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These Mixed Berry Oat Bars are a perfect crumbly treat. Filled with fresh berries, oats, a hint of cinnamon and only about 10 minutes to prep. The perfect dessert or even brunch treat everyone will love!

Berry crumble bars with oat topping on parchment with fresh berries surrounding.
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This recipe was originally published June 2016 and updated March 2023.

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. From my Strawberry Crumble to Apple Crumble Bars, you can’t go wrong!

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

Why You Will Love These Oatmeal Berry Bars:

  • Only 10 minutes to prep. This dessert is surprisingly very easy to make. Melt butter, toss everything for the crumble, sweeten the berries and press into pan–that is about it!
  • Packed with all the fresh berries. Add any of your favorites or just stick to one. The choice is yours! I typically use blueberries, raspberries and blackberries but sometimes just use whatever I have on hand. Strawberries in the mix are good as well.
  • Easily made gluten free. Make sure your oats say certified gluten free and use a 1:1 gluten free all purpose flour and these oat bars are made with no gluten.
  • Great for dessert and even a special breakfast! Fruit and oatmeal, right? A special brunch, or even a not so special brunch would be amazing with these berry bars 100%.
  • Freezer friendly! We don’t usually have any left in a couple days but I still like to freeze a couple bars for when I have a craving for a berry packed treat.
Mixed berry bar on wax paper with blueberries and raspberries surrounding.

Recipe Ingredients:

  • oats: quick oats are ideal for this recipe as they are smaller and broken down a bit. It allows the bars to hold together so much better. I have made these berry crumble bars with rolled oats and they will still work for sure, I just find the quick oats to have a nicer bar form.
  • flour: all purpose flour for best results. You can use an all purpose 1:1 gluten free baking flour if desired!
  • brown sugar: light brown sugar is what we use. You could use dark brown if you just have that, the flavor will be a bit different.
  • cinnamon: a nice level of spice to give the crumble that traditional cinnamon coziness. Feel free to also add a pinch of nutmeg.
  • baking powder: Make sure it is fresh!
  • salt: We use sea salt, but table salt will work. If you use salted butter, half the amount of salt in the recipe.
  • vanilla: extract if possible for the richest flavor.
  • butter: unsalted butter, melted and cooled. You can use salted butter a mentioned above and just half the amount of salt.
  • berries: any mixture of berries that you love. Fresh is best but frozen will work as well.
  • lemon juice: freshly squeezed is ideal. You can also add some of the lemon zest into the berry mixture.
  • sugar: white sugar, and depending on the sweetness or tartness of your berries, you can add or lessen the amount you use here.
  • corn starch: This will allow the berry mixture to thicken a bit so that they don’t become watery when baking. You could use a bit of flour if you don’t have any.
Ingredients labeled on white counter top.

How To Make These Berry Bars:

  • 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)
Berries and sugar in bowl and oats and flour in another.
  • 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 8×8 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)
Butter and oats mixture in bowl and oat mixture pressed into baking pan.
  • 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 28-32 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)
Berry mixture on top of oat mixture in baking pan.

Recipe Tips:

  • Adjust the berry sweetness as desired: If your berries are a bit tart, you may want to add another tablespoon or so of sugar. If it’s peak berry season and they are nice and sweet, you may want to half the amount 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! Run the knife under hot water before slicing and then wipe clean between each cut and rinse again.
  • If you aren’t planning to eat them as bars, no need to refrigerate to set. These can be eaten with a fork for sure and if you are not concerned about them holding together well, then for sure, dig in whenever you are ready!
  • Serving suggestions: Eat chilled or warm them up before serving. Topped with vanilla ice cream is always a win! You can also top with a big dollop of whipped cream on top. Break the bars into pieces and serve over yogurt or make parfaits.

Storage Instructions:

These oatmeal berry bars will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week in an air tight container. Allow them to sit out for about 15 minutes before serving to allow them to come to room temperature or warm them up in the microwave.

To freeze, allow the bars to cool completely. Slice them and wrap individually or place in an air tight freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Mixed berry oat bars with crumble topping on white background with fresh berries and crumbles surrounding.

Other Desserts to Try:

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Tap stars to rate!
4.91 from 21 votes

Mixed Berry Oatmeal Bars

These Mixed Berry Oat Bars are a perfect crumbly treat. Filled with fresh berries, oats, a hint of cinnamon and only about 10 minutes to prep. The perfect dessert or even brunch treat everyone will love!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 12

Ingredients 

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Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • In a bowl, mix together sugar, lemon juice, berries and corn starch and mix to combine. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, sea salt, and baking powder and whisk together.
  • Add in melted butter and vanilla and stir to combine. Mixture will be somewhat crumbly, and that is ok.
  • In an 8×8 in. pan, lined with parchment, press 2/3 of the oat mixture firmly into the pan. Add the berry mixture on top to cover evenly.
  • Sprinkle over the rest of the oat mixture to cover the berries.
  • Place in the oven and bake for 28-32 minutes or until berries are bubbling and oats on the top are browned.
  • Allow to cool completely before cutting.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

  • Adjust the berry sweetness as desired: If your berries are a bit tart, you may want to add another tablespoon or so of sugar. If it’s peak berry season and they are nice and sweet, you may want to half the amount 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! Run the knife under hot water before slicing and then wipe clean between each cut and rinse again.
  • If you aren’t planning to eat them as bars, no need to refrigerate to set. These can be eaten with a fork for sure and if you are not concerned about them holding together well, then for sure, dig in whenever you are ready!
  • Serving suggestions: Eat chilled or warm them up before serving. Topped with vanilla ice cream is always a win! You can also top with a big dollop of whipped cream on top. Break the bars into pieces and serve over yogurt or make parfaits.

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 41mg, Sodium: 241mg, Potassium: 180mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 24g, Vitamin A: 488IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 57mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Recipe Rating




36 Comments

  1. Pluto says:

    Hi! Can you use melted margarine or oil for these, instead of butter?

    1. Lorie says:

      Hi! You should be able to with no issue—the flavor will just be different. I’d recommend the margarine for something closer to the buttery flavor.

  2. vivian says:

    3 stars
    I found this recipe (for the crumble) too sweet. Can I reduce the sugar content and achieve the same results?

    1. Lorie says:

      Sorry to hear that, Vivian! Yes, you should be able to lessen the brown sugar a bit and still have them work well!

  3. Harriet says:

    Have tried afew oat bar recipes and this is by far the best one! Xxxx

    1. Lorie says:

      Yay! Harriet so happy you loved them. They are my favorite!!

  4. Misty says:

    I’d like to try this recipe but need to double it. What size pan would I use?

    1. Lorie says:

      Hi! 9×13 inch Pan should work well for a double recipe.

  5. Cristina says:

    I can’t wait to try this recipe today! I made some oatmeal fruit bars for the first time with some jarred preserves and, while they were okay, the preserves were overly sweet and had a gummy quality. I decided that rather than trying to find a good jarred fruit to use, why not find a good recipe with real fruit! I’m going to start with frozen mixed berries first, and will let you know how that turns out! I do like tart fruit, so I am excited about having more control over the sweetness.

    1. Lorie says:

      Hope you love them as much as we do! Being able to control the sweetness is key if you ask me!

  6. Michaelan DeHerrera says:

    5 stars
    We really enjoy these bars. I make them with Huckleberries. I also added Tahiti to give them a nutty taste and it worked well. This recipe is my favorite instead of crumbles and crisps for fruit. We love the layers. Thank you fro sharing this recioe.

    1. Lorie says:

      So happy to hear this—could seriously live on these!!!

  7. Jamie says:

    5 stars
    A new family favorite!!! We love them with mixed berries, just strawberries or strawberries and rhubarb! You can’t go wrong! So yummy and great with a scoop of ice cream!

    1. Lorie says:

      Ohhhh I need the strawberry rhubarb!!! So glad you love them as much as we do!

  8. Tiffany says:

    Have you tried freezing these?

    1. Lorie says:

      Hey Tiffany! I have not. I imagine they should be ok though.

  9. Isabelle J says:

    Lorie,

    I’ve been following your blog for a while and I especially loved this post! Yoga (and running for me!) have been so therapeutic, as well as focusing on putting whole real food into my body. Thanks for being an inspiration! I would love to know more about how you do it.

    1. Lorie says:

      Thanks Isabelle! I’ve always wished I could get more into running but it has never been my thing. Feel free to shoot me an email and I am happy to answer questions or chat more on a topic!

  10. Nancy Finke says:

    Thanks Lorrie, we really do have a lot in common. I also collect quotes. I have them everywhere. I keep a chalkboard in my kitchen & my office to put weekly inspirations on. I will be trying Project Om. I’ll let you know how it goes.

    P.S. One of my writings that I’m thinking about putting on my blog (if I ever actually do it) is about the effect of yoga on my life. 🙂 You are a big part of why I do yoga. Thank you.

    1. Lorie says:

      Nancy we are a perfect match! Can’t wait to read about your journey!