Dessert

Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

ByLana Polati December 28, 2025December 28, 2025

Introduction

These Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars are a delicious and wholesome treat perfect for breakfast or a snack. Packed with oats and fresh strawberries, they offer natural sweetness and a satisfying texture without refined sugars. Easy to make and great for on-the-go!

The image shows four square oat bars arranged on a wooden board, each bar consisting of three layers: a dense, light brown base layer made of oats, a middle layer of bright red strawberry chunks mixed with a slightly translucent jam-like filling, and a crumbly oat topping that is golden brown and textured with visible oats. In the foreground, a whole fresh strawberry with green leaves is placed on the white marbled surface next to the board. The background is softly blurred, with another small bowl of strawberries faintly visible. The lighting is soft and natural, highlighting the crumbly and juicy textures. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour (or almond flour for a gluten-free option)
1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh strawberries (hulled and sliced)
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for added flavor)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In another bowl, whisk together the honey (or maple syrup), applesauce, and lemon juice until well combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
Step 3: Spread half of the oatmeal mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer the sliced strawberries over the oatmeal base. Crumble the remaining oatmeal mixture on top of the strawberries, pressing down gently.
Step 4: Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 5: Allow the bars to cool in the baking dish for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice into bars and serve.

Tips & Variations

For a nutty crunch, add a handful of chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds to the oatmeal mixture before baking.
Use frozen strawberries when fresh are out of season; just thaw and drain excess juice before layering.
Swap the honey or maple syrup for agave nectar to suit your preferred sweetness.
For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract with the wet ingredients.

Storage

Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, warm gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or enjoy them chilled for a refreshing snack.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of a square strawberry oat bar placed on a wooden board over a white marbled texture. The bar has three visible layers: a light brown crumbly oat base, a middle layer of bright red strawberry filling with chunks of strawberries, and a top layer of golden, chunky oat crumble. In the background, there are blurred additional oat bars and a bowl of fresh red strawberries, with one whole strawberry in the bottom right corner of the image. The photo has a shallow depth of field, focusing on the front oat bar. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use gluten-free oats in this recipe?

Yes, using certified gluten-free oats ensures the bars remain gluten-free if that is a dietary requirement.

Can these bars be frozen?

Absolutely. Wrap bars tightly in plastic wrap or place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.