Simple Raspberry Oatmeal Bars

Name: Raspberry Oatmeal Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1½ cups all-purpose flour; 1½ cups rolled oats; ¾ cup packed brown sugar; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon cinnamon; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; ¾ cup butter (softened); 1 cup seedless raspberry jam; 1 tablespoon lemon juice

By Melissa Griffiths

No ratings yet

on Jun 02, 2025

Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Make delicious Raspberry Oatmeal Bars with this simple recipe! These chewy, fruity bars combine buttery oat crust with sweet raspberry jam for the perfect homemade treat.

A close-up of three stacked raspberry oatmeal bars on parchment paper, with a metal spatula lifting the stack. The bars have a crumbly oat topping and a layer of red jam in the center.

🫐 Customize the taste of these bars and use up any jam that’s already open in your fridge! Just swap raspberry jam for any favorite flavor like blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, or peach.

My 2 Best Tips For Making Raspberry Oatmeal Bars
Raspberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe
How To Make Raspberry Oatmeal Bars
Recipe FAQs
More Simple Snack Recipes To Try

My 2 Best Tips For Making Raspberry Oatmeal Bars

Press the Bottom Layer Firmly: Use the bottom of a measuring cup or your hands to really compact that bottom crust. A well-pressed foundation prevents crumbly, falling-apart bars and creates the perfect sturdy base for your jam layer.

Don’t Skip the Lemon Juice: That tablespoon of lemon juice brightens the raspberry flavor significantly and helps balance the sweetness. It also slightly thins thick jam for easier spreading without making the bars soggy.

🩷 Melissa

These bars deliver the ideal combination of a tender, buttery oat crust, sweet raspberry filling, and crumbly golden topping that creates satisfying layers in every bite. They’re basically bar cookies!

This is a great recipe to keep on hand because you likely have most ingredients in your kitchen most of the time! Basic staples with whatever jam you have will create this special treat.

These raspberry oatmeal bars actually improve overnight as the jam softens the layers, making them perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or when you want dessert ready in advance.

How To Make Raspberry Oatmeal Bars

A patterned bowl containing brown sugar, butter, and oats sits on a white surface, ready for mixing.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir together with a fork. Add the softened butter and vanilla extract.

A patterned bowl with blue, yellow, and orange dots holds a mixture of crumbled dry ingredients, possibly oats or streusel, on a light surface.

Step 2: Use your hands or a pastry blender to mix until the mixture becomes crumbly and holds together when pressed.

A square baking pan filled with an unbaked oat crust sits on a white surface. Above it is a bowl of dark red fruit jam with a yellow spatula resting inside.

Step 3: Press about 2½ cups of the crumb mixture (a little more than half) into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even base. Press down firmly.

A square baking pan lined with parchment paper contains an oatmeal crust topped with a layer of glossy, red berry jam. The pan is placed on a light-colored surface.

Step 4: In a small bowl, stir the lemon juice into the raspberry jam until well combined. Spread the jam evenly over the crust in the pan.

A square baking pan lined with parchment paper containing an unbaked oat crumble topping, evenly spread, ready to be baked.

Step 5: Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the jam layer. Press down lightly.

A square baking dish filled with golden-brown crumble bars sits lined with parchment paper atop a blue-and-white striped kitchen towel on a wooden board.

Step 6: Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats in raspberry oatmeal bars?

While rolled oats are preferred for their texture and chewiness, you can substitute quick oats if needed. The bars may be slightly less chewy, but they’ll still taste delicious. Avoid instant oats as they’ll make the texture too soft.

Why are my raspberry oatmeal bars falling apart when I cut them?

Make sure to cool completely before cutting – this is crucial! Press the bottom crust firmly and don’t over-mix the crumb topping. Using a sharp knife and wiping it clean between cuts also helps create clean slices.

What’s the best jam consistency for raspberry oatmeal bars?

Seedless jam works best to prevent chunks that might make cutting difficult. If your jam is very thick, the lemon juice helps thin it slightly for easier spreading. Avoid jelly as it’s too thin and may make bars soggy.