Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
50 mins
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Additional Time
1 hr
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Total Time
2 hrs
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Servings
9
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Calories
308 kcal
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Course
Baked Goods
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Cuisine
American
Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
Description
Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars consist of two parts: a crunchy yet tender oatmeal crust and topping, and a fruit layer of fresh strawberries mixed with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch to thicken juices during baking. The crust features old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking) combined with all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, salt, and melted unsalted butter. The mixture is divided, pressed into the pan for the base and sprinkled as a crumble on top.
Once baked, the crumble topping browns and crisps, while the strawberry filling bubbles beneath creating a sweet and tangy layer. The lemon juice balances the sweetness and the cornstarch prevents the fruit from becoming too runny. The bars hold well and have a pleasant chew from the oats alongside the soft fruit layer.
These bars are versatile for serving as a casual dessert, snack, or even breakfast. They keep well at room temperature for about a week or longer if refrigerated or frozen, making them practical for make-ahead enjoyment.
Ingredients
Crust and Crumble Topping
- ½ cup butter melted, unsalted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
Strawberry Layer
- 2 cups strawberries fresh, coarsely chopped
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Crust and Crumble Topping:Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray; set aside. Lining the pan helps with cleanup and is recommended.
- In a large, microwave-safe bowl melt the butter, about 1 minute on high power.
- Add the flour, oats, sugars, optional salt, and stir to combine. Mixture will be dry and sandy with some larger, well-formed crumble pieces.
- Set 1 heaping cup mixture aside to be sprinkled on later as crumble topping.
- Transfer remaining mixture to prepared pan, and using a spatula or your fingers, hard-pack the mixture to create an even, smooth, flat crust; set aside.
Strawberry Layer:
- In a large mixing bowl (same one used for crust and crumble is okay), add all ingredients and toss to combine. If sugar hasn’t dissolved fully that’s okay because it liquifies while baking.
- Evenly distribute strawberry mixture over the crust.
- Evenly sprinkle with the reserved heaping 1 cup crumble topping mixture. Before sprinkling, I squeeze the mixture in my palm to encourage bigger crumble pieces to form.
- Bake for about 50 minutes, or until edges are set and center has just set. Crumble topping should appear set and very pale golden and the strawberry filling mixture will be bubbling along the edges. Bars may take longer than 50 to 55 minutes if the strawberries are very juicy. Watch your bars, not the clock, when evaluating doneness.
- Place pan on a wire rack and allow bars to cool for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. If you try to slice bars before they’ve cooled completely, they’ll be extremely messy and could fall apart.
Notes
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats rather than quick-cooking oats for the best texture.
- Store bars airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week or refrigerate for up to 10 days; they also freeze well for up to 6 months.
- Line the pan with foil for easier cleanup and removal of bars.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 9Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 308 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 308kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 42g | 14% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Cholesterol | 27mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 122mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 27g | 54% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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