Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars (Print View)
Buttery oat crumble bars layered with sweet, juicy strawberries for breakfast or dessert.
# Ingredient List:
→ Crust & Crumble
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
03 - 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
06 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
→ Strawberry Filling
07 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
08 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
09 - 2 teaspoons cornstarch
10 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs and everything is evenly moistened.
03 - Reserve about 3/4 cup of the crumble mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create a solid crust layer.
04 - In a separate bowl, combine the chopped strawberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Mix gently until the strawberries are evenly coated with the sugar mixture.
05 - Spread the strawberry mixture evenly over the prepared crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture over the strawberries in an even layer.
06 - Bake for 35 to 38 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the strawberry filling is bubbling around the edges.
07 - Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan, then cut into 16 squares.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The buttery oat crust gets incredibly golden and crisp while staying tender underneath
- Fresh strawberries bubble up into this jammy layer that tastes like summer captured in every bite
- They work equally well for a lazy weekend breakfast or an impromptu dessert when friends drop by
02 -
- Pressing the crust firmly is the difference between bars that hold together and ones that crumble into a sad mess
- Waiting for complete cooling feels impossible but slicing warm bars will give you edges that are not clean and centers that fall apart
03 -
- Chop your strawberries into similar sized pieces so they cook evenly and you do not end up with some mushy spots and some firm ones
- Line your pan with parchment paper going both directions for absolutely foolproof removal