Name: Apple Pie Bars with Oatmeal Streusel Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats (not quick cook or 1-minute); 1 cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark); 3/4 cup All-Purpose Flour; 1/4 tsp. salt; 1/4 tsp. cinnamon; 1/2 cup chilled, unsalted butter, cut into cubes; 2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour; 1 tsp. salt; 1/2 tsp. cinnamon; 1 1/4 cup softened, unsalted butter; 2/3 cup granulated sugar; 2/3 cup brown sugar, packed; 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract; 6-8 apples (~3 lbs.) Mix of Granny Smith + Pink Lady, cored, peeled, thinly sliced (~1/4 inch thick); 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 2 tsp. cinnamon; 1/4 tsp. nutmeg (optional); 1 lemon, juiced (~2 Tbsp.); 2 Tbsp. cornstarch; 1/2 cup water, as needed

If you’re anything like me, dessert isn’t just an afterthought—it’s the highlight of the meal. That’s why I’m excited to share my absolute favorite treat: Apple Pie Bars with Oatmeal Streusel Recipe. This gem combines everything you love about traditional apple pie—tart apples, warm spices, buttery crust—but in an easy, grab-and-go bar form. Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or just a cozy night in. Stick around, because I’ve packed this post with tips and little tricks I’ve learned to make sure you nail it every single time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Buttery Shortbread Crust: It’s rich and crumbly, providing the perfect foundation for the filling without getting soggy.
Perfectly Spiced Apple Filling: A blend of Granny Smith and Pink Lady apples with cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg that hits just the right balance of sweet and tart.
Oatmeal Streusel Topping: Adds a delightful crunchy texture, making these bars extra special and comforting.
Makes Great Leftovers: The bars hold up beautifully for several days and even freeze well for a make-ahead treat.

The image shows a white marbled surface with various baking ingredients neatly arranged. At the bottom left, a large clear glass bowl is filled with sliced pale yellow apples. Around it are several small white bowls and plates filled with different ingredients: a bowl of white flour at the top right, a bowl of light brown sugar next to it, a small bowl of white sugar near the center, and a small bowl of cornstarch below it. There is a small round white dish with brown cinnamon powder and a smaller one with brown nutmeg powder, both near a pile of cinnamon sticks. A small white bowl with lemon halves and juice sits near two whole green apples on the right edge. There is a small glass measuring cup of clear water at the bottom right and several slabs of creamy yellow butter on parchment near the top left. A small white cup contains dark vanilla extract near the flour. The whole setup is clean, bright, and visually organized. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work in harmony to create the classic taste of apple pie but with a little extra oomph from the oatmeal streusel. When selecting your apples, I recommend mixing tart Granny Smiths with the sweeter Pink Lady variety to balance flavor and texture.

Unsalted butter: Use softened butter for creaming and chilled cubed butter for the streusel—it really makes a difference in texture.
Granulated and brown sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and a slight caramel flavor, while granulated sugar keeps things light.
Vanilla extract: Just a touch to bring warmth and depth to the crust.
All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy base for the crust and topping—no substitutions for best texture.
Salt and cinnamon: Salt enhances all the flavors, while cinnamon gives that quintessential apple pie spice.
Apples: I use a mix of Granny Smith and Pink Lady, peeled and thinly sliced about ¼ inch thick.
Nutmeg (optional): Just a pinch adds a lovely warmth if you’re feeling fancy.
Lemon juice: Helps keep apples from browning and brightens the filling.
Cornstarch: The secret thickener to ensure your filling isn’t runny.
Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Not quick cook—gives the streusel that hearty chew.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Apple Pie Bars with Oatmeal Streusel Recipe is how adaptable it is. Whether you want to tweak sweetness, swap out apples, or fit dietary needs, it’s easy to make it your own.

Use different apple varieties: I’ve tried this with Honeycrisp and Fuji apples for a sweeter pop; it’s fantastic but adjust sugar based on sweetness.
Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend—just make sure it’s one that measures cup-for-cup.
Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap out butter for coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute; texture changes slightly but still delicious.
Add nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans sprinkled into the streusel topping add an extra crunch that my family goes crazy for.

How to Make Apple Pie Bars with Oatmeal Streusel Recipe

Step 1: Make the Oatmeal Streusel Topping

Start by whisking together the oats, brown sugar, flour, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Then, chop in the chilled, cubed butter using your fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture clumps up—don’t overwork it! Cover and refrigerate while you move on to the crust. Chilling the streusel helps keep those lovely crumbly bits intact when baking.

Step 2: Prepare the Shortbread Crust

In a large bowl, whisk your flour, salt, and cinnamon. Then, cream together softened butter with granulated and brown sugar until it’s smooth and creamy—this usually takes about 3 minutes with a stand mixer. Add in vanilla extract, then slowly mix the dry ingredients on low speed. Press the dough evenly into a 9×13 baking dish. Here’s a crucial tip: refrigerate the crust for 20 minutes before baking to prevent shrinking or cracking. Then bake at 375°F for 18 minutes, just until it’s beginning to set but not browned. Let it cool slightly while you make the filling.

Step 3: Cook the Apple Filling

Toss your thinly sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and optional nutmeg in a large bowl. Whisk together lemon juice and cornstarch, then add it to the apples. This mixture helps thicken the filling perfectly. Transfer everything to a saucepan and cook over medium heat for about 5-8 minutes until the apples start to soften. Keep an eye on it—add water as needed to stop the apples from sticking to the pan or burning.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Spread the warm apple filling evenly over the baked shortbread crust. Next, sprinkle that chilled streusel topping generously over the apples. Pop the whole pan back into the oven at 350°F and bake for 30-35 minutes until the streusel is golden and crisp. After baking, let it cool completely before slicing. Trust me, cooling is key—cutting too early can make the bars fall apart.

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Pro Tips for Making Apple Pie Bars with Oatmeal Streusel Recipe

Chill the Streusel and Crust: I discovered that chilling both separately prevents the topping from melting into the filling and the crust from shrinking.
Slice Apples Uniformly: Thin, even slices cook consistently—no surprises or uneven textures.
Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice just doesn’t give the same brightness and can add bitterness.
Avoid Overbaking: Keep a close eye during the final bake; overbaking dries out the bars but slight golden color on streusel signals it’s ready.

How to Serve Apple Pie Bars with Oatmeal Streusel Recipe

The image shows a stack of two thick apple crumble bars on a white plate, placed on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a soft, light golden crust topped with a thick layer of cooked apple slices that are pale yellow with a hint of cinnamon brown. Above the apple layer is a thick crumbly oat topping in a golden brown color with some texture from oats and crumble pieces. A scoop of creamy white vanilla ice cream sits on top of the stack, with golden caramel sauce being drizzled over it, flowing down the sides and melting into the crumble. Around the plate, there are scattered crumble pieces, two cinnamon sticks, and a few slices of fresh apple. The background has a soft warm tone with blurred apples visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping these bars with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream—nothing beats that hot-and-cold combo! A drizzle of caramel sauce makes the whole thing feel extra indulgent, and a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans adds a fun crunch if you want a bit more texture.

Side Dishes

If you’re serving these Apple Pie Bars with Oatmeal Streusel Recipe at a gathering, pair them with a hot cup of spiced chai tea or freshly brewed coffee. For a brunch twist, they go beautifully alongside soft scrambled eggs or a cinnamon yogurt parfait to balance sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or special occasions, I like to use a cookie cutter to make bars into fun shapes—like hearts or leaves—and dust them lightly with powdered sugar. Serving on a rustic wooden board alongside cinnamon sticks and fresh apple slices makes an inviting spread that guests always comment on.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you prefer, they can hang out in the fridge for up to 5 days—you might want to bring them back to room temp or warm them slightly before serving.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these bars successfully by wrapping individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer-safe bag. They keep well for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge!

Reheating

To reheat, I pop a bar in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or warm it in a 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes to revive that fresh-baked texture. Adding a scoop of ice cream right after reheating is my go-to comfort move.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples for this recipe?

While fresh apples are definitely best for texture and flavor, you can use frozen apples if needed—just thaw completely and drain excess liquid before adding to the filling to avoid sogginess.
Do I have to peel the apples?

Peeling is recommended for a smoother texture in the bars. The peel can sometimes be a bit tough when baked, but if you don’t mind a little extra chew and nutrients, it’s totally fine to leave them on.
Can these apple pie bars be made vegan?

Yes! Simply swap butter with a plant-based vegan butter alternative and use a natural egg substitute if your streusel or crust includes eggs (this recipe doesn’t, so you’re mostly set). The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
Why is cornstarch used in the filling?

Cornstarch acts as a thickener that helps the apple juices gel up as the bars bake, preventing a soggy crust or runny filling.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Pie Bars with Oatmeal Streusel Recipe is one of those recipes that quickly becomes a staple once you try it. I love it because it brings all my favorite apple pie flavors with the ease of a bar—no slicing pies or worrying about tricky crusts. Every time I bring a batch to a party, my family and friends endlessly ask for the recipe. I can’t wait for you to make it and share these cozy bars with your loved ones too!