Delicious Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

As the grocery stores start to fill their shelves with fresh berries, it signifies the arrival of a delightful season. Though peak strawberry season might still be a little ways off in Ohio, there’s no reason to wait when you can bring these flavors to life in your kitchen now.

From strawberry banana muffins to strawberry popsicles, my love for strawberries leads me to create recipes that showcase this lovely fruit. These strawberry oatmeal bars are no exception, offering a delicious treat that can easily be enjoyed any time of the day—not just for dessert.

Simple Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

These easy-to-make strawberry oatmeal bars feature an oat-packed base and a sweet strawberry filling that highlights the berry’s natural flavor.

Perfect for sunny spring or summer days, they’re not just a dessert. With wholesome oats and strawberries, they can make a delightful breakfast treat, too. Their crowd-pleasing nature also makes them an ideal choice for gatherings and cookouts!

How to Make Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

Making these strawberry oatmeal bars is a straightforward process that will have you baking them regularly!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Fresh Strawberry Filling:

• 4 cups of fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• Juice from half a lemon
• ⅓ cup corn starch

Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor. If you don’t have lemon juice on hand, approximately 1½ tablespoons of bottled juice works in a pinch.

For the Oat Crust and Topping:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
• 14 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For optimal texture, use rolled oats instead of quick-cooking ones, and avoid instant oatmeal. Make sure your butter is softened for even mixing.

Making the Recipe

To start, prepare your strawberry filling by combining the diced strawberries with the sugar, allowing the mixture to sit for about 10 minutes. Afterward, mix in the lemon juice and corn starch.

Then, combine the crust ingredients, mixing them on low speed until they resemble coarse meal. Press about two-thirds of this mixture firmly into a greased 13×9-inch pan as the crust. Spread the strawberry filling over the crust, allowing every bit of juicy goodness to join in.

Finally, squeeze the remaining crust mixture into clumps and sprinkle it atop the strawberry filling. Bake the bars for approximately 35-40 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Allow them to cool completely before cutting for easy serving.

Oatmeal Bar Variations

While strawberries are delightful, feel free to swap in your favorite berries for a seasonal twist! Blueberries can be used whole, while raspberries, blackberries, and cherries should be cut to size.

You might even enjoy a mixed-berry version to make this recipe versatile!

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