Apple Crumble Bars
Apple Crumble Bars combine a buttery oat crust, sweet apple filling, and caramel drizzle, for an easy dessert or cozy breakfast treat!
It’s time for a delicious apple dessert! These Apple Crumble Bars are a must-try, featuring a sweet apple filling sandwiched between a buttery oat crust and crumbly topping with optional caramel drizzle. The caramel sauce truly takes these bars over the top in my humble opinion!
If you love apple crisp as much as I do, especially during the fall, you’ll adore these homemade dessert bars. They’re basically apple crisp in bar form, making them a perfect fall treat or easy apple dessert recipe to enjoy any time of the year.
APPLE CRUMBLE BARS
One of the best things about this Apple Crumble Bars recipe is that it only uses 4 simple ingredients you likely already have on hand. I love easy dessert recipes like this, and one of those ingredients is a box cake mix, which adds a unique, delicious flavor that will keep everyone coming back for seconds. I like to serve these bars warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. There’s just something about pairing apple desserts with ice cream that’s pure heaven! These simple apple bars are also perfect for meal prep, ideal for school lunches, grab-and-go breakfasts, or tasty hiking snacks.
Find my expert tips on how to make apple crumble bars below! Don’t forget to tag me in all of your creations @lifeinthelofthouse on Instagram or Facebook. Let’s stay connected. ❤️
Why You’ll Love This Easy & Quick Apple Crumble Bars Recipe:
- Super Simple & Quick: With just 4 ingredients, including a convenient box cake mix, these bars come together in 30 minutes.
- Trending Fall Flavors: Sweet apple filling with a buttery oat crust captures the cozy flavors of autumn in every bite.
- Crunchy & Chewy Layers: The combination of crumbly oat topping and soft apple filling creates a perfect texture contrast.
- Customizable Topping: Drizzle with caramel sauce for extra indulgence or enjoy them plain for a lighter treat.
- Versatile Treat: Great for dessert, snack, or even breakfast, these bars are loved by kids and adults alike.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Bake, cool, and store the day before for an easy and delicious treat!
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix (you will only need the mix. Not the other ingredients called for on the box)
- 1 ½ cups old fashioned oats
- ¾ cup butter melted
- 1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling
- caramel sauce optional but highly recommended
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
Mix together the dry cake mix and oats. Add melted butter and mix until combined and crumbly. Press ⅔ of the mixture into prepared pan.
Spread apple filling over crust in a single layer. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over filling.
Bake for 25 minutes. Carefully remove from oven. Allow bars to cool for 15 minutes or more, before cutting into bars. Serve and enjoy!
Servings
Yields: 12 servings.
Storage and Reheating
Allow apple crumble bars to cool completely before storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. They also freeze well—wrap individually or the whole pan in plastic and foil for up to 2 months, then thaw at room temperature. To enjoy warm, microwave individual bars for 15–30 seconds or heat in a 350°F oven for 5–10 minutes. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or caramel drizzle for an extra treat!
Holly’s Tips for The Best Apple Crumble Bars:
- Chill The Butter: If your butter softens too much while mixing, chill it for a few minutes. This helps maintain a crumbly texture for the topping.
- Press Crust Evenly: Make sure the bottom layer of the oat and cake mix is pressed firmly and evenly into the pan so the bars hold together well when cut.
- Spread Apple Filling Thinly: A thin, even layer of apple filling ensures every bite has the perfect balance of crust and fruit.
- Cool Before Cutting: Let the bars cool for at least 15 minutes, this helps the layers set and prevents the bars from falling apart.
- Serve Them Warm: These bars are delicious straight from the oven, but they’re also great chilled! Warm slightly in the microwave for a soft, gooey treat.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, these bars are perfect for making ahead! Bake, cool, and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Yes, feel free to swap in homemade apple filling or a different canned variety. Just make sure it’s thick and not too runny to keep the bars from getting soggy.
No, caramel is optional but highly recommended. It adds extra sweetness and flavor that complements the apple and oat layers beautifully.
Yes, by using a dairy-free butter substitute and a vegan cake mix, you can make these Apple Crumble Bars completely plant-based.
To make these Apple Crumble Bars dairy-free, replace the butter with a vegan or plant-based butter alternative. Most other ingredients, like the cake mix, oats, and apple filling, are naturally dairy-free, but double-check the cake mix label to be sure. You can also use a dairy-free caramel sauce if desired.
To make these Apple Crumble Bars gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free yellow cake mix and substitute the old-fashioned oats with certified gluten-free oats. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so this easy swap keeps the bars safe for those with gluten sensitivities without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Similar Recipes
Craving something similar? Bake my Deep Dish Apple Crisp next.
In the mood for something different? My Caramel Apple Poke Cake is just as delicious!
Looking for more classic apple desserts? You can’t go wrong with my Shredded Apple Pie.
Searching for something more filling? My Caramel Apple Sheet Cake is a crowd-pleasing dessert.
Wanting something different? My Caramel Apple Dip is perfect for fall parties and holiday gatherings.
Have you made this Apple Crumble Bars recipe? 😋
Leave a review, and don’t forget to tag me in your creations on Instagram and Facebook! @lifeinthelofthouse! #AppleCrumbleBars #FallDessert #LifeInTheLofthouse
Apple Crumble Bars
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix (you will only need the mix. Not the other ingredients called for on the box)
- 1 ½ cups old fashioned oats
- ¾ cup butter melted
- 1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling
- caramel sauce optional but highly recommended
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- Mix together the dry cake mix and oats. Add melted butter and mix until combined and crumbly. Press ⅔ of the mixture into prepared pan.
- Spread apple filling over crust in a single layer. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over filling.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Carefully remove from oven. Allow bars to cool for 15 minutes or more, before cutting into bars. Serve and enjoy!
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This looks amazing;, and would like to try it this weekend. But, I would like to know what kind of oats you used, Thanks! 🙂
Hi Tess. I used Quaker Old Fashioned Oats 🙂
I am definitely going to try this. Easy but looks so good!
I’ve made this twice now and shortly after it comes out of the oven, it develops little orange spots on it. And this morning there is more. Does this happen when you make it? I’m just wondering what it is. I didn’t refrigerate it, it’s just on the counter at home?
Yes, it’s happened to me too. I think it must be from the cake mix.
Ok! Just making sure it wasn’t some weird mold or something. Which I don’t know how it could be from sitting one day. Thank you!
These are ridiculously delicious. A little caramel sauce, a scoop of ice cream … And so easy!