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Crispy Apple Crisp Bars

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These easy homemade apple crisp bars feature a tender apple filling and a crunchy oat topping, making them the perfect cozy fall dessert. They come together quickly and are a crowd-pleaser for gatherings, lunchboxes, or a comforting treat at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 4 medium apples—Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (can substitute almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (or dairy-free margarine/coconut oil for vegan)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a medium bowl, toss diced apples with lemon juice. Add granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour. Mix until apples are well-coated.
  3. In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon. Stir until evenly mixed.
  4. Pour in melted butter and vanilla extract. Mix until the mixture is crumbly but moist.
  5. Press about 2/3 of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
  6. Spread the apple filling evenly over the crust.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the apples in loose clumps for extra crunch.
  8. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crispy. Check at 30 minutes if your oven runs hot.
  9. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. Lift bars out using parchment paper and transfer to a wire rack.
  10. Slice into squares once completely cool.

Notes

For gluten-free bars, substitute almond flour for all-purpose flour. For vegan, use dairy-free margarine or coconut oil and coconut sugar. Mix apple varieties for deeper flavor. Let bars cool completely before slicing for best texture. Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple crisp bars, fall dessert, apple bars, oat topping, easy apple dessert, homemade apple bars, apple crisp, autumn baking, crowd-pleaser, comfort food

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/crispy-apple-crisp-bars-recipe-easy-homemade-fall-dessert/