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Apple Crisp Bars

Desserts· Real Food

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Apple Crisp Bars: This apple dessert is a layer of shortbread cookie crust topped with sweet apples and finished with a buttery crumble.

Baked Apple Pie Bars with Oat Crumble next to fresh apples

There is nothing like visiting an apple orchard in the fall.

I adore crisp, fresh apples for eating plain with a yogurt dip, or for making homemade applesauce.

And of course you make apple pie……scratch that, you need to instead make these easy and addictive Apple Crisp Bars!

Apple Crisp Bars

A little bit like apple pie, a little bit like apple crisp, these apple crisp bars are an addictive dessert made with a shortbread cookie crust, sweet apple pie filling, and a oat crumble.

These apple bars are a perfect way to celebrate the fall and to enjoy the apple harvest of your local orchard (or I guess, the grocery store–but seriously guys the orchard experience is truly awesome.)

How to Make Apple Crisp Bars

These bars are not hard, especially if you whip out your food processor. I use my food processor for each step and then I only have one thing to wash and prep is a breeze.

Step 1: The Cookie Crust

  • Pulse whole wheat flour, sugar, butter and Greek yogurt in the food processor to form a crumbly dough a lot like a shortbread.
  • Press the shortbread like base into a 9 inch square pan that has been lined with parchment paper or foil.
  • Bake cookie crust for 10 minutes.

Step 2: The Apple Filling

  • Fit the food processor with the slicing blade.
  • Cut washed apples into quarters.
  • Throw apples in the food processor to slice into 1/4 inch slices.
  • Toss the apples with the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
  • Place apples on pre-baked cookie crust.

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.

Step 3: The Crumble

  • Place the mixing blade back in the food processor.
  • Place the ingredients for the crumble into the food processor.
  • Give it a few pulses to combine.
  • Top the apple filling with the oat crumble.

Step 4: Bake Apple Pie Bars

  • Bake the bars until the apples are tender and the crisp topping is golden.
  • Inhale as your house is filled with the scents of cinnamon, nutmeg and apples.

Step 5: Devour!

  • Serve warm.
  • Serve warm with ice cream.
  • Allow to cool and cut into hand held bars.

Close up of apple pie bar

Notes on Apple Pie Bars

  • 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.
  • Feel free to replace the Greek yogurt with an additional 1/4 cup cold butter.
  • Use freshly grated nutmeg for the best flavor.
  • Feel free to sub out all purpose flour for the whole wheat flour.
  • Store Apple Crisp Bars in the fridge for up to 4 days.

More Apple Recipes

Apple Pie Bar Recipe

Close of of Apple Pie Bar with shortbread cookie crust and apple filling and oat crumble
5 from 2 votes
Print

Apple Crisp Bars

Apple crisp and apple pie are brought together in a delicious cookie bar.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Apple Crisp Bars, Apple Pie Bars
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12
Calories 212 kcal

Ingredients

  • Crust:
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour or all purpose
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup butter cubed and cold
  • Apple Filling:
  • 1 pound Granny Smith apples washed and sliced into 1/4 inch slices
  • 1/4 cup whole wheat 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

  1. Preheat oven to 350.

  2. Line a 9 inch square pan with foil or parchment paper. 

Shortbread Cookie Base

  1. Place flour, sugar, yogurt, and butter in food processor and give a few get whirls to just bring ingredients together. Press down into lined pan. Bake for 15 minutes.

Apple Pie Filling

  1. Toss the sliced apples together with sugar, flour and spices. Pour over the prebaked crust.

Apple Crisp Topping

  1. Combine the flour, oats, butter and cinnamon until justjust combined. Sprinkle over apples.

  2. Bake for additional 30-35 minutes.

  3. Serve warm or cooled sliced into bars.  Ice cream optional.

Nutrition Facts
Apple Crisp Bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 212 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 20mg 7%
Sodium 71mg 3%
Potassium 112mg 3%
Total Carbohydrates 33g 11%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Sugars 18g
Protein 3g 6%
Vitamin A 5.1%
Vitamin C 2.1%
Calcium 2.9%
Iron 4.8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

TO MAKE APPLE CRISP BARS, YOU MAY NEED

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Comments

  1. Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party! Your post has been pinned to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest board 🙂

    Apple is my favorite fall flavor! Thanks for sharing this.

    Reply

  2. These look amazing! Apple crisp was a staple at our house too! I need some fall-ish dessert for next week and pumpkin is getting old!

    Reply

  3. I will have to try these! My daughter loves anything that is cooked apple. Thanks for linking up to the Tasty Tuesday’s Linky Party. I’ve pinned this post to Creative K Kids’ Tasty Tuesdays’ Pinterest Board.

    Reply


  4. This is a great Apple Crisp Bar, delicious! Hope you are having a fantastic week and thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

  5. Hi Kristen – These bars look delicious. Thanks for sharing with Let’s Get Real – pinning to our group board.

    Reply


  7. I love Johnny Appleseed Day Kristen! I know all about him and I used to mercilessly torture my big brother John when he was little by calling him Johnny Appleseed! Bars look absolutely delicious!!! We will apple pick soon and this looks like the perfect recipe!

    Reply

    • HA! HA! I am sure your brother appreciated the torture 🙂 Yes, you need to save some apples for these 🙂

      Reply

  9. I love all things made with apple and this looks like the perfect fall afternoon treat! Pinned!!

    Reply

  10. Hey Kristen! These look awesome! Is it 1 TABLESPOON of cinnamon in the apples? Just checking, seeing what ingredients i have on hand…you gave me a craving! looks so yummy!

    Reply

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