Mom’s Best Delicious Apple Crisp Bars Recipe

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Looking for an easy apple crisp bars recipe that’s perfect for lunchboxes, potlucks, or a cozy after-school snack? This bar version of a classic apple dessert is budget-friendly, freezes beautifully, and makes the most of fall apple season.

Five apple crisp bars with a drizzle of glaze are arranged on a white plate, their oat crumble topping adding rustic charm.
Apple Crisp Bars. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

An Old Frugal Family Favorite

I’ve been making this apple crisp bars recipe for almost 30 years. It’s a family favorite that’s become one of my go-to apple recipes every fall. 

These bars combine the sweet taste of apple pie with the crisp topping we all love, all in a handheld format that makes cleanup easy, especially when your family includes a few grubby little kids! They’re the perfect way to use up leftover apple slices, softened butter, or even half-used bags of oats and sugar in your pantry.

Whether you just came back from apple picking or stocked up during a grocery store sale, this is a great recipe to stretch your apple stash. It’s hearty and full of oats to fill up those hungry bellies. With simple ingredients and pantry staples, these easy apple crisp bars are a delicious fall dessert to enjoy fresh or from the freezer.

Tip: Want a bar with a bit more tang? Try my apple cider blondies. And for a smaller, sweeter snack, bake up a batch of these applesauce cookies with white chocolate chips.

How to Make My Apple Crisp Bars

These apple bars are easy to prep and don’t require fancy equipment. You’ll need just a few mixing bowls, a pastry cutter or fork, and your favorite 8×8 pan. 

You’ll layer the buttery crust, cinnamon apple filling, and crumble topping before baking everything into a golden brown bar form.

Ingredients

Assorted baking ingredients on a table, including apples, butter sticks, dark brown sugar, white sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a container of oats.
Apple Crisp Bars Ingredients. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Here’s what you’ll need for the three parts of this crisp recipe.

Crust (Bottom Layer)

  • ½ cup salted butter, softened to room temperature
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

Apple Filling

  • 2 large apples (like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled and sliced thin
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • Optional: splash of lemon juice or apple cider to keep apples from browning

Crisp Topping

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup old fashioned oats
  • ½ cup butter (1 stick), room temperature

Directions

A glass bowl containing a stick of butter and a pile of brown sugar on a light-colored surface.
A glass bowl containing a mound of brown cookie dough on a light-colored surface.
A glass bowl containing brown sugar, flour, and baking powder on a light wooden surface, ready to be mixed for baking.
A glass bowl containing a coarse, crumbly mixture of flour and brown sugar, likely for baking or making a streusel topping.
Chunks of apple coated with sugar and cinnamon are spread on parchment paper, likely prepared for baking a dessert.
A glass bowl filled with sliced apples, topped with granulated sugar and ground cinnamon, on a light-colored surface.
This recipe for apple crisp bars is so easy. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

These apple pie bars come together in layers, starting with a buttery shortbread crust and ending with a crisp topping that bubbles as it bakes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 prepared baking pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
  2. Make the crust: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth (about 3 minutes). Mix in vanilla extract and flour until it forms a dough. Press this into an even layer at the bottom of the pan.
  3. Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, toss the sliced apples with flour, sugar, and cinnamon until coated. Add lemon juice or apple cider if using. Spread this apple layer evenly over the crust.
  4. Mix the crisp topping: In another medium bowl, combine brown sugar, white sugar, flour, oats, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture forms small pieces. Sprinkle this crumble topping over the apple layer.
  5. Bake for 45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  6. Let cool completely. Slice into 16 squares. Store in an airtight container or wrap individual bars in plastic wrap for later.

Apple Crisp Bars FAQs

Three oat crumble bars on a rustic white wooden surface, with scattered oats, a red cloth, and a glass of milk partially visible.
Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Wondering about substitutions or how to store these apple bars? Here are answers to the most common questions I get. If you don’t see your question, leave it in the comments below.

What kind of apples are best for apple crisp bars?

I usually use Granny Smith apples or Honeycrisp apples in this recipe. The tartness of Granny Smith balances the sweetness of the crisp topping, while Honeycrisp holds its shape well during baking. 

Pink Lady apples are another good option if you want a mix of tart and sweet. You can even mix apple types if you’re using up leftovers from apple picking. This year, the old crabapple tree in the backyard is just laden with crabapples. I may try using them in my next batch.

Can you freeze apple crisp bars?

Yes, these apple crumble squares freeze really well. Once they’re cool, wrap each square in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. 

They’ll keep for up to three months. To serve, thaw overnight in the fridge or warm up in the microwave.

Can I add other ingredients to the apple filling?

Absolutely. A splash of maple syrup or a few teaspoons of apple pie spice or even apple cider vinegar can add even more flavor to the apple filling. 

You could also stir in a few raisins, chopped walnuts, or a bit of leftover browned butter if you have it on hand. Just be sure to keep the apple layer in an even layer so the bars bake evenly.

Add This to Your Family Recipe Binder

This apple crisp bars recipe is the perfect way to enjoy a classic apple dessert in bar form. It’s a fun new fall recipe to try and a simple treat to pack in lunches. Either way, this is a great option. 

It’s also a clever way to use up pantry leftovers like butter, flour, or oats, especially after a baking session or big apple pie day. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for a special touch. Happy baking!

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Close-up of apple crisp bars with oats on a white plate, apples and a red cloth in the background, and a text label promoting the recipe.
A plate of apple crisp bars with an oat topping, showing a crumbly texture. Text overlay promotes an easy, tasty, and frugal apple crisp bars recipe with oats.
A pan of apple crisp bars topped with powdered sugar, followed by a graphic reading "Easy Homemade Apple Crisp Bars Recipe," and a close-up of cut bars on a wooden surface.
A plate of apple crisp bars topped with oat crumble, with a close-up of apple and cinnamon mixture above, and text reading "Easy Apple Crisp Bars Recipe.
A close-up of a square piece of crumbly apple oat bar with glaze on a white wooden surface, reminiscent of classic apple crisp bars.

Mom’s Best Delicious Apple Crisp Bars Recipe

Sarita Harbour
Make this apple crisp bars recipe for a delicious fall dessert with leftover apples, a buttery crust, crisp topping, and easy prep for freezing or lunchboxes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 31 minutes
Course Dessert, Snacks
Cuisine American, Canadian
Servings 16 servings
Calories 112 kcal

Ingredients
  

Crust

  • ½ c salted soft butter room temperature
  • ¼ c brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 ¼ c flour

Filling

  • 2 large apples peeled and sliced thin (about 3 cups)
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • ¼ sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon

Crisp Topping

  • ½ c brown sugar
  • ¼ c granulated sugar
  • ⅓ c flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ c old fashioned oats
  • 1 stick of butter room temperature

Instructions
 

  • Prepare an 8×8 pan by lining it with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat.
  • Preheat oven to 350 F.

Crust

  • Beat butter and brown sugar together for 3 minutes.
  • Add vanilla and flour and mix well.
  • Press the crust into the prepared pan.

Filling

  • Slice and peel apples.
  • Add flour, ¼ of granulated sugar and cinnamon and toss until the apple slices are coated.
  • Spread this evenly over the prepared crust.

Crisp topping

  • Mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon and butter together until crumbly.
  • Press over the top of the apple layer.
  • Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the center is bubbly.
  • Allow to cool.
  • Cut into 16 squares.

Video

Notes

 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 112kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 2gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 40mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 0.02mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
Keyword apple crisp bars
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Writer

Sarita Harbour has been stretching her food dollars to feed her family for over 30 years. As a former banker and current freelance writer, she's written boatloads of articles about budgeting, homesteading, gardening, personal finance and more. Her food-related articles have been widely syndicated through AP and MSN. Look for her food features at NBC, The Seattle Times, Yahoo! Life, Chowhound, Tasting Table and MSN.