum foil for the remainder of the baking time. This will allow the filling to cook properly without burning the top.

Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

You can reduce the brown sugar in the crumble by up to 2 tablespoons without significantly affecting the texture. For the filling, the sugar helps draw out the juices from the strawberries, so reducing it may result in a less jammy center, but reducing by 1 tablespoon is usually fine.

Conclusion

These Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars represent the perfect meeting point of convenience and indulgence. With their buttery, oat-filled base and topping and sweet-tart strawberry center, they manage to be both comforting and refreshing at once.

What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility – suitable for breakfast, snack time, or dessert, and adaptable to whatever fruits are in season. The simple preparation belies the complex flavors and textures you’ll experience in each bite.

Whether you’re baking these on a lazy weekend morning or preparing them as a make-ahead treat for busy days, these bars are sure to become a regular in your recipe rotation. The combination of wholesome oats and vibrant strawberries creates something that feels both nostalgic and fresh – a true kitchen winner for bakers of all skill levels.

Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars