Your search for the perfect dessert is over! These Irresistible Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars are a delightful and easy-to-make treat, combining the classic comfort of apple crumble with the convenience of a bar, making them a must-have for any gluten-free baker or dessert lover.
Key Ingredients for Irresistible Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars
For the Crust and Crumble Topping:
- 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum)
- 1 cup rolled oats (certified gluten-free)
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 cups peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples (about 3-4 medium apples – a mix of sweet and tart varieties like Gala, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith works wonderfully)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of salt
How to Make Irresistible Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars
This recipe is designed for ultimate ease and enjoyment, resulting in a wonderfully textured and incredibly flavorful treat. The balance between the buttery crumble and the tender, spiced apple filling is simply divine. Plus, with a preparation time of only about 30 minutes and baking time of 40-45 minutes, you can have these delicious bars ready in under 2 hours, making them perfect for a last-minute craving or a planned gathering.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later.
- Make the Crumble Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the gluten-free flour blend, certified gluten-free rolled oats, light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk everything together until well combined.
- Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. This is your crumble mixture.
- Form the Crust: Reserve about 1½ cups of the crumble mixture for the topping. Press the remaining crumble mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Ensure it’s packed down firmly to create a solid base.
- Bake the Crust: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the crust for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. This par-baking step helps ensure a sturdy crust.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: While the crust is baking, prepare the apple filling. In a separate medium bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, gluten-free flour blend, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated with the sugar and spice mixture.
- Assemble the Bars: Once the crust has been par-baked, carefully remove it from the oven. Spread the prepared apple filling evenly over the hot crust.
- Add the Crumble Topping: Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture evenly over the apple filling. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the apples.
- Bake the Bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly and tender when pierced with a fork. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil.
- Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is crucial for the bars to set properly, making them easier to slice. Cooling can take at least 2-3 hours.
- Slice and Serve: Once completely cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire block out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and slice into bars. Enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Irresistible Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars
These Irresistible Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars are a dream come true for anyone seeking a comforting and delicious dessert without the gluten. The star of the show is the perfect balance between a buttery, slightly crisp gluten-free crumble topping and a warmly spiced, tender apple filling, reminiscent of your favorite apple pie but in a more portable and delightful bar form. Making these gems at home is incredibly cost-effective, allowing you to create a gourmet dessert experience for a fraction of the price of store-bought alternatives, using simple, wholesome ingredients.
The generous cinnamon and nutmeg infusion in both the crust and the filling, combined with the delightful texture of gluten-free oats, creates a flavor profile that is both familiar and excitingly new. They’re far more satisfying than a simple cookie and less fuss than a full pie, making them the ideal treat for picnics, potlucks, or a cozy evening in. Don’t wait – gather your ingredients and get ready to bake up a batch of these utterly irresistible bars!
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Storing: Once completely cooled, Irresistible Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator, where they will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: These bars freeze exceptionally well. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, place a bar on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on 50% power for 20-30 seconds, or until warmed through. For a crisper topping, reheat in a toaster oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-7 minutes. If reheating from frozen, allow the bar to thaw slightly at room temperature before reheating.
Final Thoughts
These Irresistible Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars are a testament to how delicious gluten-free baking can be. They offer a comforting, spiced apple flavor with a satisfyingly crumbly texture that everyone will adore. Give them a try – you might just find your new favorite go-to gluten-free dessert!
Irresistible Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later.
- In a large bowl, combine the gluten-free flour blend, certified gluten-free rolled oats, light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk everything together until well combined.2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, 1 cup rolled oats, ¾ cup packed light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. This is your crumble mixture.¾ cup cold unsalted butter
- Reserve about 1½ cups of the crumble mixture for the topping. Press the remaining crumble mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Ensure it’s packed down firmly to create a solid base.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the crust for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. This par-baking step helps ensure a sturdy crust.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the apple filling. In a separate medium bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, gluten-free flour blend, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated with the sugar and spice mixture.4 cups apples, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, Pinch salt
- Once the crust has been par-baked, carefully remove it from the oven. Spread the prepared apple filling evenly over the hot crust.
- Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture evenly over the apple filling. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the apples.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly and tender when pierced with a fork. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is crucial for the bars to set properly, making them easier to slice. Cooling can take at least 2-3 hours.
- Once completely cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire block out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and slice into bars. Enjoy!