Are You Excited To Know How to Make Strawberry Bars?

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Strawberry Oatmeal Bars are a healthier fruit dessert made with fresh strawberries, whole grain butter crumb topping, and also a lightly sweetened vanilla glaze.

These Strawberry Oatmeal Bars have become one of the most cherished recipes on my site over the years. I love hearing the different ways you’ve stumbled upon it, often through word of mouth, but equally as much because you were looking for healthy desserts under 100 calories, healthy desserts for kids, easy oatmeal bars, or (and perhaps best of all) healthy strawberry recipes you could feel completely justified eating for breakfast.

So, while a new, fresh strawberry dessert will have to wait until our return (I’m thinking maybe a new spin on a frozen strawberry pie like this Strawberry Yogurt?), for today, I’m happy to relive the delicious magic that is this easy Strawberry Oatmeal Bar recipe.

The Best Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Ever

A bewitching cross between a soft bar cookie and a streusel-topped crumb bar, these sweet treats are the perfect use for the fresh strawberries that are finally starting to make their way into grocery stores in big, juicy quantities.

(If you are looking for frozen strawberry recipes, these Strawberry Oatmeal Bars will work with them too! Want to see more recipes make from strawberries have a look at The Best Strawberry Slush For You, How to Make Perfect Strawberry Tarts, and Strawberry Sandwich with recipe notes and more details.)

The top and bottom “crust” of the oatmeal bars comes together in a single bowl, and since the recipe calls for melted, not softened, butter, you don’t even need to wait for the butter to come to room temperature first.

If you are looking for a strawberry oatmeal bars vegan recipe, many readers have successfully swapped coconut oil.

Our next easy oatmeal bar victory: Most strawberry oatmeal bar recipes require making the filling in a separate bowl; these fresh strawberry bars do not.

Once you’ve pressed the first crust layer into the pan, simply scatter the filling ingredients—diced strawberries, lemon juice, and a touch of sugar and cornstarch—right over it, then sprinkle the remaining oatmeal crumble on top.

Made with oatmeal, whole wheat flour, and little added sugar (the sweetness of these bars comes almost entirely from the fresh strawberries themselves), these healthy oatmeal bars are wholesome enough for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Try one warmed-up with a dollop of Greek yogurt.

Though, if you feel the need to garnish them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, you have my blessing to say “I do!”

Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

The easiest, best strawberry oatmeal bars with butter crumb topping. One bowl, simple ingredients, and 100% whole grain—perfect for a snack or dessert!

Ingredients to Make Strawberry Bars

For The Strawberry Bars:

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats gluten-free if needed
• 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour or substitute all-purpose flour or 1:1 baking flour to make gluten-free
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (or substitute melted coconut oil to make vegan/dairy free)
• 2 cups small-diced strawberries about 10 ounces, divided
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice from about 1/2 small lemon
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar divided

For The Vanilla Glaze (Optional But Delicious, Especially if You Prefer a Sweeter Bar):

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon milk any kind you like

Instructions to Make Strawberry Bars

1. Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper so that the paper overhangs two sides like handles
2. In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, ginger, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir until it forms clumps and the dry ingredients are evenly moistened. Set aside 1/2 cup of the crumble mixture, then press the rest into an even layer at the bottom of the prepared pan
3. Scatter half of the strawberries over the crust. Sprinkle the cornstarch evenly over the top, then sprinkle on the lemon juice and 1/2 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Scatter on the remaining berries, then the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of sugar. Sprinkle the reserved crumbs evenly over the top. You will have some fruit showing through
4. Bake the bars for 35 to 40 minutes, until the fruit is bubbly and the crumb topping smells toasty and looks golden. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely (you can speed this process along in the refrigerator
5. While the bars cool, prepare the glaze: In a medium bowl, briskly whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. Feel free to add more milk if a thinner consistency is desired. Using the parchment paper handles, lift the bars from the pan. Drizzle with glaze, slice, and serve

Notes

• The recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9×13-inch baking pan. The bars will be a bit thicker but will still be delicious. To make them gluten-free, substitute the white whole wheat flour with a 1:1 baking mix
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
• To freeze, let the Strawberry bars cool completely and do not glaze. Wrap tightly in plastic before placing in the freezer. Let thaw in the refrigerator and top with glaze before serving. (Bars can be frozen already glazed if needed
• If you want to use frozen strawberries, let them thaw completely and pat them dry before making the recipe

Is Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Healthy?

Healthy is a relative term but if you consider fresh, whole, seasonal ingredients healthy like I do, and strawberry oatmeal bars are healthy.

It’s also gluten-free (make sure you’re using gluten-free oats) and if you use a milk alternative, strawberry oatmeal bars can easily be made dairy free as well. 

Strawberry oats bars are vegetarian and can be made vegan too.

Oats are whole-grain and packed with fiber. strawberry oatmeal bars are rich in antioxidants and can help lower cholesterol. The chia seeds in this strawberry oatmeal bars recipe bring some extra omega-3s to your diet as well.

FAQs

Conclusion

The easiest, best strawberry oatmeal bars with butter crumb topping. One bowl, simple ingredients, and 100% whole grain—perfect for a snack or dessert! A bewitching cross between a soft bar cookie and a streusel-topped crumb bar, these sweet treats are the perfect use for the fresh strawberries that are finally starting to make their way into grocery stores in big, juicy quantities.

Oatmeal bars are a healthy and delicious option for busy mornings. Plus, the beta-glucan fiber in oats can help fill you up and may even reduce high cholesterol levels. To make oatmeal bars, combine 3 cups (240 grams) of old-fashioned oats with 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon.

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars are a healthier fruit dessert made with fresh strawberries, whole grain butter crumb topping, and also a lightly sweetened vanilla glaze. Considering how sweet and delicious they are, strawberries are surprisingly low in sugar. One cup of raw strawberries has about 7 g of sugar and more than 100% of the recommended daily vitamin C intake.

Apart from telling you all about the strawberry bars, I have also given you various recipes you can try at home whenever you like.

• The Best Oatmeal Molasses Cookies Recipes Ever
• Is Healthy Protein Bars Good For You or Not?
• Oatmeal Cream Pie Cheesecake – You Should Try Once
• Is Oatmeal Healthy to Start Your Day and Its Recipe
• The Best Strawberry Donuts for You