Apple Crumble Bars

If you love the warm, comforting flavors of apple pie but want something a little easier to make, then Apple Crumble Bars are perfect for you! These bars combine a sweet buttery crust, a delicious apple filling, and a crunchy crumble topping. They are great for dessert, snacks, or even breakfast!

Why Make This Recipe

Apple Crumble Bars are not only simple to prepare, but they also highlight the wonderful flavor of fresh apples. They are a fantastic treat for gatherings, picnics, or just a cozy night at home. Plus, they can easily be customized with different types of apples or toppings. Whether you enjoy them warm with a scoop of ice cream or cold as a snack, these bars are sure to please everyone.

How to Make Apple Crumble Bars

Ingredients

• 125g / 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups (300g) flour, plain/all-purpose
• 1/2 cup (100g) white sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup (30g) rolled oats
• 3 – 4 large Granny Smith apples, cut into 0.7cm / 1/3″ dice (~4 cups)
• 1/4 cup (35g) plain flour (all-purpose)
• 1/4 cup (50g) white sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• Salted caramel sauce (for serving)
• Ice cream (for serving)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Grease a 20cm (8″) square pan and line it with baking/parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
3. In a bowl, mix together the melted butter, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until there are no white bits of flour remaining.
4. Add the egg to the mixture and stir until well combined.
5. Lightly press about 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
6. Bake for 15 minutes until it is slightly golden, then remove it from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes.
7. While the base is cooling, prepare the Apple Filling by mixing together the diced apples, 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
8. Spread the apple mixture over the cooled base in the pan.
9. Crumble the remaining 1/3 of the mixture evenly over the apple filling.
10. Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes or until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.
11. Allow to cool in the pan before lifting out using the parchment overhang. Cut into bars and serve!

How to Serve Apple Crumble Bars

You can serve these delicious bars warm or at room temperature. Drizzle them with salted caramel sauce and add a scoop of ice cream for an extra special treat. They also taste great on their own or with a dollop of whipped cream.

How to Store Apple Crumble Bars

Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate them for up to a week. To reheat, simply place them in the microwave for a few seconds or warm them in the oven.

Tips to Make Apple Crumble Bars

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice contrast to the sweet filling.
• For a crunchy texture, feel free to add some chopped nuts to the crumble topping.
• To enhance the flavor, consider adding a splash of vanilla extract to the apple filling mixture.

Variation

You can switch up the fruits used in this recipe. Try substituting the apples with pears or berries for a different flavor profile. You can also experiment with adding spices like ginger or cardamom to the filling.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen apples?
Yes, you can use frozen apples, but make sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid a watery filling.

2. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

3. How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The bars are done when the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. You can poke the filling with a fork to check for softness.

Apple Crumble Bars

These Apple Crumble Bars combine a sweet buttery crust, delicious apple filling, and a crunchy crumble topping, making them ideal for dessert, snacks, or breakfast.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 9 bars

Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the crust

• 125 g unsalted butter, melted
• 300 g plain/all-purpose flour
• 100 g white sugar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 large egg
• 30 g rolled oats

For the apple filling

• 3-4 large Granny Smith apples, cut into 0.7cm / 1/3″ dice (~4 cups)
• 35 g plain flour (all-purpose)
• 50 g white sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg

For serving

• Salted caramel sauce for serving
• Ice cream for serving

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
• Grease a 20cm (8″) square pan and line it with baking/parchment paper.
• In a bowl, mix together the melted butter, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until there are no white bits of flour remaining.
• Add the egg to the mixture and stir until well combined.
• Lightly press about 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
• Bake for 15 minutes until it is slightly golden, then remove it from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes.

Apple Filling Preparation

• While the base is cooling, prepare the Apple Filling by mixing together the diced apples, 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
• Spread the apple mixture over the cooled base in the pan.
• Crumble the remaining 1/3 of the mixture evenly over the apple filling.

Baking

• Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes or until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.
• Allow to cool in the pan before lifting out using the parchment overhang.
• Cut into bars and serve!

Notes

Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can be refrigerated for up to a week. To reheat, place them in the microwave for a few seconds or warm in the oven.

Keyword Apple Crumble Bars, Apple Pie Bars, Baking, Dessert Bars, Easy Dessert