Oatmeal Plum Bars

Let’s talk about Oatmeal Plum Bars—aka the soft, chewy, fruity bars that somehow taste like summer and fall at the same time. These are perfect when you’ve got ripe plums hanging around and want a treat that feels homemade but not fussy. You get a golden oatmeal crust, a juicy plum layer, and a crumbly topping all in one bite. They’re super easy, freezer-friendly, and taste even better the next day!

💛 Why I Love This Recipe

These bars showed up in our house when I had a few plums and not much time. It’s now a favorite “throw-together” bake I go back to every season.

Uses simple pantry ingredients
That plum layer turns all jammy and sweet
Oat crumble makes it feel wholesome
No mixer required
Great for breakfast or dessert

🍑 What You’ll Need

For the Crust & Topping:

1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup light brown sugar
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Plum Filling:

2 cups ripe plums, diced
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp cornstarch
¼ tsp cinnamon (optional)

ingredients for oatmeal plum bars: old-fashioned oats in a small white bowl, all-purpose flour in a clear glass jar, light brown sugar in a small white dish, baking soda and salt in tiny white bowls, melted unsalted butter on a small plate, vanilla extract on a small white plate, diced ripe plums in a clear bowl, granulated sugar in a clear glass jar, lemon juice on a small white plate, cornstarch and cinnamon in tiny white dishes.

🧁 How to Make Oatmeal Plum Bars

Step 1: Make the Oatmeal Crust & Topping

In a bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add melted butter and vanilla. Mix until crumbly.

oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt in a bowl, with melted butter and vanilla being mixed in to form a crumbly dough.

Step 2: Press Dough Into Pan

Take two-thirds of the crumb mixture and press it firmly into a parchment-lined 8×8 pan to form the crust.

hands pressing crumbly oatmeal mixture into a parchment-lined baking dish, forming a flat crust layer

Step 3: Make the Plum Filling

In a small bowl, stir together diced plums, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and cinnamon until juicy and coated.

diced plums being mixed with sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and cinnamon in a clear bowl, forming a glossy, fruit filling

Step 4: Add Plum Filling on Top of Crust

Spread the plum filling evenly over the crust.

juicy plum filling being spooned and spread evenly over the pressed oatmeal crust in the baking pan

Step 5: Add Crumb Topping

Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the plum layer, leaving some gaps so the fruit peeks through.

oat crumble being sprinkled by hand over the plum filling, with some fruit still visible

Step 6: Bake

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes, until golden and bubbling.

oatmeal plum bars baking in the oven, the top golden brown and the plum filling bubbling at the edges

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Let bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.

a knife slicing through cooled oatmeal plum bars in the pan, revealing layers of crust, jammy filling, and crumble topping

🥄 What to Serve With

Hot coffee or tea
A scoop of vanilla ice cream
Greek yogurt for a breakfast vibe
Warmed with a drizzle of honey
Packed in lunchboxes for an afternoon treat

❓ FAQ

Can I use other fruit instead of plums?
Totally! Try peaches, cherries, or berries.

Do these need to be refrigerated?
If it’s hot out, yes. Otherwise, room temp in an airtight container is fine for 2–3 days.

Can I freeze them?
Yes! Slice and freeze them between layers of parchment paper.

What kind of oats should I use?
Old-fashioned oats work best. Quick oats will make the texture a bit mushier.

Can I make it gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free oats.

🍽️ That’s It!

These Oatmeal Plum Bars are easy to throw together and even easier to love. They’re cozy, fruity, and that oat topping is seriously addictive. Give them a try, and don’t forget to let me know how they turned out! 💛🍑