Introduction

Apple Crisp Bars combine tender, cinnamon-spiced apples with a buttery oat topping in a convenient bar form. They’re perfect for dessert, snacks, or even breakfast treats. Easy to make and utterly delicious, these bars bring cozy flavors to your kitchen any time of year.

A close-up view of a stack of three dessert bars on a white marbled surface, each bar showing three distinct layers: the bottom layer is a firm, light beige crust; the middle layer is a gooey, translucent caramel-like filling with visible bits of soft fruit or nuts; and the top layer is a crumbly, golden brown streusel with a coarse texture. The bars are irregularly stacked, leaning slightly, with the top bar showing more defined crumb topping details and shiny filling edges. The background is softly blurred with a hint of green and yellow color. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

For the Base:

1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Apple Filling:

4 medium apples (about 600g), peeled and diced (Granny Smith recommended)
1/3 cup (65g) brown sugar
1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch

For the Crisp Topping:

3/4 cup (90g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (45g) rolled oats
1/3 cup (65g) brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt for the base. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Step 3: Bake the base for 15 minutes, or until it just begins to turn golden. Remove from oven and set aside.
Step 4: In another bowl, toss the diced apples with brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Spread this apple mixture evenly over the warm base.
Step 5: For the topping, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture forms pea-sized crumbs. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
Step 6: Bake the entire pan for 25–30 minutes, until the topping is golden and the apple filling is bubbly. Allow to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing into bars.

Tips & Variations

Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch.
Drizzle caramel sauce over bars after baking for a rich finish.
Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the filling for warm, festive flavor.
Swap half the apples for pears or cranberries for a tart twist.
Use gluten-free flour blend to make the bars gluten-free.
Replace butter with coconut oil for a vegan version.
Sprinkle white chocolate chips on the filling before topping for added sweetness.

Storage

Store Apple Crisp Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for 5–7 days. You can also freeze individual bars for up to 2 months—just thaw before enjoying. Reheat gently if desired, but they’re delicious served at room temperature too.

How to Serve

A close-up view shows a stack of three dessert bars with three distinct layers. The bottom layer is a light tan, firm and crumbly crust. The middle layer is a glossy, amber-colored fruit filling, which looks soft and sticky, with small pieces visible inside. The top layer is a golden crumbly streusel with a rough texture and light brown spots. The bars are stacked unevenly, highlighting the layers and textures against a blurred white marbled background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different apples for Apple Crisp Bars?

Absolutely! Granny Smith apples are ideal for their tartness and firmness, but Honeycrisp, Fuji, or other firm varieties work well too. Just avoid very soft apples, which can turn mushy.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare and bake the bars a day or two in advance. Store them in the refrigerator and reheat gently before serving. They maintain their flavor and texture well.

Apple Crisp Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 76 reviews

Apple Crisp Bars are a deliciously comforting treat featuring a buttery, flaky base topped with a warm, cinnamon-spiced apple filling and a classic oat crumble topping. Perfect for dessert or a cozy snack, these bars combine tart Granny Smith apples with a sweet and crunchy oat topping for a perfectly balanced flavor and texture. Easy to make and versatile with variations for different preferences.

Author: Dana
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12–16 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Base

1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Apple Filling

4 medium apples (about 600g), peeled and diced (preferably Granny Smith)
1/3 cup (65g) brown sugar
1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch

For the Crisp Topping

3/4 cup (90g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (45g) rolled oats
1/3 cup (65g) brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Instructions

Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
Make the Base: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes until the base starts to turn golden.
Prepare the Apple Filling: While the base bakes, in a separate bowl toss the peeled, diced apples with brown sugar, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, and cornstarch to coat evenly. This mixture will thicken during baking and provide a balanced sweet-tart apple layer. Once the base is baked, spread the apple mixture evenly over it.
Whip Up the Crisp Topping: In another bowl, mix together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold, cubed butter until pea-sized crumbs form, being careful not to overwork the mixture to keep it crumbly and crisp. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple layer.
Bake to Perfection: Place the pan back in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly. Avoid opening the oven too often to maintain heat, but keep an eye out for the perfect golden color.
Cool and Slice: Remove the baking pan and allow the Apple Crisp Bars to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. This resting time helps the bars set and prevents crumbling when sliced. Once cooled, cut into 12–16 bars depending on your preferred portion size. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Use parchment paper to line your pan to prevent bars from sticking and ease removal.
Choose firm apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to avoid mushy bars.
Cut the cold butter into flour mixtures carefully to ensure a flaky base and crisp topping.
Do not overbake the base before adding the filling to avoid toughness.
Allow bars to cool completely before slicing for clean cuts and better texture.
Variations include adding nuts to the topping, drizzling caramel after baking, or using gluten-free flour blends for dietary needs.
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for 5–7 days.
Bake in a 9×13 pan if doubling the recipe, adjusting baking times accordingly.

Keywords: Apple Crisp Bars, apple dessert, apple cinnamon bars, baked oat topping, apple bars recipe, fall dessert, cinnamon apple dessert