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Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 132 reviews
  • Author: Lana
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 9 bars (based on 8x8 inch baking dish, cut into 3x3 squares) 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

These Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars are a delicious and nutritious snack perfect for breakfast or anytime. Made with whole rolled oats, whole wheat flour, natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, and fresh strawberries, they offer a wholesome, fiber-rich treat that is easy to prepare and bake. The bars are soft, slightly sweet, and bursting with the fresh flavor of strawberries, making them a guilt-free indulgence for any time of day.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour (or almond flour for a gluten-free option)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for added flavor)

Fruit

  • 1 cup fresh strawberries (hulled and sliced)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare the Oatmeal Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the honey (or maple syrup), unsweetened applesauce, and lemon juice until well blended. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
  3. Assemble the Bars: Spread half of the oatmeal mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form a base. Layer the sliced fresh strawberries evenly over this oat base. Crumble the remaining oatmeal mixture evenly on top of the strawberries, pressing down lightly to secure the layers.
  4. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges of the bars turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating they are fully cooked.
  5. Cool and Serve: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the bars cool for about 10 minutes in the pan. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice into bars and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • You can substitute almond flour for whole wheat flour to make the bars gluten-free.
  • Maple syrup can be used instead of honey for a vegan option.
  • If strawberries are out of season, frozen strawberries can be used but should be thawed and drained well before assembling.
  • For a nuttier flavor and added protein, consider adding chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts to the oatmeal mixture.
  • These bars can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: healthy strawberry oatmeal bars, baked oatmeal bars, gluten-free snack, whole wheat oatmeal bars, homemade strawberry bars, nutritious breakfast bars

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Find it online: https://mealsbylana.com/healthy-strawberry-oatmeal-bars-recipe/