Golden Peach Oat Crumble Bars

Imagine the sunniest flavors of summer, captured in a delightful, chewy treat. These Fresh Peach Oatmeal Bars are exactly that – a perfect blend of tender oats and juicy peaches, baked to golden perfection, ready to be enjoyed on a warm afternoon or as a sweet start to your day.

Golden brown oatmeal bars with fresh peach slices on top, cooling on a parchment-lined rack.

Discover the Perfect Balance of Sweetness

What truly sets these peach oatmeal bars apart is their exquisite sweetness. We’ve carefully calibrated the sugar content to highlight, rather than overpower, the natural sugars of ripe peaches. Each bite delivers a harmonious symphony of flavors, where the comforting chewiness of oatmeal meets the vibrant, sweet burst of peach. They’re utterly irresistible! Imagine pairing one with your morning coffee for a delightful pick-me-up or enjoying it as a satisfying, wholesome snack to beat the afternoon slump. They are versatile, delicious, and sure to become a staple in your summer baking repertoire.

Eighteen perfectly cut squares of Peach Oatmeal Bars arranged on a cooling rack covered with parchment paper.

Embrace the Bounty of Peach Season

As summer unfolds, fresh peaches grace us with their abundant presence, and there’s no better time to indulge in their sweet, fragrant glory. I seize every opportunity to bake with these seasonal gems, knowing that this glorious time won’t last forever. There’s a tinge of sadness at the thought of the day when market stalls are no longer piled high with these fuzzy, sun-kissed fruits. But until then, we bake!

Peaches have a magical way of bringing joy, especially when their sweet aroma fills my kitchen during baking. That comforting, warm baked peach smell and taste evoke pure happiness and delicious memories. It’s a scent that promises warmth, sunshine, and a treat worth savoring, transforming an ordinary day into something truly special.

Two enticing peach oatmeal snack bars, garnished with fresh peach slices, presented on a pristine white plate.

The Journey to Peach Perfection: Trial, Error, and Triumph

The inspiration for these delightful snack bars struck one morning during breakfast. I had added a few slices of fresh peach and a dash of cinnamon to my humble bowl of oatmeal, and the combination was simply divine. This simple act sparked an obsession: I became fixated on the idea of baking something truly extraordinary that combined peaches and oatmeal. This flavor pairing had completely captured my heart, and I knew I had to bring it to life in a baked good.

My first attempts led me down the path of peach oatmeal cookies. While the flavor was undeniably amazing—a testament to the perfect marriage of peaches and oats—the texture and appearance left something to be desired. The cookies, laden with the weight of all the oats and juicy peach pieces, spread out too thin, lacking the satisfying chewiness and robust structure I envisioned. They tasted incredible, but they certainly didn’t look presentation-ready.

Undeterred, I decided on a different approach. I mixed up another batch of the delicious dough, this time pressing it firmly into a baking dish. The result was a resounding success! The bars emerged from the oven exactly as I had hoped: thick, chewy, beautifully golden, and brimming with peach flavor. It was peach perfection in bar form, a testament to perseverance and a delightful culinary discovery.

Chewy oatmeal bars adorned with fresh peach slices, resting on a parchment-lined cooling rack after baking.

A Hearty and Wholesome Breakfast Bar

If you prefer your breakfast with a touch of sweetness, these peach oatmeal breakfast bars are about to become your new obsession. The inclusion of hearty old-fashioned oats ensures they are wonderfully filling and provide sustained energy for your day. Meanwhile, the peaches infuse every bite with an abundance of natural sweetness and bright, invigorating flavor. Imagine: soft, yet satisfyingly chewy, perfectly sweet, with a hint of warm cinnamon, and bursting with the unmistakable taste of fresh peaches. It’s a sensory delight that makes starting your day feel like a special occasion. Could a breakfast bar get any better? We think not.

A single peach oatmeal breakfast bar, ready to be enjoyed, served on a plate with a fork.

Expert Tip: How to Pick the Perfect Ripe Peach

Selecting a ripe peach is key to maximizing the flavor of your bars. Look for a peach with a consistent, rich peachy color all over, avoiding any green areas, which indicate it’s not yet ripe. Gently squeeze the peach; it should yield slightly to pressure, feeling neither rock-hard nor overly mushy. A truly ripe peach will also emit a lovely, sweet fragrance at its stem end. Always check for bruises or soft spots, as these can affect the quality and flavor of your baked goods.

Essential Ingredients for Your Peach Oatmeal Bars

Creating these delightful bars requires a handful of common pantry staples, ensuring that fresh peaches are the star of the show. Here’s what you’ll need to gather before you begin your baking adventure:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant or quick-cooking)
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Ground cinnamon (for warmth and spice)
  • Unsalted butter, softened
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar (for added moisture and depth of flavor)
  • Large eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Fresh peaches (peeled, chopped, and thinly sliced for topping)
  • Cinnamon sugar (for that irresistible sprinkle on top)
  • A 13 x 9-inch baking pan
A collection of ingredients for peach oatmeal bars, including flour, oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, butter, sugars, eggs, vanilla, and fresh peaches, neatly arranged in small glass dishes on a white countertop.

Versatility of Peaches: Any Peach Will Do!

Don’t fret if your peaches aren’t absolutely picture-perfect; these bars are wonderfully forgiving! In fact, slightly overripe peaches, which are often sweeter and juicier, work beautifully here, adding an even richer peach flavor. You can also easily substitute fresh peaches with frozen peach slices—just be sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before chopping. For ultimate convenience, drained canned peaches, sliced and chopped, can also be used. This recipe truly celebrates the peach in all its forms, making it accessible even when fresh peaches are out of season.

Crafting Your Delicious Peach Oatmeal Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple instructions to create a batch of the most irresistible peach oatmeal bars:

  • **Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan.** Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of your bars. Set it aside for later.
  • **Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients.** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined. This ensures even distribution of leavening and flavor throughout the bars. Set this dry mixture aside.
  • **Step 3: Cream Wet Ingredients.** In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and dark brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process incorporates air, contributing to the bars’ tender texture.
  • **Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla.** Beat in the large eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing until everything is just combined and smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • **Step 5: Incorporate Dry Mixture.** Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough bars. The batter will be thick.
A visual guide showing the initial steps to prepare the batter for peach oatmeal bars, including mixing dry and wet ingredients.
  • **Step 6: Fold in Peaches.** Gently fold in the peeled and chopped fresh peaches into the batter until evenly distributed.
  • **Step 7: Spread into Pan.** Transfer the batter into your prepared 13×9-inch baking pan. Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the batter evenly across the bottom of the pan.
  • **Step 8: Top with Peach Slices.** Artfully arrange the thinly sliced fresh peaches over the top of the batter. This not only adds visual appeal but also a burst of fresh peach flavor in every bite.
  • **Step 9: Sprinkle with Cinnamon Sugar.** Lightly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the peach slices. This creates a beautifully caramelized, sweet, and spiced crust.
The process of preparing peach oatmeal bars, showing the batter spread in a pan, topped with peach slices and cinnamon sugar, ready for baking.
  • **Step 10: Bake to Perfection.** Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top will be lightly browned and the peaches will be tender.
A 9x13 inch pan filled with freshly baked oatmeal bars, beautifully topped with vibrant fresh peach slices.

More Delicious Peach Recipes to Explore

If you’re as enamored with peaches as we are, you’ll love diving into these other fantastic recipes that celebrate this incredible fruit:

  • Fresh Peach Crumble: Experience sweet, juicy peaches baked beneath a scrumptious cinnamon sugar topping. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s the quintessential summer dessert!
  • Peach Coffee Cake: Indulge in a deliciously moist coffee cake, generously loaded with sweet peaches and crowned with the most amazing cinnamon sugar streusel. This cake is guaranteed to impress!
  • Grilled Brie with Peaches and Pesto: Discover your new summer grilling obsession with this irresistible appetizer, featuring sweet, juicy peaches, nutty pesto, and perfectly melted, mellow brie.
  • Peachy Keen Cocktail: Sip on a complex yet refreshing cocktail where peach jam brings out the sweetness in bourbon, and aged tequila adds a delightful earthy complexity.
  • Peach Raspberry Crumb Bars: A delightful twist on the classic, featuring fresh peaches and raspberries baked into fruity, fabulous crumble bars with an irresistible crumb crust and topping.

Serving and Storing Your Peach Oatmeal Bars

Once your Peach Oatmeal Bars have cooled completely, carefully cut them into 18 equal squares. These bars are incredibly versatile and can be served slightly warm, which truly enhances the peach flavor, or at room temperature for a convenient grab-and-go snack. Be prepared to grin from ear to ear with every bite!

To maintain their freshness and chewiness, store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, these bars freeze beautifully. Simply cut them into individual portions, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container with a sheet of parchment paper between each bar to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to three months, making them perfect for meal prepping or having a delicious treat on hand whenever a craving strikes.

A cooling rack covered in parchment paper holds eighteen neatly cut squares of Peach Oatmeal Bars.

I genuinely hope you enjoy baking and savoring my Peach Oatmeal Bars as much as I do. If you whip up a batch, please don’t hesitate to snap a picture and share it with me! You can tag me on Instagram @thebakermama—I absolutely love seeing your creations. For more fun and yummy recipes, consider joining my Friends of The BakerMama group on Facebook, where we connect and share all our culinary adventures. Your inspiration and creativity with my recipes always bring a huge smile to my face. Enjoy every delicious moment!

xoxo,

Maegan's signature
Golden brown oatmeal bars with fresh peach slices on top, cooling on a parchment-lined rack.

Peach Oatmeal Bars

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  • Author: Maegan – The BakerMama
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Yield: 18 bars
  • Category: Dessert, Snack, Breakfast
Print Recipe

Description

Fresh peaches are baked into these chewy oat bars for a perfect snack on a fun summer afternoon, a wholesome breakfast, or a delightful dessert!


Ingredients

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups peeled & chopped fresh peaches (about 2 large peaches)
  • 1 large peach, thinly sliced (for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking pan and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, old-fashioned oats, baking powder, salt, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Set aside.
  3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract, mixing until just combined, about 1 minute.
  4. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined. Fold in the chopped peaches until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  5. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Arrange the thinly sliced peach pieces evenly on top of the batter. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar.
  6. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting and serving. Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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This post was originally published on July 20, 2013, and has been lovingly updated with enhanced details, fresh photography, and expanded content to bring you the ultimate Peach Oatmeal Bars experience.