Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars Recipe

I recently whipped up a batch of these delightful Strawberry Oatmeal Bars that combine crisp oats, silky butter, and fresh strawberries with a touch of lemon juice. The mix of all-purpose flour, brown and granulated sugar creates a delectable contrast that leaves me excited for every bite and endless delight.

I recently came across an idea that really blew my mind and I spent the weekend experimenting with it. These Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars are my new go-to treat that strike a cool balance between fruity fun and a crunchy finish.

I mixed 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1/3 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted just right, to create the base. Then, I layered on fresh strawberries, about 4 cups, tossed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, a little extra sugar, and a touch of cornstarch to thicken the filling.

To top it off, I combined 1 cup old fashioned oats, a bit more all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, salt, and cold cubed butter to create a crumble that bakes into perfection. This recipe ties into my love for easy, fresh strawberry desserts and even finds itself among my favorite fruit recipes when I need that delightful twist.

Enjoy giving it a try and tweaking it your way.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really like this recipe because it is so simple to make even if I am not the best cook. I love that the buttery crust, tangy strawberry filling, and crunchy crumble topping all blend together perfectly. I also enjoy how the fresh ingredients come together to create a dessert that tastes homemade and genuine. Finally, it makes me feel proud when I whip it up for my family and friends since it never fails to impress everyone.

Ingredients

• Fresh Strawberries: They provides natural sweetness, juicy flavor, fiber, and vitamins for extra energy.
• Old fashioned Oats: They offer hearty fiber and complex carbs while adding a chewy texture.
• All-purpose Flour: It forms the base, helps make crumbly bars with its starchy carbohydrate content.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds sweet moisture and subtle molasses flavor for a rich, deep taste.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides a creamy texture and lip smacking flavor without extra salt.
• Lemon Juice: Gives a little tangy kick to balance out the fruity sweetness nicely.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the strawberry filling creating a perfect, luscious consistency.
• Granulated Sugar (for filling): Sweetens the strawberries, intensifies flavor and enhances color.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar (for the strawberry filling)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for the crumble topping)
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8 inch pan.

2. In a bowl, mix together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your pan.

3. In another bowl, combine the 4 cups of sliced strawberries with 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Stir well until the strawberries are evenly coated.

4. Spread the strawberry mixture evenly over the crust you made in the pan.

5. For the crumble layer, mix 1 cup old fashioned oats, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a separate bowl.

6. Add the 1/2 cup cold cubed unsalted butter to the crumble mixture. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter in until the mixture is crumbly.

7. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the strawberries.

8. Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 45 minutes until the crumble is golden and the strawberry filling is bubbly. Let it cool completely before cutting into bars. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven to preheat and bake the dessert
2. 8×8 inch baking pan for both mixing and baking
3. Mixing bowls (at least two; one for the crust, one for the filling, and another for the crumble topping)
4. Measuring cups and spoons for accurate ingredient amounts
5. A spatula or wooden spoon to mix your ingredients
6. A knife to slice the strawberries
7. A pastry cutter (or your fingers) to work the cold butter into the oats
8. A cooling rack or plate to let the bars cool down completely before cutting

FAQ

Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• You can swap the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste. Use about 75% all-purpose and 25% whole wheat to keep the texture balanced.
• If you wanna avoid granulated sugar, try using maple syrup instead, but reduce the amount a bit since it’s sweeter.
• Instead of melted unsalted butter, you can use an equal amount of melted coconut oil. It adds a slight coconut flavor that works pretty well with strawberries.
• If you’re short on fresh strawberries, feel free to use frozen ones. Just thaw them and drain off any extra juice before using.
• You can choose quick oats in place of old fashioned oats. The bars may turn out a bit different, but they’ll still be delicious.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you press the bottom crust really down tight into the pan so it sticks to the bars after you bake it.
2. When mixing the strawberry filling, stir it well to avoid clumps of cornstarch that might mess up the texture later.
3. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend the cold butter into the crumble topping just enough; you dont want it too smooth or too chunky.
4. Let the bars cool completely before you cut them so they firm up which will help keep them from falling apart.