Description
Apple Crisp Bars combine a buttery, crisp crust with a tender, cinnamon-spiced apple filling topped with a crumbly oat topping. This easy-to-make dessert is perfect for a comforting snack, a portable treat, or a cozy breakfast favorite that captures all the warm flavors of fall in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free all-purpose blend for gluten-free option)
- 1 cup rolled oats (certified gluten-free if needed)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (or vegan butter alternative)
- 4 cups peeled and sliced crisp apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust and Topping: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This crumbly mixture will be used for both the crust and the topping.
- Press the Crust Layer: Reserve about two-thirds of the crumb mixture and firmly press it into the bottom of a parchment-lined 9×9-inch baking pan to form an even, sturdy crust base.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In another bowl, toss the peeled and sliced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract until well coated. Ensure the mixture is juicy but not overly wet to prevent sogginess.
- Assemble the Bars: Spread the apple filling evenly over the crust layer. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the apples to cover completely.
- Bake and Cool: Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the apples are tender. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing for clean, neat pieces.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith to balance the sweetness with natural tartness.
- Keep butter cold to create a flaky, crisp crumb topping.
- Do not overmix the crumb mixture; mix until coarse clumps form for perfect texture.
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean slicing.
- Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to prevent them from falling apart.
- If topping browns too quickly, tent bars with foil halfway through baking to avoid burning.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats.
- To make vegan bars, swap butter with plant-based margarine or coconut oil and use vegan sugar.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: apple crisp bars, apple dessert, cinnamon apple bars, fall dessert, portable apple crisp, gluten free apple bars, easy apple dessert
