Healthy No Added Sugar Strawberry 🍓 Oatmeal Bars

Healthy no-added-sugar strawberry oatmeal bars with a buttery crumble, fresh strawberry filling, and maple syrup. Perfect for snacks or dessert!

Strawberry oat bars are a delightful way to enjoy a sweet treat without the guilt of added sugar. These healthy strawberry oatmeal bars are packed with fresh strawberries, hearty oats, and a touch of pure maple syrup for the right amount of sweetness. They make for a perfect afternoon snack, breakfast on the go, or even a light healthy dessert. With a buttery oatmeal base and a fresh strawberry filling, these bars strike the perfect balance between chewy, crisp, and naturally sweet.

This recipe is incredibly easy to make using simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. You don’t need much time to put these together, and they come out of the oven golden brown and bursting with sweet strawberries. Whether you’re looking for a way to use up fresh ripe strawberries during strawberry season or want a healthier snack alternative, these easy oatmeal bars are sure to become a favorite in your household.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No added sugar – This recipe relies on the natural sweetness of pure maple syrup and fresh strawberries, making it a great alternative to overly sweet store-bought bars.
• Easy to make – With just a few steps and a large mixing bowl, this recipe is beginner-friendly.
• Customizable – You can swap in frozen strawberries, add protein powder, or even experiment with other fruits like blueberries for blueberry pie bars or raspberries for raspberry oatmeal bars.
• Nut-free and versatile – This recipe is naturally nut-free, but you can easily make it gluten-free by using oat flour or almond flour as a good substitute for the all-purpose flour.

A Breakdown of the Ingredients

• Strawberries – The star of the show! Using fresh ripe strawberries gives the best strawberry flavor, but frozen strawberries work too.
• Maple syrup – A natural sweetener that enhances the taste without adding refined sugar.
• Lemon juice & zest – Adds a touch of brightness to balance the sweetness.
• Cornstarch – Thickens the strawberry mixture to prevent it from being too runny.
• Oats – You can use high protein oats, quick oats, or old-fashioned oats for a hearty chewy texture.
• Flour – You can use purpose flour, almond flour, or a free flour substitute.
• Butter – Using melted butter or softened butter helps create the perfect crumble topping.
• Salt & baking soda – These help with texture and enhance the overall flavor.

How to Make the Recipe

1. Prepare the baking dish – Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease or use parchment paper to line an 8×8 lined pan.
2. Cook the strawberries – In a medium saucepan, combine diced strawberries with some maple syrup, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Stir over medium heat until the strawberries soften.
3. Thicken the filling – Stir in cornstarch and continue cooking until the strawberry mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool.
4. Make the crumble – In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients (oats, flour, salt, and baking soda). Add the remaining mixture of maple syrup, lemon juice, and room temperature butter. Use your hands to mix until you get a crumbly texture.

1. Assemble the bars – Press most of the crumble into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the oatmeal base. Spread the fresh strawberry filling over it, then sprinkle the cup of the crumble mixture over the top.
2. Bake – Place in a preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the crumble topping is golden brown.

1. Cool and serve – Let the bars cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

More Low Sugar Sweet Treats

How to Store the Recipe

• Room temperature – Store in an air-tight container for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerator – Keep them in an airtight container for up to a week.
• Freezer – These bars freeze well! Store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Simply thaw at room temperature before serving.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Use fresh, ripe strawberries – This gives the best strawberry flavor and natural sweetness.
• Don’t skip the cornstarch – It helps create a thick fresh strawberry filling instead of a watery mess.
• Line your pan – Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
• Try different flours – If you have a nut allergy, stick with purpose flour instead of almond flour.
• Pair with ice cream – Serve these bars warm with a scoop of ice cream for a truly decadent experience.

These healthy strawberry oatmeal bars are a delicious way to enjoy a sweet treat without added sugar. Whether you’re enjoying them as a healthy dessert or a grab-and-go breakfast, they’re sure to become a favorite! Let me know if you try them and what delicious ways you customize them next time. 

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