If you're looking for a dessert that straddles the line between indulgence and wholesome goodness, these Gluten-Free Cherry Oat Bars are your answer. With a crisp, buttery oat crumble and a sweet-tart cherry filling, they hit all the right notes—perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a post-dinner treat.
Why You’ll Love These Cherry Oat Bars
- Naturally Gluten-Free: Made with a mix of gluten-free flour and oats, these bars are safe for those avoiding gluten without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The cherries bring a sweet-tart pop, while the buttery oat crumble adds warmth and richness.
- Easy to Make: No fancy techniques—just mix, layer, and bake.
- Versatile: Enjoy them as a snack, breakfast, or dessert. A dollop of cool whip or a drizzle of honey takes them to the next level.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Cherries?
The multitude of nutrients in cherries, especially the fiber, potassium, and Vitamin C, makes it a very nutritious food. Cherries help to promote gut and skin health, moderates blood sugar levels, and improve nerve function. The high antioxidant content fights free radicals and helps the overall immune system.
Pro Tips for the Best Cherry Oat Bars
- Serving Suggestion: Enjoy warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of honey.
- Make-Ahead Magic: The cherry filling can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge.
- Swap the Fruit: Not a cherry fan? Try blueberries, raspberries, or a mix of your favorite berries.
- Boost the Flavor: Add a touch of cinnamon or vanilla to the oat mixture for extra warmth.
More Cherry-Inspired Recipes to Try
If you love cherries as much as we do, there are plenty of other ways to indulge in their sweet-tart goodness. Try a Boozy Chocolate-Covered Cherry Milkshake, where rich chocolate and juicy cherries come together in a decadent, grown-up shake. For something refreshing, a Fresh Cherry Limeade Cocktail blends tart cherries with zesty lime for the perfect summer sipper. And if you're in the mood for something both crunchy and creamy, the Gluten-Free Fresh Cherry Pretzel Tart delivers with a salty-sweet pretzel crust, luscious filling, and fresh cherry topping.
I've made 3 batches of these bars in the past month because my family literally cannot get enough of them! I have been indulging in a bar with our coffee in the mornings, our kid's have been taking them in their lunch boxes to school all week! I'm just going to go ahead and declare this recipe a total winner that you need to act on while there is still a bit of cherry season left!
If you’ve tried this Gluten Free Cherry Oat Bars Recipe I would be so grateful if you would rate the recipe. Let me know what you think in the comments below. I just love hearing from you and your reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours!
PrintGluten Free Cherry Oat Bars Recipe
These Gluten-Free Cherry Oat Bars are rich and decadent with a crisp, buttery crumb that will have you making seconds in no time.
- Prep Time: 25 minuets
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 9 large or 16 small bars 1x
- Category: dessert , snack , breakfast
- Method: oven
- Cuisine: american
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cherries stems removed, pitted and halved
- ¼ cup water
- ⅓ cup sugar
- Juice from one lemon
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 ¼ cups gluten free all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups gluten free instant oats (sometimes labeled quick oats)
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup room temperature butter
Instructions
Instructions
To make the cherry filling:
- Prepare the cherry filling by adding halved, pitted cherries to a small saucepan, stir in the water, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch.
- Bring the mixture just to a boil over medium heat, as soon as you see the first bubbles form and start to pop, reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Using the back of the spoon to break up the cherries.
- Once thickened remove the cherry filling from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. (The filling can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to make the bars.)
To make the bars
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×9-inch square pan with cooking spray.
- Line the pan with parchment paper being sure to leave enough paper overhanging on each side of the pan so that you can use them as handles later to remove the bars from the baking pan.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the gluten-free all-purpose flour, instant and rolled oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and kosher salt.
- Use your hands to mix the dry ingredients together. Once completely combined add the softened butter to the bowl then use a pastry blender or your hands work the mixture into crumbs/pea-sized pieces. The mixture will become soft and crumbly and will clump together easily when squeezed together in your hand.
- Add ⅔ of the crumb mixture to the prepared pan and firmly pat down into an even layer.
- Spread the cherry filling evenly over the top. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the top of the cherries. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until light golden brown.
- Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, remove the bars from the pan by lifting on the parchment paper “handles”.
- Place onto a flat surface and cut the bars into the desired sized squares. Store at room temperature or in the fridge.
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Becky Ackroyd says
Made these last night- they were so good! (Though I cheated and used reduced sugar strawberry jam as the fruit filling, since it was already my usual bedtime when I put them in the oven). Thanks for such a simple and awesome recipe.
thismess says
OMG Becky that is a BRILLIANT idea! I love kitchen hacks that make easy recipes even EASIER. I am totally taking your version asap!
Do Engelmann says
I made a batch of these delicious treats for my co-workers with varied diets and everyone went crazy over them. I made sure there were big chunks of chewy cherries, and that put them over the edge! I was curious about freezing these for winter enjoyment after the cherry season. We are coming to the end of cherry season and I plan on trying to freeze a batch with fingers crossed. I bet they'll be great. I'll report back. But thanks for the great recipe!
thismess says
Hooray! I am so glad that you and your co-workers loved them! I am hoping to get my hands on more cherries for a batch or two to fill my freezer too. Can't wait hear how they turn out for you.
Do says
Followed the recipe and these delicious fruit bars are now my new favorite thing! They taste healthy, crunchy and crumbly but the best part is that delicious cherry filling. I wonder if these would freeze well - it would be nice to have them on hand when the mood strikes and the cherry season is over.
thismess says
Yay!!! I am so glad that you love them too. What a great idea to freeze them!! I have never tried it, but I bet you could. If I get the chance to make them again this season I will make a double batch and freeze one to see what happens. 🙂 You let me know if you give it a try first!
Josie Exner says
Made these last night. So delicious!!! I dont think I used quite enough butter, mine were uber crumbly. Loved the flavor. We could use blueberries I bet. Awesome job, keep it up
thismess says
Hey Josie!! I am so glad you enjoyed these and we are super glad to be back here! I hope we can catch up at some point soon, are you still harvesting honey? If you press the bottom layer of the crust in the pan very firmly it should all stick together. The top will still be a bit crumbly, due to the fact that you aren't compressing it, but even thee crumbles are pretty tasty. 😉 I think blueberries would be amazing. So would raspberries or blackberries!
Josie Exner says
Any suggestions for this when cherries are out of season?
meg@thismessisours says
You could use most stone fruits I would think.
Josie Exner says
So happy y'all are on this side of the world.
Abby @ Heart of a Baker says
Omggg cherry oat bars are LIFE! I'm so glad to hear you guys are settling in, what an adventure! Good vibes and cheers to your family making this big adventure!
thismess says
Awww thanks Abby!! It definitely has been quite the adventure. I so wish I could share some of these cherry oat bars with you!!