Can I use other fruit?

Pears, peaches, or a mix of berries work wonderfully with the same oat crumble.

Why are my bars crumbly?

Press the base layer very firmly and let the bars cool completely before cutting.

Close-up of a freshly baked apple crumble pie on display in a cozy café.

Portable apple crisp with buttery oat crumble crust

Apple Crisp Bars

Name: Apple Crisp Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 16 bars
Ingredients: 4 medium apples, peeled and diced; 2 cups old-fashioned oats; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed; 3/4 cup butter, cold and cubed; 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg

1hEasy

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

40 min

Total Time

1 hr

Servings

16 bars

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

Be the first to rate this recipe

Apple Crisp Bars

Portable apple crisp with buttery oat crumble crust

All the flavors of apple crisp in a portable, sliceable bar form—a buttery oat crust, spiced apple filling, and crumbly streusel topping. Perfect for fall potlucks and packed lunches.

20m

Prep Time

40m

Cook Time

60m

Total Time

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Sarah Chen

December 12, 2023(Updated April 13, 2026)

These apple crisp bars take everything you love about classic apple crisp and make it portable. The same buttery oat mixture is used for both the base and the crumble topping, sandwiching a cinnamon-spiced apple layer.

Ingredients

4 medium apples, peeled and diced
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup butter, cold and cubed
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Instructions

1
Toss diced apples with 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Set aside.
2
Combine oats, flour, remaining brown sugar, remaining cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
3
Press two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of a parchment-lined 9x13 pan.
4
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble the remaining oat mixture on top.
5
Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden and the apples are bubbling. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving
Arrange on a platter for easy sharing at your next gathering
Pair with your favorite dipping sauce for extra flavor

Substitutions

Old-fashioned oatsQuick oats

Creates a finer, less textured crumble but works in a pinch

ButterCoconut oil, solid

Makes them dairy-free while keeping the crumbly texture

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Vanilla Extract

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the vanilla matters

For baking and desserts, vanilla is often carrying more aroma than people expect. A better bottle gives the whole recipe a cleaner finish.

This is a small pantry move that usually makes baked goods taste more complete.

Improves aroma in desserts and bakes
Useful across cakes, cookies, and breakfast bakes

Vanilla extract is one of the easiest pantry upgrades to keep using.

Shop vanilla extract for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during baking.
Cool completely in the pan before cutting—warm bars will crumble instead of slicing cleanly.

Storage

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate for a week.

Reheating

Warm individual bars in the microwave for 20 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (25mg) · 16 servings

Calories215

LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein2g

Carbohydrates10g

Fat30g

Fiber95mg

Sugar3g

Sodium16g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other fruit?: Pears, peaches, or a mix of berries work wonderfully with the same oat crumble.
Why are my bars crumbly?: Press the base layer very firmly and let the bars cool completely before cutting.

Explore More

More Dessert More Snack Oven Recipes

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

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Instructions

1
Toss diced apples with 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Set aside.
2
Combine oats, flour, remaining brown sugar, remaining cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
3
Press two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of a parchment-lined 9x13 pan.
4
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble the remaining oat mixture on top.
5
Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden and the apples are bubbling. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during baking.
Cool completely in the pan before cutting—warm bars will crumble instead of slicing cleanly.

Storage

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate for a week.

Reheating

Warm individual bars in the microwave for 20 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.

Apple Crisp Bars

Apple Crisp Bars

Apple Crisp Bars

Ingredients

Instructions