If you’re looking for a sweet treat that tastes like a slice of autumn in every bite, let me introduce you to these Easy Apple Crisp Bars. Bursting with tender spiced apples and a buttery, crumbly oat topping, these bars offer all the coziness of a classic apple crisp in a perfectly portable form. Whether you’re making dessert for a gathering, craving a fall-inspired snack, or just needing a little comfort food, these Easy Apple Crisp Bars will quickly become your go-to recipe.

Easy Apple Crisp Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of these Easy Apple Crisp Bars is that you probably already have most of the ingredients waiting in your pantry. Each one plays an important role in building the rich flavor and irresistible texture, from warm spices to hearty oats and, of course, those juicy apples.

Old fashioned oats: Add hearty texture and create that classic, rustic crumb that makes these bars so comforting.
All-purpose flour: Acts as the foundation for both the crust and topping, giving structure to the bars and helping them slice cleanly.
Brown sugar: Infuses a warm, caramel flavor that melds beautifully with the apples and spices.
Ground cinnamon: Essential for that inviting, signature apple crisp aroma and a deep autumn flavor.
Ground nutmeg: Delivers a subtle, nutty warmth that enhances both the apples and the oat topping.
Ground cloves: Packs a punch of spice, bringing depth and complexity to every bite.
Salt: Balances all the sweetness and intensifies the other flavors.
Baking soda: Lends a slight lift to the crumble, keeping it pleasantly light instead of dense.
Butter (melted): Brings everything together and creates that addictive, rich crumbly texture.
Baking apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp): The star of the show—these stay firm while baking and give the bars a lovely tart-sweet contrast.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the apples just right and helps release their juices for a luscious filling.
Fresh lemon juice: Brightens up the filling and prevents the apples from browning as you prep.

How to Make Easy Apple Crisp Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees for that perfect golden finish. Line an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, making sure there’s some overhang on every side—this little trick makes it a breeze to lift the bars out later. Set the dish aside while you mix up your layers.

Step 2: Make the Oat Crust and Crumble

In a medium bowl, combine the oats, 3/4 cup flour, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon cloves, salt, and baking soda. Stir until everything’s well mixed—it should smell like sheer cozy heaven. Pour in the melted butter and stir until you have a crumbly mixture. Scoop out 1 cup of this oat mixture and set it aside for the topping; press the remainder firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan to form the crust.

Step 3: Prepare the Spiced Apple Filling

Now for the star ingredient: the apples. In another bowl, toss together your peeled and sliced apples with the granulated sugar, lemon juice, the remaining 1 tablespoon flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon cloves. Mix until the apples are evenly coated in that dreamy, spiced mixture. Layer these apples evenly over your pressed crust.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Crumble the reserved oat mixture evenly over the top of the apples—don’t worry about perfection, those rustic, uneven spots are part of the charm! Cover the pan loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes until the top is deeply golden and your kitchen smells like every cozy memory you have of apple desserts.

Step 5: Cool and Slice

Place the baked bars on a wire rack to cool completely—this is key for neat slices. Once cool, use the parchment paper to lift out the slab, then slice into bars. Cover loosely until you’re ready to serve or pack up the Easy Apple Crisp Bars for sharing.

How to Serve Easy Apple Crisp Bars

Garnishes

Pile your Easy Apple Crisp Bars high on a plate and give them a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a snow-dusted look, or drizzle with a touch of caramel sauce for an extra-special touch. A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side makes every bite even more decadent.

Side Dishes

While these bars are dreamy on their own, they also pair beautifully with a mug of spiced chai or hot apple cider. If you’re feeling fancy, serve them with a light fruit salad or even a cozy cheese board for a delightful contrast between savory and sweet.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party-ready twist, cut the Easy Apple Crisp Bars into bite-size squares and skewer them with cocktail picks. Or wrap individual bars in wax paper and string for a picnic-worthy treat. You can even serve them warm in bowls topped with a scoop of ice cream for a comforting, deconstructed crisp experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Easy Apple Crisp Bars fresh and delicious, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate for up to five days. The oats retain their delightful crunch, and the apples stay gorgeously tender.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later (though good luck resisting!), wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to three months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving or reheat gently for that fresh-baked taste.

Reheating

For those who love their apple bars warm, simply pop a bar in the microwave for about 20–30 seconds, or reheat in a 300-degree oven for 10 minutes. This brings back that irresistible fresh-from-the-oven flavor and aroma, making your Easy Apple Crisp Bars just as inviting as the day you baked them.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple for these bars?

Absolutely! While baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best for a tart, firm bite, you can mix and match different varieties for a more complex apple flavor. Just avoid softer apples, which may turn mushy during baking.

Are Easy Apple Crisp Bars gluten free?

This recipe isn’t gluten free by default due to the flour and oats, but you can easily swap in a measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten free oats for a delicious alternative.

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?

Definitely! Just double the ingredients and bake in a 9 x 13 inch pan. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time—watch for that wonderful golden brown top.

Do these bars travel well for potlucks or picnics?

They’re perfect for sharing! Once completely cool and sliced, Easy Apple Crisp Bars hold together beautifully, making them an excellent candidate for lunchboxes, bake sales, and outdoor gatherings.

Can I add nuts or dried fruit to this recipe?

Go for it! Chopped walnuts or pecans add a lovely crunch to the oat topping, while a handful of dried cranberries or raisins stirred into the apple filling can provide delightful bursts of flavor.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a treat that brings a smile to any table, these Easy Apple Crisp Bars are the answer. They’re simple enough for a weeknight, impressive enough for guests, and absolutely packed with cozy apple crisp goodness. Give them a try—you might just find yourself making extra batches to share!

Easy Apple Crisp Bars Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 7 reviews

Author: Lily
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Easy Apple Crisp Bars are a delightful treat that combines the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and baked apples in a simple and satisfying dessert.

Instructions

Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line an 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all sides. Set aside.
Prepare oat mixture: In a medium bowl, mix oats, 3/4 cup flour, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon cloves, salt, and baking soda. Stir in melted butter. Reserve 1 cup of this mixture and press the rest into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Make apple filling: Toss sliced apples with granulated sugar, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon cloves until evenly coated. Spread over the oat crust in the baking dish. Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture on top of the apples.
Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes until the topping is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
Serve: Once cooled, slice into bars. Store loosely covered until ready to enjoy.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American