Description
These Easy Apple Crisp Bars are the perfect combination of a buttery shortbread-style crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, and a golden, crumbly oat topping. If you love traditional apple crisp but want a dessert that is easier to slice, serve, and share, these homemade apple crisp bars are an excellent choice.
Ingredients
For the Buttery Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Crisp Topping:
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans, optional
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some parchment hanging over the sides. This makes it much easier to lift the finished Easy Apple Crisp Bars from the pan before slicing.
Lightly grease the parchment and the exposed sides of the pan.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
Pour in the melted butter and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture forms a soft, crumbly dough.
Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Use the back of a spoon or the bottom of a measuring cup to create an even layer.
Place the crust in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
The crust does not need to be completely browned at this stage because it will continue baking with the apple filling and crumble topping.
Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool slightly while preparing the apples.
Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples.
Place the sliced apples in a large bowl. Add the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
Toss everything together until the apple slices are evenly coated.
The flour helps thicken the apple juices as the bars bake, while the cinnamon and nutmeg add classic warm apple dessert flavor.
Arrange the seasoned apple slices evenly over the partially baked crust.
Try to distribute the apples in an even layer so every bar contains plenty of tender cinnamon apples.
If there is any remaining sugar and cinnamon mixture in the bowl, sprinkle it over the apples.
In a separate bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Add the cold cubed butter.
Using your fingertips, a pastry cutter, or a fork, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Do not overmix. Small pieces of butter throughout the crumble will help create a deliciously buttery and crisp topping.
If desired, stir chopped pecans into the crumble topping.
Pecans add extra crunch and a rich nutty flavor that pairs especially well with apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, and oats.
For a nut-free version, simply leave them out.
Sprinkle the oat crumble evenly over the apple layer.
Gently spread it across the surface without pressing it down too firmly.
Make sure the apples are covered with a generous layer of crumble topping.
Return the baking pan to the oven and bake for approximately 35–45 minutes.
The Easy Apple Crisp Bars are ready when the topping is golden brown, the apples are tender, and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
If the topping begins browning too quickly, loosely cover the pan with aluminum foil during the final portion of baking.
Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack.
Allow the apple crisp bars to cool for at least 1 hour before cutting.
For the cleanest slices, refrigerate the completely cooled bars for an additional 30–60 minutes before slicing.
The filling will continue to set as the bars cool.
Use the parchment paper to carefully lift the chilled apple crisp from the pan.
Place it on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut into squares or rectangular bars.
For smaller dessert portions, cut into 16 squares. For larger dessert bars, cut into 9 pieces.
Serve the Easy Apple Crisp Bars at room temperature or slightly warmed.
For an extra-special dessert, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with caramel sauce.
The combination of warm apples, buttery crumble, cold vanilla ice cream, and caramel is especially delicious.
Notes
Choose apples that hold their shape while baking. Granny Smith apples provide a pleasantly tart flavor, while Honeycrisp and Pink Lady apples add natural sweetness.
Avoid slicing the apples too thickly because they may remain firm after the bars are finished baking. Thin, evenly sliced apples cook more consistently and create a softer filling.
The crust should be lightly golden before adding the apples. Overbaking the crust during the first stage can result in a harder finished bar.
Allow the bars to cool before slicing. Cutting them while they are still very hot can cause the apple filling to spread and make the bars difficult to handle.
For especially neat apple crisp bars, refrigerate them after cooling and slice them while chilled.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 285
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Protein: 3 g