Apple Pie Crumble Bars (Print Version)

Classic apple pie flavors combined with golden oat crumble in easy-to-share dessert bars.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced

→ Apple Filling

05 - 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
06 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
07 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
09 - 2 teaspoons cornstarch

→ Crumble Topping

10 - 3/4 cup rolled oats
11 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
14 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
15 - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in cold diced butter with a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
03 - Firmly press two-thirds of the base mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating an even layer.
04 - In a separate bowl, toss diced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
05 - Spread the apple filling evenly over the base layer in the baking pan.
06 - In another bowl, mix rolled oats, flour, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir in melted butter until the mixture forms moist clumps.
07 - Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the apple layer. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until golden and bubbling at the edges.
08 - Allow bars to cool completely in the pan on a rack before lifting out and slicing.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Easy to cut and serve at potlucks or picnics
  • No pie crust rolling needed
  • Perfectly spiced apples tucked into a buttery oat crumb
  • Double-duty crumble functions as both base and topping
  • Ready in under an hour with mostly pantry ingredients
02 -
  • Good source of fiber from apples and oats
  • Easy to customize with other fruit or spices
03 -
  • Press the bottom layer of crumble firmly to prevent soggy bars
  • Always let the bars cool fully before slicing for tidy squares
  • For even baking rotate your pan halfway through if your oven has hotspots
  • I learned the hard way that skimping on the apples means you will miss that luscious pie feel so be generous with the fruit

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