Apple Crisp Bars

Apple Crisp meets Apple Pie to form these delicious Apple Crisp Bars. They are a simple apple dessert made with a shortbread cookie crust, sweet apple filling, and a buttery crumble topping. 

Apple Bars

A little bit like an apple pie, a little bit like an apple crisp, Apple Bars are the best or two desserts.

From the buttery shortbread crust to the oat crumble to the sweet, spiced apple filling, these bars are a d

A butter shortbread base, sweet apple pie filling, and a buttery oat crumble form a sweet bar that has the flavors of a rich butter pie crust and a sweet apple crisp.

There is no rolling, no chilling for this crust either, which makes these bars much easier to make than Apple Pie.

They are a perfect way to enjoy crisp, fall apples in dessert form.

Key Ingredients

• Crust: The shortbread crust is made with flour, butter, a bit of sugar. It comes together easily and forms a delicious, buttery base to these bars.
• Apple Filling: Apples, spices, sugar, and flour are tossed together to form a filling that is a lot like a classic apple pie filling. As for the apples, I prefer to use Granny Smith apples in the filling of these apple bars. Their tartness pairs perfectly with the sugar to not be overly sweet. But any firm apple such as Gala, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious works as well.
• Oat Crumble: Butter, oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon and nutmeg form a classic buttery topping for these bars.

How to Make Apple Crisp Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Shortbread Crust

• Beat the butter until light and fluffy.
• Add in the sugar beat until creamy.
• Mix in the flour until just combined.
• Place the dough into the lined pan and prick with a fork several times over the surface.
• Bake for 15 minutes in a pre-heated oven.

Step 2: The Apple Filling

• Slice washed apples into 1/4 inch slices. Should you peel the apples? You can, but I like to leave the peels on for added fiber and makes these apple bars that much easier.
• Toss the apples with the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Place apples on the pre-baked cookie crust.

Step 3: The Crumble

• In a medium bowl, mix the oats, flour, sugar, and spices together.
• Add in the butter and using 2 forks, a pastry cutter or your hands to bring the mixture together–it should literally form a crumble.
• Top the apple filling with the oat crumble.
• Bake the apple bars until the apples are tender and the crisp topping is golden.

Step 4: Serve

• Once baked, let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then carefully lift out the parchment paper and let cool completely before slicing into bars.

More Apple Recipes

• Instant Pot Applesauce
• Easy Cream Cheese Apple Dip
• Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
• Healthy Apple Cinnamon Bread
• Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Apples

Apple Crisp Bars

Apple crisp and apple pie are brought together in a delicious bar made with a shortbread crust, sweet apple filling, and a buttery crumble topping.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Servings: 12

Calories: 212kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

Crust

• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup flour

Apple Filling

• 1 pound Granny Smith apples washed and sliced into 1/4 inch slices
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh nutmeg

Topping

• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter cold
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 and line an 8 inch square pan with foil or parchment paper. 
• Beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add in the sugar beat until creamy. Mix in the flour until just combined. Place the dough into the lined pan and prick with a fork several times over the surface. Bake for 15 minutes.
• Toss the sliced apples together with sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour over the prebaked crust.
• Combine the flour, oats, butter, and cinnamon until just combined. Sprinkle over apples. Return to the oven and bake for additional 30-35 minutes.
• Once baked, let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then carefully lift out the parchment paper and let cool completely before slicing into bars. 

Equipment Needed

• 8x8 baking pan
• Parchment Paper
• Food Processor

Notes

• Granny Smith apples are best for this recipe as they help to balance the sweetness from the crumble. But any firm apple such as Gala, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious works as well.
• Use all-purpose or whole white wheat flour. 
• Store Apple Crisp Bars in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Nutrition Facts

Apple Crisp Bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 212 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 20mg7%

Sodium 71mg3%

Potassium 112mg3%

Carbohydrates 33g11%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 18g20%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 255IU5%

Vitamin C 1.7mg2%

Calcium 29mg3%

Iron 0.9mg5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I would love to know how you enjoy this recipe!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram or Facebook - I would love to see!