If you love cozy homemade desserts that taste like fall in every bite, these apple crumble bars are about to become your new favorite bake. They combine a soft, buttery shortbread base, a sweet cinnamon apple filling, and a golden, crunchy crumble topping that melts in your mouth. The texture is perfectly balanced — tender, juicy, and crisp all at once.
These bars are incredibly simple to prepare, making them ideal for beginners and experienced bakers alike. No fancy equipment, no complicated steps, just classic comfort flavors baked into neat, sliceable squares. They’re perfect for breakfast with coffee, afternoon snacks, potlucks, or dessert after dinner.
The best part? Everything bakes in one pan. Less mess, more deliciousness.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Crumble Bars
These apple streusel bars are:
- Soft and buttery on the bottom
- Packed with warm cinnamon apple filling
- Topped with crispy golden crumbs
- Easy to slice and serve
- Perfect for meal prep or gatherings
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
They also store beautifully, which means you can bake them ahead of time and enjoy them for days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Shortbread Base
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Apple Filling
- 4–5 medium apples, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Crumble Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
How to Make Apple Crumble Bars
Step 1 – Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal and clean slicing.
Step 2 – Make the Base
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir until a soft dough forms.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Use your hands or the back of a spoon to smooth it out.
Bake for 12–15 minutes until lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
Step 3 – Cook the Apple Filling
In a saucepan over medium heat, add diced apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch.
Cook for about 6–8 minutes until the apples soften and the mixture thickens slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Let it cool for a few minutes.
Step 4 – Prepare the Crumble
In a bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon. Add cold butter cubes and rub with your fingers until crumbly. You want small chunks for that classic streusel texture.
Step 5 – Assemble
Spread the apple filling evenly over the baked crust. Sprinkle the crumble topping generously across the apples.
Make sure every corner is covered for maximum crunch.
Step 6 – Bake
Bake for 30–35 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and crisp.
Let cool completely before slicing. This helps the bars set perfectly.
Tips for Perfect Bars
Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They hold their shape and give the best flavor balance.
Do not skip cooling time. Warm bars may fall apart when cut.
For extra flavor, add chopped nuts or a drizzle of caramel.
If you like sweeter desserts, sprinkle a little extra sugar on top before baking.
Storage and Make-Ahead
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
You can also freeze the bars. Wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Simply thaw and enjoy.
They taste amazing slightly warmed.
Serving Ideas
Serve these apple crumble bars:
- With vanilla ice cream
- Drizzled with caramel sauce
- With morning coffee
- As lunchbox treats
- For holiday dessert tables
They’re cozy, comforting, and always a crowd favorite.
Final Thoughts
These homemade apple crumble bars deliver everything you want in a baked dessert: buttery crust, gooey fruit filling, and crispy streusel topping. They’re easy, reliable, and incredibly satisfying.
Once you try them, they’ll quickly become a staple recipe in your kitchen. Bake a batch, slice them up, and watch them disappear.