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Any Fruit Oat and Pretzel Bars
These sweet and salty bars are made with layers of fresh berries and fruit jam, sandwiched between a buttery oatmeal shortbread and a crunchy salted pretzel topping. They’re packed with oats, a little brown sugar, plenty of vanilla, and just the right amount of jam. Use whatever you have on hand—any fruit jam or preserve works, and mixing a few together makes them even more fun! These are perfect for breakfast, afternoon snacks, or even a light dessert.
I always have at least a couple of open jars of jam in the fridge—I guess I’m a jam girl at heart! Growing up, I’d watch my grandpa start his mornings with bread spread with salted butter and jam, always topped with a little extra pinch of salt (he loves salt).
When I started cooking and baking, I naturally found myself buying the same jams my Nonnie used to get for him. I don’t usually add jam to toast myself—although, now that I think about it, that sounds pretty great—but I do love baking with it, especially in the summer.
Jam is one of my favorite shortcut ingredients. It cuts out the need for chopping fruit or simmering sauces—no fuss at all. It’s just open, spread, and go.
So when I find myself with a few half-used jars in the fridge, I make these bars. They’re the perfect way to use up leftover jam, and you can mix and match flavors depending on what you have. Super simple, super delicious—and always a hit!
These are the details
Ingredients
- mini salted pretzel twist
- old-fashioned oats
- all-purpose or whole wheat flour
- brown sugar, preferably dark brown and organic – I don’t use a lot
- baking powder
- salted butter
- vanilla extract
- jam – etc, strawberry/raspberry/blackberry/blueberry/peach
- fresh berries
Special Tools
To make these bars, you need a food processor or blender, a mixing bowl, and a rectangular baking dish. Plus, parchment paper.
Steps
Step 1: Grind the pretzels
Using a food processor or blender, pulse the pretzels into a coarse flour. They don’t need to be completely ground—a few small pieces are just fine!
Step 2: Make the dough
Transfer the pretzel flour to a bowl. Add the oats, all-purpose flour, baking powder, a pinch of salt, and brown sugar. The recipe calls for 1/4 to 1/2 cup of sugar, but I usually go with just 1/4 cup for a less sweet bar—feel free to adjust based on your preference!
Add in the butter and vanilla, then beat everything together until a soft dough forms.
Step 3: Add the jam
Press half of the dough into a baking dish. Top with a layer of fresh berries or sliced peaches, then spread your favorite jam (or a mix!). Just make sure to use a thicker jam so it doesn’t get too runny while baking.
Crumble the remaining dough evenly over the top.
Step 4: Bake
Bake the bars for 30–40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and your kitchen smells like summer.
Let the bars cool completely before slicing into squares—then enjoy!
How Best to Enjoy These
These bars are perfect for breakfast (especially if you go light on the sugar), as an afternoon snack, or even for dessert—maybe with a scoop of ice cream?
Technically, you’re supposed to let them cool before slicing… but eating them warm, straight from the pan, is so good. Add a little vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, and you’ve got something extra delicious.
Looking for other summer desserts? Here are some favorites:
Jammy Raspberry Cream Pretzel Hand Pies
Skillet Strawberry Bourbon Cobbler
5 ingredient Raspberry Peach Sherbet
Nonnie’s 5 Ingredient Peach Dump
Cinnamon Maple Brown Butter Blackberry Peach Crisp
Lastly, if you make these Any Fruit Oat and Pretzel Bars, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Any Fruit Oat and Pretzel Bars
Servings: 24 bars
Calories Per Serving: 372 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.2. Using a food processor or blender, grind the pretzels into a fine powder or flour. Measure out 1 cup of pretzel flour and add it to a big bowl. Add the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and vanilla. Beat the butter into the flour until combined.3. Press 1/3 of the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread the jam evenly over the dough, then top with berries. Sprinkle the remaining dough over the jam. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the crumble is golden brown4. Let cool completely before cutting into bars. Keep stored in a sealed container for up to 1 week.
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