Apple Crisp Bars

These apple crisp bars are the perfect mix between apple crisp and apple pie! They feature a buttery shortbread crust, gooey cinnamon apple filling, and crumbly oat topping. These bars insanely delicious and perfect for all of your entertaining and holiday needs!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• These apple crisp bars are filled with warm spices and flavors.
• They have three delicious layers.
• The shortbread crust is buttery and tasty.
• A gooey cinnamon apple filling makes these bars irresistible!
• They are warmly spiced.
• These apple slice squares are so cozy.
• An oat crumble topping is the perfect top layer.
• This recipe is nut free and gluten free.
• If you love these apple crisp bars, check out this Paleo Apple Crisp for another fun recipe!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Cold butter is used in both the shortbread crust and crumble topping. In both cases, use cold butter directly from the fridge. For the crust, beat butter with sugars until no clumps of butter remain. For the topping, slice cold butter into small cubes. Then use hands to incorporate butter into topping mixture. I do not recommend a substitute.

Light brown sugar is used in the shortbread crust and the topping. Tightly pack brown sugar. If needed, coconut sugar can be used.

Granulated sugar adds sweetness to the crust layer and the gooey apple filling. If desired, replace with more brown sugar or coconut sugar.

A hint of vanilla extract adds a great flavor to the shortbread crust.

Both gluten free 1 to 1 flour and all purpose flour can be used. I used King Arthur Flour gluten free 1 to 1 flour.

When choosing apples, use both red and green apples. I used a mix of McIntosh apples and Granny smith. McIntosh apples get soft and tender while baking. They are also naturally sweet. Granny smith apples retain their shape more and add a hint of tartness. Peel, core and thinly slice apples before use.

One of the biggest flavors in these apple crisp bars is cinnamon! It is used in all three layers. Feel free to add a dash of nutmeg to any of the layers.

Lemon juice prevents the apples from turning brown in the oven.

Tapioca flour thickens the apple mixture. Cornstarch or arrowroot powder can be used.

When sautéing the apple mixture, add enough water to prevent apples from burning. I only needed ¼ cup water.

Old fashioned oats add a nice crumble to the topping. Use regular or gluten free. They are a much better option than quick oats due to their larger size and softer texture.

Choosing the Apples

Not all apples are created equal. Here are some tips and tricks for choosing which apples to use for these apple crisp bars.

Use a mix of soft and firm apples. Soft apples become tender while baking and yield gooey results. This is great for these apple crisp bars! Firm apples maintain their shape better which adds more texture. Using a combination of soft and firm apples is best for apple crisp.

McIntosh apples are naturally sweet and soft. They bake beautifully and add a great sweetness to these bars. Granny smith are firmer and more naturally tart. They balance out the McIntosh apples well. Honey crisp apples are another great option for firm apples.

Peel and core apples before slicing into ¼ inch thin slices. Slice apples into evenly sized pieces to ensure even baking. I highly recommend slicing into long thin slices as opposed to small cubes. Thin slices lead to a more even layer of apples.

Taste & Texture

These apple crisp bars taste like a mix between apple pie and apple crisp. The shortbread crust is buttery, the cinnamon apple layer is warmly spiced and the topping is sweet. They taste like apple crisp with crust.

All three layers have distinct textures. The crust is similar to a pie crust but less dry. The apple filling is gooey and the topping is crumbly. These apple shortbread bars have the best textures.

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8 inch by 8 inch pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

Make the crumble topping.

Step 3

Add all crumble topping ingredients to a mixing bowl. Use your hands, a fork or pastry cutter to incorporate butter into mixture. Mix until a crumbly mixture forms. Then, place bowl in fridge.

Step 4

Next, make the shortbread crust. Add cold butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar to a stand mixer bowl. Beat until no clumps of butter remain.

Step 5

Add in vanilla extract, flour and cinnamon to bowl. Stir until combined. Press dough into an even layer in lined pan.

Step 6

Bake shortbread crust for 15 minutes. Remove from oven.

Step 7

While crust bakes, make the apple filling. Peel and core apples. Slice into ¼ inch thin slices.

Step 8

Add all apple filling ingredients to a skillet over low heat. Stir gently to combine and stir occasionally for 5 minutes or until apples have softened. Add more water to the skillet to prevent burning if needed.

Step 9

Once shortbread crust has finished baking, pour apple filling on top. Spread into an even layer. Then, top apples with crumble topping.

Step 10

Bake for 35 to 36 minutes. Remove apple crisp bars from oven. Allow to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Expert Tips & Tricks

To make the crumble topping, use a pastry cutter, fork or your hands to incorporate butter into dough. The mixture will be crumbly and not uniform.

For the shortbread crust, use cold butter right from the fridge. Then, cream butter with sugars until no clumps of butter remain.

Use a mixture of soft and firm apples for the filling.

Slice apples into evenly sized thin slices. Do not slice into cubes.

Allow apple crisp bars to cool before slicing and serving! The apple layer is gooey. To speed this process up, place pan in fridge to cool more quickly.

How to Serve & Store

Serve apple crisp bars once cool enough to be sliced into. They are gooey!

Serve with caramel or vanilla ice cream on top.

Store bars covered at room temperature for up to 4 days. Alternatively, store bars in fridge for up to 7 days.

If desired, freeze individual apple crumble bars for up to 1 month.

Frequently Asked Questions

You May Also Like

• Paleo Grain Free Apple Crisp with Granola Topping
• Healthy Apple Crisp
• Paleo Pecan Pie Bars
• Apple Strawberry Crumble (Gluten Free)
• Almond Flour Apple Muffins

If you make this apple crisp shortbread bars recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along!  For more ideas, check out these Dessert Recipes.

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