Oat & Berry Jam Crumble Bars – Perfect for Breakfast, Coffee Breaks & School Lunches

If you’re looking for a cozy, wholesome treat that gets better with time, these oat and berry jam crumble bars are exactly what you need. They pair beautifully with a cup of milk or coffee and are easy to pack for kids’ school snacks. Fair warning: this recipe is so delicious it might just tempt you off your diet!

🕒 Prep Time & Portions

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12 bars (depending on cut size)

📝 Ingredients

120 g unsalted butter
200 g sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
180 g all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
½ tsp baking powder
150 g rolled oats
30 g barley flakes
1 jar (350 g) fruit jam (your favorite; I used mixed berries)

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the base dough:
Cream the butter with sugar until the sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well.
Add dry ingredients:
Mix the flour, salt, and baking powder together. Gradually add to the wet ingredients and mix until combined. You can use a mixer or do this by hand.
Incorporate oats:
Fold in the rolled oats evenly into the dough.
Form the bottom crust:
Grease a 26 cm round baking pan (or a 22×22 cm square pan) and line with parchment paper. Press two-thirds of the oat dough evenly on the bottom of the pan. To get an even surface, place a plastic bag or parchment sheet on top and press down firmly with a flat-bottomed glass or spatula.
Add the jam layer:
Spread the fruit jam evenly over the base crust.
Top with barley crumble:
Mix the remaining dough with the barley flakes. Crumble this mixture over the jam layer evenly.
Bake:
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
Cool & serve:
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into rectangles. They’re delicious fresh but even better the next day once the flavors meld.

💡 Tips & Variations

Use your favorite jam flavor — apricot, raspberry, or strawberry all work beautifully.
Substitute barley flakes with extra oats or chopped nuts for a different texture.
For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour and oats.
Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm spice note.
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.

🧾 Final Thoughts

These oat and berry jam crumble bars strike the perfect balance between wholesome and indulgent, making them an ideal anytime snack. Easy to prepare and customizable to your taste, they bring comforting flavors and textures to your table — whether it’s breakfast, a coffee break, or a school lunchbox favorite.