Apple crisp has always been one of my go-to fall baking recipes, but these apple crisp bars give the classic dessert a fun twist.
Instead of a scoopable, juicy crisp, this recipe makes sliceable bars with three delicious layers:
- a buttery oat base
- juicy spiced apple filling
- a golden streusel topping
Finished with a light drizzle of icing, these bars are easy to serve and perfect for sharing at any fall party this season.
What You’ll Need
This recipe is made in four layers:
The base is a soft, slightly chewy crust made with flour, oats, butter, sugar, and a bit of sour cream.
The apple filling consists of thinly sliced apples that are tossed with cinnamon, pumpkin spice, sugar, and a little flour.
The streusel topping is a crumbly, buttery mix of oats, sugar, flour, and cinnamon that bakes up golden brown.
The icing is a sweet drizzle made from powdered sugar, milk, lemon juice, and vanilla.
How to Make Apple Crisp Bars
Start by making the base:
In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, oats, butter, sour cream, and sugar until combined. It’s easiest to use your hands to mix the dough, as this will slowly melt the butter and you’ll end up with a soft dough that holds together very well.
Press this evenly into the bottom of a lined baking tray to form the crust. Chill for 30 minutes, then pre-bake at 400°F for about 12 minutes.
While the crust is baking, peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Toss them in a bowl with flour, sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice until everything is evenly coated. This spiced mixture is what gives the bars their apple-pie flavor.
In another bowl, whisk together oats, sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add softened butter and pinch the mixture with your fingers until you get a mix of coarse crumbs. This crumbly topping bakes up into a golden, crisp layer.
Turn the oven down to 375°F. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust, pressing gently to flatten the layer. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples, making sure to cover the surface. Bake for 30–35 minutes until the top is golden and crisp.
Let the bars cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, whisk powdered sugar, milk, lemon juice, and vanilla into a smooth icing. Drizzle lightly over the bars. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to help the layers and icing set, then cut into 12 squares and serve.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s easily portable and great for sharing: You get all the flavors of a classic apple crisp, but in a bar form you can easily slice, pack, and serve.
- You get three layers of goodness: The recipe brings together a buttery crust, spiced apples, and a crumbly streusel all in one bite.
- It’s festive and great for parties, too: The classic look is perfect for fall parties or holiday dessert spreads.
- Make-ahead friendly: The bars store well in the fridge and taste even better the next day.
- It’s easy to adapt: Try adding nuts to the streusel, swapping apples for pears, or drizzling with caramel sauce instead of the powdered sugar/milk icing.
Tips for Success
- Slice the apples thinly so they soften evenly in the oven.
- Don’t skip the pre-bake on the crust – it keeps the base firm enough to hold the filling.
- Cool completely before slicing to prevent the bars from falling apart.
- Chill before serving for cleaner cuts and a firmer texture.
- Store in the fridge – they’ll keep for up to 4 days and taste just as good chilled.
📌 Apple Crisp Bars (Recipe Card)
Ingredients (Makes 12 bars)
Base
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 7 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 1/4 tablespoon sour cream
- 4 1/2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Apple Filling
- 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
Icing
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Splash lemon juice
- Few drops vanilla extract
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Baking tray (lined)
- Knife and cutting board
Instructions
- In a bowl and using your hands, mix flour, oats, butter, sour cream, sugar, and baking powder until well combined. Form into a dough and press evenly into a lined baking tray. Chill for 30 minutes, then pre-bake at 400°F for 12 minutes.
- To make the filling, peel, core, and thinly slice apples. Toss with flour, sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice until evenly coated.
- To make the final streusel layer, mix oats, sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add butter and pinch into coarse crumbs.
- Reduce oven to 375°F. Spread apple filling evenly over crust, then sprinkle streusel on top.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the topping is golden. Cool to room temperature.
- Mix powdered sugar, milk, lemon juice, and vanilla into smooth icing and drizzle over the bars.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing into 12 squares. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
