Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars — These delicious bars are filled with juicy strawberries! They’re super easy to make with only 10 minutes of preparation. The crust and crumble are made from the same mixture, making it even simpler. Everyone loves these bars whenever you make them for a group!
Pin this delicious recipe on Pinterest to save and share with your foodie friends! Just hover over the end page and click ‘Pin’ to spread the yum.
This strawberry crumble bar recipe is really simple – you only need one bowl and no mixer, and it takes just a few minutes to make.
The crust and the oatmeal crumble topping are made from the same mixture, which makes things easier and means less cleanup – just one bowl!
These strawberry oatmeal bars aren’t too sweet, and the strawberry flavor really stands out. That’s what makes them perfect for a quick breakfast, brunch, snacks, or a dessert that’s a bit healthier.
They’re soft and tender, with a slight chewiness from the oats, and I personally love anything with a crumble topping!
Ingredients in Strawberry Bars
This strawberry oat bars recipe uses ingredients that you likely already have in your fridge and pantry! Plus, it’s a dessert without eggs.
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- Flour
- Butter
- Old-fashioned whole-rolled oats
- Light brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Salt
- Fresh strawberries
- Lemon juice
- Cornstarch
Frequently Asked Questions:
CAN I REPLACE THE STRAWBERRIES WITH ANOTHER FRUIT?
- Certainly! I originally based this recipe on my Blueberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars. I just switched out blueberries for strawberries. I also have a Raspberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars recipe that uses raspberry preserves instead of fresh raspberries. Check out my latest creation – Mango Bars!
CAN I REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF SUGAR IN THE RECIPE?
- You can lower the sugar in the strawberry filling if you’d like, but I recommend keeping the amount in the crust/crumble topping as is.
CAN THE BARS BE MADE WITH FROZEN STRAWBERRIES?
- It should work! Just thaw the strawberries overnight in the fridge and remove any excess liquid. If you skip this step, the strawberry filling might end up too runny.
CAN I DOUBLE THIS RECIPE?
- Absolutely! Double the ingredients and bake the strawberry crumble bars in a 9×13-inch pan. The baking time should be similar.
HOW SHOULD THE BARS BE STORED?
- The bars will stay fresh at room temperature for about a week, in the fridge for up to 10 days, or in the freezer for around 6 months. Keep in mind that the crumble topping may lose its crispiness over time, becoming softer and more moist. Unfortunately, this is typical for fruity crumble desserts.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars:
- Patience is Key: Allow these bars to cool and set for at least an hour after baking. Eating them straight out of the oven may lead to a crumbly mess and a risk of burning your mouth.
- Overnight Cooling: For the best results, make these bars the night before you plan to enjoy them. Let them cool uncovered overnight. This not only enhances their flavor but also ensures a firmer texture.
- Avoid Immediate Cutting: Resist the temptation to cut into the bars right away. Immediate cutting can cause them to fall apart. Give them the time they need to solidify.
- Perfect Make-Ahead Dessert: These bars are an excellent make-ahead dessert. Prepare a batch or two when strawberries are in season, and store them in the freezer. They freeze well and will remain delicious for up to six months if tightly sealed in a freezer bag or container.
- Enjoy Anytime: Thaw out these bars whenever you need a delightful treat. Having a stash in the freezer allows you to indulge in the deliciousness of strawberry bars whenever the craving strikes.
Love bars? Be sure to check out these other great bar recipes!
Strawberry Crumb Bars
Caramel Apple Bars
Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars
Apple Crisp Cream Cheese Bars
Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars — These delicious bars are filled with juicy strawberries! They’re super easy to make with only 10 minutes of preparation. The crust and crumble are made from the same mixture, making it even simpler. Everyone loves these bars whenever you make them for a group!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours
INGREDIENTS
CRUST AND CRUMBLE TOPPING
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup of old-fashioned whole-rolled oats
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tsp salt, or for a taste
STRAWBERRY LAYER
- 2 cups coarsely chopped strawberries
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp cornstarch
INSTRUCTIONS
CRUST AND CRUMBLE TOPPING:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray. This helps with cleaning up later.
- In a big bowl that can go in the microwave, melt the butter for about 1 minute on high power.
- Add the flour, oats, sugars, and optional salt. Stir everything together. The mixture will be dry and sandy with some bigger crumble pieces.
- Take 1 heaping cup of this mixture and set it aside. This will be sprinkled on top later as the crumble topping.
- Put the rest of the mixture into the prepared pan. Use a spatula or your fingers to press it down firmly, making an even, smooth, flat crust. Set it aside.
STRAWBERRY LAYER:
- In a big mixing bowl (you can use the one you used for the crust and crumble), put in all the ingredients and mix them together. If the sugar doesn’t fully dissolve, it’s okay because it will melt while baking.
- Spread the strawberry mixture evenly over the crust.
- Evenly sprinkle the reserved heaping 1-cup crumble topping mixture on top. Before sprinkling, squeeze the mixture in your palm to make bigger crumble pieces.
- Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center has just set. The crumble topping should look set and very pale golden, and the strawberry filling will be bubbling along the edges. If the strawberries are very juicy, the bars might take longer than 50 to 55 minutes. Keep an eye on them, and judge doneness by how they look rather than the time.
- Put the pan on a wire rack and let the bars cool for at least 1 hour before cutting and serving. If you try to cut the bars before they’re completely cool, they might be very messy and fall apart.
NOTES
- For the oats, avoid using quick cook or instant types because they are finer and act like flour, making the mixture too dry.
- As for storage, the bars can be kept airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the fridge for up to 10 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Pin this delicious recipe on Pinterest to save and share with your foodie friends! Just hover over the end page and click ‘Pin’ to spread the yum.