These Nutritious Apple Pie Crumble Bars feature a delightful cinnamon apple filling nestled between a rich oat crust and a crisp crumble topping, topped off with an optional drizzle of salted caramel. An ideal wholesome dessert for the fall season!
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If you adore traditional apple pie but want to skip the hassle of rolling out dough, these Nutritious Apple Pie Crumble Bars are perfect for you! They capture all the warm flavors of homemade apple pie in an easy-to-handle dessert that’s perfect for autumn.
These bars utilize whole wheat pastry flour, old-fashioned oats, and pure maple syrup, complemented by tender, cinnamon-spiced apples. The same oat blend is used for both the crust and the crumble topping, keeping the ingredient list uncomplicated. Top them off with a healthier salted caramel drizzle for an added touch!
Reasons to Love These
- Wholesome ingredients – naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup and crafted with rolled oats and whole wheat pastry flour.
- Simple to prepare – the crust and crumble topping consist of the same mixture, eliminating the need for two separate preparations.
- Classic apple pie taste– tender apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla provide the beloved flavors of apple pie in a bar form.
- Ideal for sharing – simple to slice, transport, and serve at autumn gatherings, holiday parties, or Thanksgiving.
- That caramel drizzle! – the optional salted caramel sauce elevates these apple crumble bars to a whole new level.
Essential Ingredients
- rolled oats – provide a hearty texture for the crust and topping. Avoid instant or steel-cut oats, as they won’t achieve the same consistency.
- whole wheat pastry flour – introduces whole grains while keeping the bars lighter and more delicate than standard whole wheat flour.
- apples – peel and slice about three medium to large apples. Choose a sturdy baking apple that will maintain its texture.
- maple syrup – naturally sweetens both the oat mixture and the apple filling, ensuring cohesiveness.
- butter – melted butter enhances richness and forms a crispy, buttery crust. Vegan butter can be used as a dairy-free alternative.
- lemon juice – fresh lemon juice brightens the flavor of the apples and balances the sweetness.
- cornstarch – mix it with water to create a slurry that thickens the apple juices and prevents sogginess in the bars. Arrowroot powder is also a suitable substitute.
- vanilla extract – imparts a warm, sweet flavor.
- spices – a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg provides the bars with that quintessential apple pie flavor.
- salted caramel drizzle – optional topping made with velvety cashew butter (or peanut butter), maple syrup, milk, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and sea salt.
Best Apples for Apple Pie Bars
Sturdy, crisp apples that retain their shape during baking work best for these apple pie crumble bars. I prefer using Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Braeburn apples.
Granny Smith apples are tart, while Honeycrisp and Pink Lady apples offer a natural sweetness. For an optimal balance of flavors, consider combining two different varieties.
Steer clear of softer apples like Red Delicious, as they may break down and become mushy while baking. Ensure that you slice the apples thinly and evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
Steps to Create Apple Pie Crumble Bars
- Prepare the pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal, and lightly spray with cooking spray.
- Create the crumble mixture. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, whole wheat pastry flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Mix in the maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla, stirring until the mixture is evenly dampened and crumbly.
- Form the crust. Set aside around 1 cup of the oat mixture for the topping. Firmly press the remaining mixture into an even layer in the prepared pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges turn lightly golden.
- Cook the apples. While the crust bakes, add the sliced apples, maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the apples begin to soften and release their juices.
- Thicken the filling. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the apples and mix well. Continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes until the juices have thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Assemble the bars. Evenly spread the apple mixture over the warm crust. Crumble the reserved oat mixture over the apples, gently pressing some of the topping together to form larger crumbles.
- Bake. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 28 to 32 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling at the edges.
- Cool and slice. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan for at least 1 hour. To achieve clean slices, refrigerate for an additional 30 minutes before lifting the bars out using the parchment and cutting into 12 squares.
- Create the caramel sauce. While the bars cool, whisk the maple syrup, cashew butter, milk, and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat for 2-3 minutes until well blended. Remove from heat and mix in the vanilla and salt. If necessary, add a splash more milk, then drizzle over the chilled bars.
Advice for Perfect Apple Pie Crumble Bars
- Slice the apples thinly. Thick apple slices might not soften completely during baking. Aim for slices about ⅛-inch thick.
- Par-bake the crust. This step is crucial! It prevents the apple filling from making the crust soggy.
- Press the crust firmly. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or glass to compact the oat mixture into the pan evenly.
- Thicken the filling. Cooking the apples with the cornstarch slurry stops excess juice from seeping into the crust.
- Form larger crumbles. Gently squeeze some of the reserved oat mixture together before placing it on top of the apples.
- Allow the bars to cool completely. The filling and crust need time to firm up. Cutting the bars while warm may lead to them falling apart.
- Chill before slicing. An additional 30 minutes in the fridge will yield the neatest, cleanest squares.
Variations and Alternatives
- Make them dairy-free – substitute butter with your favorite dairy-free butter and use non-dairy milk in the caramel sauce.
- Make them gluten-free – swap the whole wheat pastry flour with a high-quality 1-to-1 gluten-free flour and use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
- Try oat flour – you can use oat flour as a substitute, but it will create a softer, more delicate crust. Ensure the bars are refrigerated completely before slicing.
- Add nuts – incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the reserved crumble topping for added crunch.
- Change up the fruit – you can replace some of the apples with pears, fresh cranberries, or blackberries.
- Skip the caramel – these apple pie bars are delicious even without the drizzle. A light dusting of powdered sugar is also a lovely option.
- Serve them warm – heat an individual bar briefly and pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt.
Common Questions
Peeling the apples results in a softer, pie-like filling. If you prefer the extra texture, feel free to leave the skins on, but ensure the apple slices are very thin.
Wet bars can result from too much liquid in the apple filling, not par-baking the crust, or slicing the bars before cooling completely. Cook the filling until thickened, bake the crust before adding apples, and let the bars cool entirely.
Absolutely! These bars are great for make-ahead desserts. Prepare them a day in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. Wait to add the caramel drizzle until just before serving.
Yes, you can. Freeze the bars without the caramel drizzle for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge and add the caramel before serving.
Oat flour should work, but it creates a softer, more delicate crust. The bars may not hold together as solidly, so be sure to cool and chill them thoroughly before cutting. For the most reliable gluten-free alternative, use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour along with certified gluten-free oats.
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Additional Healthy Apple Recipes
Wishing you enjoy these Nutritious Apple Pie Crumble Bars! If you find them as delightful as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!
For the Oat Crust and Crumble Topping:
For the Apple Filling:
For the Salted Caramel Drizzle:
- Prepare the pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal, and lightly spray with cooking spray.
Create the crumble mixture. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, almond flour, coconut sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in the melted coconut oil and vanilla extract until the mixture is crumbly and well combined.
Form the base. Press about two-thirds of the crust mixture into the prepared baking dish to create an even layer. Set aside the remaining mixture for the crumble topping.
Prepare the apple filling. In another bowl, mix the diced apples with lemon juice, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Make sure the apples are thoroughly coated.
Assemble the bars. Evenly spread the apple filling over the crust in the baking dish. Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture over the apples.
Bake. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender.
Cool and serve. Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes, then use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out. Once fully cooled, cut into squares and enjoy.
Make the caramel sauce (optional). While the bars cool, whisk the maple syrup, cashew butter, milk, and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat for 2-3 minutes, until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. If needed, add another splash of milk, then drizzle over the cooled bars.
Serving: 1 bar | Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 115mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 18g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
**Nutritious Apple Pie Crumble Bar Recipe**
Apple pie crumble bars are a delightful treat that blends the classic flavors of apple pie with the convenience of a bar. By incorporating nutritious ingredients, you can enjoy this dessert with a healthier twist. Here’s how to make a nutritious apple pie crumble bar that satisfies your sweet tooth while providing essential nutrients.
**Ingredients:**
*For the Crust and Crumble:*
– 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
– 1 cup whole wheat flour
– 1/2 cup almond flour
– 1/2 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
*For the Apple Filling:*
– 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
– 2 tablespoons lemon juice
– 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat the Oven:**
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
2. **Prepare the Crust and Crumble:**
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, almond flour, coconut sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in the melted coconut oil and vanilla extract until the mixture is crumbly and well combined.
3. **Form the Base:**
Press about two-thirds of the crust mixture into the prepared baking dish to form an even layer. Reserve the remaining mixture for the crumble topping.
4. **Prepare the Apple Filling:**
In another bowl, toss the diced apples with lemon juice, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Ensure the apples are well coated.
5. **Assemble the Bars:**
Spread the apple filling evenly over the crust in the baking dish. Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture over the top of the apples.
6. **Bake:**
Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender.
7. **Cool and Serve:**
Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes, then use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out. Once fully cooled, cut into squares and serve.
**Nutritional Benefits:**
– **Apples** are rich in dietary fiber and vitamin C, supporting digestive health and boosting the immune system.
– **Whole Wheat Flour** provides additional fiber and nutrients compared to refined flour.
– **Almond Flour** adds healthy fats and protein, making the bars more satisfying.
– **Coconut Oil** is a source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which may support metabolism.
– **Maple Syrup or Honey** offer natural sweetness with some minerals and antioxidants.
These nutritious apple pie crumble bars are perfect for a wholesome snack or a dessert that doesn’t compromise on flavor or health. Enjoy them fresh or store in an airtight container for up to a week.
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