Strawberry Oat Bars

These strawberry bars make a great little breakfast, dessert, or snack! With strawberries being in season, early summer is the perfect time to make these delicious, nutritious bars. They are packed with vitamins and minerals (including potassium, magnesium, and folate) as well as fiber and phytonutrients to properly fuel summertime exercise. They are made without wheat and gluten-free from whole grain rolled oats and oat flour alongside fresh strawberries and minimal sugar. Almond butter and sliced almonds add more nutritional value with some healthy fats and add great texture and flavor. Enjoy these gems with a dollop of strawberry Greek yogurt for a summer treat without any guilt!

Active Prep Time: 20 mins ∙ Cook Time: 45 mins ∙ Serves: 9

INGREDIENTS

Olive oil or avocado oil spray

4 tablespoons avocado oil or butter, melted 

1/3 cup light brown sugar

3 tablespoons almond butter

1 large egg white

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups rolled oats

2/3 cup oat flour*

1/3 cup sliced almonds

2 cups chopped fresh strawberries, stems removed

1 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon arrowroot or cornstarch

1 teaspoon lemon juice

GARNISHES

Greek yogurt sweetened with honey, or naturally sweetened strawberry Greek yogurt, 

Sliced fresh strawberries,

Sliced almonds

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 9x9 baking dish with parchment paper and then spray with olive oil spray to grease.

Whisk together melted plant butter, brown sugar, almond butter, egg white, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt.

Fold in rolled oats, oat flour, sliced and sliced almonds.

Spread 3/4 of the oat mixture across the bottom of the baking dish.

In a separate mixing bowl, toss chopped strawberries with sugar, arrowroot or cornstarch, and lemon juice. Spread evenly over top the oat mixture in the baking dish.

Use clean hands to crumble the remaining oat mixture over top the strawberries.

Bake 40–45 minutes, just until oats are golden brown and strawberries are bubbling and hot.

Let cool at least 1 hour before cutting into 9 squares to serve. Serve topped with Greek yogurt sweetened with honey or naturally sweetened strawberry Greek yogurt and fresh sliced strawberries. Add additional sliced almonds, if desired.

*Tip: You can make oat flour simply by pulsing rolled oats in a food processor until reaching a flour-like texture.

Calories per serving: 245 ∙ Fat: 12g ∙ Net Carbs: 25g ∙ Fiber: 4.5g ∙ Sugars: 9g ∙ Protein: 6g