Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars are the perfect treat for any time of the day. Whether you’re craving a light snack, a dessert for a gathering, or a sweet breakfast option, these buttery, fruit-filled bars offer a delightful combination of soft, chewy oats and fresh strawberries. Quick to make and utterly delicious, they are easy to prepare and bake, making them a crowd-pleasing favorite every time.
Why You’ll Love These Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
These bars are a great way to indulge in something sweet while keeping things light. The combination of fresh strawberries with an oat-based crumble creates a texture contrast that is just irresistible. Not too sweet, these bars allow the natural flavor of the strawberries to shine through, while the oats add a satisfying chewiness. Additionally, they are super simple to make with minimal prep time. In just 10 minutes, you can get started, and in under an hour, these scrumptious bars are ready to enjoy.
Ingredients for Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
To make these delightful bars, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the crumble and crust.
- Flour: Provides structure and binds the ingredients together.
- Old-fashioned oats: Give the bars their signature chewiness and texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the crust and topping.
- Light brown sugar: Adds a hint of molasses flavor to the crust.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor of the other ingredients.
- Fresh strawberries: The star ingredient that gives the bars their juicy and tart sweetness.
- Lemon juice: Helps balance the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the strawberries.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the strawberry filling and helps it set.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions
If you’re missing some of these ingredients or have dietary preferences, here are a few substitutions:
- Butter: Use a plant-based butter or coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
- Flour: Swap out all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour if you’re following a gluten-free diet.
- Old-fashioned oats: Quick oats can work in a pinch, but they will alter the texture slightly, so it’s best to stick with old-fashioned oats.
- Sugar: For a healthier option, you can replace the granulated sugar with coconut sugar or honey.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
Follow these simple steps to make your own batch of Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make the Crumble Topping: In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Add the flour, oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Stir until combined, leaving some larger clumps of the mixture.
- Prepare the Crust: Take about 1 cup of the crumble mixture and set it aside. Press the remaining mixture into the prepared pan, packing it down firmly to form an even crust.
- Prepare the Strawberry Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Stir to coat the strawberries evenly, and then pour this mixture over the crust in the pan.
- Top the Bars: Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture over the strawberry filling. Gently press the mixture in your hands to form larger crumble pieces for a beautiful topping.
- Bake: Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set. The topping should be pale golden and the strawberry filling should be bubbly around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool for at least an hour before slicing them into squares. If you slice them while still warm, they may fall apart.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: For the best texture, avoid overmixing the crumble mixture. It should be just combined with some larger chunks to create a nice, rustic crumble topping.
- Watch the Baking Time: Keep an eye on the bars while baking. If your strawberries release a lot of juice, the bars may take a little longer to bake.
- Let Them Cool: Patience is key! Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing them to ensure they set properly.
Pairing Ideas and Variations
These Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars are great on their own, but you can enhance the experience with a few pairing ideas:
- Ice Cream: Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a decadent dessert.
- Fruit Variations: Try swapping the strawberries for other berries like blueberries or raspberries for a different twist on this classic recipe.
- Make-Ahead: These bars keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, in the fridge for 10 days, or even in the freezer for up to 6 months. They make an excellent grab-and-go snack or dessert for busy days.
Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars: A Healthy Dessert Option
While these bars are sweet and satisfying, they’re not overly indulgent. With fresh strawberries, oats, and a lighter amount of sugar, they make for a relatively healthier dessert option. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack, they give you the sweetness you crave without the guilt.
These bars are also versatile enough to fit into various diets. If you’re looking for a gluten-free or dairy-free option, simple swaps can be made. And because they freeze well, you can enjoy them long after you’ve made them. So, whether it’s a special occasion or just a casual snack, Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars are a must-try recipe!
Conclusion
Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars are a perfect blend of sweet and wholesome ingredients, making them the ideal treat for any occasion. With a soft, chewy texture from the oats and a burst of fresh strawberry flavor, these bars are sure to be a favorite in your kitchen. The best part is how simple and quick they are to prepare, making them a go-to snack or dessert whenever you need something delicious yet easy to make. Whether served warm with ice cream or packed for a lunch, these bars will definitely impress!
FAQ Section
Can I use frozen strawberries for Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars?
Yes, you can absolutely use frozen strawberries for this recipe. However, be mindful that frozen strawberries may release more juice during baking. To adjust for this, you might need to bake the bars a little longer than the recipe suggests.
Can I make Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars gluten-free?
Yes, you can make these bars gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and using certified gluten-free oats. The texture may vary slightly, but the result will still be delicious.
How can I reduce the sweetness in these bars?
If you prefer a less sweet version of these bars, you can reduce the amount of sugar in both the crust and the strawberry filling. Additionally, you can use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup in place of granulated sugar.
How long will Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars last?
These bars can be stored at room temperature for up to one week in an airtight container. They will also keep in the fridge for up to 10 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. However, note that the crumble topping may soften over time.
Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars – Easy & Quick Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 bars
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars are the perfect treat for any time of the day. These buttery, fruit-filled bars offer a delightful combination of soft, chewy oats and fresh strawberries, making them quick to make and utterly delicious.
Ingredients
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Old-fashioned oats
- Granulated sugar
- Light brown sugar
- Salt
- Fresh strawberries
- Lemon juice
- Cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt butter. Add flour, oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Stir until combined, leaving some larger clumps.
- Set aside about 1 cup of crumble mixture. Press remaining mixture firmly into prepared pan to form crust.
- In a mixing bowl, combine chopped strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Stir to coat evenly.
- Pour strawberry mixture over crust in pan.
- Sprinkle reserved crumble mixture over strawberry filling, pressing gently to form larger crumble pieces.
- Bake about 50 minutes, until edges are golden and center is set with bubbly filling.
- Cool at least 1 hour before slicing into squares to ensure bars set properly.
Notes
Avoid overmixing crumble mixture to keep texture rustic. Watch baking time as juicy strawberries may require longer baking. Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to prevent them from falling apart.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
