These delicious Fruit Mince Oatmeal Bars are an ideal treat for the festive season. A crisp yet slightly chewy oatmeal base, a warmly spiced fruit mince filling and a buttery crumble topping combine to make a simple, crowd-pleasing slice. If you love a sweet, comforting bake that’s easy to make, this recipe is for you—the hardest part is waiting for it to cool.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- If you love the flavours of fruit mince pies but need something quicker, these Fruit Mince Oatmeal Bars capture the same festive spirit with much less effort.
- The kitchen fills with warm, seasonal aromas while these bake. The fruit mince filling is the same style used in the author’s homemade fruit mince recipe.
- The base and crumble topping are made from the same mixture: press the base into the tin, spread the fruit mince, then crumble the remainder on top—simple and effective.
- Versatile recipe: swap the filling to suit the season, for example apple cheesecake or pumpkin fillings for other variations.
Recipe Inspiration: this recipe is part of a popular oatmeal bars collection and was created to offer an easy festive bake that tastes and smells like holiday treats.
Ingredients and Substitutions:
Please see the recipe card further below for exact quantities and the full method.
- Plain/all-purpose flour – versatile and neutral. This recipe also works with gluten-free all-purpose flour.
- Rolled oats – use old-fashioned rolled oats rather than instant; choose certified gluten-free oats if needed.
- Sea salt – a small amount enhances overall flavour.
- Baking/bicarbonate of soda – a raising agent; not the same as baking powder.
- Butter – unsalted butter adds richness and lets you control salt.
- Light brown sugar – adds a gentle caramel note.
- Vanilla extract – use natural vanilla for the best flavour.
- Fruit mince – homemade is recommended for the best taste, but a good-quality store-bought fruit mince will work; you can brighten it with orange zest or extra warming spices if desired.
Variations:
Nuts – the bars are naturally nut-free, but chopped almonds or pecans can be added to the topping for extra texture.
Flavourings – if using store-bought fruit mince, add fresh orange zest or a pinch of mixed spice to lift the flavour.
How To Make Fruit Mince Bars:
Please see the recipe card further below for exact quantities and the full method.
1 – Make the base and topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, salt and baking soda. In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter, light brown sugar and vanilla, then combine both bowls until evenly mixed.
2 – Press and bake the base: Reserve about one quarter of the mixture for the crumble topping. Firmly press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared tin and bake in a preheated oven until lightly golden, about 10–12 minutes.
3 – Add the fruit mince: Remove the base from the oven and immediately spread an even layer of fruit mince over it.
4 – Crumble the topping and finish baking: Crumble the reserved mixture over the fruit mince and return to the oven. Bake until the crumble is a light golden brown and cooked through, about 22–25 minutes more.
Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing.
Hint: Chill the bars before cutting. Cool on the bench for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for another 30 minutes to ensure clean squares that hold together.
Tips for Success, Storage and FAQs:
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Remove about 10 minutes before serving to take the chill off.
Yes. Cool completely, layer in an airtight container with baking paper between layers to prevent sticking, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature.
Yes. Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour and certified gluten-free oats if needed. Always read labels and consult a health professional if you have concerns.
Top Tip:
Use fresh, good-quality ingredients. Rolled oats can go rancid over time, so check the date. When lining the tin, leave an overhang of baking paper to make it easy to lift the bars out for slicing.
Serving Suggestions:
These bars are versatile and travel well. Ideas for serving:
- Enjoy with a cup of coffee for morning or afternoon tea.
- A great after-school snack or a quick breakfast option.
- Perfect for picnics, lunch boxes, potlucks or a dessert table.
- Warm briefly in a 180°C (350°F) oven for about 8 minutes and serve with vanilla ice cream for a comforting dessert.
- Box them up as a homemade edible gift—friends and family will appreciate them.
I hope you enjoy these Fruit Mince Oatmeal Bars. Happy baking!
Alex xx
More Delicious Recipes For You To Try:
-
No-Bake White Christmas Slice
-
Gluten-Free Fruit Cake – four ingredients!
-
Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies
-
Christmas Rocky Road
Stay in touch!
Follow on social media and subscribe to the newsletter for more recipes and updates.
Fruit Mince Oatmeal Bars
Please note:
For accuracy, weigh ingredients when possible. Oven temperatures are fan-forced.
Ingredients
For the Base and Crumble Topping:
- 225 g (1 ½ cups) all-purpose/plain flour
- 120 g (1 ½ cups) old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
- ½ teaspoon baking/bicarb soda
- 185 g (¾ cup) butter – melted
- 100 g (½ cup) light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Fruit Mince Filling:
- 2 cups fruit mince meat – homemade preferred, or good-quality store-bought
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) fan-forced.
-
Line a 20 x 20 cm (8 x 8 inch) baking dish with non-stick baking paper, leaving an overhang to lift the slice out easily.
-
In a medium bowl, mix the flour, rolled oats, salt and baking soda.
-
Melt the butter and combine with brown sugar and vanilla in a separate bowl.
-
Combine the wet and dry ingredients until evenly mixed.
-
Press about ¾ of the mixture firmly into the prepared tin, reserving roughly 150 g (5.2 oz) for the topping. Bake for 12 minutes or until pale golden.
-
Spread the fruit mince evenly over the hot base, then crumble the reserved mixture over the top.
-
Return to the oven and bake for 22–25 minutes, until the topping is light golden and cooked through.
-
Cool on the bench for 30 minutes, then chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before removing from the tin and cutting into squares.
Notes
- Flour: Use gluten-free all-purpose/plain flour if required; it has been tested and works well.
- Rolled oats: Use certified gluten-free oats if needed.
- Fruit mince: One batch of homemade fruit mince is ideal for this recipe. Store-bought works too—adjust flavour with orange zest or warming spices if necessary. Volume measurement is more useful than weight for the filling.
- Measurements: For best results weigh ingredients where weights are provided.
- Chill before cutting: The bars need to chill so they hold their shape when sliced.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Remove 10 minutes before serving.
- Freezing: Cool completely, layer with baking paper between pieces in an airtight container and freeze for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature.
Nutrition Estimate:
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutrition information is an estimate calculated from online tools. For accurate values, compute nutrition based on the specific ingredients and brands you use.