We all have those jars in our fridge, right? The ones where you may not know what they are, or they keep getting pushed to the back because the kids decide they no longer want to eat them. My crew doesn't like fig jam in other applications, but they can't get enough of fig in this oatmeal jam bar recipe.
I love this recipe simply because it's so versatile. You can use whatever flour fits your dietary needs, including gluten-free. Just pick your favourite gluten-free blend and go for it. This recipe does use butter, and I haven't tested it myself with coconut oil, but I know others who have. However, it doesn't have eggs so also fits that need if you have an allergy.
It does make a MASSIVE batch - an entire half sheet pan. You might be telling yourself to halve the recipe, and the measurements ARE easy enough to do that. But I recommend just going for the entire batch at once since you already have dirty dishes. If you don't have a half sheet pan, just split into two quarter sheets, though you may need to reduce the baking time so you don't over brown them.
These bars freeze really well. I recommend cooling completely and slicing into bars before freezing. Then you could layer them with parchment in a container so you can thaw however many you need at once.
Oatmeal Jam Bars
Ingredients
- 4 cups flour all-purpose, whole wheat, gluten-free blend, etc.
- 2 cups oats quick or rolled
- 2 ½ cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups salted butter melted
- 4-5 cups jam or fruit sauce see notes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Mix flour, oats, sugar and baking soda together. Stir in the melted butter.
- Scoop out 1 ½ cups of the mixture and press the rest into a parchment lined half sheet pan (13”x18”).
- Spread jam on the base. Sprinkle remaining mixture on top. Bake 45 minutes, cool before cutting.
Notes
- Jam/fruit sauce options: use any jam, leftover cranberry sauce, apple sauce, mix dried fruit in with applesauce, mix multiple jams, use jams your family isn’t too keen on (my crew doesn't love fig jam but loves fig jam bars!). The world is your oyster, just make sure it adds up to about 4-5 cups. You can even go halvsies when spreading your jam flavours.
Nutrition
Danica p
I'm dairy-free, and I don't have coconut oil right now. Suppose I could use nutmilk to replace the melted butter? I've used it before like that.
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Absolutely!
Amanda
So incredibly easy to put together and great to make when you’re bringing a snack for a crowd of kids!
One thing though, the recipe calls for 2 1/2 cups of sugar, I only used 1 cup of sugar for the whole thing and thought it was plenty sweet. I might even use a little less next time. The jams lend plenty of natural sweetness!
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Jam certainly does add sweetness, but if you don't put much sugar or honey in your jam, the extra sugar is nice in the recipe. It's a Use-What-You-Got, Make it how you like it recipe!
Janna
I live these jam bars. They taste super similar to a date bar you'd get at a coffee shop and who doesn't like those. Thanks for the awesome recipe Kate!
Lucia Rome
Perfect. It is requested on rotation at our house 🙂
Valerie
SO good….and helps me use the jam that I make so that I can make more. ??
Jessica
This has become a go to recipe when I need to whip something up fast and feed several people. It is always delicious no matter the jam I use!
Shannon D.
Made these today with cherry preserves! Delicious. Easy. Always a fan favorite.
Paige
These, so so so good! Made three times now and always a hit! Combined elderberry, raspberry, peach and black raspberry jams, everyone loved them!
Kim
These bars are delicious! I've made several different flavors with homemade jams.
Brit
So good and quick to come together and use up a bunch of jams/jelly's and fruit sauces!
Rachel Jones
I love this recipe for using up random odds and ends of jams or canned fruits. It's very forgiving so you can use what you have on hand. Most of Kate's recipes are like that! Pretty fool proof!
SallieK
This is such an adaptable recipe. It’s simple and incredibly delicious. It makes a TON of bars which after several days of gorging ourselves on, I finally relented and froze a large qty. They defrost wonderfully w/parchment between layers.
This recipe is a keeper!
Amber Strong
These are amazing!! I tripled the batch last time and froze a bunch. So delicious even right out of the freezer!
Amanda
I love this recipe. It’s nice and easy, everyone loved it!
Hannah Fogarty
My whole family loves these jam bars. I usually just use applesauce aS my “jam” and add some cinnamon. I also cut the sugar in half or it’s a lot too sweet for us, but that’s a personal preference.
Lesa
Make these all the time! Delicious and Great for gatherings
Dorcas
This recipe is perfect for lunchboxes or afternoon snacks, and the best part .. using up all the extra jelly, jam, preserves or apple butter! #cleanthefridge
Dorcas
Perfect way to mark 2 things off my list,
Make snack
Clean the fridge!
Ashley
These bars are amazing! So easy to make. I love making them for my husband to take to work to share. Everyone loves them.
Raquel
I love that this recipe allows you to be flexible with the filling! We have made them with "odds and ends" that aren't disappearing like "ground cherry jam" and the bars disappear in record time!
Thecia Boothe
Love love love these jam bars. Delicious and nutritious.
Ashley Pullen
These are so delicious! They have become my go-to when we get together with other families for snacks. Apple butter, apple sauce, pear sauce… all delicious!
Mary
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Chrystal Van Order
Love how versatile this recipe can be especially when I need to clean out my pantry of jams before the next canning season. This is always a hit in our house
Deanna Taylor
These are a hit here! I’ll usually cut the sugar back a bit and the kids still devour it. And I don’t feel too guilty about having a piece for breakfast lol.
Kate M.
I LOVE how easy this recipe is. Everyone has these basic pantry ingredients and I love that I can use up jam that my family didn’t care for. They eat it in this recipe tho 😉
Janna
One of our family favorites! Also we freeze half and they freeze beautifully for later.
Meaghan
I like being able to use up odd jams for these. They are quick and easy, and yummy!
Krista
These are really easy to make and the kids love them! I cut the sugar in the oat base part by ½ or more b/c I think our jam must be sweeter than Kate’s! If you have extra jam hanging around these are a must make!
Kimberly
This recipe is so versatile and forgiving and as she said the bars freeze beautifully. I have taken these to a mom’s book club and had multiple requests to share the recipe; they are simple to make and SO yummy! I’ve made them gluten free and with a mixture of jams. Excellent recipe!!
Dawn
I love the simplicity and versatility of these bars! My favorite way to make them gluten free is with gf oats, and almond flour. I add toasted almonds to the topping too. I’ve had multiple people ask for your recipe!
Amanda
My family loves these delicious bars and I love making them. They're super easy to make and a great way to use up leftover bits of jam from the fridge.
Krysten
So many variations possible and SO delicious! thank you!!
Cassie
These are so good! I love that they’re made with simple ingredients that I keep on hand!
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Exactly! Me too.
Alicia
These are always a hit and a great way to use up "less desirable" jam flavors that I may have tried to get that my kids weren't thrilled with.
Shayna Christensen
These are a family fave! I usually make a triple batch for quick and easy snacks. They have replaced granola bars in our home
Carrie
This is a go to recipe. I make it about once a month and it freezes amazingly!
Victoria Rudderow
These are delicious and so easy. I make them the day before a playground playdate because it makes so many and the kids all love them. They also store really well in the fridge m.
Emily B
So good! I like that you can use up what is in the fridge!
Rebecca
These are so delicious and they use up that extra homemade jam and preserves.
Kim
Very delicious and easy to make! Don’t skimp on the jelly.:).