Easy Apple Crisp Bars That Everyone Will Love

Easy Apple Crisp Bars are a cozy, buttery dessert that tastes like fall in every bite. If you’ve ever wanted apple crisp you can pick up and eat with your hands—this recipe is your answer. Thank you so much for being here with me today—I’m beyond excited to share this with you! 🍎✨

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Overview of Recipe Content

Apple crisp bars take all the goodness of classic apple crisp—warm cinnamon apples, crumbly oat topping, buttery crust—and turn it into a bar you can slice, share, or pack for a lunchbox treat.

• Why you’ll love it: These bars are portable, make-ahead friendly, and oh-so-satisfying.
• What it tastes like: Buttery, sweet, and slightly tart with a chewy-crisp topping that melts into the apples.
• When to serve: Perfect for fall gatherings, bake sales, potlucks, or just a Sunday treat.
• Health perk: Oats add fiber, apples bring natural sweetness, and you can swap butter with coconut oil for a lighter version.

Ingredients

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• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cups peeled and chopped apples (about 4 medium apples)

Tools You’ll Need

• 9×13 baking dish
• Mixing bowls
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Parchment paper

Suggested Substitutions

• Use gluten-free flour for a GF version.
• Try coconut sugar instead of brown sugar.
• Add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
• A drizzle of salted caramel sauce takes these bars over the top!

How to Make Easy Apple Crisp Bars

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1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Mix the crust/topping: In a large bowl, stir together flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and mix until crumbly.
3. Press the crust: Firmly press about two-thirds of the mixture into the bottom of the pan to form a crust.
4. Add the apples: Spread the chopped apples evenly over the crust.
5. Crumble on top: Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the apples.
6. Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbling.
7. Cool & cut: Let bars cool completely before slicing into squares.

The smell alone will fill your kitchen with that warm cinnamon-apple coziness we all crave in autumn.

What to Serve with Easy Apple Crisp Bars

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic combo.
• Freshly whipped cream dusted with cinnamon.
• A drizzle of warm caramel sauce.
• Pair with coffee, chai latte, or hot apple cider.

Tips for Making It Perfect

• Don’t skip parchment paper—it makes lifting and slicing easier.
• Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp so they don’t turn mushy.
• Let the bars cool before cutting or they’ll fall apart.
• Double the recipe for a crowd (they disappear fast!).

Storage Instructions

• Room temp: Store in an airtight container up to 2 days.
• Fridge: Keep in the fridge up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Freeze slices individually for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

General Information

Apple crisp has roots in early American baking, where oats and apples were pantry staples. Turning it into bars is a modern twist that makes them easy for lunchboxes, bake sales, and picnics.

Seasonally, they shine brightest in fall apple season, but honestly, they’re welcome any time of year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Yes, but the topping won’t be as chewy—rolled oats give better texture.

Which apples are best?
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix of tart and sweet varieties.

Do I have to peel the apples?
Peeling gives a softer texture, but leaving the skin on adds fiber.

Can I make these ahead?
Absolutely! Bake a day in advance and store covered at room temperature.

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Conclusion

These Easy Apple Crisp Bars are the kind of treat that feels like a hug from your nonna—warm, buttery, and made for sharing.

If you loved this recipe, you’ll also adore these apple favorites:

• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Interactive Elements

I’d love to see how your bars turn out! Leave me a comment below, and if you share your bake on Pinterest or Instagram, tag me @poulefrecipe so I can cheer you on.

Nutritional Information (per bar, based on 16 bars)

Calories	Carbs	Sugar	Fat	Saturated Fat	Fiber	Protein
260	35g	20g	12g	7g	3g	3g

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