Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars featuring a buttery oat crust topped with a sweet and tangy strawberry filling, perfect for a wholesome snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust & 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)
Filling
- 2 cups coarsely chopped fresh strawberries
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil and lightly spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Melt Butter: Place the unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl and melt it in the microwave for about 1 minute until fully melted.
- Prepare Crust and Topping Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated. Reserve one heaping cup of this mixture to use later as the crumble topping.
- Form Crust: Press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form a firm crust layer.
- Make Strawberry Filling: In a separate bowl, combine the coarsely chopped fresh strawberries with the additional granulated sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Mix until the strawberries are evenly coated and the filling is slightly thickened.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the strawberry filling evenly over the crust layer in the pan. Then crumble the reserved oat mixture over the strawberry layer, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 16 bars for serving.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and texture.
- The bars must be fully cooled before slicing to prevent the filling from leaking.
- You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend if needed.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- For a more tart flavor, adjust the lemon juice based on your preference.
