Apple Walnut Crumb Bars
These Apple Walnut Crumb Bars combine tender spiced apples, crunchy walnuts, and a buttery oat crumble crust for a cozy, rustic treat that’s perfect for fall baking.
Servings
Ingredients
For the crust and topping:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 1¼ cups rolled oats
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup 1½ sticks unsalted butter, cold and cut into 1-inch cubes
For the apple filling:
- ¼ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 pound apples peeled, cored, and diced
- ½ cup walnuts finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare the Pan
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with butter. Line the bottom with parchment paper, allowing excess to hang over the short sides of the pan for easy removal. Butter the parchment as well.
Prepare the Crust and Crumb Topping
- In a food processor, combine the flour, brown sugar, oats, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Pulse several times until the ingredients are evenly mixed. Add the cold butter pieces and pulse again until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Form the Base
- Reserve 1¼ cups of the crumb mixture and set aside. Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan, making sure to distribute it evenly across the surface. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow the crust to cool while preparing the filling.
Prepare the Apple Filling
- In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon, and flour. Add the diced apples, chopped walnuts, lemon juice, and melted butter. Gently toss the mixture with your hands or a spatula until the apples are well coated.
Assemble and Bake
- Evenly spread the apple filling over the cooled crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the top of the filling. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking, until the topping is golden brown and the filling begins to bubble at the edges.
Cool and Slice
- Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper to lift the bars from the pan. Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
To make these Apple Walnut Crumb Bars gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a certified 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, and ensure the rolled oats are certified gluten-free. All other ingredients should be naturally gluten-free, but always check labels for cross-contamination risks. For best results, keep the crust well chilled before baking to help it hold together.