Go Back
–+ servings
Sideview of apple pie bars topped with streusel with a slice hovering over on a spatula - Hostess At Heart
Add to Collection
Print
No ratings yet

Easy Apple Crumble Bars Recipe: The Perfect Fall Dessert That Tastes Like Apple Pie

Easy apple crumble bars recipe with tender apples and buttery oat crumble. Tastes like apple pie in bar form! Perfect fall dessert in 60 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 16
Author Julie Menghini

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Crumble:

  • 1 cup salted butter softened
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 ½ cup oats
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp apple pie spice
  • 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt

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 8x8-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

BAKER’S 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

Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 170mg | Potassium: 124mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 374IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg
  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.  
Tried this recipe? That's awesome!Mention @hostessatheart or tag #hostessatheart!
QR Code linking back to recipe