Oven-Baked Cinnamon Apple Crumble Bars
Soft apple slices spiced with cinnamon and baked under a buttery oat crumble, cut into bars for a comforting, handheld dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 70 minutes layers all-purpose flour, old-fashioned rolled oats, packed brown sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 260 calories and feeds 9, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup, packed brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup, cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 medium (about 1 lb), peeled and thinly sliced apples
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup rolled oats, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 2: Cut 3/4 cup cold cubed unsalted butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 3: Press two-thirds of the crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9x9-inch baking pan to form a crust.
- Step 4: In another bowl, toss 3 medium peeled and thinly sliced apples with 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until evenly coated.
- Step 5: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust layer.
- Step 6: Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly over the apples.
- Step 7: Bake for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Step 8: Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Baked Cinnamon Apple Crumble Bars take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Oven-Baked Cinnamon Apple Crumble Bars?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Baked Cinnamon Apple Crumble Bars?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Oven-Baked Cinnamon Apple Crumble Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 9 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 9). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Oven-Baked Cinnamon Apple Crumble Bars?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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