Name: Mango Oatmeal Crumble Bars Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats; 1 cup whole-wheat flour (or all-purpose); ½ cup almond meal; ⅔ cup light brown sugar (packed); ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ¼ tsp fine sea salt; ½ tsp baking powder; ¾ cup 1½ sticks unsalted butter, cold and cubed; 3 large ripe mangoes (about 2 cups diced); 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice; Zest of 1 lime (optional); ¼ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste); 1 Tbsp cornstarch; Pinch of salt

When summer’s mango season rolls around, there’s no better way to celebrate the bright, juicy flavor of ripe mangoes than by turning them into a delightful dessert. In this Mango Oatmeal Crumble Bars Recipe, I combine the nutty goodness of oats with a sensational mango filling, all bound together by a buttery crumble. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, treating your family to an afternoon indulgence, or simply craving a taste of sunshine, these bars deliver. As a professional chef, I’ll walk you through every step—ingredients, preparation, baking, tips, variations, and serving suggestions—to ensure you create bakery-worthy bars right in your home kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Mango Oatmeal Crumble Bars Recipe

Bursting with Fresh Mango Flavor
Unlike many fruit bars that rely on heavy syrups or canned fillings, this recipe uses fresh, ripe mangoes to capture authentic tropical sweetness.
Nutritious Oat Crumble
Steel-cut oats mixed with whole-wheat flour and almond meal give these bars a wholesome texture and a subtle nutty flavor, so you can feel a little better about enjoying dessert.
Make-Ahead Friendly
These bars store beautifully in the fridge or freezer, making them ideal for meal prep or last-minute dessert needs.
Customizable & Versatile
Swap in different fruits, spices, or nuts to create your own signature crumble bar. I’ll cover my favorite variations below.

Ingredients

For an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) pan; serves 9–12

Crumble Base & Topping

1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
1 cup whole-wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
½ cup almond meal (skin-on almond flour works fine)
⅔ cup light brown sugar, packed
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp fine sea salt
½ tsp baking powder
¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes

Mango Filling

3 large ripe mangoes (about 2 cups mango cubes)
2 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
¼ cup granulated sugar (adjust based on mango sweetness)
1 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening)
Zest of 1 lime (optional, for extra brightness)
Pinch of salt

Equipment & Tools

8×8-inch square baking pan (metal for crispier edges; glass works too)
Parchment paper or nonstick spray
Large mixing bowl
Medium mixing bowl
Food processor (optional for faster crumble dough)
Fine grater or microplane (for zest)
Sharp knife and cutting board
Spatula and wooden spoon
Measuring cups and spoons
Wire rack for cooling

Preparation Steps

1. Prep the Mango Filling

Peel & Dice the Mangoes
- Use a sharp chef’s knife to cut the mango cheeks away from the pit. Score the flesh in a crosshatch pattern, then scoop out the cubes with a large spoon.
- You should end up with about 2 cups of mango pieces.
Combine Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, toss mango cubes with lime juice, lime zest (if using), granulated sugar, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt.
- Let the mixture rest for 10–15 minutes; the sugar will draw out juices, and the cornstarch will create a luscious, jam-like consistency when baked.
Adjust Sweetness
- Taste the mango mixture. If your mangoes are exceptionally sweet, you can reduce the sugar to 2 tbsp. For tangier fruit, add up to ⅓ cup sugar.

2. Make the Oatmeal Crumble Dough

Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together oats, flour, almond meal, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder.
Cut in the Butter
- Add cold cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingertips, blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces.
- Tip: For speed and uniformity, pulse dry ingredients and butter in a food processor (10–12 short pulses), but avoid overprocessing into a paste.
Reserve Some Crumble
- Measure out about 1 cup of the crumble mixture to use as the topping. Set aside.

3. Assemble the Bars

Prepare the Pan
- Line your 8×8 pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment.
Press the Base
- Press the remaining crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan, ensuring an even layer (about ¼ inch thick). Use the bottom of a measuring cup to smooth it out.
Add the Filling
- Spoon the mango filling over the base, spreading it into an even layer. It should cover the base entirely without overflowing.
Top with Crumble
- Sprinkle the reserved crumble evenly over the mango layer. Try to leave small gaps so some of the fruit filling peeks through for a rustic look.

4. Bake & Cool

Preheat & Bake
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C).
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the mango filling is bubbling at the edges.
Cool Completely
- Remove from oven and place on a wire rack. Let cool in the pan for at least 1 hour to allow the filling to set.
- For cleaner slices, refrigerate for an additional 1–2 hours before cutting.
Slice & Serve
- Using the parchment overhang, lift the entire slab out of the pan. Place on a cutting board and slice into 9 large bars or 12 smaller squares with a sharp knife, wiping the blade between cuts.

Tips for Success

Choose Ripe Mangoes: Look for mangoes that yield slightly to pressure and have a sweet, floral aroma. Overripe mangoes can get too mushy; underripe ones will be too tart.
Even Crumble Thickness: Press the base uniformly to avoid thin spots that burn or thick spots that stay doughy.
Don’t Skip the Chill: Cooling is crucial. Warm bars will be too soft and may fall apart when sliced.
Flavor Boosters: For more complexity, add a pinch of ground cardamom or ginger to the crumble mixture.
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the whole-wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and ensure oats are certified gluten-free.

Variations & Substitutions

Mixed Berry Mango Bars
- Fold in ½ cup halved fresh raspberries or blueberries into the mango filling for colorful, tangy bursts.
Coconut Lime Twist
- Replace almond meal with unsweetened shredded coconut. Top with a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes after baking.
Spiced Maple Crumble
- Swap brown sugar for pure maple syrup (reduce butter by 2 tbsp) and add ½ tsp ground ginger for a warmer profile.
Nut-Free Version
- Omit almond meal; increase flour by ½ cup. Add 2 tbsp ground flaxseed for extra texture and nutrition.
Vegan Adaptation
- Use plant-based butter and replace brown sugar with coconut sugar. Ensure your cornstarch is vegan (most are).

Serving Suggestions

A la Mode: Top each warm bar with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or coconut sorbet for a dreamy contrast.
Drizzled Elegance: Finish with a light drizzle of honey or sweetened condensed milk.
With Fresh Herbs: Garnish with tiny mint or basil leaves to brighten the flavors.
Cheese Pairing: Serve alongside a mild cream cheese dip sweetened with a touch of honey for a creamy complement.

Storage & Make-Ahead

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days (the crumble may soften).
Refrigerator: Keep bars in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Layer parchment between bars in a freezer bag; freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen mangoes?
Yes—just thaw and drain excess liquid. You may need to increase the cornstarch by 1 tsp to help thicken the filling.

Why is my base soggy?
If the mango filling is overly juicy or you didn’t press and bake the base long enough, moisture can seep through. Ensure fully ripe but not overripe mangoes and press the base firmly.

Can I halve the recipe?
Absolutely. Use a 6×6 inch pan and reduce bake time by about 5–7 minutes, checking for bubbling edges.

Conclusion

With its golden oat crumble and sunny mango filling, this Mango Oatmeal Crumble Bars Recipe brings a refreshing tropical flair to your dessert table. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a home cook seeking a fun weekend project, these bars are straightforward to assemble yet full of flavor depth. From selecting the ripest mangoes and mastering the buttery crumble to exploring creative variations, this guide equips you with everything you need to succeed. Give them a try, and let the vibrant taste of mangoes brighten up any day. Happy baking!