These Apple Oatmeal Crumb Bars are ideal for autumn. Made with a brown sugar oat base, cinnamon-spiced apples, and a crunchy oat crumble — they’re extraordinary with a drizzle of salted caramel and a scoop of ice cream!
I believe in the power of an apple a day — and these Apple Oatmeal Crumb Bars make that belief delicious. A buttery, brown-sugar oatmeal cookie layer forms the base, then a cinnamon apple filling, and finally a generous, crunchy oat crumble on top.
They work wonderfully as a dessert topped with salted caramel sauce and ice cream, and they’re also great the next morning for breakfast. These bars are a comforting, no-mixer treat that’s full of cinnamon, brown sugar, and oats — perfect for any time you want something warm and homey.
One of the best things about this recipe is that the oat cookie mixture serves as both the base and the crumble topping. That makes the process simpler and cuts down on dishes and steps.
To build the oat layer, combine flour, cinnamon, salt, and rolled oats. Stir in melted butter, packed brown sugar, an egg yolk, and vanilla until the mixture resembles damp sand with some larger clumps. Set aside one heaping cup of the mixture to use as the crumble topping, and press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of a prepared pan to form the base.
The apple layer is made from sliced apples tossed with cinnamon, a touch of granulated sugar, nutmeg, and cornstarch to thicken the juices as they bake. I recommend tart apples like Granny Smith for baking — their bright flavor stands up well to cooking and the sweetness of the topping.
For the crumble topping, mix the reserved oat mixture with an extra tablespoon of flour and a tablespoon of brown sugar, then pinch or press it into larger crumbs to sprinkle over the apples. I prefer larger, rustic crumble pieces for texture.
Slicing and peeling apples is the most time-consuming part, but the rest is easy: press the base, layer the apples, top with the crumble, and bake until golden. Once cooled, slice into bars. They can be warmed slightly before serving if you like them warm with ice cream.
PS — If you want salted caramel with these bars, use your favorite salted caramel sauce recipe to drizzle on top for a truly indulgent finish.
Apple Oatmeal Crumb Bars
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Ingredients
For the Crumb Layers
- 1 and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats or instant oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup melted butter, cooled to room temperature
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
For the Apple Layer
- 2 large apples, cored, peeled and sliced about 1/4 inch thick
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch square pan with aluminum foil and lightly grease or spray the foil.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter with 3/4 cup brown sugar, vanilla, and the egg yolk. Stir the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles damp sand with some larger clumps. Reserve one heaping cup of this mixture for the crumble, and press the remainder evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
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Toss the sliced apples with the granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch until evenly coated. Spread the apples in a single, even layer over the pressed oat base.
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Combine the reserved cup of oat mixture with the extra tablespoon of flour and tablespoon of brown sugar. Crumble this mixture over the apples, aiming for a mix of large and small crumbs. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top is beginning to turn golden brown.
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Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares. Reheat gently if you prefer to serve them warm.
Nutrition
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