Apple Crisp Bars

By Jen Lunsford

on Jul 22, 2020, Updated Oct 20, 2020

5 Comments

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Apple Crisp Bars are a great alternative to traditional apple pie. These sweet fall treats are perfect for serving a crowd at a potluck or a holiday dinner.

apple crispy bar on white paper

Apple Crisp Bars

We’re quickly working our way through the summer season and Fall is going to be hitting us before we know it. It’s time for us to start thinking about all the lovely autumn dishes the season is going to have in store for us. Especially all the tasty, apple desserts!

corner close up picture of apple crisp bar on white paper

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Apples have always been a favorite- especially when the leaves start taking on those beautiful fall colors. I’ve used them in plenty of desserts before. I’ll never turn down a simple Traditional Apple Crisp and I’m always eager to whip up a batch of our Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars!

close up of an apple crisp bar on white paper with 2 apples in the background

With that bar idea in mind, I’ve put together another recipe for all you that puts that apple crisp into a more convenient, “fun-sized” snack! I put together a simple shortbread crust, a spiced apple filling, and a crispy-and-crumbly topping and got these Apple Crisp Bars!

apple crisp bar with crumbs on white paper with apples in the background

These little apple pie bars are perfect for those chilly fall afternoons that are right around the corner. Their small size will also make them perfect for packing for school or work lunches! All-in-all, I know you folks will enjoy these sweet fall treats!

wording that says apple crisp bars in red and close up shot of the bars on white paper

Ingredients for Our Bars

For our shortbread crust, you’ll need…
  • Butter
  • Brown Sugar
  • Flour
The sweet apple filling, meanwhile, needs…
  • Apples – We used Granny Smiths but there’s a large range of apples and combinations you could use. Try some Golden Deliciouses, Honeycrisps, or some Pink Ladies.
  • Sugar
  • Flour
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
Lastly, the topping is going to use…
  • White & Light Brown Sugar
  • Flour
  • Butter
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg

overhead shot of all the ingredients on a white background

How to Make Our Apple Bars

Start off by getting your shortbread crust made. Cream together some butter and some brown sugar until you reach a creamy consistency. Once you’ve done that, blend in your flour well to make a shortbread dough.

ingredients in a large clear bowl to make the shortbread mixture

With your dough prepared, press it into the bottom a foil-lined baking pan- in our case, we used a 9×13. Remember to put something like parchment paper or foil along the sides of your pan so you can lift it out later. Allow that to bake in a 350 degree oven for about 25 or until lightly browned along the edges.

up close shot of a peeled green apple

With our crust taken care of, we can start focusing on the apple filling. To get started on that, first prep your apples by peeling and coring them.

peeled green apple slices on a white cutting board with a large knife on the right side

Once prepped, take your apples and get to slicing them. You’ll want to get the slices pretty thin.

apple slices in a large clear bowl with flour, sugar, and cinnamon on top

Once your apples are all sliced, you can start preparing the filling. Do this by taking your slices and coating them with sugar, flour, cinnamon. Make sure all your apples are thoroughly coated.

coated apple slices in a rectangular pan lined with foil, evenly spread out

Now that all our apples are ready, start filling up your baking pan with slices by laying them in flat, even layers.

dry ingredients for the crisp topping in a large clear mixing bowl and an whisk on the right side of the bowl

All that’s left to prep is our crumbly crisp topping. Mix up all your dry ingredients in a bowl until thoroughly mixed.

mid mixing of the dry and wet ingredients for the crisp in a large clear mixing bowl

Now we introduce the butter. Add it in small pieces and mix it with the dry ingredients using something like a pastry dough blender. Mix until well-combined and crumbly.

finished apple crisp on foil and white paper with an apple crisp crumb on the right side

Only thing left to do is get this thing baked! Pop it into a 350 degree for about 45-50 minutes. You’re looking for light browning on the crisp topping. Once that’s baked, allow it to cool before lifting from the pan, slicing into bars, and serving. Enjoy!

5 from 7 votes

Apple Crisp Bars

By: Jen Lunsford
Apple Crisp Bars are a great alternative to traditional apple pie. These sweet fall treats are perfect for serving a crowd at a potluck or a holiday dinner.
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 9 Servings
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Ingredients 

Crust:

  • 2 sticks Butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
  • 2 cup Flour

Apple Filling:

  • 5-6 Apples
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 1/2 cup Flour
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Nutmeg

Topping:

  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 1 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 1/4 cup Flour
  • 6 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tbsp Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Nutmeg

Instructions 

Crust:

  • Line a 9x13" baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Cream together butter and brown sugar until creamy.
  • Blend in your flour.
  • Press it into prepared baking pan.
  • Bake for about 25 minutes, until lightly browned along the edges.

Apple Filling:

  • Peel and core the apples.
  • Thinly slice the apples and place in large bowl.
  • Add sugar, flour and cinnamon. Toss to coat.
  • Cover crust in baking pan in flat even layers of slices.

Topping:

  • Mix up all the dry crust ingredients in a medium bowl.
  • Add butter in small pieces and mix it with the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or fork.
  • Mix until well-combined and crumbly.
  • Sprinkle evenly over apple layer and bake for 45-50 minutes (until top is lightly browned).
  • Allow to cool before removing from the pan and slicing.

Nutrition

Calories: 542kcal, Carbohydrates: 113g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 82mg, Potassium: 213mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 69g, Vitamin A: 291IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 57mg, Iron: 3mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

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Long Pin with a close up shot of the Apple Crisp Bar with a text in a red banner that says Apple crisp Bars, Tasty Fall Dessert

Long pin image of Apple Crisp Bars, Tasty Fall Dessert

About Jen Lunsford

A lover of food and frugal living. A wife to a wonderful hubby, momma to 5 fun kiddos. Welcome to my blog. You will find REAL TASTY RECIPES. Be sure to subscribe to my email list and follow me on social media, to never miss a recipe.

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5 Comments

  2. 5 stars
    I made these for a family function, they were a big hit. Everyone loved them. I did cut down the bake time on the base crust a little , I did 15 mins , I also added cranberries to the apples ( cut in half) it was about 3/4 of a cup of cranberries. So good , I will be making these again for sure. Thanks!!

    Reply

  4. 5 stars
    These are amazing! We all loved them. I used some apples I froze from the orchard last year and this was perfect. I will be making this again. It’s like the best of apple pie, crisp and cookies all in one. So yummy and easy to make.

    Reply