Vegan Apple Crumble Bars Recipe

If you want easy, crowd-pleasing apple bars, this recipe delivers: a gooey apple layer nestled between an oat-based crust and a streusel-like topping. The same oat and flour streusel is used for both layers, keeping the method straightforward and the ingredient list short.

Recipe Highlights

• Vegan and dairy-free (no eggs).
• Can be made gluten-free using a 1:1 GF flour swap.
• Texturally like an apple crisp in bar form.
• Simple ingredients and easy technique.
• Kid-friendly and portable for snacks or lunchboxes.

Ingredients

• Oats – old-fashioned rolled oats are preferred; quick oats will also work.
• Flour – all-purpose flour is used; swap a 1:1 gluten-free flour if needed.
• Spices – ground cinnamon and optional ground cloves (apple pie spice or a pinch of nutmeg/ginger are good substitutes).
• Vanilla – pure vanilla extract if available.
• Fat – vegan butter or melted coconut oil.
• Apples – choose tart apples like Granny Smith or sweeter varieties (Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp) or a mix for balanced flavor.
• Sugars – brown sugar for the crust and crumble; granulated sugar for the apple filling.
• Thickener – cornstarch (can substitute tapioca or arrowroot) to thicken the apple filling.

The full ingredient list with exact measurements appears in the recipe block below.

Follow these steps for best results. Read through the entire method first, then prepare ingredients so everything is ready as you assemble the bars.

1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang to lift the cooled bars out easily. If you don’t have parchment, lightly grease the pan.

2. Make the oat crumble: Melt the vegan butter and stir it into a large bowl with 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp ground cloves. Mix until the mixture has a wet, sandy texture. Reserve about 1 3/4 cups to press into the pan for the crust and keep the rest for the topping.

3. Cook the apple filling: Chop about 3 1/2 cups diced apples (roughly 2 large or 3–4 small apples). In a medium saucepan combine the apples, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tbsp cornstarch and 2 tbsp lemon juice with 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp cloves (optional). Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the apples soften and the mixture becomes thick and gooey, about 8–12 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

4. Assemble: Press approximately 1 3/4 cups of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form an even crust. Spread the warm apple filling over the crust in an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining oat crumble evenly on top, pressing lightly so the topping adheres in places but still remains crumbly.

5. Bake and cool: Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling, about 35–40 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the pan to cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour, or until completely cool. Cooling is important—cutting too soon will cause the bars to fall apart. For firmer bars, cool for about 30 minutes at room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator until well set.

6. Serve: Use the parchment overhang to lift the slab from the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Slice into 12 bars (9 larger or up to 16 smaller portions if preferred). Serve at room temperature or chilled; they are also lovely warmed with dairy-free ice cream or whipped topping.

Recipe FAQs

Storing Instructions

• Allow bars to cool completely before storing.
• Store covered in the pan or in an airtight container.
• Keep at room temperature for 2–3 days or refrigerate for 5–7 days. Refrigeration helps them stay firm.