Easy Apple Pie Crumb Bars
These bars combine the comforting flavors of apple pie in a convenient form with a crumbly topping and sweet apple filling, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 2 large apples (preferably Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala), peeled, cored, and sliced for sweetness and texture
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice adds freshness
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar sweetens the filling
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for warmth
- 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg optional, adds depth
- 0.25 teaspoon salt enhances flavors
Crumb Topping
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats provides texture
- 1 cup all-purpose flour structural base
- 0.5 cup packed light brown sugar adds moisture and caramel notes
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder helps with rising
- 0.25 teaspoon baking soda also aids in rising
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed adds richness
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9x9-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the apple filling by tossing the sliced apples in a bowl with lemon juice, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg (if using), and salt.
- Set the apple mixture aside to allow the flavors to meld together.
- For the crumb topping, combine rolled oats, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, baking powder, and baking soda in a separate mixing bowl.
- Cut the cold, cubed butter into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press two-thirds of the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Spread the apple filling evenly over the crumb crust.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the apples.
- Bake the bars in the preheated oven for about 40 to 45 minutes.
- Allow the bars to cool for at least 20 minutes in the pan before slicing them into squares.
Notes
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a comforting dessert. Store leftovers at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for about a week.