Strawberry crumb bars are an old-fashioned treat that never goes out of style! A buttery crust is topped with strawberry jam and crumbly topping, and it all comes together in a few minutes with a handful of pantry staples.
The beauty of strawberry crumb bars is their simplicity. This is not one of those over-the-top recipes with candy bar pieces, cookies, and eleventy-billion different drizzles and toppings. Instead, sweet strawberry preserves are the star of the show, with a buttery crust and crumble topping playing key supporting roles.
The recipe calls for a base made from flour, sugar, oats, and butter, which doubles as the topping as well—which means one less bowl to wash! I love making a batch of strawberry crumble bars for a picnic or simple after school treat, but I also love eating the leftovers for breakfast the next day!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Contrasting textures – The crumbly crust and sweet strawberry filling give each bite the perfect balance of jammy and crisp textures.
- Easy to make – With just a few simple steps and a handful of ingredients you probably have on hand in your kitchen already, this recipe for strawberry crumb bars couldn’t be any easier.
- Perfect for any occasion – Whether it’s a picnic, potluck, or just something special to enjoy after dinner, strawberry crumb bars are always a crowd-pleaser.
- Classic flavors – With a buttery vanilla-flavored crust and strawberry jam, these strawberry bars are simply delicious!
Recipe Notes
This easy strawberry crumb bars recipe is as simple as promised! Just a few minutes of prep time for a family friendly treat.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Strawberry Bars to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Butter – I recommend using unsalted butter, but if you only have salted butter on hand, you can dial back the added salt.
- Granulated sugar – This isn’t just for sweetness; it also helps hold the crust together.
- Light brown sugar – Dark brown sugar has a stronger flavor, so I recommend milder light brown sugar.
- Vanilla extract – Use real vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- All-purpose flour – Make these strawberry oatmeal bars gluten-free by using a measure-for-measure gluten-free flour substitute.
- Old-fashioned oats – Be sure to buy old-fashioned or rolled oats, not quick oats.
- Salt – Just a bit for balance.
- Strawberry preserves – No need for fresh strawberries! I like the preserves with chunks of berries, which adds a nice texture to these oatmeal strawberry bars.
Glaze (optional)
- Powdered sugar – Also known as confectioners’ sugar.
- Milk – Any kind you have on hand will work.
Recipe Tips
- Spread the layers evenly – Make sure to spread the cookie crust and strawberry preserves evenly, and sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the jam too. They don’t spread during baking!
- Know when they’re done – The edges should be golden brown and bubbly, while the topping should be golden throughout.
- Allow the bars to cool before cutting – Allowing the bars to cool before cutting ensures that they hold their shape and don’t make a jammy mess. If you’re adding the glaze, the bars will need to be completely cool or the glaze will melt right into them.
- Make the topping with fine or large crumbs – Depending on your preference, you can make the topping with either fine or large crumbles—for larger crumbles, just squeeze the mixture in your hands a bit. Fine crumbs will result in a more even layer, while larger crumbles create a nice texture variation.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Make slicing and cleanup easier – Line the pan with parchment paper and when the bars are done cooling, you can simply lift them out of the pan and cut the oatmeal strawberry bars on a cutting board with a sharp knife. This also means you don’t have to scrub baked on jam from the pan!
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Strawberry rhubarb bars – For a tangy twist, use strawberry rhubarb preserves in these strawberry oatmeal bars.
- Blueberry strawberry bars – Combine two delicious fruits by adding a layer of blueberry preserves on top of the strawberry filling.
- Lemon strawberry bars – Add some lemon zest to the crumb topping and base, then swap the milk in the glaze with lemon juice.
- Almond strawberry crumb bars – Use almond extract instead of vanilla in the cookie crust for a subtle almond flavor that pairs well with strawberries. You can also add sliced almonds to the crumb topping.
How to Freeze Strawberry Crumble Bars
Strawberry Fruit Bars can be frozen before or after baking. If freezing before baking, you can thaw, bake and have the bars ready without the prep time when needed.
If you prefer, you can bake the Strawberry Crumble Bars. Freezing the baked fruit bas will preserve them and once, thawed they come out just as soft, chewy, fresh, and perfect as they are when freshly baked.
Both are great options for keeping the Strawberry Bars fresh and delicious!
To freeze before cooking:
- Assemble the recipe up to the point of baking.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- When ready, bake as directed, adding a few minutes to the baking time to account for it starting from frozen. Alternatively, you can thaw the strawberry oatmeal bars in the fridge before baking and bake them for 20 to 25 minutes.
To freeze baked strawberry bars:
- Allow the bars to cool completely.
- Cut into serving-sized pieces and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Freeze for 30 minutes to an hour, then transfer the frozen bars to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.
- To serve, let the strawberry fruit bars thaw at room temperature before enjoying. You can also reheat them in the oven or microwave for a warm treat, although if they are glazed, note that the glaze will melt.
How to store Strawberry Bars
If you have extras after making strawberry oat bars, then they can be saved to munch on at a later time.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- on the counter for 1-2 days
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month.
More EASY Cookie Bar Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my dessert recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Churro Cheesecake Bars
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars
- 3 Ingredient Nutella Brownies
- Gooey Pecan Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust
Strawberry Crumble Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, melted (1 stick)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup strawberry preserves
Glaze (optional)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- In a large bowl, mix melted butter, sugars, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add the flour, oats, salt, and stir to combine.
- Divide the mixture in half. Press the first half of the mixture into an 8×8 inch baking pan. Note: Spray the pan with cooking spray, or line the pan with parchment paper that overlaps the edges if you want to remove and cut.
- Evenly spread the strawberry preserves over the cookie crust all the way to the corners, making sure you cover the entire crust.Then work the remaining cookie topping with your hands to form large crumbles and sprinkle over the top of the strawberry preserves.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until edges are set and center has just set and the edges are golden brown.
- Once the bars are cool, mix together the powdered sugar and milk. It should be a thick runny consistency. Drizzle over bars, then cut into 12 pieces.
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