Streusel Oat Crumble Bars
Have you ever been in the mode for a pie, cookie, and bar in one then these streusel oat crumble bars are for you. They can be assembled in a matter of minutes and have a variety of filling options to fit not only your taste but what you have in your pantry (freezer). I personally hate recipes that require exact or specific quantities of fillings. All you really need for this recipe is some type of fruit, jam, or pie filling, oats, sweetener of choice, oil of choice, flour (gluten free like almond or oat flour will also work) and a pinch of salt. Hope you enjoy these bars as much as my family does. (This recipe was adapted from pinch of yum raspberry bars)
A simple yet delicious recipe that can be made from pantry ingredients in a matter of minutes. Fresh, frozen, or canned fruit canned be used for the filling and simple swaps for gluten free flour and dairy free subs can make these bars friendly for all. Its also great for breakfast or dessert.
- 5 cups fresh or frozen berries of choice (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries or may sub other pie baking fruits like apples or peaches) (24-ounce roughly)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar or sweetener of choice (very sweet fruit or when using honey or maple syrup use only 1/2 cup)
- 2 tablespoons flour (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 lemon or orange juiced plus zest (prefer orange when using for breakfast bars)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Pinch of salt
- 1 cup jam
- 1 cups 1.5 of fresh berries
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups premade canned pie filling (cut into smaller sizes if you prefer)
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 3 cups flour
- 1/2 cups nuts chopped optional (pecans, walnuts slivered almonds)
- 2 cups brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups melted butter, vegan butter or coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon salt (reduce by ½ if using salted butter)
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp milk of choice
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract or lemon juice
- Place berries or fruit of choice in a saucepan over medium heat. As they begin to cook, use a potato masher to help release their juices.
- As the juices start to simmer stir in the sugar, flour, cornstarch, extract, salt, and citrus juice/zest. Continue to cook until thickened into a berry sauce about 10-15 minutes total. Once done set aside and cool.
Mash the jam, berries, extract, and lemon juice together with potato masher or fork.
Or cut pie filling fruit into bite size pieces
Preheat the oven to 365F degrees. Prepare a 9 by 13 inch pan with parchment paper and foil for easy clean up. Mix the oats, flour, nuts (optional), brown sugar, baking powder, melted butter/oil*, and salt together into a crumble-like mixture. Press roughly around 2/3 of the crumble into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 12-14 minutes.
Spread the filling on top of the bottom crust. Sprinkle with the remaining ⅓ crumble top top and bake for another 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 2 hrs before placing in the fridge. If you like them warm I’d let them cool for 45 minutes but personally I liked them chilled. (Optional drizzle: sugar, milk, and extract or lemon juice ingredients until semi runny glaze and drizzle over the bars) Last in fridge for about 5 days or freeze for 3 months.