Try these homemade Cherry Oatmeal Bars made from fresh or frozen cherries! With a sweet, chewy oatmeal crust and topping and a tart cherry filling, these bars are the perfect combination of flavors and textures.
These oatmeal cherry bars are similar to Starbucks Michigan cherry oat bars. They're fresh, buttery, and one of my favorite desserts or snacks you'll make over and over.
My love of oatmeal bars runs deep. These easy-to-make oatmeal bars were one of the first recipes on my site. It all started with this epic recipe for Easy Oatmeal Bars. It's now a fan and family favorite and my most pinned recipe on Pinterest. It's healthy, customizable, and vegetarian.
If you're a fan of chewy oatmeal bar recipes, try Strawberry Oatmeal Bars, popular Blueberry Breakfast Bars, and Raspberry Oat Bars! They're delish!
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Why this Recipe is Amazing
- WHOLESOME. With whole wheat flour and oats, you're eating whole grains, which lowers your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
- EASY RECIPE. These oat cherry bars take about 15 minutes to prep and 30 minutes to bake, so they can be easily prepared at the beginning of the week and enjoyed for breakfast or snack time.
- TASTE & TEXTURE. EVERY mouthful is bursting with tart cherry flavor, and the buttery oat crust and crumbly topping are chewy and satisfying.
Ingredient Notes
For the cherry filling:
- Cherries - this recipe is perfect for frozen cherries, so you can make it year-round. It also works with pitted fresh cherries if in season.
- Sugar - you will use white granulated sugar to make the cherry filling and brown sugar in the sweet oatmeal crust.
- Cornstarch - cornstarch is used to thicken the fruit filling to the right consistency.
- Vanilla Extract - vanilla brings the flavors of the filling together. I also include a small amount of almond extract that complements the cherry flavor perfectly.
- Lemon Juice - lemon adds the perfect tartness to the sweet cherries.
For the crust and crumble topping:
- Whole Wheat Flour - whole wheat up the nutrition factor and brings a slightly nutty flavor to these bars. But you can use all-purpose flour with equally good results.
- Old Fashioned/Rolled Oats - oats give an incredible chewy texture to both the crust and topping, plus they add fiber and antioxidants.
- Dark Brown Sugar - dark brown sugar has a bit more molasses than light brown sugar, adding a nice deep flavor to the crust and topping. Light brown sugar is also fine to use.
- Baking Soda - Just a ½ teaspoon helps the crust rise a just bit to become flaky and not too dense.
- Cinnamon - for a bakery-fresh flavor, add a touch of cinnamon to your oat bars. It pairs very well with the oats.
- Cold Butter - key to a flaky crust and crumbly, streusel-like topping for your cherry bars.
Find the full ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.
Substitutions/Variations
- CHERRIES - We love fresh or frozen cherries for the recipe because they produce the best flavor, but you can substitute canned cherry pie filling in a pinch.
- FLOUR - We like the added nutrition of whole wheat flour, but all-purpose flour work also works well in the recipe.
- BROWN SUGAR - You can use coconut sugar in place of brown sugar. Use a 1:1 substitution.
- GLUTEN-FREE - To make these cherry oatmeal bars gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats and all-purpose gluten-free flour instead of regular flour.
- NUTS - Adding ¼ cup of chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) to the oat topping adds a wonderful taste and texture.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Chewy Cherry Oatmeal Bars are easy to make; the prep time is about 15 minutes. This is a step-by-step walkthrough of how to make the recipe. Exact times and temperatures are available in the recipe card at the bottom.
PREP: To start, line an 8x8-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, extending the liner over the edges to easily remove the oatmeal bars after baking.
STEP 1. MAKE CHERRY FILLING. Add frozen cherries, water, granulated sugar, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, vanilla extract (and almond extract if using), and a pinch of salt to a small saucepan (Image 1).
Cook the cherry mixture on medium heat for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens. With your spatula or cooking spoon, break cherries into smaller pieces. When done, taste and add 1-2 more tablespoons of lemon juice if needed to balance the sweetness (Image 2). Place in refrigerator to cool until ready to use.
STEP 2. PREPARE OAT MIXTURE FOR CRUST AND TOPPING. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. (175 degrees C.) and place the rack in the middle position. Mix flour, old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl (Image 3). Add the chunks of butter to the dry ingredients (Image 4) and cut it into the oat mixture with two knives or a pastry cutter until pea-sized (Image 5).
PRO TIP: After cutting the butter into oat topping, it should resemble coarse crumbs.
STEP 3. PREPARE BARS. Add half of the oatmeal mixture to the prepared baking pan—press the mixture into the bottom of the pan in an even layer using your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup (Image 6). Pour the cooled cherry filling over the crust and spread it to an even layer (Image 7). Sprinkle the remaining oatmeal crumb mixture evenly over the top of the cherries (Image 8).
STEP 4. BAKE. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes before serving.
Using the foil or parchment, lift the oat bars out of the pan and cut them into squares when cool (Image 9). Enjoy!
Recipe Notes and Tips
- LEMON JUICE: Start by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the cherries while cooking. Add 1 - 2 more tablespoons of lemon juice after it's cooked, depending on the sweetness of your fruit. You want the filling on the tart side to balance the buttery, sweet crust.
- BUTTER: Use cold butter to get a nice, flakey crust and topping. Salted or unsalted butter will work.
- LEFTOVERS: Crumble or chop leftover cherry pie bars to top yogurt or vanilla ice cream.
- PAN: You'll need an 8x8 square baking pan to make the recipe, which yields 16 bars.
Storing
To store your easy Cherry Oat Bars, layer them between waxed paper in an airtight container or pan topped with plastic wrap. Store them on the counter for 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. If refrigerated, bring them back to room temperature before serving.
Individual bars can be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, leave them on the counter overnight.
Recipe FAQs
Cherry Oatmeal bars freeze very well. Bake and then cool completely. Wrap individually in plastic wrap and then place in an airtight freezer-safe container—label and date and then freeze. They will last in the freezer for about 3 months. To thaw, take your Oatmeal Bars out of the freezer and set them on the counter until ready to eat.
If you don't have a pastry cutter or pastry blender, take two knives and cut the cold butter into the oat mixture. Alternatively, you can use your hands to break up/mix in the butter with the other dry ingredients, forming a crumbly, coarse texture.
You can use canned cherry pie filling (about 2.5 cups) in your oat bars. However, they will not have the same fresh, vibrant flavor as using fresh/frozen cherries.
More Incredible Cherry Recipes
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Printable Recipe
Cherry Oatmeal Bars Recipe
Equipment
- 8x8 inch baking pan
- Small pot or saucepan
- Spatula or cooking spoon
Ingredients
Cherry Filling
- 2 ½ cups frozen cherries
- 3 tablespoons water
- ¼ cup granulated white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1-3 tablespoons lemon juice (about the juice of half a large lemon)
- pinch salt
Oatmeal Crust and Crumble Topping
- 1 cup whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1 ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup dark brown sugar (packed)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold butter (unsalted, cut into chunks)
Instructions
- Make the cherry filling by adding the frozen cherries, water, granulated sugar, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, vanilla extract (and almond extract if using), and a pinch of salt to a small saucepan. Cook the cherry mixture on medium heat for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens. With your spatula or cooking spoon, break cherries into smaller pieces. When done, taste and add 1-2 more tablespoons of lemon juice if needed to balance the sweetness. Place in refrigerator to cool until ready to use.
- Prepare the crust and topping. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. (175 degrees C.) and place the rack in the middle position. Mix flour, old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Add the chunks of butter to the dry ingredients and cut it into the oat mixture with two knives or a pastry cutter until pea-sized.
- Layer the oat bars by adding half of the oatmeal mixture to the prepared baking pan—press the mixture into the bottom of the pan in an even layer using your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup. Pour the cooled cherry filling over the crust and spread it to an even layer. Evenly sprinkle the remaining oatmeal crumb mixture over the top of the cherries.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
-
- CHERRIES: We love fresh or frozen cherry for the recipe because it produces the best flavor, but you can substitute canned cherry pie filling in a pinch.
- FLOUR: We like the added nutrition of whole wheat flour, but all-purpose flour work also works well in the recipe.
- LEMON JUICE: Start by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the cherries while cooking. Add 1 - 2 more tablespoons of lemon juice after it's cooked, depending on the sweetness of your fruit. You want the filling on the tart side to balance the buttery sweet crust.
-
- BUTTER: Use cold butter to get a nice, flakey crust and topping. Salted or unsalted butter will work.
- STORING: Store Cherry Oat Bars layered between waxed paper in an airtight container or a pan topped with plastic wrap. Store on the counter for 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on March 25, 2016. We updated it with enhanced instructions and images on August 6, 2020, and again on May 5, 2023.
Anna says
Love how easy these bars are to make! Perfect treat for a summer picnic!
Jessica says
Oh these bars are absolutely fantastic! So easy to make and delicious in every bite.
Erin Henry says
Yes! One of our favorite cherry recipes! Glad you enjoyed their sweet flavor.
Rachael Yerkes says
absolutely love these! cherry and oatmeal together is always good! my sons favorite treat
Erin Henry says
Perfect! So glad your son enjoys them!
patti says
These look wonderful. I think I'm going to try them with almond or coconut flour. Thanks
Erin says
Oh, that sounds great, Patti. Let me know how it goes. Almond is my favorite, but coconut would be great too!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton says
Erin, these looks so delish and it won't be hard for me to make these gluten free, I'm really excited. I eat a granola bar or 2 each day, I can carry them in my purse, it's hard to find gluten free snacks on the go. These will be perfect! And they will save me a bunch of money, it gets expensive when you eat a couple of these everyday! Thanks for the recipe, sharing it!
Erin says
Yes, it does save you a ton of money to make bars yourself vs buying them. My kids love to take bars on the go, so recipes like this really help keep them satisfied and my grocery bill low 🙂
Charlotte says
These look like they would go perfectly with afternoon tea, just delicious looking! I love that they are healthy too, although I don't think anyone would be able to tell! I have loads of oats in the cupboard so will have to give these a go next! Thanks for linking this week 🙂
Georgina says
These look lush, thanks for sharing a healthy snack. I love cherries so this will be a weekend bake for sure. #YumTum
Erin says
Thanks for stopping by! Cherries are my favorite too! Healthy and delicious!
Angelina says
oh how yummy!!! They sound delicious. Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things!
Erin says
Thanks, Angelina! It's a great party!
Lynn says
Another great recipe and one I need to make soon. Just so happens we have another Robotics competition this weekend...think these would be perfect to take for a bunch of hungry teens.
Thanks Erin and wishing you a lovely day.
Hugs, Lynn
Shirley Wood says
Oatmeal is one of my favorite foods. I'm also a big fan of cherry and streusel so this recipe is so for me! Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday.
Courtney says
I will definitely be making these, as soon as I pick up some wheat germ, they sound delicious! Thanks Erin!
Erin says
Great! I hope you and your family enjoy them, Courtney. I love the crumbly streusel topping the best. And the cherries of course 🙂
Kathryn says
My husband's favorite part of coffee cake is the streusel. I've been asked to triple it in the past! These would be a huge hit at my house. Thanks!
Erin says
Mine too!! I love the streusel topping. Triple topping?? Now, that's over the top 🙂
Marilyn says
Oatmeal is so healthy. Thank you for offering another way to use it! Pinned and shared.
Erin says
I love the heath benefit you get from oatmeal. Plus the recipes are so tasty! My family just loves them!
Michelle says
These look amazing and so healthy too. Would love for you to link these at my Party At My Place link up. Always looking for delicious and healthy recipes. Happy Easter and visiting from Ms. Toody Goo Shoes Best of the Weekend link up.
Erin says
Thanks for visiting, Michelle! Healthy and good tasting recipe are my favorite. Happy Easter to you!