Apple Crisp Oat Bars

15 bars
1 hr

Apple season is starting here in Ontario, and I am so, so ready. We've already gone through a big bag of baking apples that I got less than a week ago... that's how much we like apple desserts here! These apple oat bars have been a huge hit with anyone that has tried them. They taste almost like apple pie, but they are so much easier to make and serve.


'So what exactly are oat bars?' - a question my husband kept asking me as I made him try different versions of this dessert. I think he has a pretty solid understanding now, a couple oat-bar-batches later. In case you were wondering the same thing, I think of oat bars as their own category of dessert, but if I had to compare them to something it would be a pie. They're softer than a cookie, sweeter than a granola bar, but have less filling and are hold their shape better than a pie or crumble.

The secret to making these bars so quick and easy is the bottom crust and the crumble topping is actually the same mixture, which cuts down on the amount of prep work you have to do. Simply mix together the ingredients for the oatmeal crust, pat about 2/3 down onto your greased pan, spread the prepared apples over it, and sprinkle the remaining oatmeal mixture on top. Bake it for about 45 minutes and allow to cool before you dig in! Simple and so addicting! I can't wait to make all kinds of different flavors of oat bars!

Recipe details
  • 15  bars
  • Prep time: 15 Minutes Cook time: 45 Minutes Total time: 1 hr
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Ingredients
For the oat crust:
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 3 cups quick cooking oatmeal
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 1/4 cups brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 1 1/4 cups butter, melted
For the apple mixture:
  • 2 pounds baking apples, peeled and diced into 1 cm cubes (about 8 medium apples)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F; grease a 9x13 baking dish
Prepare oatmeal crust by stirring together flour, oatmeal, cinnamon, brown sugar. Drizzle melted butter over top and mix until thoroughly combined
Prepare apple mixture by tossing apples with sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, vanilla, and cinnamon
Firmly press down oatmeal crust mixture onto bottom of prepared pan, reserving roughly 1 1/2 cups for the topping
Spread apples on top, then sprinkle the remaining oatmeal crust mixture over the apples
Bake in preheated oven 45 minutes, or until apples are soft and topping is golden brown. Allow to cool before slicing into squares and serving.
Tips
  • Use your favorite apple to bake with. Some suggestions would be McIntosh, Sparta, or Granny Smith!
Natalie | The Kollee Kitchen
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