Easy Raspberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars

This raspberry oatmeal crumble bar is basically the love child of a breakfast cookie and a fruit jam sandwich — portable, slightly messy, and ideal for pretending you’re making a healthy choice while actually chasing the jam-to-oats ratio like it’s a sport. It’s got buttery oat crumble, bright tart raspberry center, and zero judgment if you eat three for “research.”

One time my husband tried to help and thought “double the jam” was a technical improvement. He turned the pan into a sticky glaze exhibit, and the dog staged a jam heist that left paw prints on my counter and my dignity. My kid contributed by thoughtfully rearranging half the crumble into a bowl “for later,” which I found on the floor. Yes, the pan was too small. No, I won’t wash fewer dishes. Also yes, I pretended I meant to make it extra rustic.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use store-bought raspberry jam when the idea of cooking down berries sounds like a betrayal of your time. It’s not cheating, it’s efficient.
– Frozen raspberries thawed and pulped are a perfectly fine shortcut when fresh are fussy or overpriced.
– Line the pan with parchment so you can lift out the whole slab and pretend you’ve mastered baking. Also fewer dishes (because who washes those?).
– Press the base crudely with a measuring cup instead of a fancy tamper. Nobody will Instagram the bottom.
– If you’re rushing, skip pre-chilling the dough and just accept slightly denser bars. They still get eaten.

Serving Ideas

– Warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to feel decadent and mildly irresponsible.
– Serve with coffee that’s two temperatures too hot and at least one questionable parenting decision.
– Plate with plain yogurt and a drizzle of honey for the “I meal-prepped” vibe. Bonus: it tricks your friends.
– If the kids drove you nuts, serve with wine. No one will argue.
– Honestly, they’re great straight from the pan. No ceremony required.

What to Serve It With

– A crumbly bar pairs well with anything that says “I’m awake” — coffee, tea, or a smug energy drink.
– For brunch: fresh fruit, a sharp cheese, and someone to wash the dishes (not you).
– For snacks: wrap in parchment and toss in your bag like you have your life together.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Tip: Don’t overload the filling. Too much jam = sad soggy bottom and a sticky pan mystery later.
– Press the crust evenly. If it’s too thin, the bars fall apart; too thick and you’ll be chewing oats like they owe you money.
– Bake just until golden; overbaking dries them out. I learned that by eating dustier-than-ideal bars and making a face.
– If your jam is watery, cook it down a bit or toss in a teaspoon of cornstarch. Unless you enjoy spooning jam soup.
– Yes, use the right pan. I once used a dish too small and made jam lava. It was dramatic and unnecessarily smoky.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
– Keep in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days.
– Freeze cut bars in a single layer on a sheet first, then bag them for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp or zap briefly in the microwave for a soft hit of nostalgia.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
– Use mixed berries, chopped apples, or cherries for variety.
– Add chopped dark chocolate or a handful of chopped nuts to the crumble if you’re feeling fancy.
– For gluten-free, swap in your favorite GF oat blend and GF flour. No one will know unless you tell them on social media.

Frequently Asked Questions

Easy Raspberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars

Deliciously sweet and tangy, these bars are perfect for breakfast or a snack.

No ratings yet

Rate This Yum Pin This Recipe For Later! Share The Yum On Facebook Print

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• ▢ 2 cups rolled oats Use gluten-free oats for a gluten-free version
• ▢ 1 cup flour All-purpose flour works well
• ▢ 0.75 cup brown sugar
• ▢ 0.5 cup unsalted butter Melted
• ▢ 2 cups raspberries Fresh or frozen

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
• In a bowl, mix rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and melted butter until crumbly.
• Press half of the mixture into the bottom of the baking dish.
• Spread the raspberries on top and crumble the remaining mixture over them.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

Let cool before slicing for best results.