Name: Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 3 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups whole strawberries (washed, hulled and diced); ⅔ cup granulated sugar; Juice from half of a lemon (about 1 ½ tablespoons); 1/3 cup corn starch; 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats; 2 cups all-purpose flour; ⅔ cup granulated sugar; 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon; 14 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature); ½ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

If you’re searching for a cozy, sweet treat that feels like a warm hug, you’re going to love my Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe. These bars balance a hearty oat crust with bright, fresh strawberries baked into irresistible jammy goodness—perfect for breakfast, snack time, or dessert. I love how simple the ingredients are, and you don’t need any fancy equipment to whip these up. Stick with me, and I’ll share all my best tips so your bars come out soft, flavorful, and perfectly textured every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple, wholesome ingredients: No weird additives here, just oats, real strawberries, and classic baking pantry staples.
Versatile and crowd-pleasing: Great for breakfast, dessert, or anytime snack that kids and adults adore.
Balanced texture and flavor: The cinnamon oat crust perfectly complements the tart sweetness of the strawberry filling.
Easy to make ahead and store: Keeps well in the fridge and even freezes beautifully.

Two square layers of crumbly oatmeal strawberry bars are placed on a white round plate; the bottom layer is a light golden crust, the middle layer is a bright red strawberry filling, and the top layer is a rough oatmeal crumble with a beige color. Next to the bars are two fresh strawberries, one whole and one sliced in half, showing the red and juicy inside with light green leaves. Behind the plate, there is a white bowl filled with red strawberries with green tops, along with a clear glass filled with milk, all on a white marbled surface. A soft pink cloth is partly visible in the lower left corner of the image photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Strawberry Oatmeal Bars, strawberry oatmeal bars recipe, healthy strawberry bars, easy fruit bars, breakfast dessert bars

Ingredients You’ll Need

This combination is a winner because the oats give you that hearty softness while the strawberries add that zing of freshness. When you pick your strawberries, look for ones that are bright red and firm—not mushy—to keep the filling just right.

Flat lay of fresh whole strawberries diced in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl with granulated sugar, half a lemon cut in half showing juicy pulp next to a small white bowl of lemon juice, a small white bowl with corn starch powder, a neat pile of old fashioned rolled oats, a mound of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl containing cinnamon powder, several slices of unsalted butter at room temperature arranged neatly on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl with pure vanilla extract, and a small white bowl with salt crystals, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Strawberry Oatmeal Bars, strawberry oatmeal bars recipe, healthy strawberry bars, easy fruit bars, breakfast dessert bars

Whole strawberries: Fresh is best here for a tasty juicy filling; frozen can work in a pinch but may add extra moisture.
Granulated sugar: You’ll use this both in the filling and in the crust to get just the right sweetness.
Lemon juice: Adds a lovely brightness and balances the sweetness perfectly.
Corn starch: This is your secret weapon to thicken the strawberry filling and stop it from being too runny.
Old fashioned rolled oats: They bring heartiness and chew that you won’t get with quick oats.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure to the crust.
Cinnamon: I love the warm depth this adds—it’s subtle but makes a huge difference.
Unsalted butter: Use room temperature butter so it blends smoothly into your crust and bars.
Salt: Just a pinch balances the flavors and enhances sweetness.
Pure vanilla extract: A splash gives the crust a lovely aroma and richness.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love customizing this Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe depending on the season or who I’m baking for. Feel free to swap out ingredients or add your favorite twist—that’s the fun part of baking!

Use mixed berries: When I ran out of strawberries once, I mixed blueberries and raspberries, and my family actually loved the different fruity combos.
Make it gluten-free: Replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free blend and make sure oats are certified gluten-free—works like a charm!
Boost the texture: Toss in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
Less sweet version: Cut down the sugar for a more tart, natural fruit flavor—especially delicious if you have extra-ripe strawberries.

How to Make Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C)—this makes sure it’s ready right when your assembly is done. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray so the bars come out cleanly without sticking, which can be a real pain otherwise. If you want, you can line the pan with parchment paper on the bottom and sides for even easier removal.

Step 2: Make the Strawberry Filling

Wash, hull, and dice your strawberries into small pieces. Toss them in a bowl with granulated sugar, lemon juice, and corn starch. Stir gently until everything’s coated evenly. This mixture is going to bubble up and thicken beautifully in the oven, so make sure the corn starch is fully mixed in—no lumps! I discovered this trick after my first time with a runny mess.

Step 3: Prepare the Oatmeal Crust

In a separate large bowl, combine your oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut the room temperature butter into cubes and add it to the bowl along with vanilla extract. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, blend everything until the mixture becomes crumbly but holds together when squeezed. If your butter is too cold, the crust won’t come together nicely, so be patient or give it a few seconds in the microwave.

Step 4: Assemble the Bars

Reserve about a cup of the oat mixture for the topping. Press the remaining oat mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create the base. Then pour your strawberry filling over it and spread it out gently. Finally, sprinkle the reserved oat mixture on top, covering the fruit as best you can—it bakes into a crisp, golden topping.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake for about 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the strawberry filling is bubbling nicely around the edges. I always keep an eye in the last 10 minutes because ovens can vary, and you want that beautiful caramelization without burning. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting—that’s key to letting the filling set so your bars hold shape.

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Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Ripe Strawberries Matter: For the brightest flavor, use strawberries that are fully ripe but still firm to keep the filling from getting too watery.
Butter Temperature: Room temperature butter blends best; too cold and your crust won’t crumble properly, too warm and it becomes greasy.
Don’t Skip the Cooling Time: Let the bars cool fully before slicing for cleaner edges and better texture.
Use a Sharp Knife: I learned to cut bars with a sharp serrated knife using gentle sawing motions to prevent squishing the soft filling.

How to Serve Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

The image shows a stack of three layered strawberry crumble bars on a small white plate. Each bar has three layers: the bottom layer is a light beige crumbly crust, the middle layer is a bright red strawberry filling that looks soft and slightly juicy, and the top layer is a crumbly oat topping with a rough texture and light brown color. In the background, there are more bars on another white plate, a glass of milk, some fresh strawberries, and a pink cloth on a white marbled surface. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Strawberry Oatmeal Bars, strawberry oatmeal bars recipe, healthy strawberry bars, easy fruit bars, breakfast dessert bars

Garnishes

I love serving these bars with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate for extra decadence. Fresh mint leaves or a dollop of whipped cream make them feel extra special when sharing with friends.

Side Dishes

Pair these strawberry oatmeal bars with a cup of your favorite tea or a cold glass of milk for a nostalgic treat. For brunch, serve alongside creamy yogurt and fresh fruit for a balanced spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party or picnic, I like to cut these into bite-sized squares and arrange them on a pretty platter with fresh berries scattered around. You can also wrap individual bars in parchment paper tied with twine for gifting—they’re always a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh and tasty for up to 4 days, which makes them perfect for weekday breakfasts or snacks. Just bring them back to room temperature before eating for the best flavor.

Freezing

These bars freeze like a dream. After they’ve fully cooled, I wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They last up to 3 months and thaw quickly on the counter or in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

If I want to warm a bar back up, I pop it in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds or heat it in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5-7 minutes. This brings out the strawberry filling’s aroma without drying out the crust.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries for this Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe?

Yes, you can! Just make sure to thaw and drain the strawberries well first to reduce excess moisture, which can make the bars soggy. You might need to add a bit more cornstarch to help thicken the filling.
How do I make these bars gluten-free?

Simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend and ensure the oats are certified gluten-free. The texture will be just as delicious with this tweak.
Can I substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative?

Absolutely! Vegan butter or coconut oil both work well, though keep in mind coconut oil may add a slight flavor difference. Just make sure your substitute is solid at room temperature for the best crust texture.
How long do Strawberry Oatmeal Bars last?

Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they last about 4 days. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet, and they will keep for up to 3 months.
Can I make these bars ahead of time for a party?

Definitely! These bars actually taste great a day or two later once the flavors have had time to develop. Just cut and store them in an airtight container, or wrap individually if you’re handing them out as favors.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe has become one of my go-to baking projects when I want something that feels both comforting and fresh. I’ve made these for lazy weekend breakfasts, last-minute gatherings, and just because. I hope you try this recipe soon—you’ll find it’s not only approachable but genuinely delicious, and maybe a little addictive, too. From my kitchen to yours, happy baking and enjoy every bite!