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5 from 11 votes

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

Thick and chewy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars made with wholesome ingredients. No oil, no butter, no refined sugar and these are gluten free too!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time40 mins
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 Bars
Calories: 259kcal
Author: Neha

Equipment

  • 8x8 inches Square Pan

Ingredients

  • 205 gms 2 ¼ Cups Quick Oats
  • 1 Cup Nut Butter (Both PB and Almond butters are fine)
  • 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp Salt
  • ¼ Cup Honey (Wild flower gives best flavor)
  • ¼ Cup Apple Butter (or any other fruit butter, even apple sauce works)
  • 1 large Egg
  • ½ Cup semi sweet Chocolate Chips

Strawberry Filling:

  • 2 Cups Fresh Strawberries (diced)
  • 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
  • 2 Tbsp Cold Water
  • ½ tsp Lemon Juice
  • ¼ Cup Honey (I used Wild flower)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add and stir all the filling ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave them in 30 seconds increments. Stir in between. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
    Homemade strawberry filling in a microwave safe bowl.
  • When the filling gets slightly thick. it is ready. Let the filling come to room temperature, while you prepare the base of bars.
  • Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C) and 8x8 square baking pan with aluminium foil or parchment paper with enough overhangs on the sides. This step will aid easy removal of bars.
  • In a medium/large bowl combine oats, cinnamon, nut butter, apple butter, vanilla, honey and egg. Stir till everything is mixed well.
    Wholesome ingredients like oats, pb, honey, cinnamon to make oats bars
  • Reserve ¾ Cup of the prepared mixture to crumble for top layer.
  • Press the oats mixture in prepared baking pan (saving ¾ cup for topping).
    Oats mixture layered in lined baking pan.
  • Next add and spread room temp strawberry filling over oats mixture.
    Homemade Strawberry filling over oats mixture layer.
  • Crumble remaining oats mixture and chocolate chips over strawberry filling. Press the topping lightly into the filling so it all sticks together.
    Oats mixture and choc chips crumbled over strawberry filling.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes. The topping will appear slightly brown at this point.
  • Allow to cool down before cutting. You can also stick them into refrigerator for 15-20 minutes if you want them to cool down faster!

Notes

Storage Info:
  • Bars stay fresh at room temp for 2 days and up to 5 days in refrigerator.
  • These Strawberry Bars are freezer friendly. Store them in the freezer for up tp 2 months. Thaw before enjoying.
Quick Tips:
  1. Quick Oats are ideal for this recipe. If you have old fashioned oats on hand, pulse them in blender till a coarse texture is achieved.
  2. Any other fruit butter can also be used here. Even apple sauce works well.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Bar | Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Sodium: 10mg | Sugar: 15g