These flaky and sweet Vegan Oatmeal Bars with strawberry jam are gooey in the middle and crispy on the top, making for a delicious snack or breakfast on the go.
I’m not much of a fruity dessert girl, but when it comes to these vegan oatmeal bars with gooey jam in the center, I’m ALL IN! I have a few fruity dessert recipes on my blog, including this delicious Vegan Strawberry Shortcake recipe and this Raw Fruit Pizza. However, these vegan jam bars are definitely my favorite of them all. They are gooey and sweet on the inside and crumbly and oat-y on the outside. I’d even go as far to say that, if you wanted, you could have these for breakfast or a snack!
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❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe!
- I'm pretty sure everyone I've served these vegan oatmeal bars to has love them. They are universally delicious!
- They require just 10 basic pantry-staple ingredients, many of which you probably already have in your pantry. That means you can go make them right now!
- You can use whatever jam or jelly you have on hand. From strawberry to guava to homemade berry compote, these bars will taste amazing!
- These bars are great for anyone with allergies as the recipe is already egg and dairy-free. You can even make these bars gluten-free by using an all-purpose gluten-free flour!
📃 Ingredients
- Quick Cooking Oats - Quick oats are broken down into smaller pieces than rolled oats, so they make the perfect whole-grain "flour" for these bars. Don't use rolled oats!
- Spelt Flour - I personally love to use spelt flour when baking. Spelt flour is a type of whole wheat flour made from the entire grain of wheat. See below for substitutions if you don't have spelt flour on hand.
- Coconut Oil - Instead of butter, we'll be using coconut oil to bind everything together. Just like butter, coconut oil melts when it is warm and turns solid when it is chilled. Is the perfect fat for these bars!
- Maple Syrup - Just a touch of maple syrup is added to the dough of these bars. You don't need much as a lot of sweetness will be coming from the jam filling.
- Shredded Coconut - For some added texture to the crumb topping, you'll need a little bit of shredded coconut. The coconut adds a nice chewy texture and a little pop of white.
- Jam - Of course we are filling these bars with jam! I originally wrote this recipe to use strawberry jam, but I make these bars with whatever jam I have on hand. Get creative or even make a date or chocolate filling!
See recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities.
🔀 Variations and Substitutions
🔀 Spelt Flour - I usually make these vegan oatmeal bars with spelt flour, but all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour work great as well! I'm sure all-purpose gluten-free flour would also work, but I just recommend chilling the bars in the fridge before cutting them so that the coconut oil has time to chill and help hold the bars together.
🔀 Maple Syrup - Any liquid sweetener should work in these bars. Agave, brown rice syrup or even honey if you're not vegan are all great options.
🔀 Coconut Oil - I haven't tried this, but I believe vegan butter would work in place of the coconut oil. The bars just might not be as crispy as when you use coconut oil.
🔀 Shredded Coconut - If you prefer nuts to coconut, you can swap the shredded coconut for finely chopped nuts instead.
🔀 Strawberry Jam - These bars can really be filled with whatever flavor jam is your favorite! Strawberry jam is always a winner, but I've made these bars with guava, pineapple and mango jam, etc. For a lower-sugar option I use my instant pot berry compote. Yum!
🥣 How to Make Strawberry Jam Oatmeal Bars
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, including the quick oats, flour, baking powder
Step 3: Next add the coconut oil, along with the maple syrup and vanilla extract to the dry mixture and stir until a moist dough forms. Set aside about ¾ cup of the oat mixture for the topping.
Step 4: Add the shredded coconut to the reserved ¾ cup of dough and mix well to combine.
Step 4: Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Spread the jam over the top to within ½ inch of the edge.
Step 5: Add the shredded coconut to the reserved oat topping and then sprinkle it over the jam. Press down slightly to get the crumb topping to stick into the jelly.
Step 6: Bake the bars for about 25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Allow them to cool in the pan completely before using the parchment paper to lift them out of the pan and cut them into squares.
🫙 Storage
If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container on the counter for a few days. Alternatively, you can place them in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks...if they last that long!
✔️Expert Tips
- Be sure to press the base of these bars down well to help them hold together after baking. I like to use a flat bottomed glass to press it down really well.
- Additionally, after your sprinkle over the crumb topping, press it down lightly into the jam so that everything sticks together.
- You can even mix jellies and jams when it comes to these vegan oatmeal bars! Last time I made them I used a combination of guava jelly that I needed to get out of my fridge and some pineapple and mango jelly. It was delicious.
- Allow these bars to cool completely before cutting them so that the coconut oil can harden and hold the base of these bars together.
❓Recipe FAQs
Yes. Naturally, oatmeal is gluten-free. However, cross-contamination can occur in facilities and fields that produce wheat, which can be an issue for people with gluten allergies. To ensure that your oatmeal is gluten-free, purchase oatmeal with the label "gluten-free" on the packaging.
It depends on the ingredients used in the oatmeal bars. If the oatmeal bars are made entirely with gluten-free oats, then yes, they are gluten-free. However, today's recipe is made with a mix of quick oats and spelt flour. To make these bars gluten-free, swap the spelt flour for all-purpose gluten-free baking flour.
To make gluten-free oatmeal bars, use all gluten-free oats and oat flour or a combination of oats and gluten-free flours, such as gluten-free all purpose flour, coconut flour and almond flour. You'll need to have a good binding agent to hold everything together such as eggs, coconut oil, flax seed and possibly xanthum gum.
Yes! Oatmeal bars are a great breakfast or snack to meal prep and freeze for later. Chill the bars completely before wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and storing them in a freezer-safe zip-lock bag for 2-3 months. Allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before enjoying.
👉🏼More Vegan Oatmeal Bar Recipes
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.
📖 Recipe
Vegan Strawberry Jam Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups quick cooking oats
- 1 ¼ cup spelt flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup coconut oil melted
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 10 ounces strawberry jam
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F and grease an 8x8 baking dish and set it aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the quick oats, flour, baking powder and salt.
- Add in the melted coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract and stir until combined. Reserve ¾ cup of this mixture for the topping.
- Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Spread the jam over the top to within ½ inch of the edge.
- Add the shredded coconut to the reserved topping and then sprinkle it over the jam. Press down slightly to get the crumb topping to stick into the jelly.
- Bake for about 25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Cool in the pan on a wire rack.
- Cut into 16 squares and enjoy!
Mary says
I made these to bring on a wilderness paddle for my breakfast. They are very satisfying and easy-to-eat alongside my morning tea. I will be baking them again for an upcoming backpacking trip.
P.S. I used a homemade plum jam which was a little tart and was a perfect combination w/ the sweetness of the bars.
Faith says
These would make the perfect outdoor breakfast...paired with tea...yum!! I’m so glad you liked them Mary and your choice of jam sounds perfect. Thanks for commenting!
http://thehistoryoflindbergincredibleglasse.blogspot.com/ says
After I originally commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I receive
four emails with the exact same comment. There
has to be a way you can remove me from that service? Many thanks!
Faith says
Hi! I'm sorry that has been happening. That must be annoying! I wish I knew what was going on. I looked for your name/email in my subscription list and couldn't find anything. I also didn't see your name in any of the comments. Did you delete the original comment?
Mariah says
I just made these. Delicious!
Faith says
So glad you enjoyed the Mariah! Thanks so much for sharing!
Angela says
Hi Faith! I just wanted to let you know that your recipe was selected as Host's choice for the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-up. I have included a link to your site along with a picture of the bars in my post. Happy Easter!!! 🙂
Faith says
Hey Angela! Wow, thanks so much! That's exciting:) Happy Easter to you too..the best day of the year!
Rachel says
I was hosting a vegan for brunch and my daughter and I both have celiac, so the options to satisfy both are limited. By using gluten free oats and flour, I have FINALLY made something both vegan and GF that is amazing and doesn't use FLAX as a binder, to which my vegan guest is allergic to. Hallelujah!
Faith says
Praises!! So so happy that this recipe worked for you Rachel. Thanks so much for sharing!
Shannon says
Geez what a story!!! 🙂 These bars look amazing!
Faith says
Thanks Shannon! I hope you were entertained by our ridiculousness:)
Melissa says
How many calories and protein in 1 bar?
Faith says
Hi Melissa! Thanks for your question. I actually don't check the nutrition facts of my recipes. I'm sure you could use a site like cronometer to find out though! Thanks!
rachel @ Athletic Avocado says
Love that these are HEAVY on the crumble! Pinning these babies!
Faith says
Best part!! Thanks Rachel!
Liv @ Healthy Liv says
Haha what a story! The strawberry jam bars look so good! So happy that you have an oven now to whip up all of your delicious treats!
Faith says
Thanks Liv!! And man, I don't know what I'd do without my beloved oven!!
Angela says
These sound amazing! I am definitely going to give them a try, Pinned 🙂 Also, love your story about your trip, I am hoping to make it to Ireland some day! Thank you for joining the Sunday Fitness Food Link-Up!!
Faith says
Thanks Angela! And glad you enjoyed our loopy-ness. Let me know if you enjoyed these bars!!
Courtney says
Yum! These look delicious.
Faith says
Thanks Courtney! We're obsessed with them:)
Yo Mama says
Your father and I were chatting with some men in the shop the other day and we told them the story of your conversation with Ruth concerning PANTS on that same trip. They got a chuckle out of it 🙂
Faith says
Haha yes! I wonder how many times I've said the wrong things here in China without even knowing!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Love that story. My sister and I went to Ireland together a fews years ago too. We had SO much fun... we're about to take of to Thailand together next month!
Love these bars... they may have to be plane snacks. 🙂
Faith says
Sisters in Ireland together are the best!! I so hope one day my sister and I can go to Thailand together. I'm excited for you guys!! Next month is coming so soon!!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
These jam bars look great! And that they are vegan too. Definitely want to try these out.
Faith says
They're our new favorite! I hope you can try them out Thalia!! Let me know if you do and what you think:)
Ruth says
Love that we have that memory....doesn't get old reliving that story hahahaha. Getting spelt flour this weekend and gonna make me some oatmeal jam bars!
Faith says
It really is one of my fav memories with you...although I have TONS! Also, when I sent you this recipe over skype it didn't include the maple syrup so just use the recipe from this post! Just made another batch...they're so good!!!
Kerri Mcgrail says
Oh my goodness- I am so happy that you commented on my blog because I am in love with your recipes! I can't wait to follow your blog and check out more recipes! These bars look amazing! I love oats with fruity jam, so this is right up my alley!
Faith says
Ah, Kerri you're so sweet!! Thanks so much for stopping over and connecting with me! I hope you can find some other recipes you like! And these bars really are amazing...I just made my third batch;)
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
That's the greatest kind of travel story - rather like my friend's idea of "second degree fun". First degree fun is Disney World. Second degree is hiking and scrapes and making it to the mountaintop and thinking you're going to fall off a cliff, but surviving and laughing and remembering for years to come 🙂
Faith says
Haha that's awesome!! I'm officially a fan of "second degree fun" then! I'm going to start using that, especially because that kind of fun seems to be most prevalent in my travels...whoops!
Hanna says
Looks amazing! A local bakery sells oat bars like these and I've been wanting to find a recipe to duplicate them!
The directions call for maple syrup, but it is not added in the ingredients list?
Thanks!
Faith says
Hey Hanna!! Another person just let me know about he maple syrup and I just fixed it. Should be good to go! I hope you can make these and get your local baker fix:)
Hanna says
Thanks again for the recipe! I made them yesterday and they were awesome!
I did make a few changes though (and sure they would be even better if I made them as is!) I used ground oats instead of spelt flour, used 1/2 cup coconut oil, and only 3 TBS maple syrup. For the jam, I made my own: ~2 cups fresh blackberries, 1 TBS maple syrup and 1 TBS chia seeds. They were still rich (thanks to the coconut oil and flakes!) but not super sweet (I don't care for things that are too sweet.) Nice and crumbly!
Faith says
Yum!! So glad to know that oat flour worked for you instead of the spelt. Thanks for sharing Hanna!!
Leah M @ love me, feed me says
Crumbly oat bars have such a special spot in my heart (so much so that I have 4 different variations on my blog hahah!) and these ones look so perfect!! I also love them extra because they could be breakfast or topped with ice cream for dessert 😉
That story is too funny!! I can't even imagine how scary it must have been to wake up to that!!
Faith says
Ah, brilliant Leah!! These could totally double for a strawberry crumble for dessert. Done and done!
Jessie @ The Acquired Sass says
Yum! These sound delicious. I always have oats on hand, but I may sub some double berry jam that was homemade by a friend, I bet that would manage to make these even tastier!
Faith says
Thanks Jessie! And yes, definitely use your favorite jam or whatever you have on hand. They'd be delicious!!
Kiki says
You mention maple syrup in the instructions but there isn't any in the ingredients list. Would you please fix it for us? Thanks !
Faith says
Thank you so much for letting me know about that mistake!! All fixed! I hope you can make these...they're delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I can see why they're a new favorite! They look fantastic! Soft and sweet and so perfect for SPRING!
Faith says
Thanks Rebecca! I've made a couple batches already and they're so good!!