Strawberry Bliss Oatmeal Bars

$- 2 cups rolled oats - 1 cup whole wheat flour - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup coconut oil (or unsalted butter) - 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped - 1 tablespoon cornstarch - 1 tablespoon lemon juice To make strawberry oatmeal bars, gather these simple ingredients. Use rolled oats for a hearty base. Whole wheat flour adds a nutty flavor. Brown sugar gives a touch of sweetness. Baking soda helps the bars rise. Cinnamon and salt enhance the taste. Coconut oil or unsalted butter keeps the bars moist. Honey or maple syrup adds natural sweetness. Don't forget the vanilla extract for extra flavor. Fresh strawberries give a burst of color and taste. Cornstarch thickens the fruit filling. Lemon juice balances the sweetness and brightens the flavors. These ingredients work together to create a snack that is both tasty and healthy. You can find most of them in your pantry. If you want to switch things up, feel free to experiment with different fruits or sweeteners. {{ingredient_image_1}} - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). - Grease or line your 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. This helps with easy removal. - In a large bowl, combine: - 2 cups rolled oats - 1 cup whole wheat flour - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon salt - Mix these dry ingredients well. This gives your bars a great base. - In another bowl, whisk together: - 1/2 cup melted coconut oil (or unsalted butter) - 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Combine this wet mixture with the dry ingredients. Stir until just mixed. - In a small bowl, mix: - 2 cups chopped strawberries - 1 tablespoon cornstarch - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - Toss gently to coat the strawberries. This helps thicken the filling. - Press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the baking dish. - Evenly layer the strawberry mixture over the base. - Crumble the rest of the oat mixture on top. Spread it evenly. - Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Look for a golden brown top. - Let the bars cool in the dish for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This helps them hold their shape. To get the right texture for your bars, use rolled oats. They bind well and give a nice chew. Mix your dry ingredients well to avoid clumps. Press half the oat mixture firmly into the baking dish. This base layer holds everything together. After baking, let the bars cool for at least 15 minutes. Cooling helps them set. If you cut them too soon, they might crumble. To boost flavor, add spices like nutmeg or ginger. You could also try almond extract for a twist. Serve your bars warm with a drizzle of honey. A scoop of yogurt on the side adds creaminess. Fresh mint leaves on top give a nice pop of color too. If you want less sugar, use half the brown sugar. You could also swap honey for agave nectar. For a fruitier taste, mash some strawberries into the wet mix. This will give the bars a sweeter, berry flavor. Just remember that too much fruit can change the texture. Adjust the oats to balance it out. Pro Tips Use Ripe Strawberries: For the best flavor, make sure to use ripe, sweet strawberries. This will enhance the overall taste of the bars. Chill Before Serving: Let the bars chill in the fridge for a couple of hours after baking. This will help them set up better and make slicing easier. Experiment with Add-Ins: Feel free to add nuts, seeds, or chocolate chips to the oat mixture for extra texture and flavor. Store Properly: To keep the bars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer shelf life. {{image_2}} You can easily swap strawberries for other fruits. Blueberries and raspberries work well here. You can even use diced peaches or apples when they are in season. These swaps change the flavor and keep your snack fresh. Want a gluten-free option? Use almond flour or oat flour instead of whole wheat flour. You can also make these bars vegan. Replace honey with maple syrup and use coconut oil instead of butter. These changes keep it healthy and tasty. To add crunch, mix in nuts like walnuts or almonds. Seeds, such as chia or flaxseed, also boost nutrition. For extra protein, fold in a scoop of your favorite protein powder. You can add more oats for a heartier bar. These additions make your snack even better. To keep your strawberry oatmeal bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps prevent them from drying out. If you plan to eat them soon, you can leave them at room temperature for a day. For longer storage, refrigerate them. They stay fresh for about a week in the fridge. If you want to store them even longer, freezing is a great option. Wrap each bar in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. This way, they can last up to three months without losing flavor. When stored properly, your bars can last about one week in the fridge. In the freezer, they can stay good for up to three months. You’ll know they’ve gone bad if they start to smell sour or look discolored. If you see any mold, throw them away. Always trust your senses. Fresh is best! To enjoy your bars warm, you can reheat them in the oven or the microwave. For the oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C) and place the bars on a baking sheet. Heat for about 10 minutes. In the microwave, heat one bar for 15-20 seconds. This makes them warm and soft again. Serve them with a drizzle of honey for added sweetness. Enjoy your delicious snack! Yes, you can make these bars ahead of time. I often prepare them a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and tasty for up to three days. If you don't have coconut oil, use unsalted butter. You can also try vegetable oil or even olive oil. These fats work well and keep the bars moist. Look for a golden brown top and bubbling strawberries. The edges should feel firm to the touch. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. Yes, frozen strawberries can work. Just let them thaw and drain excess water. You may need to add a bit more cornstarch to thicken the mixture. This prevents the bars from being too wet. To cut the bars cleanly, let them cool for at least 15 minutes. Use a sharp knife to slice them. You can also score the surface lightly before cutting to guide your knife. These strawberry oatmeal bars are easy to make and taste great. We covered all the steps, from mixing ingredients to baking. You can customize these bars with various fruits and flavors. Storing them correctly ensures they stay fresh. Enjoy these delicious bars as a snack or dessert. With simple swaps, you can make them fit your diet. Try making them today and enjoy a tasty treat!$

Strawberry Bliss Oatmeal Bars

Delicious and healthy oatmeal bars filled with fresh strawberries, perfect for a snack or breakfast.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
0.5 teaspoon baking soda
0.5 teaspoon cinnamon
0.25 teaspoon salt
0.5 cup coconut oil, melted (or unsalted butter)
0.25 cup honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening the strawberries)
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8x8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.
In a separate bowl, whisk together melted coconut oil, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract until smooth.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
In a small bowl, combine chopped strawberries, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat the strawberries.
Press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base layer. Evenly distribute the strawberry mixture over the base.
Crumble the remaining oat mixture on top of the strawberries, spreading it evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the strawberries are bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let it cool in the baking dish for at least 15 minutes before slicing into bars.

Notes

Serve the bars slightly warm with a drizzle of honey on top, and garnish with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color.

Keyword healthy snack, oatmeal bars, strawberry