These Strawberry Oatmeal Bars are equal parts healthy AND delicious! They’re gluten free, vegan, super low in sugar, and easy to make-perfect for a nourishing dessert or whenever you’re craving a little something sweet.
My new motto is, “Ask and YOU shall receive.”
As in, if I ask you what type of recipes you want me to share here on The Spicy RD Blog, and you answer, I just might make you something. Wink, wink.
I did in fact ask just that question on Facebook yesterday. And, since my friend Patti (of Easton Place Designs / Wunder Vegan) was the only one to respond, her wish was my command 🙂
Question: What yummy (healthy, gluten free) recipes are you most interested in having me create next???
Patti Clark Wunder: “GF/Vegan desserts…obviously. LOL. (please)”
These Strawberry Oatmeal Bars were actually 100 % meant to be, as I had torn out a recipe from Eating Well Magazine several weeks ago, so I could make a gluten free version.
Not only did I make them gluten free, I also made them vegan {for Patti} and low sugar as well. Plus, I offer a low FODMAP version too, so pretty much everyone should make these berrylicious bars ASAP!
How to Make Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
The hardest part about making these Strawberry Oatmeal Bars is waiting for them to cool down.
Seriously, they’re super easy to make, as long as you exercise a wee bit of patience while they cook AND cool down. Here’s how you make them in 3 easy steps…
STEP ONE | MAKE THE CRUST
The original version from Eating Well uses oats, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, butter. For my gluten free, vegan, low sugar version, I used gluten free oats, almond flour, Swerve (erythritol) sweetener, and vegan butter spread. Note: If you want to make them Low FODMAP, keep the brown sugar, in place of the Swerve.
Tip! The crust may seem a little crumbly, but, trust me, it will hold together well once you bake it. And, allow your Strawberry Oatmeal Bars to cool properly. Hint, hint!
STEP TWO | MAKE THE STRAWBERRY FILLING
While the crust is baking, combine fresh (or frozen & thawed) strawberries, no-added-sugar strawberry preserves, & Swerve sweetener (or cane sugar for low FODMAP). I also tossed in some chia seeds for good measure and extra fiber, because that’s how I roll 🙂
STEP THREE | SPREAD FILLING + STREUSEL ON TOP & BAKE
Spread the strawberry filling on top, along with streusel (reserved crust mixture) and bake again. Cool for 30 minutes, cut into 12 squares, and EAT!!!
Are these Strawberry Oatmeal Bars actually healthy?
For a dessert or treat, you betcha’! Here’s the nutrition scoop…
- Made with whole grains, nuts (almond flour), berries, AND low in sugar, these Strawberry Oatmeal Bars can be part of a Mediterranean Diet and brain boosting MIND Diet. You can learn more about the health benefits of strawberries here: Strawberry Basil Lemonade + 8 Health Benefits of Strawberries.
- Most of the fat in these Strawberry Oatmeal bars is heart healthy mono and polyunsaturated fat. Yay!
- Did I mention, they’re low in sugar??? The original recipe has 15 grams of sugar per bar, while my equally tasty version made with Swerve sweetener has only 2 grams sugar per serving. Wow!
Curious about Swerve? While I’m not a fan, nutrition wise or taste wise, of most non-nutritive sweeteners, I actually like the taste and nutrition profile of Swerve.
It’s a natural sugar replacement made from erythritol, oligosaccharides, and natural flavors. You can use it cup-for-cup in place of regular sugar, yet it’s calorie free and doesn’t raise blood sugar or insulin levels.
In large amounts it may cause abdominal pain and bloating from the oligosaccharides, which are high in FODMAPs. I personally do not have an issue with Swerve, but if you have IBS or follow a low FODMAP diet, you may want to avoid it, and use regular sugar instead.
Learn more about Swerve in this article at Healthline.
The Best Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups gluten free oats
- 6 tablespoons fine almond flour
- 1/2 cup Swerve sweetener, or brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup vegan butter spread, melted
- 1 1/3 cups finely chopped strawberries
- 2 tablespoons strawberry preserves
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons Swerve sweetener, or cane sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, and leave ~ 2-inch overhang on two sides.
- Combine oats, almond flour, sweetener, baking soda, ginger, and salt in a medium to large mixing bowl. Melt butter spread and stir into oat mixture until well combined.
- Firmly press 2 cups of oat mixture into the bottom of the baking pan (save the rest for topping), and bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from oven.
- While oat crust is baking, make the filling. Combine strawberries, preserves, chia seeds, sweetener, ginger, and cornstarch in a mixing bowl.
- Gently spread filling over oat crust, then top with remaining oat mixture. Place back in oven to bake for 35 minutes, or until filling is bubbly.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 30 minutes (be patient), then cut into 12 squares.
Notes
Low FODMAP Version
Swap the Swerve sweetener with brown sugar (oat mixture) and granulated/cane sugar (filling).Recipe Swaps
- Feel free to use other berries or fruit in place of the strawberries.
- Don’t have almond flour? You can use any gluten free or gluten free flour blend.
- Swap ginger with cinnamon if desired.
Notes/Tips
- The oat mixture will appear crumbly when pressed into the pan, but it should hold up well and stick together once baked.
- Make sure to line your pan with parchment paper so the Strawberry Oatmeal Bars don’t stick. Makes for easy clean-up too!
Nutrition
Let’s Chat!
Have you made Strawberry Oatmeal Bars before? Have you baked with Swerve before? Do you think you will make gluten free, vegan, low sugar version? What recipe should I make next???
