apple pie bars with apple jam and oatmeal crumble cut into squares land scape photo

These Healthy Apple Crumble Bars have a delicious oat crust and crumb with a layer of sweet apple filling. Made with just 6 ingredients, this recipe is also vegan, gluten free, oil free and refined sugar free!

3 apple crumble bars stacked

This fall season has been blessing us with a ton of apples and I’ve been totally taking full advantage of it. Apples are by bar my favourite fruits for cooking and baking. Like hello, hey there Apple Crisp, Apple Rose Tartlets, Apple Cinnamon Bread and Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls 😉. They’re just so handy because I ALWAYS have apples in my kitchen.

Plus, as the fall and winter season rolls around I just start craving apple baked goods because of all the ~fall vibes~ versus rich and decadent chocolate cakes (not to say I’d ever turn down a my fav Eggplant Chocolate Cake).

ingredients for healthy apple crumble bars laid out

Ingredients in Healthy Apple Crumble Bars

Because I crave apple desserts so often, like even in the morning often, I wanted these Apple Crumble Bars to be made with wholesome ingredients. So, here’s what we’re working with:

Basically all breakfast-y kind of ingredients that I would use in my oats and cookies… and basically apple pie crumble in a bar form 😁

process shots of making apple pie bars

How to Make Healthy Apple Crumble Bars

What I LOVE about this recipe is how simple it is, with just one mixture that forms the crust and the crumble topping.

  1. CHOP THE OATS: pulse blend the rolled oats into the food processor so until broken down but NOT into oat flour
  2. OAT MIXTURE: Mix the crust and topping ingredients into a bowl until combined
  3. CRUST: Reserve a heaping 1/2 cup of the oat mixture and press the rest of it into a 8×8 inch parchment lined baking pan. Bake until golden brown.
  4. FILLING: Spread the apple jam evenly on the crust
  5. TOPPING: Crumble the rest of the oat mixture on to.
  6. BAKE: Bake until golden brown and let it cool for at least 10 minutes in the pan before cutting.

What Do These Healthy Apple Crumble Bars Taste Like?

It’s kind of like apple pie or apple crisp/crumble in a bar form (especially if you add in the apple pie spice). The base is chewy, the filling is nice and plump with apples and the crumble topping is perfectly crispy. You can jazz these apple bars up by adding in more cinnamon, drizzling a glaze over it, serving it with some coconut whip cream or add a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!

apple pie crumble bars cut into squares

Tips for Making Perfect Apple Crumble Bars

  • CRUST: Back the crust to ensure they hold together. Prick some holes using a fork to let steam go through so that the crust doesn’t rise.
  • STORAGE: Store the apple crumble bars in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Let them thaw at room temperature before eating. You can also heat them up in the microwave for 30 seconds until warmed through or in the toaster oven for 2 minutes at 350 F.
  • REMOVING THE CRUMBLE BARS: run your knife down the sides of the crumble bars incase the crust is stuck onto the sides. That way it makes it much easier to remove the apple bars and won’t have issues with breaking apart.

Helpful Tools to Make Apple Crumble Bars

  • Food processor – helps chop the oats in to a course texture rather than a blender that tends to chop them too small.
  • 8×8 inch baking pan with removable bottom – I find these baking pans MUCH easier to work with.
  • Parchment paper – helps with the crust not sticking to the bottom of the removable pan. I trace the removable bottom and cut the same size with parchment paper.
healthy apple crumb bars side shot

I hope I’ve convinced you to to add these delicious Healthy Apple Crumble Bars to your fall baking list for this up coming weekend! They seriously make the perfect breakfast bars or you can fancy it up for dessert by adding on some vanilla ice cream!

apple pie square with crumble topping cut out

More Recipes with Oatmeal Crumbles to Try!

crumb bars with apple jam cut out and bit into it

If you recreate this Healthy Apple Oatmeal Crumble Bars recipe let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and rating below or by tagging me on Instagram @Okonomikitchen, I love seeing all of your tasty recreations!
Hungry for more? Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Youtube and Pinterest for more deliciousness!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Healthy Apple Oatmeal Crumble Bars


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

Description

These Healthy Apple Crumble Bars have a delicious oat crust and crumb with a layer of sweet apple filling. Made with just 6 ingredients, this recipe is also vegan, gluten free, oil free and refined sugar free!


Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

  1. PREHEAT & PREP BAKING PAN: Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Line a 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. 
  2. CHOP: Add the oats into a food processor and pulse blend until broken down, similar to the texture of quick oats. 
  3. MIX: In a large bowl add in the oats, almond flour, peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut cream, salt and vanilla (if using) and mix until combined. 
  4. CRUST: Reserve a heaping 1/2 cup of the oat mixture for the topping and add the rest of the mixture into the pan. Press the mixture down using a flat potato masher or your fingers as evenly as possible. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Allow the crust to cool for 5 minutes. 
  5. APPLE FILLING: If using, mix the apple pie spice with the apple jam. Then spread the apple jam evenly onto the crust.
  6. CRUMBLE: Use the remaining oat mixture and crumble on top. 
  7. BAKE: Place back into the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until crumble on top is golden brown. Allow the bars to cool for 10-15 minutes before cutting. Enjoy!

Notes

Nutritional Information Disclaimer: Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated on an online tool (Cronometer).

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: North American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 of 9 bars
  • Calories: 278
  • Sugar: 16g
  • Sodium: 140mg
  • Fat: 13g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3.3g
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 7.25g
  • Cholesterol: 0

SAVE IT FOR LATER! ↓

vegan gluten free apple crumb bars on a plate for pinterest image

Okonomi Kitchen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. When you purchase something through my amazon affiliate links, I earn a small commission that helps me produce consistent content at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my plant based kitchen!

Konnichiwa

About Lisa

I'm Lisa, a home cook, recipe developer and founder of Okonomi Kitchen. Here, you'll find a mix of classic and modernized Japanese recipes, and creative, plant-forward meal inspiration using seasonal ingredients. I hope to share more about Japanese cuisine and culture through food and recipes.


Related Recipes


subscribe

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

3 Comments

  1. These bars are awesome! Followed the recipe exactly except I accidentally put the spices in the crust, then again in the apple jam. 🙂 My boys, 2 and 5, are obsessed, as am I. Thank you!






  2. I made this yesterday and took it with me to work! Everyone loved it!
    I wonder what the almond powder can be substituted with, it is hella expensive (in Japan)

    1. Hi Sarah!

      Thank you so much for the review, I’m so glad everyone tried it! Hmm, I’m not too sure because the almond flour gives it moisture but perhaps more flour and a bit of some kind of liquid. I haven’t tried it yet so can’t guarantee results but if you ever do try it let me know how it goes!