Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars (Print Version)

Buttery oat crust topped with sweet strawberries and a golden crumble — cut into easy, handheld bars.

# What You Need:

→ Crust and Crumble

01 - 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
02 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
03 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
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

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add melted butter and mix until the mixture is crumbly.
03 - Reserve 1 cup of the crumble mixture for topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan to create the crust base.
04 - In a separate bowl, combine diced strawberries, lemon juice, cornstarch, and granulated sugar. Stir gently until the strawberries are evenly coated.
05 - Evenly spread the strawberry filling over the crust.
06 - Crumble the reserved oat mixture evenly over the strawberry layer.
07 - Bake for 35 to 38 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
08 - Allow to cool completely in the pan. Lift out using parchment paper and cut into bars.

# Handy Tips:

01 -
  • You get that perfect chew from the oat crumble without fussing over fancy techniques.
  • It&aposs the dessert that disappears quickly whenever I bring it to picnics or share with coworkers.
02 -
  • If you rush the cooling, you'll end up with strawberry lava instead of neat bars; patience really pays off.
  • Swapping in frozen berries works in a pinch, but let them thaw and drain off excess juices first for best results.
03 -
  • Chill the bars before cutting if your kitchen is warm—they'll hold their shape better.
  • A tiny pinch of cinnamon in the crumble goes a long way for warmth.