Description
These Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars combine the heartiness of whole grains with the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries, making for a wholesome and delicious snack or dessert. Made with rolled oats, whole wheat flour, and naturally sweetened with honey and coconut sugar, these bars are both nutritious and satisfying. They are easy to prepare, baked to a golden perfection, and perfect for a quick energy boost anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Strawberry Filling
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring the sides are covered for easy removal of the bars later.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir these together to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted coconut oil, honey (or maple syrup), coconut sugar (or brown sugar), and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Form Crumble Mixture: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until you achieve a crumbly but cohesive texture.
- Create the Crust: Press about two-thirds of this oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust layer.
- Prepare Strawberry Filling: In another bowl, toss the finely chopped strawberries with cornstarch and lemon juice. This will thicken the filling while adding a bright, fresh flavor.
- Assemble the Bars: Spread the strawberry mixture evenly over the pressed crust. Then sprinkle the remaining oat crumble mixture on top and gently press down to hold everything together.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the strawberry filling is bubbling.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to firm up, then lift them out using the parchment paper edges and slice into 9 bars for serving.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free rolled oats and substitute the whole wheat flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- You can replace strawberries with raspberries or blueberries for a different but equally delicious flavor.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
