Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars (Print)
Buttery oat crumble with a bright strawberry filling, baked until golden and ideal for warm servings.
# What You Need:
→ Crust and Crumble
01 - 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
02 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
03 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
04 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
→ Strawberry Filling
08 - 2 cups diced fresh strawberries
09 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
10 - 2 teaspoons cornstarch
11 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.
02 - In a large bowl, mix rolled oats, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pour in melted butter and stir until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
03 - Reserve 1 cup of the prepared oat mixture for the topping. Firmly press the remaining mixture into the base of the lined baking pan to create an even crust.
04 - In a separate bowl, gently toss diced strawberries with lemon juice, cornstarch, and granulated sugar until evenly coated.
05 - Spread the strawberry mixture uniformly over the pressed crust.
06 - Distribute the reserved oat mixture evenly over the strawberry layer, ensuring full coverage.
07 - Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35 to 38 minutes, until the crumble is golden brown and fruit filling is bubbling.
08 - Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Lift the bars by the parchment, then cut into 12 squares.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- There’s a certain thrill when you pull these out of the oven and see the fruit juices bubbling up around that golden crumble—it's a sign you've nailed it.
- It’s the kind of recipe you’ll keep returning to because one bowl leads to the next and cleanup is a dream.
02 -
- If you rush the cooling step, the bars will fall apart—patience truly pays off here.
- Testing with mixed berries once led to a juicier, almost jammy middle, and honestly, it was a delicious surprise.
03 -
- Sneak in a pinch of cinnamon or vanilla for an extra layer of cozy flavor.
- Letting the baked bars sit overnight makes them easier to slice and deepens the flavors.