Print

Simple Buttery Apple Crumble Bars

A close-up, mouth-watering shot of a single serving of Apple Bars featuring a thick layer of spiced apple filling and a crunchy oat crumb topping.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make these easy apple crumble bars with a buttery shortbread crust and a sweet, spiced apple filling topped with a streusel.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • 2 medium apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (for topping)
  • 1/4 cup rolled oats (for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
  2. Prepare the crust: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and salt. Cut in the 1/2 cup cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Press two-thirds of the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
  4. Prepare the filling: While the crust bakes, toss the diced apples with granulated sugar, cinnamon, 1 tablespoon flour, and lemon juice in a small bowl.
  5. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the partially baked crust.
  6. Prepare the topping: In the same bowl used for the crust, combine the remaining 1/4 cup oats, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and the remaining 1/4 cup cold butter pieces. Mix until crumbly.
  7. Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the apples.
  8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
  9. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out using the parchment overhang and cutting into squares.

Notes

  • Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor balance.
  • If you prefer a sweeter bar, add 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg to the apple filling.
  • For a caramel apple variation, drizzle melted caramel sauce over the cooled bars before slicing.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/apple-bars-simple-buttery-crumble-recipe/