Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
These vegan, gluten-free strawberry oatmeal bars are packed with fresh fruit, wholesome oats, and natural sweetness — a perfect dessert, snack, or breakfast treat that’s easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh strawberries diced (or frozen, defrosted and drained)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup for strawberry layer
- 1/2 cup maple syrup for oat layers
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon lemon juice divided
- 1 –2 tablespoons lemon zest optional but recommended
- Pinch + 1/8 teaspoon sea salt divided
- 2 tablespoons tapioca starch or corn starch
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats certified gluten-free if needed
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/3 cup coconut oil solid at room temperature
Instructions
- Prepare strawberry filling: In a small pot, combine diced strawberries, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, lemon zest, and a pinch of sea salt. Bring to a low boil over medium heat for 5–10 minutes, until juices release. Stir in tapioca starch and cook 1 more minute until thickened. Set aside.
- Prepare oatmeal layer: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line an 8x8 or 9x9 inch baking dish with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix rolled oats, almond flour, baking soda, and 1/8 teaspoon sea salt. Add 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and coconut oil; mix until crumbly but holds together when pressed.
- Assemble: Reserve 1/2–3/4 cup of oat mixture for topping. Press remaining oat mixture firmly into pan as base layer. Spread cooled strawberry filling evenly on top. Sprinkle reserved oat mixture over strawberry layer.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely in pan (about 1 hour) before cutting into bars.
Notes
For storage, keep covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, refrigerate up to 1 week, or freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 3 months. You may substitute raspberries or blackberries; adjust sweetness to taste. Ensure oats are certified gluten-free for a fully gluten-free recipe. Bars must cool fully to slice cleanly and avoid crumbling.
