Early Fall Plum Walnut Oat Bars (Printable version)

Juicy plums and crunchy walnuts pair with oats for a delightful, warming bar perfect for fall.

# What you need:

→ Base Layer

01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
06 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

→ Fruit Filling

07 - 2 cups chopped ripe plums, pitted
08 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
10 - 2 teaspoons cornstarch

→ Walnut Crumble Topping

11 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
12 - 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
13 - 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

# Steps to follow:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment, allowing a slight overhang for easy removal.
02 - Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in melted butter until the mixture resembles damp sand.
03 - Firmly press two-thirds of the dough into the prepared pan, creating an even base. Reserve remaining dough. Bake for 12 minutes or until lightly set.
04 - Toss plums with granulated sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a medium bowl until well coated.
05 - Spread the plum mixture evenly over the baked crust.
06 - Mix reserved oat dough with walnuts, rolled oats, and brown sugar to create the crumble topping.
07 - Scatter walnut crumble topping evenly over plums. Bake for 35 minutes or until top is golden and fruit is bubbling.
08 - Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into portions.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • Uses fresh plums just as they hit their peak and pairs them with simple classic pantry oats and nuts
  • Works perfectly for breakfast snacks or dessert and travels well for potlucks or school lunches
  • Relies on oats and walnuts so it is naturally hearty and energy boosting
  • Comes together in under an hour and the house smells amazing while it bakes
02 -
  • Full of fiber from oats and healthy fats from walnuts
  • Holds up well for a few days so perfect for meal prep
  • Plums add vitamin C and deep color without needing food dyes
03 -
  • Do not skip toasting the walnuts as it changes the whole flavor
  • Lines from the parchment overhang make bars easy to lift and slice neatly
  • If plums are very juicy sprinkle a teaspoon of flour over the fruit before adding the topping to absorb extra moisture

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