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Healthy Oatmeal Strawberry Bars Recipe

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Delicious and wholesome Healthy Oatmeal Strawberry Bars featuring a fresh strawberry layer sweetened with maple syrup and layered between two oat-based crusts. These bars are naturally sweetened, gluten-free when using the appropriate oats, and perfect for a nutritious snack or breakfast treat.

Ingredients

Strawberry Layer

  • 3 cups fresh strawberries, diced (or frozen, fully defrosted and drained)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1-2 tablespoons lemon zest
  • A pinch of sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons tapioca starch

Oatmeal Layers

  • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (gluten free if needed)
  • 1 1/2 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil, solid at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Prepare the strawberry filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the diced strawberries with maple syrup, lemon juice, lemon zest, sea salt, and tapioca starch. Stir well to coat all the strawberries evenly and set aside to thicken while preparing the oatmeal layers.
  2. Mix dry oat layer ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, almond flour, baking soda, and sea salt. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the leavening agent and salt.
  3. Add wet ingredients to dry mixture: Add the maple syrup, solid coconut oil, and lemon juice to the dry oat mixture. Use your hands or a spatula to combine until a crumbly but cohesive dough forms.
  4. Assemble the bars: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Press about two-thirds of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of a lined or greased baking dish evenly to form the base layer.
  5. Add strawberry layer: Spoon the prepared strawberry mixture evenly over the bottom oat layer and spread gently to cover the surface.
  6. Top with remaining oat mixture: Crumble the remaining oatmeal dough over the strawberry layer evenly to cover it as much as possible.
  7. Bake: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the strawberry layer is bubbling.
  8. Cool and slice: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares to ensure they hold together well.

Notes

  • Use fresh strawberries for the best texture, but fully defrosted frozen strawberries can be used in a pinch—just make sure to drain excess liquid.
  • For gluten-free bars, ensure the oats are certified gluten-free.
  • These bars keep well stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • You can substitute coconut oil with unsalted butter if preferred.
  • For a sweeter filling, feel free to increase maple syrup slightly, but the strawberries add natural sweetness.

Find it online: https://mealoria.com/healthy-oatmeal-strawberry-bars-recipe/