Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars (Printable)
Sweet strawberry filling between buttery oat crust and crisp crumble, sliced into portable dessert bars.
# What You’ll 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
# Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the surface.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, blend rolled oats, all-purpose flour, packed light brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pour in melted butter and mix until the mixture forms moist, crumbly clumps.
03 - Reserve 1 cup of the crumble mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly and evenly into the base of the prepared pan to form a compact crust.
04 - In a separate bowl, gently toss diced fresh strawberries with lemon juice, cornstarch, and granulated sugar, ensuring the fruit is evenly coated.
05 - Distribute the strawberry filling evenly over the crust layer.
06 - Crumble the reserved oat mixture evenly over the strawberry layer, allowing some strawberries to peek through.
07 - Bake for 35 to 38 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the strawberry filling is bubbling around the edges.
08 - Allow the pan to cool completely. Lift out using the parchment paper and slice into bars before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Even on busy days, these bars come together quickly—a secret I love to share with friends who want homemade treats without hassle.
- The contrast of tart, jammy strawberries and buttery oat crumble made this my go-to dessert after one accidental late night in the kitchen.
02 -
- Letting the bars cool fully is non-negotiable or you'll end up with a gooey (delicious but messy) heap.
- Reserving enough crumble for the top was a revelation—early attempts left me with sad, bare berries in places.
03 -
- Brown the butter before mixing if you want extra depth and a nutty aroma in the crumble.
- Layer a bit of sugar under especially tart berries—you’ll get just the right balance.