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Apple Crisp Bars

Apple crisp bars with a buttery oat crumble base and a golden top, baked until the spiced apple filling bubbles. Firmly pressed layers create clean, bar-style slices with a tender fruit center.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 330
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Oat crumble base and top
  • 2 cup rolled oats
  • 1.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
Apple filling
  • 4 cup apples, peeled and finely diced
  • 0.33 cup granulated sugar
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Preheat and line pan
  1. Preheat the oven to 375F and line a 9x13 pan with parchment so the bars lift out easily.
Make oat crumble
  1. Combine rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt, then drizzle in melted butter and toss until evenly moistened.
Bake the base
  1. Press 2/3 of the oat mixture firmly into the prepared pan, then bake for 10 minutes to set the base.
Fill with apples and top
  1. Toss diced apples with granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and lemon juice, then spread evenly over the hot base.
Add topping
  1. Scatter the remaining oat crumble over the apples to cover them completely for even browning.
Bake until bubbling and golden
  1. Bake for 30 more minutes at 375F until the topping is golden and the filling bubbles across the surface.
Cool and slice
  1. Cool completely before slicing into bars to keep the layers from crumbling.

Notes

For the cleanest slices, cool the pan fully (or chill it briefly once cooled) before cutting—this firms up the butter in the crumb and helps the apple filling set. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; freeze bars for up to 2 months. For a lighter option, use half the butter (replace with olive oil baking spread or a butter substitute that measures 1:1) and expect a slightly softer crumble.