Oatmeal Rhubarb Bars
Oatmeal Rhubarb Bars
Today we will be sharing an easy recipe for Oatmeal Rhubarb Bars. Springtime for me has always screamed Rhubarb! Each spring my sister Joan and I would wait patiently for the rhubarb to peek through the dirt. Aggie would let us know when the rhubarb was ready and we run to our rhubarb patch, located in the far corner of our backyard. We’d pick the largest stalks of rhubarb we could easily pull from the ground.
Fresh Rhubarb and Sugar
Then we would run to the side of the house and wash off our stalks under running water from the green garden hose. Joan and I would sit on the front porch, dipping fresh picked rhubarb stalks into small bowls of sugar. Aggie always made this recipe for Oatmeal Rhubarb Bars during the spring months when rhubarb was plentiful. Aggie also made rhubarb sauce and for breakfast I would have rhubarb sauce over toast.


Rhubarb Facts
The thick, celery-like stalks of this buckwheat family member can reach up to 2 feet long. They’re the only edible portion of the plant. The leaves contain Oxalic Acid and therefore can be highly toxic if consumed. Though rhubarb is generally eaten as a fruit, it’s botanically a vegetable. The peak season for rhubarb is April to June. Choose crisp stalks that are brightly hued. The leaves should be fresh looking and blemish free.
Oatmeal-Oats
People consume whole oats after they have been cleaned, toasted, hulled and cleaned again. After which time they become oat groats, which still contain most of the original nutrients. Oat groats can be cooked and served as cereal or prepared in the same manner as rice. Then used as a side dish or in a dish such as salad or stuffing. When steamed and flattened with huge rollers, oat groats become regular rolled oats, also called old-fashioned oats.

Oatmeal Rhubarb Bars
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh or frozen unsweetened sliced rhubarb
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan; set aside.
- For filling: In a medium saucepan combine rhubarb, the 1 cup granulated sugar and water.
- Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine the 1/2 cup granulated sugar and the 2 tablespoons flour. Stir into rhubarb mixture. Cook and stir about 1 minute more or until thick.
- Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract and lemon zest. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the 1 1/2 cups flour, oats, brown sugar and baking soda. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts. Reserve 1 cup of the crumb mixture.
- Press remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of prepared pan.
- Evenly spread rhubarb mixture on top. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
- Bake in a 375 degrees oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
Nutrition
For this recipe we used Quaker Old Fashioned Oatmeal.
Looking for more springtime recipes? Here you go! Roasted Asparagus Scones, Roasted Asparagus with Horseradish Dip, and Rhubarb Upside Down Cake
Recent Recipe: Mini Blueberry Muffins
13 Comments on “Oatmeal Rhubarb Bars”
I love rhubarb and can always use more recipes!
Rhubarb – the quintessential spring fruit – PERFECTION! I just love these bars and I bet the flavors are outstanding!
Thanks Nicole!
Yes, this is one of our favorites.
Lynn
I love, love rhubarb and these bars look fantastic!! I can't wait to try them once my rhubarb comes up 🙂
Hi Liz,
I always freeze extra rhubarb,
and make these when I get a craving
for something 'rhubarbish'
Lynn
What a nice recipe for rhubarb- which I never make anything with! I love the sound of this one~
Hi,
This recipe is nice and easy.
The filling is just right too.
Both sweet and tart.
Lynn
Always in the market for rhubarb recipes and this one sounds fabulous.
Thanks for stopping by Wendy~
Lynn
This is the perfect way to present rhubarb in these lovely oaty bars, I bet they are delicious. How wonderful to have grownup with a rhubarb patch inn your backyard.
Hi Cheri~
Yes, it was.
My mom made so many delicious things with rhubarb.
Now I buy my rhubarb at a local farm stand and
it's great. Nice and fresh.
Lynn
Exactly. My husband does exactly the same thing…dipping a stalk of sour rhubarb into sugar. I have to admit, it's delicious. Nothing says spring like rhubarb. My plant is totally out of control.
Hi Kimberlie~
Thanks for stopping by.
Your so lucky to have a rhubarb patch!
Lynn