Homemade Strawberry Oat Crumble Bar Recipe

With my easy recipe, you can make homemade strawberry oat crumble bars. Fresh strawberry filling, a rolled oat base, and a crumb topping make these bars a delicious and healthier alternative to store-bought options.

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When we went back to basics living in 2010 and started baking from scratch, I first created recipes for my favorite fruit bars. My strawberry oat crumble bars perfectly replace store-bought options like Nature's Bakery or Nutri-Grain oat bites. Plus, they are healthier and easy to make.

The Irresistible Taste of Strawberry Oat Crumble Bars

Homemade strawberry oat crumble bars are a delicious treat with a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The fresh strawberry filling provides a juicy, sweet-tart contrast to the hearty, buttery oat base and crumb topping. These bars are satisfying without being overly sweet, making them an excellent choice for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Each bite offers a combination of soft, juicy strawberries and crunchy oats, creating a taste experience that’s both comforting and delicious.

Key Ingredients and Techniques

• Fresh Strawberry Filling: The star of these bars is the fresh strawberry filling. Fresh strawberries ensure the filling is bursting with natural flavor and sweetness. The strawberries are cooked with sugar to create a jam-like consistency that holds together well when baked. This fresh filling is a healthier alternative to the processed fruit fillings found in store-bought bars, providing vitamins and antioxidants in every bite.
• Rolled Oat Base: The base of these bars is crafted from hearty, wholesome rolled oats. These oats are a fantastic source of fiber, which aids in keeping you full and satisfied. The base combines flour, butter, and a hint of brown sugar; the oat base bakes into a deliciously crunchy buttery crust that perfectly complements the sweet strawberry filling.
• Crumb Topping: The same mixture used for the base doubles as the crumb topping, adding a layer of texture and flavor to the bars. The crumb topping becomes golden and crispy in the oven, providing a delightful contrast to the soft strawberry filling. This topping enhances the taste and gives the bars an incredibly appealing rustic, homemade look.

The Simple Process of Making Strawberry Oat Crumble Bars

Making these strawberry oat crumble bars is straightforward and rewarding. Here’s an overview of the process:

• Prepare the Strawberry Filling: Wash and hull fresh strawberries. Chop them into small pieces and place them in a saucepan with a bit of sugar and lemon juice. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries break down and the filling thickens. Prepping the strawberries should take about 10-15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Make the Oat Base and Crumb Topping: In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Add melted butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press half of this mixture firmly into the bottom of a lined baking dish to form the base.
• Assemble and Bake: Spread the cooled strawberry filling evenly over the oat base. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top, pressing lightly to adhere. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
• Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares. Cooling before serving ensures that the filling sets and bars hold their shape appropriately. Once cooled, cut into squares and enjoy!

Why Make Strawberry Oat Crumble Bars at Home?

• Superior Taste and Freshness: Homemade bars capture the authentic flavor of fresh strawberries, offering a taste far superior to store-bought versions.
• Healthier Ingredients: You can control the ingredients by making bars at home and avoiding preservatives and artificial additives. Fresh strawberries, rolled oats, and real butter create a wholesome, delicious, and nutritious treat.
• Cost-Effective: Making your bars can be more cost-effective than purchasing pre-packaged snacks. Plus, you can make a large batch at once and store them for easy grab-and-go snacks throughout the week.
• Sustainable Living:  Baking from scratch is a way to connect with nature and reduce our environmental impact. It aligns with sustainable living principles, reducing packaging waste and allowing you to make the most of seasonal produce, fostering a sense of responsibility and connection to our world.

Homemade strawberry oat crumble bars are a delightful and fulfilling treat that is perfect for any time of day. With fresh strawberries, a hearty oat base, and a crispy crumb topping, these bars offer a delicious balance of flavors and textures. They’re easy to make, healthier than store-bought options, and a great way to enjoy the bounty of strawberry season.

Homemade Strawberry Oat Crumble Bars

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• Author: tinyfarmbigfamily
• Total Time: 45 minutes

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Description

Strawberry oat breakfast squares are perfect for a delicious and nutritious start to your day or as a delightful snack.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

For the Base:

• 1 ½ cups rolled oats
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

 For the Strawberry Filling:

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

 

For the Crumb Topping:

• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.

 

Prepare the base: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add the melted butter and vanilla extract, stirring until well combined.Press the mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan to form an even base layer.

 

Prepare the Strawberry Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the diced strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Mix well to coat the strawberries evenly. Spread the strawberry mixture over the oat base in the pan.

 

Make the Crumb Topping: In another bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter pieces and blend with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.

 

Assemble and Bake: Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the strawberry filling. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

 

Cool and Serve: Allow the squares to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Notes

For gluten free option: swap out the all purpose flour for a gluten free 1-1 flour. 

• Prep Time: 15
• Cook Time: 30
• Category: Dessert, snack