These strawberry oatmeal bars pack sweet fresh strawberries between layers of buttery oat crumble for one delicious and healthy fruit recipe!
Why are these the best strawberry oatmeal bars?
- Made with pantry staple ingredients.
- Vegan and gluten free options included.
- More oatmeal crumb topping than similar recipes.
- Perfect for a healthy breakfast, snack, or light dessert.
- And they taste like traditional summer strawberry crisp, in the convenient form of a soft, wholesome snack bar!
Also try these Chocolate Oatmeal Fudge Bars
These strawberry oat bars are delicious! The recipe is quick to make and the taste is lovely – I don’t think anyone would ever know that these are healthy!
-CHRISTINe (READER Comment)
Homemade strawberry oatmeal bars
The oats give the bars a deliciously chewy texture, and the natural sweetness of the strawberries lets you use much less sugar than you’ll find in packaged breakfast bars.
Add a touch of cinnamon, and these strawberry bars are impossible to resist!
Bring them to potlucks, barbecues, book clubs, or bake sales. Pack the bars into a lunch box, or grab one on your way out the door for a quick on-the-go snack.
Another reader favorite: Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
Step by step recipe video
Above, watch the video showing how to make the easy strawberry oatmeal bars.
Key ingredients
Oats – Go with quick oats, old fashioned rolled oats, or even instant oats. For the best chewy texture and bars that hold together, do not use steel cut oats.
If making the recipe for someone following a gluten free diet, either buy certified gluten free oats or substitute rolled quinoa flakes.
Strawberries – You can use fresh or frozen strawberries. Thaw frozen berries before use, and blot away excess water with paper towels. I do not recommend freeze dried strawberries for the filling, although you can sprinkle a handful on top if you wish.
Flour – The recipe works with whole grain spelt flour, oat flour, gluten free all purpose flour, or classic all purpose white flour. Almond flour yields crumbly (albeit tasty) results, and coconut flour should be avoided because of its dry properties.
Sugar – White sugar gives you a crispier oat topping, while brown sugar turns out softer bars. If you want added sugar free strawberry oatmeal bars, choose xylitol or granulated erythritol.
The sweetener in the strawberry filling can be any dry or liquid sweetener, including regular sugar, honey, or pure maple syrup.
Oil or butter – Sunflower, vegetable, or melted coconut oil are all good options. Butter or dairy free plant based alternatives also work.
Using salted versus unsalted butter is totally your choice, as I’ve tried both ways and the difference is imperceptible.
Other ingredients – The recipe also calls for baking powder, cornstarch or arrowroot powder, a little salt, and ground cinnamon for flavor.
How to make strawberry oatmeal bars
- Start by gathering your ingredients.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a square eight inch baking pan with parchment paper, or grease the pan very well.
- Stir the oats, flour, cinnamon, salt, sugar, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.
- Stir in the oil or butter, then very firmly press two thirds of this dough into the pan. Reserve the remaining dough.
- Mix together the berries, cornstarch, and one tablespoon sweetener, then press this on top of the mixture in the pan. Sprinkle the reserved oat dough on top, and press down firmly.
- Bake on the oven’s center rack for forty five minutes. Let cool, then refrigerate for an hour or more before cutting, during which time they will firm up considerably.
- The strawberry squares are yummy on their own, but they are even better with a drizzle of peanut butter or melted coconut butter. Or sprinkle the snack bars with powdered sugar or shredded coconut.
Feeling fancy? Top with Homemade Nutella
Frequently asked questions
Can I use jam instead of fresh berries? For strawberry oatmeal bars with jam filling, swap the cornstarch, one tablespoon of sweetener, and half of the strawberries with one cup of strawberry preserves.
How do I turn the recipe fat free and oil free? Replace the oil with an equal amount of applesauce or mashed banana. The streusel topping and crust texture will be similar to that of a fluffy muffin.
What if I want to make strawberry rhubarb bars? This is an easy variation. Simply substitute one cup of the strawberries for one cup of diced rhubarb. Or use this same option to create blueberry, raspberry, peach, apple, or blackberry flavors.
How do I double the recipe to feed a larger crowd? Just double all of the ingredients, and cook in a 9×13 inch pan. Baking time remains the same.
Are the bars low calorie? When cut into 16 squares as shown in the photos, each strawberry bar contains just 100 calories, with over two grams of protein and close to three grams of fiber.
Can I add mini chocolate chips? Of course you can! Just throw in a handful. There’s no need to measure.
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups quick oats or rolled oats (150g)
- 2/3 cup flour (spelt, white, or oat) (80g)
- 1/2 cup sugar or xylitol (100g)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup oil or butter (100g)
- 2 1/2 cups diced strawberries (300g)
- 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch or arrowroot (7g)
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup or sweetener of choice (15g)
InstructionsÂ
- To make the strawberry oatmeal bars, start by preheating your oven to 350 F. Grease an eight inch baking pan or line the bottom with parchment paper. In a large bowl, stir the oats, flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and sugar. Stir in the oil or melted butter, then very firmly press 2/3 of the dough into the pan. Stir berries, cornstarch, and maple syrup in a medium bowl. Spread this berry filling on top of the dough in the pan, then sprinkle the reserved dough on top. Press down very firmly again. Bake 45 minutes on the center rack. Let cool, then refrigerate until chilled, as they firm up considerably. Eat plain or drizzled with peanut butter or a dusting of powdered sugar.View Nutrition Facts
Video
Notes
More Healthy Snack Bars
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bars
What a lovely and easy idea. Can you replace the strawberries with another kind of berry such as blueberries or blackberries? I’m also thinking about sprinkling some coconut flakes on top for some extra crunch! Cannot wait to start cooking!
I thought the same thing! I am just finishing up the banana blueberry bread and need to make something for in its place. I think this is it! I LOVE dessert for breakfast!
Blueberries work in this. I know this for a fact because Katie made some a few months ago and I got to eat them 😉 🙂
I think any berry would potentially work! I don’t see wh y it would hold you back since it just adds to the flavoring.
I used blackberries and raspberries and made a Razzle recipe from this, it was so good. The strawberries just didn’t look good at all at the store. I have also used just blackberries in this recipe which makes me want to call it a Crumble. It is so delicious and easy, quick to make as well on prep time.
I think I’ll be trying a raspberry version. And the drizzle on top makes them look even yummier!
It’s clear from the video that you used fresh strawberries but I wonder if frozen berries would work? Berry season still a few months away ?
Frozen is fine, just thaw them first. 🙂
the bars look great – i’m thinking blueberry as strawberries are not rip here yet. Do you think you could use almond flour instead of the spelt to make them GF? Thsnks
Katie can only vouch for the recipe as written because it’s the only ways she’s tried it, but please feel free to experiment, and be sure to report back if you do 🙂
Another commenter did say she used half almond flour and half oat flour, if that helps at all. All oat flour can be used as well, and Bob’s Red Mill makes oat flour that is certified gf too.
Can i use all – purpose flour in this recipe? If i made a double batch, how long would i bake it for in the oven?
Yes, white flour is what is meant by all purpose. As for doubling, you will have to experiment to see if it works taste and texture-wise but please be sure to report back if you experiment!
These look amazing! I will be adding a link to this recipe on my Fun Friday Links post!
Could you sub applesauce for the oil and dates for the sugar?
Katie can only vouch for the recipe as written because it’s the only ways she’s tried it, but please feel free to experiment, and be sure to report back if you do 🙂
I just pulled a batch out of the fridge and they are SO good! I used half oat flour, and half almond flour, and virgin coconut oil for extra flavor. I really can’t get over how buttery and delish they are!
So cool to know they work with half almond flour! I have a bag in my fridge and love finding new ways to use it.
Strawberry oatmeal bars are one of my all time favorite treats! I totally need to try this!
Paige
Are these meant to be eaten cold or can they be served at room temperature once they’ve firmed up a bit?
Either works!
Love you blog. Made your strawberry oat bars
And they are awesome! Big hit with my husband!
I love the picture!
These look amazing! Can’t wait for strawberry season here in the UK to try these 😀
Yum! I just took it out of the oven. It smells amazing! Since I’m to impatient to let it cool, I had to try a bite. It’s delicious. I used half strawberries and half raspberries.
I will try the recipe with blueberries. Looks delicious!
I just had to tell you that these are so delicious. I love them.
These strawberry oat bars are delicious! The recipe is quick to make and the taste is lovely – I don’t think anyone would ever know that these are healthy! I omitted the cinnamon since I preferred to just highlight the flavor of the fresh strawberries and I used cassava flour in place of the spelt. This recipe is definitely a winner!