Mixed Berry Oat Bars

Mixed Berry Bars are a perfect summer treat everyone will love! Bursting with fresh berries and hearty oats, and a nice touch of cinnamon.

This recipe was originally published June 2016 and updated July 2020.

I recently have been buying lots of berries and fruit now that summer is in full swing. And these bursting with oh so many berry bars came to be based on a big old stash of berries that needed to be eaten fast.  

These Mixed Berry Bars are perfect for a treat for summer but thanks to frozen berries, they are the perfect dessert all year long.

When it comes to a good crumble or crisp recipe, I like the crumbly, buttery oat part way more than the fruit section. So these oatmeal bars are my love language. More crumble in every bite.

Fruit and oats, right? You really can't go wrong! I mean, technically that is a good breakfast...

What you will need:

• I have made these oatmeal berry bars with rolled oats but prefer the quick oats. I think the quick oats form together better especially for the crumble topping.
• Any berries will do! I typically use any combo of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries, depending on what I have on hand. If the berries are big, I cut them up. I always cut the strawberries.

How to make this recipe:

• Combine the berries, corn starch, sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl and set aside. If you are using frozen berries, thaw before mixing. (steps 1 and 2)
• In a separate medium mixing bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, flour, sea salt, cinnamon, and baking powder. Whisk to combine. (steps 3 and 4)

• Add the melted butter and vanilla to the oat mixture and stir well to combine. The mixture will be nice and crumbly. I like to take a spoonful or two for myself at this point--but not too much because I want the bars too! (steps 5 and 6)
• Press about 2/3 of the oat mixture into an 8x8 inch baking pan that is lined with parchment paper. I sometimes even spritz a little oil to the bottom as well. This makes removing the bars super simple in the end. But that is not necessary. (steps 7 and 8)

• Pour the berry mixture over the pressed oats and spread them out evenly onto the oats. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top of the berries evenly. Pop the berry bars in the oven--you are almost there! (steps 9 and 10)
• Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the berries are bubbling and the oat mixture on top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before cutting. (steps 11 and 12)

Notes:

• If your berries are a bit tart, you may want to add another tablespoon or so of sugar.
• For easier and cleaner cut bars, refrigerate these berry oat bars for several hours before cutting. This makes for much less of a mess!
• Eat chilled or warm them up before serving. Topped with vanilla ice cream is always a win!
• For gluten free bars, use gluten free oats and an all purpose gluten free 1:1 flour.

Try these other recipes you will love:

• Zucchini Bars
• Nutella Crumble Bars
• Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
• No Bake Double Chocolate Raspberry Crumble Bars
• Coconut Almond Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie

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