Description
These Strawberry Oatmeal Bars combine a hearty oat crust with a fresh and sweet strawberry filling, making them a perfect treat to celebrate berry season. With a balance of tart lemon juice and cinnamon spice, these bars offer a delightful texture and flavor in every bite, ideal for snacks or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Strawberry Filling
- 4 cups whole strawberries (washed, hulled and diced)
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- Juice from half of a lemon (about 1 ½ tablespoons)
- 1/3 cup corn starch
Oatmeal Crust
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 14 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the bars evenly.
- Prepare baking pan: Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Make strawberry filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the diced strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Stir well until the ingredients are evenly mixed and the cornstarch is fully incorporated, which will help thicken the filling during baking.
- Prepare crust mixture: In a large bowl, mix the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the room temperature unsalted butter and vanilla extract until the mixture forms a crumbly, coarse texture.
- Assemble bars: Press about two-thirds of the oat crust mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating an even layer. Spread the strawberry filling evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the strawberry layer to create a crumb topping.
- Bake the bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the strawberry filling is bubbly.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut into 20 equal bars and serve.
Notes
- Made with a simple oat-packed crust and a fresh strawberry filling, strawberry oatmeal bars are a delicious way to welcome berry season.
- Ensure the strawberries are well hulled and diced for consistent cooking and texture.
- The cornstarch acts as a thickener to prevent the filling from being too runny.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 216 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 61 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 21 mg
