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Packed with oats and strawberries, these strawberry oatmeal bars are a delicious treat to satisfy your sweet tooth. You’ll love that you can whip up these homemade strawberry oatmeal bars in under an hour. Simple steps and everyday ingredients make these berry bars a breeze, perfect for beginner bakers. The soft, squishy berry filling is so good alongside the crunchy base and crumbled top! Plus, this recipe makes 12 jammy strawberry oat bars! Make a big batch and snack on them during the week for a quick and tasty pick-me-up.
Sink your teeth into one (or two) of these strawberry oatmeal bars with the perfect crumble topping and soft center.
If you’re into recipes for bars, you can’t miss my zesty orange bars, these no-bake granola bars, or my Starbucks copycat cherry oat bars.
Why You’ll Love It
Perfect anytime snack: Whether for breakfast, a midday snack, or a light dessert, these healthy oatmeal bars are a great option for any time of day.
Juicy strawberry filling: The homemade strawberry filling bursts with fresh, sweet-tart flavors. Honestly, the strawberry flavor is incredibly delicious.
Great for meal prep: Make a batch and store them in the fridge for a quick, grab-and-go snack to reach for all week long.
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Sugar: Both regular white and coconut sugar give this recipe a rich, caramelized flavor and jammy texture.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the bars moist and tender while binding the ingredients.
Instant rolled oats: Provides the chewy, hearty base for the bars. Oats also add a crunchy texture.
Oat flour: Adds a soft, crumbly texture.
Strawberries: Fresh or frozen strawberries both work. If using frozen berries, thaw and drain excess liquid to avoid a soggy filling in your strawberry oat crumb bars.
Cornstarch: Thickens the strawberry mixture. This helps make sure it doesn’t become too runny as the bars bake.
Vanilla extract: Don’t skip it – it adds the dreamiest desserty taste.
Lemon: This balances the sweetness and helps set the fruit in your fresh strawberry oatmeal bars.
How to Make Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the egg, sugars and cinnamon. Stir in the vegetable oil until well combined. Mix in the rolled oats and oat flour. Stir everything together to form a dough. Set aside 1 cup of the mixture.
Bake the bar base: Add the remaining dough into a prepared pan. Bake it for 10 minutes until lightly golden brown.
Make the filling: Cook the diced strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, and fresh lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes until thick. Cook another 5 to 8 minutes, then cool a little.
Top the base: Spread the filling over the base, top with reserved oat mixture, and bake for 20 minutes. Cool and cut into squares.
Substitutions and Variations
Egg substitute: Replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) for a vegan version.
Sugar: Swap regular sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup for a less refined option. You can also use monk fruit or even dark brown sugar in your strawberry bars.
Vegetable oil: Use melted coconut oil or some avocado oil for a healthier fat alternative or even melted butter for a richer flavor.
Oat flour: Substitute oat flour with almond flour for a nuttier taste, or use a gluten-free all-purpose flour if you don’t have oat flour.
Strawberries: Use other fruits like raspberries, blueberries or a mixed berry blend for a different flavor twist.
Add-ins: Mix chopped nuts (like almonds or pecans) or shredded coconut into the oat mixture for extra texture.
Cinnamon: Add ground ginger or nutmeg to your remaining oatmeal crumb topping.
Filling: To make it creamier, add a layer of cream cheese mixed with a bit of sugar and vanilla underneath the fruit filling.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Try my marinated mozzarella balls or ground turkey potstickers to start!
Main: Serve cozy margarita pizza, gnocchi alla Sorrentina, or hearty beef chili for your main meal.
Dessert: End with a plate of luscious strawberry oat squares. They’re delicious as they are or serve them with vanilla ice cream and extra fresh strawberries.
How to Store Strawberry Oat Bars
Store: Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can last for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store them in a sealed container in the freezer. They will freeze for 3 to 4 months.
Thaw: Pop them into the fridge to defrost them overnight.
Top Tips
Adjust the sweetness: You can use less or a little more sugar.
Cool before spreading: Make sure the strawberry filling has cooled slightly before spreading it over the baked base to make sure it doesn’t feel like sogginess.
Cool before slicing: I like them to cool completely before slicing. This gives me the best strawberry oatmeal bars that are fully intact.
Room temperature egg: Make sure your egg is at room temperature for better mixing and a smoother dough.
Chill the dough: If it feels too soft or sticky, chill it in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes before pressing it into the pan.
Line your baking dish: Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner edges when cutting the bars.
Cornstarch for thickening: Don’t skip the cornstarch – it ensures the strawberry filling thickens appropriately and doesn’t become too runny.
Extra crunch: Sprinkle chopped nuts or coconut flakes on before the final bake for added texture.
Fresh Strawberry Oatmeal Bars FAQs
If your filling is too runny, it might need more cornstarch to thicken. Make sure to cook it long enough to let the strawberries soften and the mixture thicken properly.
Yes, frozen strawberries can be used. Make sure they are fully thawed before cooking.
You can swap vegetable oil with melted coconut or butter for a different flavor.
Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars Recipe
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
Equipment
- Baking Dish 8 x 10-Inch
Ingredients
For the Base:
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 3 Ounces white sugar
- ¾ Ounce coconut sugar, optional
- ½ Cup vegetable oil
- 6½ Ounces instant rolled oats
- 7 Ounces oat flour
For the Strawberry Filling:
- 12 Ounces strawberries
- 1 Ounce white sugar
- ¼ Ounce cornstarch
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
- juice of ½ lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Make the Base:
- Combine the egg with the sugars and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the oil and mix again.
- Add the oat flour and rolled oats, stirring with a spatula until you get a moist dough.
- Press all except ½ cup of this mixture into the bottom of a lined 8 x 10-inch baking dish to make the base.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly golden. Set aside.
Make the Strawberry Filling:
- While the base is in the oven, prepare the bars filling. In a saucepan, add the strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes or until the strawberries soften and the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Continue cooking this mixture for another 5 to 8 minutes, and then let it cool for 5 minutes.
Assemble and Bake the Bars:
- Now spread the strawberry filling over the cooked base and sprinkle the reserved cup of oat mixture over the filling.
- Bake the bars in the oven for 20 minutes.
- Let them cool and then cut into squares and serve.
Notes
Cool before spreading: Make sure the strawberry filling has cooled slightly before spreading it over the baked base to make sure it doesn’t feel like sogginess.
Cool before slicing: I like them to cool completely before slicing. This gives me the best strawberry oatmeal bars that are fully intact.
Room temperature egg: Make sure your egg is at room temperature for better mixing and a smoother dough.
Chill the dough: If it feels too soft or sticky, chill it in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes before pressing it into the pan.
Line your baking dish: Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner edges when cutting the bars.
Cornstarch for thickening: Don’t skip the cornstarch – it ensures the strawberry filling thickens appropriately and doesn’t become too runny.
Extra crunch: Sprinkle chopped nuts or coconut flakes on before the final bake for added texture.
Nutrition
Loaded with oats and a sweet strawberry layer inside, these strawberry oatmeal bars are the perfect way to curb your sweet cravings. They come together in under an hour, using simple ingredients and easy steps, making them ideal for beginner bakers. The soft, jammy strawberry filling pairs beautifully with the crunchy oat base and topping! This recipe yields 12 bars, so you can make a batch and enjoy them as a quick, wholesome snack throughout the week.
Other Sweet Berry Recipes to Try
- These bite-sized cranberry tartlets offer the perfect balance of sweet and tart and make a delicious holiday treat.
- Quick and easy, these Bisquick blueberry muffins are a classic breakfast favorite packed with juicy blueberries.
- A fruity twist on the classic dessert, this strawberry tiramisu layers fresh berries and creamy mascarpone.
- Black bottom oatmeal pie is an extra-special pie for any occasion.
- This mixed berry Jello dessert is a fun, colorful dish that combines juicy berries with a light and fruity gelatin base.
- These rich and decadent raspberry truffles are the perfect blend of creamy chocolate and fresh raspberry flavor.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
These bars are the best snack! The strawberry filling is jammy and sweet, and I love the crunch of the oat base.