Apple Crumble Bars are everything you love about apple pie – buttery dough, apple pie filling, and lots of warm spices – without needing to make a pie crust. Baked in an 8×8 pan.


Apple Crumble Bar cut into bars


Being the avid baker that I am, I’m often asked how am I not fat eating all of my baked goods.

For the record, I’m not a skinny super model, but I’m certainly not big either. Most people say I have an average body type, and I’m perfectly fine with that.

Truth is I give most of my food away.

When I worked my corporate job, I was always bringing in food on Mondays. Coworkers often (jokingly) accused me of sabotaging people’s diets at work. Hey, I’m just here to test your willpower.

Now that I work at home, I have to be a little more creative in giving food away.

My library was taking donations for their bake sale fundraiser, so I showed up with three freezer bags full of peanut butter fudge.

One weekend my friend invited me over for Supper Club where everyone brought over a dish to eat together.

I wanted to actually cook for it, so I made crockpot BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches along with leftover caramel apple cheesecake and these Apple Crumble Bars.

Apple Crumb Bars have the flavors of apple pie yet you don’t need to make homemade pie crust.

Making pie dough is easy, but sometimes you don’t have the time or patience to deal with the chilling and rolling.

That’s when making apple pie bars comes in handy. You make the buttery dough base (which actually doubles as the crumb topping so you only need to make it once!), fill it with apple pie filling, crumble more dough on top, and off to the oven you go.

I chose to make homemade apple pie filling, but if you have leftover canned apple pie filling, this recipe is the perfect way to use it up!

Soon your kitchen will smell like warm apple pie on a crisp fall day.


Apple Crumble Bars with a square cut

What is a crumble?

A crumble is a cooked fruit dessert with a streusel topping. It’s similar to my apple crisp for two but without the oats.

I turned this concept into apple crumble bars using an 8×8 pan.

They’re similar to my peach cheesecake crumb bars and raspberry cheesecake crumb bars but without the cheesecake layer.


Apple Pie Crumb Bars with pecans

Ingredients For Apple Crumble Bars

To make your apple crumb bars, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • Sugar: Sweetens the dough as well as helps with browning
  • Flour: Helps bring the dough together
  • Cinnamon and salt: Adds flavor to the bars
  • Baking powder: Helps make a lighter and more tender crumb texture
  • Butter: Cut in cold butter to help create pockets of fat, which helps create a tender crumb
  • Egg: Helps bind the dough as well as adds moisture for a not-so-dry dough
  • Apple pie filling: You can use either homemade or canned
  • Chopped nuts: Walnut and pecans pair well with apple pie for a much needed crunch

Can you use other pie fillings?

Not in the mood for apple? Make my pie bars with peach pie filling, cherry pie filling, or blueberry pie filling.


Close up of apple pie bars

How To Make Apple Crumble Bars

Ready to make your apple pie bars?

  1. Whisk together the sugar, flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter until the pieces look like small pebbles then cut in the egg.
  3. Reserve 1/2 cup for the topping then pat the rest of the dough into the bottom of an 8×8 pan.
  4. Top with the apple filling and reserved dough.
  5. Bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the edges pull away from the pan sides.

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.


Apple Crumble Bars uncut

Apple Crumble Bars FAQ

Can I make apple crumble bars ahead of time?

Yes, you can make them ahead of time. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 2-3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Can I freeze apple crumb bars?

Yes, they freeze well. Wrap each bar in plastic wrap then place in a freezer-proof bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can double it and bake in a 13×9 pan. The bars will be slightly thicker, so you may need a few extra minutes of bake time.

More Apple Pie Recipes

Looking for more? Check out my full list of recipes using apple pie filling including:

Close up of apple pie bars

Apple Crumb Bars

Yield: 12 bars
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Apple Crumble Bars are everything you love about apple pie - buttery dough, apple pie filling, and lots of warm spices - without needing to make a pie crust.

Ingredients

  • 1 + 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon table salt
  • 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons 4 ounces) unsalted butter, cold and cut into 8 tablespoons
  • 1 large egg, cold
  • 2 cups apple pie filling (homemade or canned)
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375F. Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper or grease the pan with cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
  3. With a pastry cutter or two knives, cut in the butter until the pieces look like small pebbles.
  4. Cut in the egg until a dough forms. It may still be a bit crumbly but should form a dough when pressed together. Reserve 1/2 cup for the topping.
  5. Pat the rest of the dough into the bottom of the pan.
  6. Mix together apple pie filling and nuts then add to the pan on top of the base. Top with reserved 1/2 cup of dough, scattering it over the top like a streusel.
  7. Bake 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown, filling is bubbly, and the edges pull away from the pan sides. Cool completely before serving.

    Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 at room temperature or up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Notes



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First published October 28, 2014