Hi👋 I’m MARILYN, a 34-year-old from the United Kingdom. Cooking is my passion, and I love sharing delicious, easy-to-follow recipes. Join me on marilynrecipes.com to explore a world of culinary delights, from comforting classics to innovative creations. Let’s make cooking fun and enjoyable for everyone! Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.
I still remember the first time I baked Strawberry Crumb Bars with Oat Topping. It was a sunny Saturday afternoon, and my little niece had come over, bouncing with excitement to “help me bake something sweet.” We gathered fresh strawberries from the market and measured out flour, oats, and sugar. The smell of buttery crumbs filling the kitchen and the bright red strawberry filling bubbling in the oven instantly made the whole house feel warm and inviting. That day, these bars became an instant family favorite, and every time I bake them, it reminds me of that laughter-filled afternoon.
This recipe is simple, comforting, and perfect for sharing with loved ones. The combination of sweet strawberries, crumbly oat topping, and a tender buttery base is irresistible. I’ve made it countless times for birthdays, afternoon teas, and cozy weekend treats. Each bite brings that perfect balance of tart, sweet, and buttery goodness.
Why I Love Making This Recipe
What I adore about Strawberry Crumb Bars with Oat Topping is how it brings people together. Baking this recipe fills the kitchen with a sweet, fruity aroma that feels like a hug. I love how kids and adults alike gather around the counter, sneaking bites of the crumbly topping or sampling the sticky strawberry filling.
These bars are also incredibly versatile. I can swap strawberries for raspberries or blueberries, depending on the season. I can make them in a square pan for sharing or cut them into little rectangles for lunchboxes. But no matter the variation, the comforting texture soft, chewy, crumbly remains the same, making this a recipe I return to again and again.
Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets
Here’s everything you need to make Strawberry Crumb Bars with Oat Topping. I’ve included my little tips to make them extra buttery and perfectly balanced.
For the base:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the strawberry filling:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the oat topping:
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Little Kitchen Secrets:
- Use cold butter for the base it helps create a firm, tender crust.
- Mix the oat topping just until combined overmixing can make it heavy.
- If strawberries are very juicy, toss them with a bit more cornstarch to prevent sogginess.
- Chill the base for 10 minutes before baking for a crisper bottom.
How I Make It, Step by Step
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare the base: In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden.
- Prepare the filling: In a medium saucepan, combine chopped strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Let it cool slightly.
- Prepare the topping: In a bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Stir in melted butter until mixture forms coarse crumbs.
- Spread the strawberry filling evenly over the baked base. Sprinkle the oat topping evenly on top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Allow to cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
How I Serve It at Home
I love serving these Strawberry Crumb Bars with Oat Topping slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a cozy afternoon tea, I cut them into small squares and place them on a rustic plate with a few fresh strawberries on the side.
When my family gathers, I serve them on a big platter so everyone can take a bar and savor it slowly. They’re perfect for lunchboxes, picnics, or gifting to neighbors with a little handwritten note.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips
- Storage: Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week.
- Freezing: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Reheating: Microwave for 15–20 seconds for a soft, warm treat.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the oat topping and base in advance. Store separately in the fridge and assemble before baking.
100-Word Short Version
These Strawberry Crumb Bars with Oat Topping are sweet, buttery, and comforting. A tender, buttery base holds a bright, fruity strawberry filling, topped with a crunchy, oat-based crumb. I love baking these bars for family gatherings, afternoon teas, or cozy weekend treats. The recipe is simple and versatile fresh or frozen strawberries work beautifully. Serve slightly warm with ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence. They store well, can be frozen, and are perfect for gifting. Every bite combines soft, sweet, and crumbly textures, making these bars a delightful treat that’s easy to bake and impossible to resist.
Recipe Card Section
⏱️ Time
Prep: 20 min | Cook: 45 min | Total: 1 hr 5 min
🛒 Ingredients <ul> <li><strong>Base:</strong> 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp salt</li> <li><strong>Filling:</strong> 2 cups fresh strawberries, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp lemon juice</li> <li><strong>Topping:</strong> 3/4 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter</li> </ul>
👩🍳 Instructions <ol> <li>Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.</li> <li>Prepare the base by mixing flour, sugar, salt, and cold butter; press into pan and bake 15 min.</li> <li>Cook strawberries with sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice until thickened; cool slightly.</li> <li>Mix oat topping ingredients with melted butter to form crumbs.</li> <li>Spread filling over base, sprinkle topping evenly, bake 25–30 min until golden and bubbly.</li> <li>Cool completely before cutting into bars.</li> </ol>
📝 Notes
- Chill base before baking for a crispier crust.
- Use fresh or frozen strawberries.
- Store in airtight container for 3–7 days, or freeze for 2 months.
- Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
🍽️ Nutrition (per bar, approx.)
Calories: 220 kcal
Fat: 10g 🧈
Saturated Fat: 5g
Carbs: 32g 🍞
Sugar: 18g
Protein: 2g
Fiber: 2g
Sodium: 80mg
Cholesterol: 10mg
Strawberry Crumb Bars with Oat Topping
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 9 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Crumb Bars with Oat Topping are sweet, buttery, and comforting. A tender base holds a fruity strawberry filling, topped with a crunchy oat crumble. Perfect for family gatherings, afternoon teas, or cozy weekend treats.
Ingredients
- Base: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp salt
- Filling: 2 cups fresh strawberries, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp lemon juice
- Topping: 3/4 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare the base by mixing flour, sugar, salt, and cold butter; press into pan and bake 15 min.
- Cook strawberries with sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice until thickened; cool slightly.
- Mix oat topping ingredients with melted butter to form crumbs.
- Spread filling over base, sprinkle topping evenly, bake 25–30 min until golden and bubbly.
- Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
Chill base before baking for a crispier crust. Use fresh or frozen strawberries. Store in airtight container for 3–7 days, or freeze for 2 months. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Conclusion
Every time I bake these Strawberry Crumb Bars with Oat Topping, I’m reminded why I love sharing recipes so much. The buttery base, sweet-tart strawberry filling, and crunchy oat topping come together to create a dessert that feels like a hug in every bite. It’s simple, comforting, and perfect for moments when you want to treat yourself or make someone else’s day a little sweeter. Baking these bars fills my kitchen with warmth and my heart with joy, and I hope that every bite brings that same happiness to you and your loved ones.