My kitchen smelled of warm oats and sweet jam as I tested these Strawberry Oatmeal Bars for the third time, tweaking the butter ratio until the edges turned perfectly golden. Each bite balances chewy oats with tangy strawberry jam, and after my family’s taste test, I knew this would be a staple. I loved pairing a slice with a dollop of Greek yogurt. If you’re craving more berry treats, check out my take on Strawberry Shortcake.
About Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars are a simple, crowd-pleasing dessert that combines pantry staples with bright berry flavor. I first whipped these up on a rainy afternoon, then refined the jam layer after two more trials to prevent sogginess. They’re a delightful grab-and-go treat for busy mornings or a cozy afternoon snack.
- Quick prep – ready in under 15 minutes of hands-on time
- Budget-friendly – uses basic pantry ingredients
- Family favorite – a hit with kids and adults alike
- Ingredient insight – oats add fiber and keep bars chewy
Key Ingredients & Their Roles
- Rolled oats (1½ cups): gives chewyness and structure – use old-fashioned for best bite.
- All-purpose flour (1 cup): balances texture – swap half with whole wheat for nuttiness.
- Brown sugar (½ cup, packed): adds caramel notes and moisture – light or dark both work.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, melted): binds and browns – you can substitute coconut oil if dairy-free.
- Strawberry jam (¾ cup): delivers sweet-tart flavor – seedless or smooth preserves are best.
How to Make Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 1½ cups rolled oats, 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup packed brown sugar, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Pour in ½ cup melted unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture clumps together and looks sandy.
- Press two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan; it should form an even layer.
- Spoon ¾ cup strawberry jam over the crust, spreading it gently to the edges without disturbing the base.
- Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the jam in an even layer.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the jam is bubbling at the edges.
- Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out and slicing into bars.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- On my first test, I pressed the base too firmly; aim for even compression, not rock-hard.
- If your top layer bakes too quickly, tent with foil after 15 minutes to prevent over-browning.
- Swap strawberry jam for raspberry or apricot to vary the flavor seasonally.
- To halve the recipe, use a 9×5-inch loaf pan and adjust bake time to 18–20 minutes.
Storage & Make-Ahead Guide
Store cooled bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze layers between parchment for up to 2 months. I found after my fourth-day storage test that the crust stays pleasantly chewy. Reheat at 300°F for 5–7 minutes or microwave a single bar for 15 seconds.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Strawberry Oatmeal Bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alongside a bowl of fresh berries. They also pair beautifully with a slice of Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies for a full berry-licious spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use fresh strawberries instead of jam? Yes, chop and cook 1 cup of strawberries with 2 tablespoons sugar for 5 minutes, then cool before spreading.
- How do I store Strawberry Oatmeal Bars? Keep in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months.
- Can I make these bars gluten free? Substitute the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free.
- Why did my bars turn out soggy? Ensure the jam layer isn’t too thick and bake until bubbling; you can bake 5 minutes longer if needed.
- Can I use different flavors of jam? Absolutely—raspberry, apricot, or blueberry jam all work beautifully.
Final Thoughts
These Strawberry Oatmeal Bars have become my go-to for quick dessert or snack time. The chewy oat layers and sweet jam make them irresistible, and I loved how simple they were to adapt during testing. Let me know if you try this recipe and which jam flavor you pick—happy baking!
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Strawberry Shortcake – showcases a classic strawberry dessert complementing berry flavors
- Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies – for those craving creamy strawberry flavors in cookie form
- Pecan Pie Bars – another delicious bar-style treat for bar lovers
- Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats – for oatmeal enthusiasts, a sweet breakfast twist
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
Oat Crust
- 1.5 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup brown sugar packed
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Jam Layer & Topping
- 0.75 cup strawberry jam
Instructions
Oat Crust
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 1½ cups rolled oats, 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup packed brown sugar, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
- Pour in ½ cup melted unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture clumps together and looks sandy.
- Press two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan; it should form an even layer.
Jam Layer & Topping
- Spoon ¾ cup strawberry jam over the crust, spreading it gently to the edges without disturbing the base.
- Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the jam in an even layer.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the jam is bubbling at the edges.
- Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out and slicing into bars.