These easy Apple Pie Bars have everything you love about classic apple pie. Featuring sweet cinnamon apple pie filling and a buttery oat crust that doubles as a golden crumble topping these apple bars are irresistable. This recipe is perfect for fall, Thanksgiving or anytime you’re craving an apple dessert.
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If you love apple pie (but don’t have time to make a whole pie) then these apple pie bars are for you. The buttery oat mixture does double duty as both the crust and the crumble topping, so there’s no rolling, chilling or shaping dough required. These apple bars are easier than pie and are a great make-ahead dessert. For more great dessert bars be sure to check out my Maple Pecan Pie Bars, Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars and Smores Bars.
The apple filling for this recipe is simple but delivers big on that classic apple cinnamon flavor we all love. Fresh apples are tossed with brown sugar, cinnamon and a little flour before being layered with the oat crumble. As they bake the apples become tender and jammy while the oat topping turns golden and crisp, and really is there a better combo than that?
When it comes to choosing apples I recommend using an apple that holds its shape well during baking while providing a good balance of flavor and texture. Honeycrisp, granny smith, and fuji apples are all great choices, and you can even mix different kinds of apples as well.For more great apple desserts take a look at my Cranberry Apple Crumble Pie, Apple Scones with Maple Glaze and Apple Blackberry Crumble.
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling
- Apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- All purpose flour
- Brown sugar
- Fresh lemon juice
- Ground cinnamon
For the Oat Crust and Topping
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature and cubed
Baking Tips
- Thinly slice the apples to roughly rhe same size so they bake evenly
- Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature before makking the oat mixture
- Sprinkle in a dash of your favorite fall spices like nutmeg, ginger or cardamom to the apple filling
- Add in 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the oat mixture if you’d like
- Make sure to let the bars cool fully (at least 4 hours) before slicing to allow the filling to set
- Top your finished apple crisp bars with a drizzle of caramel sauce
How to Make Apple Crisp Bars
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper. To prepare the apple filling add the peeled and sliced apples to a large bowl. Sprinkle in the all purpose flour, brown sugar and cinnamon and pour in the lemon juice. Toss or stir to combine and set aside.
To make the crust and topping mixture add the all purpose flour, old fashioned oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt and stir to combine. Add in the cubed, softened butter and use your hands to mix in the butter to the oat mixture until crumbly.
Using you hands press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the lined baking pan. Add the apple mixture on top of the crust and the sprinkle remainder of the oat mixture as a crumble topping over apple filling.
Bake the apple pie bars for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool for at least 4 hours or up to overnight. Slice the bars and serve as desired.
Storage
Store completely cooled apple pie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For the best texture, let refrigerated bars sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
You can also freeze these apple pie bars. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between the layers. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
If you like these Apple Pie Bars be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!
If you make this Apple Pie Bars please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Youtube, Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram or Tiktok, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
Apple Pie Bars
Equipment
- 8×8 inch baking pan
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling
- 4 medium apples peeled and thinly sliced, about 4 cups
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Oat Crust and Topping
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature and cubed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- To prepare the apple filling add the peeled and sliced apples to a large bowl. Sprinkle in the all purpose flour, brown sugar and cinnamon and pour in the lemon juice. Toss or stir to combine and set aside.
- To make the crust and topping mixture add the all purpose flour, old fashioned oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt and stir to combine. Add in the cubed, softened butter and use your hands to mix in the butter to the oat mixture until crumbly.
- Uning you hands press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the lined baking pan .Add the apple mixture on top of the crust and the sprinkle remainder of the oat mixture as a crumble topping over apple filling.
- Bake the apple pie bars for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden.
- Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool for at least 4 hours or up to overnight. Slice into 16 pieces and serve as desired.
Nutrition
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