Easy Apple Crumble Bars Recipe
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Are you craving that warm, cozy taste of apple pie but don’t want all the fuss? These apple crumble bars are your answer! With tender apples nestled between layers of buttery, cinnamon-spiced crumble, these bars deliver all the flavors of homemade apple pie in an easy-to-make treat. Perfect for busy weeknights, potluck dinners, or whenever you need a simple fall dessert that will make your kitchen smell amazing.
Easy Apple Crumble Bars Recipe is the perfect fall dessert that tastes like apple pie. If you love warm cinnamon combined with sweet apples but don’t want the fuss of making pie crust, this recipe has your name on it. I’ll be showing you how easy this apple dessert is, so that you can add it to your fall baking.
What Makes These Apple Crumble Bars Special
These aren’t your ordinary dessert bars. The magic happens when buttery oats and warm spices create the perfect crumbly texture, while fresh apples get sweet and tender in the middle. Think of it as apple pie’s easier, more portable cousin that you can cut into perfect squares and serve to a crowd.
Ingredient Notes and Tips
For the Crumble Layer:
- Salted butter – Make sure it’s softened but not melted. This creates the perfect crumbly texture. You want the butter to be at room temperature, meaning that when pressed with your finger, it leaves a dent, not melted or runny.
- Light brown sugar – Adds that caramel-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with apples.
- Oats – Use old-fashioned oats for the best texture and chewiness. You don’t get the same flavor and texture from instant oats.
- Apple pie spice – If you don’t have this, you can make your own with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves. Or, just use all cinnamon.
For the Apple Filling:
- Gala apples work perfectly, but Honeycrisp or Granny Smith are great too.
- Fresh lemon juice keeps the apples from browning and adds a bright flavor.
- Cornstarch thickens the filling and is the secret to keeping your bars from getting soggy.
How to Make Perfect Apple Crumble Bars
The beauty of this recipe is how simple it is. You’ll make one crumble mixture that does double duty as both the bottom crust and the top layer. Here’s the key to success:
Combine ingredients- Mix into chunky texture
- Press firmly
Prep your pan properly – Butter that 8×8 pan and line it with parchment paper. This makes getting your bars out so much easier later.
We use a Danish whisk to make the crumble. If you use your hands, the heat will melt the butter, and the topping will most likely resemble sand and not the larger chunks we strive for.
Press the bottom layer firmly – Half of the crumble mixture is the base for your oatmeal bars, and I don’t pre-bake it. The other half is your topping. Use a fork to press down the first layer of crumble. This creates a solid base that won’t fall apart when you cut the bars. The topping is sprinkled over the top.
- Thoroughly combine
- Spread over bottom layer
Mix that apple filling well – Make sure every piece of apple is coated with the sugar and spice mixture. This is what creates that creamy, pie-like texture.
Bake until browned. Cool completely before serving.
Don’t rush the cooling – I know it’s hard to wait, but letting these apple crumb bars cool completely is what makes them hold together perfectly. Trust me on this one!
Delicious Variations to Try
Caramel Apple Bars: Drizzle caramel sauce over the cooled bars before serving.
Cranberry Apple Bars: Add 1/2 cup dried cranberries to your apple mixture for a tart twist.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars: We like 1/2 cup of plump raisins, too. It reminds me of a thick and delicious oatmeal cookie.
Maple Pecan Bars: Use maple syrup instead of honey and add 1/2 cup chopped pecans to the crumble.
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Gluten-Free Version: Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free flour blend.
FAQ’s
Can I use Canned Pie Filling?
I wouldn’t recommend it as they have a more liquid ratio, and will make the bars soggy.
How to Store Your Apple Crumble Bars
Once your bars are completely cool, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. They actually get even better the next day as all the flavors meld together!
For longer storage, you can freeze these bars for up to 3 months. Just wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy them.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Tips
Making Ahead: These bars are perfect for planning ahead! You can make them completely and store in the fridge for up to 4 days before serving. They’re actually great for parties because you can have them sliced and ready when guests arrive.
Freezing Unbaked Bars: Yes, you can absolutely freeze these bars before baking! Assemble the entire recipe in your lined 8×8 pan, cover tightly with plastic wrap, then wrap again with foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, remove the wrapping and bake straight from frozen – just add about 10-15 extra minutes to the baking time.
Storing Components Separately: For even longer storage, you can prepare the crumble mixture and apple filling separately. Store the crumble in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months, and the prepared apple mixture in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just assemble and bake when you’re ready!
Best Ways to Serve Apple Crumble Bars
These bars are delicious on their own, but here are some ways to make them extra special:
Classic style: Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Breakfast treat: Enjoy them with your morning coffee – they’re not too sweet for breakfast!
Holiday dessert: Top with freshly whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Kid-friendly: Serve with a cold glass of milk for the perfect after-school snack.
Related Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re loving these apple crumb bars, you’ll definitely want to try these other cozy fall treats:
- Classic Apple Crisp – All the same flavors in a traditional baked dessert
- Pumpkin Apple Bread – Another easy recipe perfect for fall
- Cinnamon Apple Pecan Puff Pastry Rolls – Great for using up extra apples
- Easy Apple Muffins – Individual apple treats that are perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast.
- Apple Snickerdoodles – Cookies anyone? I can’t say no!
The Perfect Fall Dessert
Whether you’re new to baking or you’ve been making desserts for years, these apple crumb bars are going to become a favorite. They’re forgiving, delicious, and make your whole house smell like fall. Plus, they’re perfect for sharing – and trust me, you’ll want to share because everyone’s going to ask for the recipe!
Ready to make these amazing apple crumble bars? I’d love to hear how they turned out for you! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Did you try any fun variations? How did your family like them? And if you loved this recipe as much as I do, please give it a 5-star rating to help other home bakers find it too!
Easy Apple Crumble Bars Recipe: The Perfect Fall Dessert That Tastes Like Apple Pie
Ingredients
Crumble:
Apple filling:
- 4 cups 3 medium apples peeled and diced (I used Gala apples)
- 1 Lemon zested
- 4 tsp Lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey you can substitute with maple syrup
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar packed
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp cinnamon you can substitute with apple pie spice
Instructions
Crumble:
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F.
- Butter an 8×8-inch pan. Line the pan with parchment paper and butter the parchment paper. (You can use cooking spray but the butter brings a nice flavor to the bars). Set aside.
- In a large bowl combine all of the ingredients for the crumble. Mix well. It will be a crumble, not a dough. Use a fork or a Danish dough whisk. The batter is too thick for a hand mixer.
- Pour half the mixture into the prepared baking pan.
- Use a fork and press down to create an even layer. Set aside
Apple filling:
- Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl.
- Mix well until all the apples are coated with the ingredients.
Assembly
- Add the apple mixture on top of the crumble in the cake pan. Spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture on top and carefully spread to cover all the apples. Press down slightly on the top layer with a fork.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-48 minutes or until the top is golden
- Let the bars cool off completely.
Notes
What you should know about this recipe Flavor: The combination of apple pie spice, cinnamon, and brown sugar gives you the flavor of an apple pie. It tastes like an apple pie. Texture: This is not a crispy bar. The combination of the ingredients makes the apple filling hold very well, almost creamy-like texture. If you are too impatient, like me the first time I made them, they did not hold as a bar as they were still hot. Ease: The instructions for this recipe are easy which was a must for me when I developed it. You want a perfect, flavorful dessert, with ingredients you already have. The absolute hardest part of this recipe is waiting for it to cool off. HIGHLY recommend cooling the bars completely before serving. They will cut a lot easier. Can I use an apple pie filling? I wouldn’t recommend it as they have a more liquid ratio, and it will make the bar too soggy. Storage: Once completely cooled off, place in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
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