Meet your new favorite spring and summer treat: Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars. These chewy-crispy squares are bursting with fresh strawberries, layered between a buttery crust and a golden, crumbly oat topping — they’ll fill your kitchen with sweet nostalgia and disappear faster than you can imagine!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh Strawberry Flavor: The juicy baked strawberries create a sweet, jammy center that tastes like pure summer in every bite.
- One Bowl, No Fuss: Both the crust and crumble come together in a single bowl for maximum deliciousness and minimal cleanup.
- Soft and Crunchy Texture: You get a soft cookie-like base, gooey fruit layer, and golden crunchy topping — the trifecta of dessert happiness.
- Perfect for Make-Ahead: These bars keep beautifully, so you can enjoy them all week long or stash extra in the freezer for later cravings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of familiar ingredients for Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars, and each one truly shines. Every element — from the sweet strawberries to the buttery crumble — adds a layer of tempting flavor and texture you’ll adore.
- Unsalted Butter (melted): Gives both the base and topping that irresistibly rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- All-purpose Flour: Creates structure and stability for the bars, so they slice cleanly and hold their shape.
- Old-fashioned Oats: Bring hearty, chewy texture and a hint of rustic charm. (Don’t use quick or instant oats — they make things too dry!)
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens both the crust and the strawberry layer, balancing tartness and enhancing fruit flavor.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds caramel notes and moisture, making the crumble golden brown and a touch chewy.
- Salt: Just a pinch makes all the other flavors pop and keeps things from becoming overly sweet.
- Fresh Strawberries (coarsely chopped): The star! These get gooey, juicy, and perfectly sweet-tart as they bake.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens the berry layer and ties everything together with a subtle zing.
- Cornstarch: Thickens up the strawberry layer so you get neat, jammy squares instead of a runny mess.
Variations
Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars are wonderfully versatile, so don’t be afraid to tweak them based on what’s in your kitchen or your mood. Make it your own — a little creativity goes a long way in these crowd-pleasing bars!
- Mixed Berry Blend: Use a combination of raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries for a fruitier twist (just keep the total fruit amount the same).
- Gluten-Free Version: Swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats for a treat everyone can enjoy.
- Extra Lemon Punch: Stir a bit of lemon zest into the strawberry layer or crumble for a zingier, brighter flavor.
- Nuttier Crunch: Add a handful of chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds to the crumble before topping for extra texture.
How to Make Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Melt the Butter
Start by lining an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil and giving it a light mist of cooking spray — this makes clean-up (and lifting the bars out later) a total breeze. Melt your unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl; you’ll use this same bowl to keep things extra simple!
Step 2: Mix the Crust and Crumble
Add the flour, old-fashioned oats, both sugars, and a pinch of salt to your warm melted butter. Stir everything together until you get a crumbly, sandy mixture with some larger clusters — these clusters will become those glorious, crunchy crumbly bits on top.
Step 3: Form the Crust
Scoop out a generous heaping cup of the crumb mixture and set it aside for topping later. Press the rest firmly and evenly into the prepared pan. Use your fingers or a spatula to really pack it down — this ensures you get a sturdy, cookie-like base that holds up under the strawberry layer.
Step 4: Make the Strawberry Layer
In the same bowl (no need to wash!), gently toss together your coarsely chopped strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Don’t worry if the sugar hasn’t dissolved; it’ll all meld together as the bars bake and become beautifully jammy.
Step 5: Assemble and Top
Spread your strawberry mixture evenly over the crust, right up to the edges. Take your reserved crumble and squeeze some of it in your palm to create chunky, bakery-style bits, then sprinkle all over the top. This is what transforms your bars into a true oatmeal “crumble”!
Step 6: Bake Until Bubbling
Pop the pan into your preheated 350°F oven and bake for about 50 minutes, until the topping is just pale golden and the strawberry filling is bubbling beautifully around the edges. If your strawberries are extra juicy, you may need a few extra minutes — just keep an eye out!
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Place the pan on a wire rack and (I know, it’s tough!) let the bars cool for at least 1 hour before slicing. If you dive in too soon, they’ll be messy. With a little patience, you’ll get perfect, tidy, bakery-worthy squares.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
- Go for Old-Fashioned Oats: Avoid using quick or instant oats—they act more like flour and can make your crumble too dry and sandy.
- Bigger Strawberry Chunks, More Texture: Chop your strawberries coarsely rather than finely; they hold their shape better and give you distinct pockets of real fruit in every bar.
- Patience is Key: Letting the bars cool completely before slicing ensures neat squares that hold together beautifully (and saves you from a gooey mess!).
- Squeeze That Crumble: When sprinkling on the topping, squeeze the mixture in your hand to form clusters – these bake up into the most delightful crumbly bites.
How to Serve Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar right before serving adds a dreamy look and an extra touch of sweetness. For special occasions, top each slice with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a few extra fresh strawberry slices. The color and contrast make these bars even more alluring!
Side Dishes
Enjoy your Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars alongside a tall glass of cold milk or a mug of hot tea for a cozy treat. For brunch, serve them on a plate with Greek yogurt and a few fresh berries for a sweet-and-tangy combo that feels extra special.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the bars into smaller bites and stacking them on a tiered dessert tray for parties. Or, wrap individual squares in parchment and tie with twine for a charming homemade gift — these Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars are a lovely addition to any picnic basket or lunchbox!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or in the fridge for up to ten days. They stay delicious, chewy, and perfectly crumbly — no sogginess in sight!
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully! Once cooled, wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to six months. They thaw quickly at room temperature (or pop them straight from the freezer into a lunchbox for an afternoon surprise).
Reheating
If you prefer them warm, microwave a bar for just 10–20 seconds for a gooey, just-baked treat. Or, reheat in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes to restore that fresh-from-the-oven crispness on top.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen strawberries for Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars?
Absolutely! Just thaw the strawberries and drain off any excess juice before chopping and mixing. If they seem extra wet, increase the cornstarch by about 1/2 teaspoon to help thicken the filling.
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What’s the best way to get big, bakery-style crumble topping?
Squeeze the reserved crumble mixture in your hand as you sprinkle it over the strawberry layer — this helps form big, chunky clusters that bake up crispy and gorgeous!
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Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Definitely. Double everything and bake in a 9×13-inch pan; the bars may need an extra 5-10 minutes in the oven, so keep an eye on them and look for set edges and bubbling fruit.
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Do Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars have to be refrigerated?
Nope! They’ll keep perfectly at room temperature for about a week, but if it’s especially warm, you can store them in the fridge so the fruit layer stays extra fresh.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for a dose of homemade, strawberry-filled happiness, these Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars are the perfect answer. They’re easy, totally comforting, and sure to earn rave reviews from everyone lucky enough to try them — so don’t wait, whip up a batch and let the smiles begin!
Print
Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 9 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars are the perfect blend of buttery oatmeal crust, sweet strawberry filling, and crumbly topping. A delightful treat for any occasion!
Ingredients
Crust and Crumble Topping
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Strawberry Layer
- 2 cups coarsely chopped fresh strawberries
- 1/3 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. In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Add flour, oats, sugars, and salt; stir to combine. Set aside 1 cup for topping. Press remaining mixture into the pan to create a crust.
- Strawberry Layer: In a bowl, combine all strawberry layer ingredients. Spread over crust. Sprinkle reserved crumble topping. Bake for about 50 minutes. Cool before slicing.
Notes
- Use old-fashioned oats, not quick cook or instant.
- Store bars airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the fridge for up to 10 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Recipe adapted from Blueberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
