Jam Filled Oatmeal Bars
These easy jam filled oatmeal bars feature a buttery oat crust, sweet jam center, and crumbly topping. Perfect for any occasion using simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups 157g all-purpose flour
- 1 cup 90g old fashioned oats
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 10 tablespoons 141g unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ½ cup 110g light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup 250g jam or preserves, any flavor
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
- Add flour, oats, salt, and baking soda to butter mixture. Stir until you have a cohesive, cookie-dough-like mixture.
- Reserve one-third of oat mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture firmly into prepared pan using bottom of measuring cup.
- Bake crust for 10 minutes until set but not browned.
- Remove from oven and immediately spread jam evenly over warm crust.
- Crumble reserved oat mixture over jam layer without packing down.
- Bake 15-17 minutes until top is golden brown and jam bubbles slightly.
- Cool completely in pan before cutting into bars.
Notes
Use room temperature jam for easier spreading
Press bottom crust firmly to support jam layer
Don't overbake - top should be golden, not dark brown
Cool completely for clean cuts and proper texture
Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days or refrigerate up to 1 week
Can substitute quick oats but texture will be finer
For gluten-free version, use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
Press bottom crust firmly to support jam layer
Don't overbake - top should be golden, not dark brown
Cool completely for clean cuts and proper texture
Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days or refrigerate up to 1 week
Can substitute quick oats but texture will be finer
For gluten-free version, use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
