There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm, gooey fruit crumble bar. This recipe captures that magic perfectly, with a jammy strawberry filling sandwiched between a sweet, buttery oat crust and crumble topping.
Table of Contents
This Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars recipe is incredibly easy to make and tastes so much better than the store-bought versions.
It’s the perfect wholesome treat for a snack, a simple dessert, or even a quick grab-and-go breakfast.
A Little Story About This Dish
I’ve always been a fan of fruit and oat bars, especially the popular Nature’s Bakery strawberry oatmeal crumble bars. I wanted to create a homemade version that was just as delicious but made with simple, gluten-free ingredients right from my own kitchen.
My goal was a recipe that was foolproof, with a perfectly chewy crust and a bright, fresh fruit flavor.
This Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars recipe is a wonderful result. It’s so simple and satisfying that it has become our family’s favorite way to enjoy a sweet, oaty treat.
Get Ready to Cook!
Get ready to create the most delicious and easy Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars recipe you’ve ever tried. Let’s go over a few key tips before you begin.
What to Expect
Time: About 45 minutes from start to finish.
Difficulty: Extremely easy! A one-bowl recipe that’s perfect for bakers of all levels.
Before You Begin
The number one rule for success is to let the bars cool completely before you even think about slicing them. They will be very soft and gooey when they first come out of the oven. They need time to set up into perfect, clean squares.
For the best texture, use a quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that contains a binder like xanthan gum. This recipe was tested with both King Arthur Measure for Measure and Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1.
And if you are baking for someone with Celiac disease, be absolutely sure to use certified gluten-free rolled oats, as regular oats often have cross-contamination with wheat.
The Heart of the Dish: Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are the simple ingredients for this delicious Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars recipe.
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Gluten-Free Rolled Oats | 1 ½ cups |
| Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Blend | ¾ cup |
| Brown Sugar or Coconut Sugar | ¾ cup |
| Baking Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | ¼ teaspoon |
| Unsalted Butter, melted | ½ cup |
| Fresh Strawberries, hulled and sliced | 2 cups |
| Sliced Almonds (Optional) | ½ cup |
Let’s Get Cooking! Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these easy steps to bake the perfect Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars recipe.
1. Prep Your Oven and Pan:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Make sure the oven rack is in the middle position. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking pan with oil or baking spray.
2. Mix the Crumble:
In a large bowl, add the gluten-free rolled oats, gluten-free flour blend, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they are well combined.
3. Add the Butter:
Pour the melted butter into the dry ingredients. Use a spatula or your hands to mix everything together until it forms a moist, crumbly mixture.
4. Form the Crust:
Press about half of this crumble mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan to create the crust.
5. Add the Strawberry Layer:
Arrange the sliced fresh strawberries in a single, even layer on top of the crust.
6. Top and Bake:
Sprinkle the remaining half of the crumble mixture evenly over the top of the strawberries. If you are using sliced almonds, scatter them over the top now.
7. Bake Until Golden:
Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is lightly golden brown and the strawberry filling is bubbly at the edges.
8. The Crucial Cool-Down:
Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack. You must let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. This step is essential for them to set properly.
Mastering the Dish: Pointers for Perfection & How to Store
Here are a few final pointers for the ultimate Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars recipe.
Pointers for Perfection
If you need to use frozen strawberries, be sure to thaw them first and drain off all the excess liquid and juice. This will prevent the bottom crust from becoming soggy.
How to Store
Store the cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 4 months by wrapping them securely.
If you need some new ideas for gluten-free cooking, take a look at these inspiring recipes: The Best Fudgy Sweet Potato Brownies, 5 Step Gluten Free Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, and The Best Gluten Free Almond Orange Cake.
Your Burning Questions Answered!
Here are answers to common questions about making this recipe.
1. Can I make this Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars recipe dairy-free?
Yes, absolutely! To make these bars dairy-free, simply substitute the regular unsalted butter with your favorite brand of vegan or plant-based butter. The results are just as delicious.
2. What happens if I cut the bars while they are still warm?
If you slice the bars while they are warm, they will likely fall apart. The melted butter in the crumble and the juices from the strawberries need time to cool and solidify, which is what holds the bars together into neat squares. Patience is key!
3. My gluten-free flour blend doesn’t have xanthan gum. What should I do?
If your specific gluten-free all-purpose flour blend does not contain a binder like xanthan gum or guar gum, you should add ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum to the dry ingredients to help give the bars structure.
Dig In & Enjoy!
You’re all set to bake a batch of what will surely be your new favorite go-to treat. Enjoy every sweet, fruity, and crumbly bite!
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The Best Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (includes cooling)
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
Description
The ultimate Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars recipe! These gluten-free bars have a sweet, buttery oat crust, a jammy fresh strawberry filling, and a delicious crumb topping. An easy and wholesome treat perfect for snacks or dessert.
Ingredients
1 ½ cup gluten-free rolled oats
¾ cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
¾ cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup melted unsalted butter (or vegan butter)
2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
½ cup sliced almonds (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free oats, gluten-free flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Pour in the melted butter and mix with a spatula until a moist, crumbly mixture forms.
4. Press half of the crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust.
5. Arrange the sliced strawberries in an even layer on top of the crust.
6. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly over the strawberries. Top with sliced almonds, if using.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
8. Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing.
Notes
Cool Completely: This is the most important step! The bars need to cool completely to set up properly before you can slice them into clean squares.
Gluten-Free Oats: If you have Celiac disease, it is critical to use certified gluten-free rolled oats to avoid cross-contamination.
Dairy-Free Option: This recipe can easily be made dairy-free by substituting the butter with a high-quality vegan butter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 218
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg