Apple Crumb Bars
Apple Crumb Bars combine softened cinnamon-flavored apples with a simple oatmeal crumble. These tasty bars make a great breakfast on-the-go or a delicious snack for any time of the day!
Easy treats are the name of the game here. Be sure to try my Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars, my Chocolate Peanut Butter Blondies, and the best S’mores Cookie Bars!
Apple Bars
I love using apples in so many things. From my simple Chunky Cinnamon Applesauce to Apple Pie Banana Bundt Cake to Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes, you can find just what you need to satisfy your palette.
This particular recipe was inspired by my Oatmeal Raspberry Jam Bars. Using cooked cinnamon apples instead of jam creates a whole new flavor profile, and you will be surprised at how easy they are to make!
Why We Love Apple Bars:
- Easy to make. Cook the apples. Make the crumble. Combine and bake!
- Perfect for fall. Apple season is in the fall. So these bars are right on time.
- Full of flavor. Buttery, slightly sweet, full of apples, and crumbly. SO good!
Ingredients Used:
- The dry crumble mixture – A simple combo of old-fashioned oatmeal, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and kosher salt.
- The wet mixture – Melted butter plus vanilla paste. This is what helps the dry part stick together!
- The apple mixture – Diced apples (plus a squeeze of lemon), butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
How to Make Apple Crumb Bars:
Step 1
Prep. Prepare an 8×8 pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Step 2
Prep the apples. Peel and chop the apple into small pieces. Add a squeeze of lemon and mix.
Step 3
Cook the apples. Heat a saucepan to medium heat – then add the butter. Add the chopped apples and cook until slightly softened, about 8-10 minutes. Stir often and then remove.
Step 4
Make the crumble. In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients – the oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Mix and then add in the melted butter and vanilla paste. Stir to combine.
Step 5
Assemble bars. Reserve about one cup of the crumble. Press the remainder into the pan, using your fingers to press it evenly and into the corners too. Then spoon the apples on top of the crumble layer, including the juices. Top with the remaining reserved crumble.
Step 6
Bake. Bake apple bars for 25 – 30 minutes, or until done. Let the bars sit in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then use the parchment paper as handles to carefully remove the bars to a wire rack.
Step 7
Serve. Serve apple crumble bars with a big glass of milk or some Toddy Cold Brew Coffee.
Favorite apples to use for baking
All of these apples are delicious, and you can use any of them for these apple bars.
- Braeburn
- Fuji
- Gala
- Granny Smith
- Honeycrisp
- Jonathan
- Pink Lady
How to Store Apple Crumb Bars:
- Countertop – You can store them in an airtight container on your counter for a day or so.
- Refrigerator – These also store well in the refrigerator for up to three days. They are good cold but you can also warm them up in the microwave.
- Freezer – These bars can also be frozen up to one month.
Expert Tips:
- Make these fresh! You can prep the dry ingredients the night before and cover tightly. Then making them fresh the next morning is super quick.
- Expect crumbly. The crumbly layer is supposed to be crumbly. So don’t add extra butter or liquids to the layer. You want them to be flaky!
- Be careful when adding the apples. When you add the cooked apples to the crumble, don’t add TOO much liquid. A little bit is good, but not too much. Remember, you want these crumbly! 😀 Also, when adding a bit of the liquid from the apples, spread it around evenly.
- Be sure to reserve some of the crumble. Don’t forget to reserve about one cup of the crumble so you can add it to the top!
- You can skip the decoration on the top. The added apple on the top of these bars is strictly garnish. It’s not necessary to add it, but if you want, do it!
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Apple Crumb Bars
Ingredients
For the apples:
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 large apples – peeled and chopped
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
For the crumble:
- 1 ⅓ cup old fashioned oatmeal
- 1 ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter – melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla paste – I used Taylor and Colledge paste
Instructions
For the apples:
- Peel and chop the apples into small pieces. In a saucepan over medium heat, add butter until melted. Add the chopped apples and cook until slightly softened, approximately 10 minutes. Stir often and taste to make sure apples are cooked to your liking.
- Add the brown sugar and cinnamon to the apples, and stir. Cook for a few more minutes and then remove.
For the crumble:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and prepare an 8×8 dish with parchment paper. Make sure the paper hangs off the sides so you can remove the bars.
- Using a medium mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients – the oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Mix, and then add the melted butter and vanilla. Using your hands, squeeze the mixture together until it mostly wet. The mixture doesn't have to form a ball. It can be a bit loose.
- Reserve about 3/4 cup of the crumble, and press the remaining amount into the prepared dish, spreading it to all sides with your hands.
- Spread the cooked apple mixture (including juices) over the crumble. Spread it evenly to all sides of the pan.
- Sprinkle the reserved crumble over the jam layer.
- Bake the bars in preheated oven, for approximately 25 minutes. Let them sit about 10 minutes before removing them to a cooling rack. Slice them into 12 bars, and EAT.
Notes
- Countertop – You can store them in an airtight container on your counter for a day or so.
- Refrigerator – These also store well in the refrigerator for up to three days. They are good cold but you can also warm them up in the microwave.
- Freezer – These bars can also be frozen up to one month.
Nutrition
More #FallFlavors Recipes Below:
Appetizers, Cocktails, and Snacks
- Apple Cider Old-Fashioned from Books n’ Cooks
- Fall Charcuterie Board from The Spiffy Cookie
- Sweet And Spicy Pecans from Simple and Savory
Breakfast and Baked Goods
- Apple Cider Pecan Granola from Family Around The Table
- Apple Cinnamon Bread from Life Love and Good Food
- Apple Pecan Scones from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Gluten-Free Apple Cider Doughnuts from Frugal & Fit
- Pecan Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts from Jen Around the World
Soups and Salads
- Caramel Apple Pear Salad from Eat Move Make
- Creamy Autumn Squash Soup from Blogghetti
Side Dishes
- Balsamic Glazed Cipollini Onions from West Via Midwest
- Roasted Cipollini Onions With Sherry Vinegar And Thyme from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Vegan Butternut Squash And Chestnut Kebabs from Magical Ingredients
Main Dishes
- Cider Brined Baked Chicken from Palatable Pastime
- Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad from Cheese Curd In Paradise
Desserts
- Air Fryer Apple Fritters from Devour Dinner
- Apple Cider Tea Madeleines from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Apple Crumb Bars from SueBee Homemaker
- Apple Nachos from Take Two Tapas
- Butterscotch Blondies from That Recipe
- Carrot Cake Cupcakes from Fresh April Flours
- Fall Fruit Galette from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Giant Butterscotch Cookies from An Affair from the Heart
- Gluten-Free Apple Pie from The Fresh Cooky
- Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake from Art of Natural Living
- Pear & Butternut Squash Crisp from Savory Moments
- Pecan Pound Cake from Soulfully Made
- Sour Cream Apple Pie from House of Nash Eats
- Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe from Lemon Blossoms
These are beyond delicious and the directions are super easy to follow!! Another 5 star recipe from Suebee!
Thanks so much Tiffany!! 🙂
Let’s get this day started! More please.
Okay! More coming up!
I made these for my family this weekend. They are quick and easy to make and absolutely delicious!! The perfect fall treat! Everyone requested that I share the recipe with them 🙂
Hi Jenny! I’m so glad your family enjoyed these bars! Thanks for your feedback! 🙂