These Plant-Based Strawberry Crumble Bars are an easy vegan and gluten-free dish! Serve for breakfast or dessert - these crumble bars take just 45 minutes to make.
These bars, while delicious anytime, are made specially for Laetare Sunday this Lent.
Laetare means "rejoice" in Latin. On Laetare Sunday the Church expresses hope and joy in the midst of our Lenten fasts and penances. It's very similar to Gaudete Sunday during Advent.
On this Sunday, the priest can wear his rose vestments, so we're making something red!
Jump to:
For this recipe I'm excited to partner with Lovely Lady Linens, to display Therese's beautiful Mystical Rose Tablecloth. If you're interested in purchasing any of the linens from Lovely Lady Linens, I've got a discount code for you!
Head over to Lovely Lady Linens and use code Elizabeth15 for 15% off any order! The code is valid Thursday, March 24 2022 through Thursday, March 31, 2022.
Why I love these Vegan Strawberry Crumble Bars
- Dietary needs - these crumble bars are completely plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free
- Simple ingredients - you likely have everything you need for this recipe (or easy substitutes) already in your house!
- Breakfast or dessert - healthy enough for breakfast and a perfect pair with vegan ice cream for dessert. You can't go wrong with these delicious bars!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Rolled Oats: rolled oats are best in this recipe, but you can use quick oats as a sub. Avoid using steel cut oats.
- Oat Flour: I usually grind my own oat flour in my food processor, but store-bought oat flour works great too! You could also use all purpose flour or another flour you have on hand
- Salt: if your tahini or nut butter is salted, omit this salt
- Maple Syrup: for a completely fruit-sweetened crumble, use date syrup
- Tahini or Almond Butter: I like tahini because it's runnier and more easy to mix. But almond butter is great too.
- Fresh Strawberries: this recipe works best with fresh berries, because they don't hold as much liquid. You can use frozen strawberries, just be sure to thaw them well so you get some of the liquid out before you bake
- Arrowroot Powder or Cornstarch: either of these will work
- Lemon Juice: you could also use lime juice
How to make Plant-Based Strawberry Crumble Bars
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper.
Step 2. In a medium bowl combine the oats, oat flour, and salt.
Step 3. Add the maple syrup and tahini. Stir until a crumbly mixture forms.
Step 4. Reserve a heaping ½ cup of the crumble. Then, press the crumble into the bottom of the parchment-lined pan.
Step 5. In a separate bowl, mix the sliced strawberries with the arrowroot and lemon juice.
Step 6. Spread the strawberries on top of the crust.
Step 7. Top the strawberries with the reserved crumble.
Step 8. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top of the crumble is browned and the bars seem to hold together.
Step 9. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Cut into bars. Enjoy!
FAQ & Expert Tips
Yes. Oats are a naturally gluten-free grain.
If you are particularly gluten-sensitive make sure to use certified gluten-free oats to ensure there are no traces of gluten on the oats.
Yes! I actually have a few different crumble recipes listed below. But you can also just choose a different fruit for these bars. Be sure to chop/slice the fruit so it lays flat.
A few ideas:
- Raspberry
- Blueberry
- Apple
- Peach
- Rhubarb
For each of the above, simply chop the fruit so that it equals the 3 cups of strawberries called for in this recipe.
Yes. Frozen strawberries will work in this recipe, but since frozen strawberries tend to hold more liquid than fresh, be sure to thaw the strawberries very well before you use them.
If your strawberries are still looking a bit wet, add another teaspoon or two of arrowroot/cornstarch to help absorb some of the liquid.
Recipe Prayer
Jesus, we rejoice today. We praise you for your goodness. Amen.
More crumble recipes
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📖 Recipe
Plant-Based Strawberry Crumble Bars
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Cup Rolled Oats
- 1 Cup Oat Flour
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
- ¼ Cup Maple Syrup
- ¼ Cup Tahini or Almond Butter
- 3 Cups Sliced Strawberries
- 1 Teaspoon Arrowroot Powder or Cornstarch
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl combine the oats, oat flour, and salt.
- Add the maple syrup and tahini. Stir until a crumbly mixture forms.
- Reserve a heaping ½ cup of the crumble. Then, press the crumble into the bottom of the parchment-lined pan.
- In a separate bowl, mix the sliced strawberries with the arrowroot and lemon juice.
- Spread the strawberries on top of the crust.
- Top the strawberries with the reserved crumble.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top of the crumble is browned and the bars seem to hold together.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Cut into bars. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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