Description

These Apple Crisp Bars combine a buttery shortbread crust, a cinnamon-spiced apple filling, and a crumbly oat topping to create a fall-inspired dessert that’s both easy and irresistible. Perfect for seasonal gatherings or cozy evenings at home.

Ingredients

For the Buttery Shortbread Base:

1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
¼ cup granulated sugar

Optional Substitutions:

Use almond flour for a nutty flavor
Use coconut sugar for a natural sweetness

For the Cinnamon Apple Filling:

6–8 medium apples (Granny Smith and Gala mix), thinly sliced
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt
½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)

For the Crumbly Oat Topping:

¾ cup rolled oats
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

Optional Add-ins:

¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 tbsp dried cranberries

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line or grease a 9×9-inch baking pan.
Prepare the crust: Combine flour, sugar, and cold butter using a pastry blender or fingers until coarse crumbs form. Press mixture evenly into the pan.
Pre-bake crust for 15–20 minutes until lightly golden.
Make the filling: Toss sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract.
Layer apples over the pre-baked crust evenly.
Prepare the oat topping: Mix oats, brown sugar, and cold butter until clumpy. Add optional nuts or cranberries if desired.
Top the apples with the crumble mixture, spreading evenly.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35–40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender.
Cool completely before slicing into bars. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for a more balanced flavor.
Make ahead: Bars store well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw before serving.
Add a drizzle of caramel sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 260 kcal
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 40mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: apple crisp bars, fall dessert, apple oat bars, easy apple bar recipe, oatmeal apple bars