Julie Clark
Updated:
Apple Oatmeal Bars
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Apple Oatmeal Bars are an easy apple dessert recipe. Apple slices are stuffed between a soft, buttery, brown sugar and oatmeal crust and topping.
It’s September, which means it’s back to school season. Hello, busyness! But it’s also apple season, of course. Fall colors, cooler temperatures and comforting apple flavors are all right around the corner.
Apple Oatmeal Bars are just the right way to kick off the fall baking season. It’s an easy recipe with three layers, but the top and bottom layers are the same. Crumbly brown sugar and oat goodness with apple slices baked in between.
These apple oat bars are one of the best apple recipes to make during the fall apple picking season!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Uses just two large apples.
- No cinnamon for those who don’t like it, but if you do, add a teaspoon into the crumbs for apple cinnamon oatmeal bars.
- Makes a small batch of oat bars in an 11×7 baking pan.
- The crumb streusel topping is also the crust, making it easy.
- Delicious fresh from the oven by itself, but make it a little extra special with a scoop if ice cream.
What kind of apples are the best for baking?
I like to use Granny Smith in this apple oatmeal bars recipe. The tartness pairs so well with the sweetness in desserts, plus their texture holds up well when baked.
Don’t have Granny Smith? About 2 large apples of your favorite variety are all this recipe needs. Gala or Honeycrisp works well in this recipe.
How to Make Apple Oatmeal Bars
Plan about 50 minutes to make this recipe. Only about 20 minutes of hands on time. And if you have an apple peeler/slicer/corer, you’ll get it made even faster.
- In a medium size bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, brown sugar and oats. Using a pastry cutter, cut in the cold butter cubes until the mix resembles coarse crumbs.
- Spray an 11×7″ (or 8×8″) pan with cooking spray.
- Press half the crumbs in the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Arrange the apple slices on top of the pressed crumbs.
- Sprinkle the white sugar on top of the apples, then drizzle the 2 tablespoons of melted butter over the sugar.
- Top with the remaining crumbs and press down gently on the top with your hand.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these bars with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce or pure maple syrup.
Storage Instructions
Store these bars in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh. They’ll keep in the fridge for about 4 days.
They also freeze well. This makes them a great snack to have in the freezer for those school days that are not going well and just call for the medicine of a sweet snack.
Apple Oatmeal Bars
Layered Apple Oatmeal Bars make an easy apple dessert. Apple slices are stuffed between a soft, buttery, brown sugar and oatmeal crust and topping.
Servings 10
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup cold salted butter cubed
- 2 large apples* peeled and sliced thinly (about 2 ½ cups)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons salted butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a medium size bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, brown sugar and oats. Using a pastry cutter, cut in the cold butter cubes until the mix resembles coarse crumbs.
- Spray an 11×7" (or 8×8") baking dish with cooking spray. You can also line the pan with parchment paper so that it comes out cleanly if you'd like.
- Press half the oat mixture in the bottom of the prepared pan in an even layer.
- Arrange the apple slices on top of the pressed crumbs.
- Sprinkle the white sugar on top of the apples, then drizzle the 2 tablespoons of melted butter over the sugar.
- Top with the remaining oat mixture and press down gently on the top with your hand.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Video
Notes
*I used Granny Smith apples, but Honeycrisp or Gala also work.
*Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free oats and all-purpose flour.
*Use dairy-free butter for a vegan dessert recipe.
The calories shown are based on the recipe making 10 bars, with 1 serving being 1 bar. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**
Nutrition
Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 276mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 380IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1.1mg
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yum, looks delish, going to make this. thankyou for recipe
I’ve made this almost 10 times. I think it works better if you make 50% more oatmeal mix. So I make a 1 and 1/2 recipe. There is way more ‘bar’ to work with. you will get a more substantial bar that is easier to cut and holds together better. Give it a go!
These are so good! Very sweet. I used dried apricots instead of apples because I have been looking for an apricot oat bar recipe for years. The kind of oat bar served at all of my favorite coffee shops. I would make this with the apples though next time. Not what I was looking and hoping for but really amazingly delicious.
Ooh these bars look fabulous!
These look delicious and super easy to bake and then take on the go! Your pictures look amazing as well. It makes me want to jump through the screen and try to eat them. I will give this recipe a try.