Grandma’s Apple Crumb Bars

There’s nothing quite like Grandma’s Apple Crumb Bars — warm, buttery, and filled with sweet cinnamon apples under a golden crumble topping.
This nostalgic dessert captures the taste of homemade apple pie, but in an easy-to-serve bar form.

Perfect for fall gatherings, holidays, or cozy weekends, these bars combine tender apples, a hint of spice, and a buttery oat crumb that melts in your mouth. Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an irresistible treat.

Ingredients
For the apple filling:

4 cups peeled and diced apples (about 4 medium apples – Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith)

¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar

¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

1 teaspoon lemon juice

For the crust and crumb topping:

2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour

1 cup (100 g) old-fashioned oats

¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
1. Prepare the oven and pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.

2. Make the apple filling

In a medium bowl, combine diced apples, sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.

Mix gently until the apples are evenly coated. Set aside.

3. Make the crust and crumble

In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Add the melted butter and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture becomes crumbly.

4. Assemble the bars

Press about two-thirds of the crumb mixture firmly into the prepared pan to form the crust.

Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust.

Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the apples.

5. Bake

Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbly.

Cool completely before cutting into bars for neat slices.

Tips and Variations

Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping for crunch.

For a richer flavor, drizzle the bars with warm caramel sauce before serving.

These bars taste amazing served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Conclusion

Grandma’s Apple Crumb Bars bring back the warm memories of homemade baking — soft apples, buttery crumble, and a comforting aroma that fills the kitchen.
They’re simple, delicious, and made with love — just like Grandma used to bake.

Perfect for dessert tables, lunchbox treats, or a sweet snack any time of year!