Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Apple Crisp Bars featuring a buttery oat crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apple filling, and a crunchy crumb topping with optional walnuts. Perfect as a snack or dessert, these bars combine classic apple crisp flavors in a convenient handheld form.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Apple Filling
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- Prepare the crumb mixture: In a large bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs resembling wet sand.
- Form the crust: Reserve about 3/4 cup of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create a firm and even crust layer.
- Mix the apple filling: In a separate bowl, toss the diced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well to evenly coat the apples with the spices and sugar.
- Assemble the bars: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the pressed crust in the pan, making sure to distribute the fruit uniformly.
- Add the topping: Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the apple layer, then top with chopped walnuts if using, for added crunch and flavor.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cool and serve: Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for at least 20 minutes to set. Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out from the pan. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into squares before serving.
Notes
- Use firm, tart apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best flavor and texture.
- Chilling the crumb mixture before pressing can help it hold together better as a crust.
- For a nut-free version, omit the walnuts or substitute with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These bars can be warmed slightly before serving to enhance their flavors.
