Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
These Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars have a crispy, buttery crust topped with fresh strawberries and crumble topping. These bars are super easy to make – one bowl, simple ingredients, whole grain and a deliciously healthy option for breakfast, dessert or a snack.
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
As summer time approaches, I am always looking for healthy breakfast and snack ideas for my growing boys. I like having healthy recipes that I can make from scratch for them. I’m able to control the ingredients used and switch things in and out based on what ingredients I have on hand.
These easy strawberry oatmeal bars are versatile, they can be made ahead of time and used as a quick option for breakfast on the go, or even as a snack.
If we’re going to be taking them out of the house, I’ll put the individual bars in snack size Ziploc bags, so they are pre-portioned into just the right size. They are the ideal healthy snack to take hiking, camping, or to sporting events!
I make this oatmeal bars recipe using whatever fruit I have on hand, and what’s in season. I’ve made some suggestions on their fruits and flavors you can add to these bars later in the post.
Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Ingredients
- OATS: old fashioned rolled oats work best here as they have the right amount of crunch and texture.
- FLOUR: I used regular all purpose flour.
- SUGAR: I used light brown sugar in the oat biscuit base and granulated sugar to sweeten the strawberries.
- SEASONING: ground ginger was added to the base for flavor, along with a little salt to balance the sweetness.
- BUTTER: I prefer to use melted unsalted butter, and add the salt separately to the base. If using salted butter cut back on the added salt.
- CORNSTARCH: a teaspoon of cornstarch is added to thicken the strawberries.
- LEMON: fresh squeezed lemon juice adds acidity. I used a tablespoon which is roughly 1/2 small lemon.
- STRAWBERRIES: I used fresh strawberries and diced them small.
How to make Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
- Place a rack in the center of your oven and pre-heat to 375 degrees F.
- Line an 8×8” baking pan with parchment paper so the paper overhangs the two sides.
- In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, ginger and salt.
- Pour in the melted butter and stir until it forms clumps and the dry ingredients are evenly moistened.
- Set aside ½ cup of the crumble mixture, then press the rest into an even layer in the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Scatter half of the strawberries over the crust, and then sprinkle on the cornstarch, lemon juice, and ½ tablespoon sugar evenly over the top.
- Scatter the remaining berries, then the remaining ½ tablespoon sugar.
- Sprinkle the reserved ½ cup crumb mixture evenly on top. Berries will be peaking through the topping.
- Bake the bars for 35-40 minutes, until the fruit is bubbly and topping is golden.
- Set the pan onto a wire rack and set aside to cool completely.
- Once cooled, pull bars out of the pan using the parchment paper – slice and serve.
Flavor variations
This easy strawberry oatmeal bars recipe is very versatile, here are some ideas how you can make the recipe your own:
- Replace the strawberries with 2 cups of blueberries, mixed berries, cherries, apples, peaches, apricots or any other fruit you desire.
- I added ground ginger to the base, but you could use ground cinnamon or nutmeg, or try an apple pie spice blend (which would work a treat with diced apples or plums).
- Replace the granulated sugar in the recipe with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
- Add some chopped nuts to the base, try walnut, pecan or almond.
- Stir some dark chocolate chips through the base mixture.
- The recipe can be easily made gluten-free by simply using gluten free flour and gluten free rolled oats.
Recipe hints & tips
- As always, it’s a really good idea to gather all of your ingredients before you begin. Measuring them out can also be a huge help.
- While it does create a few extra dishes to wash, I have small containers I use, and then it only takes a couple of minutes to wash them, dry them, and put them away while my dish is baking.
- This recipe is easily doubled, use either 2 small pans or a larger pan.
- DO NOT eat these bars straight from the oven. Aside from likely burning your mouth, you need the mixture to cool so that strawberries will set.
FAQs
Store in an airtight container, on the counter top for up to 5 days. If stored in the refrigerator the bars will keep for a further 2-3 days.
Yes, once baked allow the bar to cool completely. Then place into an airtight container, placing a piece of parchment paper between each layer to stop them sticking together. Store the container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
I don’t recommend using frozen strawberries as frozen fruit deteriorates when thawed. However, if you want to use frozen berries then I suggest defrosting them first and draining off a much liquid as you can before topping the oatmeal base.
Don’t miss these additional delicious Strawberry Recipes here at When Is Dinner:
- Strawberry Bread
- Christmas Tree Strawberry Bites
- Strawberry Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
- Strawberry Muffins
- Strawberry Cheesecake Brownie Cups
- Strawberry White Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
These Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars have a crispy, buttery crust topped with fresh strawberries and crumble topping. These bars are super easy to make – one bowl, simple ingredients, whole grain and a deliciously healthy option for breakfast, dessert or a snack.
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ¾ cup flour
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice from about ½ small lemon
- 1 tablespoon sugar divided
- 2 cups small-diced strawberries
Instructions
- Place a rack in the center of your oven and pre-heat to 375 degrees F.
- Line an 8x8” baking pan with parchment paper so the paper overhangs the two sides.
- In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, ginger and salt.
- Pour in the melted butter and stir until it forms clumps and the dry ingredients are evenly moistened.
- Set aside ½ cup of the crumble mixture, then press the rest into an even layer in the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Scatter half of the strawberries over the crust, and then sprinkle on the cornstarch, lemon juice, and ½ tablespoon sugar evenly over the top.
- Scatter the remaining berries, then the remaining ½ tablespoon sugar.
- Sprinkle the reserved ½ cup crumb mixture evenly on top. Berries will be peaking through the topping.
- Bake the bars for 35-40 minutes, until the fruit is bubbly and topping is golden.
- Set the pan onto a wire rack and set aside to cool completely.
- Once cooled, pull bars out of the pan using the parchment paper - slice and serve.
Notes
- This recipe is easily doubled, use either 2 small pans or a larger pan.
- DO NOT eat these bars straight from the oven. Aside from likely burning your mouth, you need the mixture to cool so that strawberries will set.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 140Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 48mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 2gSugar: 8gProtein: 2g
Please note that nutritional information is approximate and provided for guidance only.
These are a few items I find helpful in my own kitchen when preparing this Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe:
OXO Good Grips 3-piece Mixing Bowl Set, White Bowls with Blue/Green/Brown Handles
Wilton Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick 8-Inch Square Cake Pans, Set of 2Reynolds Kitchens Non-Stick Parchment Paper – 60 Square FeetZiploc Snack Bags, 280 ctDIY Protein Bars Cookbook [3rd Edition]: Easy, Healthy, Homemade No-Bake Treats That Are Packed With Protein!DIY Protein bars: The Best Homemade Protein Bars RecipesThe Gastric Sleeve Bariatric Cookbook: Easy Meal Plans and Recipes to Eat Well & Keep the Weight Off
![DIY Protein Bars Cookbook [3rd Edition]: Easy, Healthy, Homemade No-Bake Treats That Are Packed With Protein!](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51gHDD7BP3L.jpg)
Not only do your healthy strawberry oatmeal bars look delicious, they are such a great way to avoid all the chemicals and additives in processed bars and save money while I’m getting healthy! Thanks for posting!
These bars look really delicious as well as healthy. I would love to try to make these for the summer as a healthy snack.
Thanks for the great recipe. I’m always looking for new things to make just to keep it interesting. This looks like a real winner.
Those look great! Yum! I love strawberries and raspberries in my recipes.
Now is the perfect time to make these because berries are in season! I love how simple and healthy this recipe is, and how easy it is to veganize (just use vegan butter!).
I really like your advice to measure out the ingredients ahead of time. I have been doing this; it eliminates thoughts like: “Did I put in the salt?” These bars look delicious. Thanks for the recipe!
They look tasty and very healthy. Want to try making some time
They look delicious and I’ll bet they would be good using blueberries, too.
I actually pinned this to my recipe pinterest board. I might try these with coconut flour.
Wow these look gorgeous and tasty. They look much more appealing than what I buy
now as a Cereal Bar. I like how the oats look toasted and you have a lot of filling. Nice size the store bought ones are too tiny for me. I could 2 or 3 of those easily.
These look so delicious! A must try for me!
These bars look so yummy I wish I had some strawberries so I could some . Thanks for sharing!
These look delicious! I’ll have to try this recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Truly– this recipe looks wonderful! I love how it incorporates a bit of ginger. LOVE this!
And re: my favorite fruit to use in a recipe– It varies/depends. I like to use what’s in season, plus the recipes/ingredients that we tend to want generally change with the seasons! The last fruit that I used in a recipe was mango: I made some amazing– and very healthy!– oat muffins (some with added pecans).
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! We grow strawberries every year and I’m always looking for something healthy and tasty to prepare with them!
wish I had some of those right now! I pinned the recipe to my board https://www.pinterest.com/pin/468092955002946430/
I have never had these. They sound awesome. Thank you for the recipe!
These look so good – much better than anything store bought!
These sound easy to make, I would love to try to make them.
These look tastier than any bar at the grocery store!
LOVE strawberries! These bars sound really good! Wonder if you could substitute blackberries!? Those are my favorite
There’s a U-pick strawberry patch just down the road from me, so I’ve been on the lookout for good recipes. I like that these have ginger. I don’t think I’d call them “healthy” with tbsp. of butter, but they look delish!
Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe! I can’t wait to fix them; they look and sound so good!!
These are so pretty. They are a nice healthy treat.
These look yummy and healthy, too, with lots of fiber! Thanks for sharing!
CINDY B
We love strawberries and oatmeal , a nice treat.
I am going to pin this. My son is old enough that he enjoys making his own granola bars and I think he would really love these bars.
These look so delicious and are so colorful!!
Judy Cox
These bars look extremely delicious. I would love to try them right now.
This does look soo good. I’d like to try it with strawberries. I’d also like blueberries or rhubarb!
These look delicious and healthy. Would be good with blueberries too. Thanks.
Looking good love to try this
these look so good I’m going to make these
I love strawberry and oatmeal. These look scrumptious.