Description

These Strawberry Oatmeal Bars offer the perfect balance of fruity sweetness and hearty oats, making them a delicious and wholesome treat. Made with fresh strawberries and old-fashioned rolled oats, this recipe is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a light dessert. With optional variations like gluten-free and vegan options, and a vanilla glaze for added sweetness, these bars are a versatile and irresistible treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Bars:

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)

¾ cup white whole wheat flour (or substitute with all-purpose or gluten-free flour)

⅓ cup light brown sugar

¼ teaspoon ground ginger

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (or substitute with melted coconut oil for vegan/dairy-free)

2 cups small-diced strawberries (about 10 ounces), divided

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about ½ small lemon)

1 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided

For the Vanilla Glaze (optional):

½ cup powdered sugar, sifted

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon milk (any kind you like)

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, ground ginger, and salt.
Add the melted butter (or coconut oil) and mix until well combined. The mixture should be crumbly.
Press about two-thirds of the oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base layer.
In a separate bowl, toss the diced strawberries with cornstarch, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Spread this strawberry mixture evenly over the oat base.
Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top of the strawberries, gently pressing it down.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the strawberries are bubbling.
Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the bars cool, prepare the optional vanilla glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
Once the bars have cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top. Slice into squares and serve.

Notes

To make the bars gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats and a gluten-free flour substitute.
For a dairy-free or vegan version, swap the butter with melted coconut oil and use plant-based milk for the glaze.
If you prefer a less sweet bar, reduce the sugar in the base or glaze, or skip the glaze entirely.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American