Balsamic Baked Strawberries

These Balsamic Baked Strawberries are the BEST way to use fresh strawberries! Baked in the oven with just a bit of maple syrup, olive oil, and a splash of balsamic vinegar, roasted strawberries are amazing on top of ice cream, yogurt, made into jam, or spooned as a sauce on top of cake. They're vegan, healthy, and simply incredible!

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Whenever strawberry season rolls around, I always try to maximize my fill of the fresh, local strawberries while they're available.

I make Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles to share with my kids. I make my favourite Banana Overnight Oats Recipe and load it with fresh strawberries. I make Strawberry Chia Jam. Or for a healthy breakfast or snack I smash them up and tuck them into these Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt Cups.

But if you're looking to kick things up a notch, how about we make some Balsamic Baked Strawberries???

Those fresh juicy strawberries turn into a saucy puddle of heaven after a brief stint in the oven, a tiiiiiiny bit of sweetener, and a splash of balsamic for a bit of punchy flavor. Trust me, these baked strawberries are the best thing you'll spoon into your mouth this strawberry season.  

Ingredients:

This ingredients is is small but mighty! To make this baked strawberries recipe you're going to need some:

• Strawberries! --> Choose fresh, local, in-season strawberries if you can. It'll be worth it for the flavour and juiciness.
• Maple syrup --> Just a touch of the good stuff to bring out the sweetness.
• Olive oil --> I love the way the grassy flavour plays with the berries.
• Balsamic vinegar --> We're using just a splash at the end. Use your good stuff if you've got it.
• Salt --> A good pinch of flaky sea salt will do just fine. Add a little grind of pepper too, if you please.

Equipment:

You're also going to need a baking dish. I used a deep 9x9 square (this is the one I have), but really any baking dish that will allow your strawberries to be in a single layer is just fine. 

You want them to be fairly snug so that the baked strawberries become saucy, and don't burn or dry out.

How do you make this recipe?

This is one of those recipes that's so easy to pull together yet comes out so impressive and so delicious it'll make you want to high five yourself all day long.

Step 1: Hull your clean and dry strawberries (or just slice the greens off, we're not picky). Slice any large strawberries in half so they're all approximately the same size.

Place your  prepared strawberries into your baking dish in a single layer.

Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, olive oil, and salt. Drizzle this mixture over the strawberries, and use a spoon to mix and toss so that the berries are all well coated.

Step 3: Place the strawberries into the oven and bake them for about 30 minutes.

The strawberries should be soft and very juicy and just beginning to brown on top. You'll have to watch them quite carefully at the end to ensure they don't burn.

The juices should be bubbling and starting to thicken up a little bit at this stage.

Step 4: Remove the strawberries from the oven and gently stir in the balsamic vinegar. Set aside to cool.

That's it!

What can I do with Baked Strawberries?

• You can eat your baked strawberries warm straight from the pan.
• You can use them as a roasted strawberry sauce to pair with healthy desserts, or on top of yogurt or ice cream.
• You can put them on the bottom of fruit on the bottom yogurt cups.
• You can make Roasted Strawberry Popsicles.
• You can make them into Strawberry Chia Jam.
• You can use them to make smoothies.
• You can spoon them over top of a bowl of granola (try this Coconut Banana Bread Granola)
• Spoon them over Spelt Flour Pancakes or Vegan Banana Waffles. 

What's the difference between baked strawberries and roasted strawberries?

Good question!

Baking and roasting both take place in the oven, but roasting is typically at a higher temperature and uncovered to produce a crisp exterior. Baking tends to happen a lower temperatures and can be covered or uncovered.

So you can call these Balsamic Roasted Strawberries or Balsamic Baked Strawberries. Both are technically correct.

Can I freeze roasted strawberries?

You sure can! Freezing these is a great way to preserve them to use for later. A batch of frozen baked strawberries will last about three months in an airtight container in the freezer. 

Are strawberries healthy?

Heck yes they are!

Strawberries are a low sugar fruit, and an excellent source of antioxidant and anti inflammatory nutrients. They are a great source of lycopene (good for your prostates, fellas) vitamin C and manganese.

Strawberries are also a very good source of folate, iodine, and dietary fiber.

Other recipes you might enjoy:

Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt Cups
Cinnamon Roasted Apples
Roasted Banana Ice Cream
Healthy Cherry Muffins
Healthy Strawberry Recipes
Strawberry Yogurt Cake