Description
These Easy Apple Crisp Bars are a delightful twist on the classic apple crisp dessert, combining a buttery oat crust and crumb topping with a warm, spiced apple filling. Perfect for a cozy afternoon treat or a crowd-pleasing dessert, they’re simple to make and sure to satisfy your apple craving.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups old fashioned oats
- ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon flour (divided)
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (divided)
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (divided)
- ¾ teaspoon ground cloves (divided)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Wet Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter, melted
- 6 cups peeled and thinly sliced baking apples (about 3 large apples)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, making sure the paper hangs over all four sides for easy removal later. Set aside.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the oats, ¾ cup flour, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ½ teaspoon cloves, salt, and baking soda. Pour the melted butter over the mixture and stir until combined. Set aside 1 cup of this oat mixture for topping and press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a separate bowl, mix the sliced apples with granulated sugar, lemon juice, remaining 1 tablespoon of flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon cloves. Toss gently to coat the apples evenly with the spices and sugar.
- Assemble and Bake: Spoon the apple mixture evenly over the crust in the baking dish. Crumble the reserved 1 cup oat mixture on top of the apples as the crumb topping. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes, or until the crumb topping is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, lift the bars out by the parchment paper edges and slice into 12 bars. Cover loosely until ready to serve.
Notes
- Use baking apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture and flavor.
- Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts.
- The lemon juice helps prevent apples from browning and adds a subtle brightness.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
