These Healthier Apple Crumb Bars taste just like a warm apple pie, but they’re better for you! Featuring spiced apples and a crispy crumb topping, the bars are made with maple syrup and oats for an extra wholesome treat! They’re perfect served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a snack, dessert, or even breakfast.

A slice of healthier apple crumb bar on a white plate.
Kelley Simmons Kelley’s Tips

Before You Get Started

  • Use your favorite apples. I prefer to use Honey crisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith apples for baking!
  • Press the bottom layer firmly. This ensures the bars won’t fall apart when you serve them.
  • Wait until cool. I know it’s hard to resist a warm apple crumb bar, but wait until they cool before slicing them so they have time to set up. This makes them so much easier to cut.
Kelley

Ingredients

Apple Filling

  • Apples: Use your favorite apples! I like to use honey crisp, fuji or Granny Smith apples. They hold up the best to baking!
  • Maple Syrup: Instead of regular sugar, I use maple syrup. It adds a natural sweetness and a warm maple flavor that goes perfect with the sweet apples. You could also use honey in place of the maple syrup!
  • Cornstarch: It thickens the apple filling!
  • Lemon Juice: A little lemon juice brightens up the filling.
  • Butter: Makes the filling extra rich and delicious.

Crumb Topping

  • Oats: Gives the crumb topping a chewy crunch that makes these bars so good!
  • Flour: Flour holds everything together, but I also like using almond flour too for a bit of a nuttier texture and flavor.
  • Butter: Butter makes the topping taste like a classic crumble.
  • Maple syrup: I like to use maple syrup in the topping too. It adds natural sweetness and keeps the crumble moist so it stays together.
  • Vanilla: Adds a warm, cozy flavor.

How to Make Healthier Apple Crumb Bars

  1. Add Filling Ingredients: Add diced apples, maple syrup, cornstarch, lemon juice and butter to a medium saucepan.
  2. Cook for 3-5 minutes, over medium high heat, stirring often or until thickened.
Apple filling in a white saucepan.
  1. Mix the Crumb Topping: Add the oats, flour, melted butter, maple syrup, salt and vanilla to a large bowl. Mix to combine and set aside.
Crumb topping in a white mixing bowl.
  1. Add Everything to the Pan: Press half of the crumb mixture into the prepared pan. Top with apple filling then top with the remaining crumb mixture.
Apple filling spread into white baking pan.
  1. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top looks set and golden brown.
  2. Cool and Serve: Allow for the bars to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Baked healthier apple crumb bars in a white baking pan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different sweetener instead of maple syrup?

Yes! Honey also works great, or you can use brown sugar too. The flavor will be a little different, but the bars will still be delicious.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes! Just use almond flour instead of the regular flour, and make sure your oats are certified gluten-free.

How do I store the bars?

Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for 4–5 days. I like to warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds before serving, to give them that warm ooey gooey texture again!

A slice of healthier apple crumb bars topped with ice cream on a white plate.

Looking for more Fall Recipes to make? Check out my What to cook in September or make my Apple Fritter Bread!

More Apple Recipes to Try

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    Recipe

    Apple Pie Bars

    These Healthier Apple Crumb Bars taste just like a warm apple pie, but they’re better for you! Featuring sweet apples in the middle and a crispy crumb topping, the bars are made with maple syrup and oats for an extra wholesome treat! They’re perfect served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a snack, dessert, or even breakfast.
    Author: Kelley Simmons
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Cooling Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
    Serves 9
    Rate Print

    Ingredients 

    Apple Filling

    Crumb Topping

    Instructions

    Apple Filling

    • Add diced apples, maple syrup, cornstarch, lemon juice and butter to a medium saucepan.
      Cook for 3-5 minutes, over medium high heat,stirring often or until thickened.

    Crumb Topping

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9 x 9 pan with non stick cooking spray.
      Add the oats, flour, melted butter, maple syrup, salt and vanilla to a large bowl.
      Mix to combine and set aside.
    • Press half of the crumb mixture into the prepared pan.
      Top with apple filling then top with the remaining crumb mixture.
    • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top looks set and golden brown.
      Allow for the bars to cool completely before slicing and serving.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 296kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 3gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 189mgFiber: 3gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 438IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg

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