Vegan Strawberry Oat Bars
Vegan Strawberry Oat Bars are a delicious and healthy treat made with fresh strawberries and oats, perfect for a snack or dessert.
Ingredients
For the strawberry filling
- 12 oz fresh strawberries, stemmed and sliced Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor.
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or agave Increase the amount for a sweeter filling.
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the oat mixture
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour Can be substituted with gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version.
- 1 1/2 cups large flake rolled oats
- 1 cup cold vegan butter Important to be cold for the right texture.
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350F (180C). Line the bottom of an 8" x 8" baking pan with parchment paper.
- For the strawberry filling, mix the strawberries, maple syrup, cornstarch, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan until the cornstarch is dissolved.
- Cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the liquid turns into a thin gel and the strawberries begin to break down. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and set aside.
- For the oat mixture, add the flour, oats, butter, sugar, baking powder, and salt to a large bowl. Use a pastry cutter or a fork to mash the butter into the mixture until you reach a crumbly texture and everything is mixed in.
Assembly
- Pour half of the oat mixture into the prepared baking pan and pat it down.
- Pour all of your strawberry sauce on top and spread it around to evenly distribute.
- Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top of the strawberry layer and lightly pat it down.
Baking
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until lightly browned on top. Let cool before serving and slicing into bars.
- Store the cooled strawberry bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or they can be frozen.
Notes
For a chocolate twist, consider adding some vegan chocolate chips to the oat mixture.