Apple Crumble Bars

Ingredients

• 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp fine salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Steps

1. 1

   1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.

2. 2

   2. In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt, then work in the cold butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse, clumpy crumbs.

3. 3

   3. Press just over half of the oat mixture firmly into an even layer in the prepared pan to form the base, then bake for 12 minutes until lightly set.

4. 4

   4. While the base bakes, toss the diced apples with the cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla until evenly coated.

5. 5

   5. Spread the apple mixture over the warm base in an even layer, then scatter the remaining oat crumble evenly over the top and press it down gently.

6. 6

   6. Bake for 35–40 minutes until the topping is deep golden and the apple filling is bubbling at the edges; cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into bars.