Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
Delicious and nutritious oatmeal bars filled with fresh strawberries, perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
Ingredients
Strawberry Filling
- 3 cups fresh strawberries, diced Frozen is acceptable if fully defrosted and drained
- ¼ cup maple syrup for the filling
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice for the filling
- 1-2 Tablespoons lemon zest for the filling
- a pinch sea salt for the filling
- 2 Tablespoons tapioca starch to thicken the filling
Oat Layer
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats ensure gluten-free if dietary restrictions apply
- 1 ½ cups almond flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup maple syrup for the oat layer
- ⅓ cup coconut oil should be solid at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice for the oat layer
Instructions
Preparation
- Wash, hull, and dice the fresh strawberries into small pieces.
- Gather all other components so they are easy to access.
Cook the Strawberry Filling
- In a small pot on medium heat, add the diced strawberries, maple syrup, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a pinch of sea salt.
- Allow this mixture to simmer for about 5-10 minutes until the strawberries release their juices and soften. Stir often to avoid burning.
- Stir in the tapioca starch and let it simmer for an additional minute until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.
Prepare the Baking Dish
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang.
Make the Oat Layer
- In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, almond flour, baking soda, and sea salt.
- Whisk these dry ingredients together until evenly mixed.
- Add the remaining maple syrup, solid coconut oil, and lemon juice.
- Mix everything together until it forms a clumpy dough.
Assemble the Bars
- Set aside 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the oatmeal mixture.
- Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
- Pour the strawberry filling over the oat layer, spreading it out evenly.
- Dust the reserved oatmeal mixture over the top of the strawberries.
Bake
- Place the assembled dish into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Once the edges turn slightly golden, remove from the oven.
Cool and Serve
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, lift the bars out and slice into squares or rectangles.
- Enjoy the delicious Healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze individually wrapped bars for up to three months.