Apple Crisp Bars

How to Make Apple Crisp Bars

1. 1

   Step 1: Make oat crumb and press crust

   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl combine the flour, oats, 1/2 cup of the brown sugar (reserve the rest for the filling), cinnamon, and kosher salt. Stir in the melted butter until mixture is evenly moistened and holds together when pressed. Reserve about half the mixture for the topping, then press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking pan to form the crust.

   For this step

   • 1 1/2 cupsAll-purpose flour
   • 1 cupOld-fashioned rolled oats
   • 3/4 cupLight brown sugar, packed
   • 1 1/2 tspGround cinnamon
   • 1/2 tspKosher salt
   • 3/4 cupUnsalted butter, melted
   
2. 2

   Step 2: Prepare apple filling

   Toss the diced apples with the reserved brown sugar (about 1/4 cup), 2 tablespoons of the flour from the crust mixture, lemon juice, and a pinch of additional cinnamon if desired. The flour will thicken the juices as the filling bakes. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the prepared crust.

   For this step

   • 3 cupsApples, peeled, cored and diced
   • 1 tbspLemon juice
   
3. 3

   Step 3: Top with remaining crumb

   Crumble the reserved oat mixture evenly over the apples, breaking up any large clumps so the topping bakes crisp. Lightly press so the topping adheres but remains crumbly for a crisp texture.
   
4. 4

   Step 4: Bake until golden and bubbling

   Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling through in places. Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning.
   
5. 5

   Step 5: Drizzle with salted caramel

   Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 10–15 minutes, then drizzle the warm bars with the salted caramel sauce. Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt to balance the sweetness and enhance the caramel flavor.

   For this step

   • 1/2 cupSalted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
   • 1/4 tspFlaky sea salt (for finishing)
   
6. 6

   Step 6: Cool, chill, and slice

   Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for cleaner slices. Use a sharp knife to cut into 8 bars and store airtight in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
   

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl combine the flour, oats, 1/2 cup of the brown sugar (reserve the rest for the filling), cinnamon, and kosher salt. Stir in the melted butter until mixture is evenly moistened and holds together when pressed. Reserve about half the mixture for the topping, then press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking pan to form the crust.
2. Toss the diced apples with the reserved brown sugar (about 1/4 cup), 2 tablespoons of the flour from the crust mixture, lemon juice, and a pinch of additional cinnamon if desired. The flour will thicken the juices as the filling bakes. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the prepared crust.
3. Crumble the reserved oat mixture evenly over the apples, breaking up any large clumps so the topping bakes crisp. Lightly press so the topping adheres but remains crumbly for a crisp texture.
4. Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling through in places. Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning.
5. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 10–15 minutes, then drizzle the warm bars with the salted caramel sauce. Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt to balance the sweetness and enhance the caramel flavor.
6. Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for cleaner slices. Use a sharp knife to cut into 8 bars and store airtight in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.