Description
Sweet strawberry magic unfolds in these wholesome oatmeal bars, blending fresh fruity goodness with hearty oats. Nutritious and delightful, these bars offer a perfect balance of flavor that will satisfy your craving for something deliciously wholesome.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups strawberries, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, diced
Sweeteners and Syrups:
- 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
Flavor Enhancers and Stabilizers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot or cornstarch
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage of the bottom and sides.
- Create the base layer by blending oats, almond flour, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl, then integrate diced butter using fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Transfer ⅔ of the crumbly mixture into the prepared pan, gently pressing to form an even foundation, then bake for 15 minutes until edges turn slightly golden.
- Meanwhile, construct the strawberry filling by combining fresh strawberries, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and lemon zest in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Allow the strawberry mixture to simmer and bubble, stirring intermittently, watching as the berries break down and intensify in color, approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Craft a cornstarch slurry by whisking lemon juice and cornstarch in a separate small bowl, then fold into the strawberry mixture to enhance thickness and consistency.
- Carefully spread the vibrant strawberry filling across the pre-baked crust, ensuring uniform distribution.
- Garnish the surface with remaining oat mixture, creating a rustic, textured topping.
- Return to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the surface transforms into a golden-brown landscape and the filling becomes effervescent.
- Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, which helps solidify the filling and makes cutting easier.
- Slice into uniform squares and serve, revealing layers of wholesome, fruity goodness.
Notes
- Boost fiber content by using whole wheat oats or adding ground flaxseed to the crust mixture for extra nutrition.
- Make the bars gluten-free by selecting certified gluten-free oats and replacing almond flour with coconut flour or oat flour.
- Control sugar levels by substituting maple syrup with monk fruit sweetener or reducing the amount of brown sugar in the recipe.
- Enhance protein by incorporating chia seeds or chopped nuts into the oat crumble topping for added texture and nutritional value.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg