Description
These Apple Crisp Bars are a cozy fall treat that combines tender, cinnamon-spiced apples with a crunchy oat topping in a portable bar form. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, they offer a delightful texture contrast and warm flavors that capture the essence of autumn in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 3 cups fresh apples (peeled, cored, and diced; preferably Granny Smith)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Oat Base and Topping
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for gluten-free version)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (or vegan butter/coconut oil for vegan)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and dice the apples into small cubes. Toss them with fresh lemon juice to prevent browning, then sprinkle on cinnamon and brown sugar to create a sweet, spiced filling that softens beautifully during baking.
- Make the Crumb Base and Topping: In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix in melted butter and vanilla extract until the mixture is crumbly but sticks together when pressed between your fingers.
- Assemble the Bars: Press about two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased baking pan to form a solid base. Evenly spread the apple filling over the base, then sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top to create a crunchy crust.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the filling bubbles slightly around the edges.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set before cutting into squares. This ensures clean edges and easy handling.
Notes
- Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith to prevent mushy bars.
- Don’t skip lemon juice; it prevents browning and brightens the flavor.
- Press the base firmly to avoid crumbling when slicing.
- Cool completely before slicing to help bars hold together.
- Adjust sugar quantity according to sweetness of your apples.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg