Lemon Oatmeal Crumble Bars

Meet your new favorite hand-held treat: Lemon Oatmeal Crumble Bars. Bursting with bright citrus flavor and a satisfyingly buttery oat base, these bars marry the zing of lemon curd with the chew of old-fashioned oats. They’re an ideal make-ahead brunch item, picnic snack, or sweet afternoon pick-me-up—and easier than a layered cake.

With a simple oat-flour crust, a luscious lemon filling, and a crumbly oat topping, these bars strike just the right balance of tart, sweet, and hearty. Let’s bake a batch!

Ingredients:

• For the Crumble & Crust:
  • 1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, for extra zing)
  • ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• For the Lemon Filling:
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • ¾ cup fresh lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Pinch of salt

Preparation:

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy lifting.

Step 2: Make the Oat Crust

1. In a bowl, whisk together oats, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and lemon zest.
2. Pour in melted butter and stir until a crumbly dough forms.
3. Press about two-thirds of the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Reserve the remaining crumble for topping.

Step 3: Bake the Crust

• Bake the crust for 12–15 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden at the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly while you prepare the filling.

Step 4: Prepare the Lemon Filling

1. Whisk sugar and flour in a bowl.
2. Add beaten eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt; whisk until smooth and combined.

Step 5: Layer & Top

• Pour the lemon filling over the warm crust, spreading gently to level. Sprinkle the reserved oat crumble evenly on top.

Step 6: Bake the Bars

• Return to the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crumble is golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean.

Step 7: Cool & Slice

• Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift out using the parchment overhang, then cut into 16 squares.

Variation:

• Blueberry Bliss: Stir ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries into the lemon filling before baking.
• Coconut Crunch: Add ¼ cup shredded coconut to the crumble mixture.
• Ginger Zing: Mix ½ teaspoon ground ginger into the oat crumble for a warm spice note.
• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in both crust and filling.

Serving Suggestions:

• Brunch Spread: Serve alongside fresh berries, coffee, or tea.
• Picnic Treat: Pack in individual parchment-lined containers for outdoor snacking.
• Dessert Squares: Drizzle with a light lemon glaze (powdered sugar + lemon juice) for extra shine.
• Ice Cream Partner: Top a bar with vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of oat crumble.

⏱️ Time Overview:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Crust: 12–15 minutes
• Bake Bars: 20–25 minutes
• Cooling Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: ~1 hour 50 minutes

🍽️ Nutritional Information (per bar, 16 bars):

• Calories: ~180
• Protein: ~2g
• Carbohydrates: ~24g
• Fat: ~8g
• Fiber: ~1.5g
• Sugar: ~14g
• Sodium: ~85mg

Values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients.

Conclusion:

Lemon Oatmeal Crumble Bars offer the perfect trifecta of textures: a crisp-buttery oat crust, a vibrant lemon curd layer, and a crunchy crumble top. They’re simple to make yet impressive on any table, whether for brunch, dessert, or snack time. Give this bright, hearty recipe a try and watch them disappear!