Delicious & Easy Vegan Apple Crumble Bars: Your Perfect Autumn Treat

Experience the comforting flavors of a classic apple crumble in a convenient, portable bar form with these incredible vegan apple crumble bars. Ideal for autumn gatherings, holiday baking, or simply using up a bounty of fresh apples, these bars are a delightful snack or dessert that everyone will love. Featuring a perfectly crunchy, oaty biscuit base and a buttery crumble topping, they encase a luscious filling of sweet, juicy, and perfectly spiced apples. Forget the fork; these handheld treats are designed for easy enjoyment anytime, anywhere.

Whether you’re looking for a wholesome snack to pack for lunch or a satisfying dessert to serve with a cup of tea, these apple crumble bars strike the perfect balance between indulgence and simplicity. The irresistible combination of textures – from the crisp crust to the soft, warmly spiced apple filling – makes them utterly addictive. They capture all the essence of a traditional apple crumble but are crafted to be entirely plant-based and effortlessly simple to prepare.

These vegan apple crumble bars are more than just a snack; they’re a versatile and satisfying treat that brings the warmth of autumn baking right to your fingertips. This recipe reimagines the beloved apple crumble into a portable, handheld delight, making it perfect for on-the-go enjoyment or as a fuss-free dessert.

Each bar boasts a delightful construction: a robust, crunchy, and richly oaty biscuit base provides the perfect foundation, topped with a generous layer of tender, spiced apples. The whole confection is then crowned with a golden, crumbly topping that perfectly complements the base and filling. The genius of this recipe lies in its simplicity: both the base and the crumbly topping are made from the exact same mixture, streamlining the preparation process and making these bars incredibly easy to whip up.

I’ve carefully adapted my widely popular vegan berry crumble bars recipe to create this apple version, and I can assure you, the results are absolutely phenomenal. The adaptable base and topping mixture works exceptionally well with the sweet and slightly tart profile of apples, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

What Essential Ingredients Do I Need To Make These Vegan Apple Crumble Bars?

Crafting the perfect vegan apple crumble bars begins with selecting quality ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each component is important:

• Plain Flour (All-Purpose Flour): This is the backbone of our crumble mixture. Regular plain flour provides the necessary structure and tender crumb. While I haven’t personally tested a gluten-free version of this specific recipe, many readers have reported success using a good quality plain gluten-free flour blend. If you go this route, I recommend adding about ¼ teaspoon of xanthan gum to the flour blend, as it helps with binding and prevents the bars from becoming too crumbly. Keep in mind that the texture may still be slightly different, potentially a bit more delicate.
• Oats (Porridge Oats): Incorporating porridge oats into both the base and the crumble topping is key to achieving that wonderfully chewy and slightly rustic texture that defines a great crumble. It also adds a lovely nutty flavor. It’s crucial to use regular porridge oats (often labeled as “rolled oats” in the US) rather than jumbo or steel-cut oats, as these can be too coarse and alter the desired consistency. Standard supermarket own-brand oats work perfectly.
• Light Brown Soft Sugar: This isn’t just a sweetener; it’s a flavor enhancer. Light brown or muscovado sugar lends a rich, caramel-like depth to both the apple filling and the crumble, which white granulated sugar simply can’t replicate. Its moisture content also contributes to a softer, more cohesive crumble. For the best possible flavor and texture, I strongly advise against substituting this with any other type of sugar or artificial sweetener.
• Vegan Block Butter: This is a non-negotiable ingredient for achieving the correct texture in your crumble base and topping. You absolutely must use a firm, block-style vegan butter, not the softer, spreadable kind that comes in a tub. Spreadable margarines contain more water and less fat, which can lead to a soggy base and a topping that doesn’t crisp up properly. Brands like Naturli Vegan Block or Flora Plant Butter are excellent choices that mimic the properties of dairy butter in baking, ensuring a perfectly crumbly and firm texture.
• Baking Powder: A small amount of baking powder helps to give the crumble topping a slight lift and a more tender texture, preventing it from becoming too dense.
• Ground Cinnamon: The quintessential spice for apples! Cinnamon infuses the apples with warm, aromatic notes that are synonymous with comforting autumn desserts. If you’re keen to experiment, you could certainly swap this for a mixed spice blend or a dedicated apple pie spice blend for a slightly different, yet equally delicious, flavor profile.
• Apples: The star of the show! For these bars, you want to opt for eating apples rather than cooking apples. Eating apples tend to hold their shape better when cooked, providing lovely chunks of fruit in the filling, whereas cooking apples can break down too much, creating a very soft purée. Any variety of eating apple that you enjoy will work beautifully. I’ve had great results with a mixture of Braeburn, Pink Lady, and Gala apples, as they offer a good balance of sweetness and a hint of tartness. Other excellent choices include Honeycrisp or Fuji. For a slightly more tart filling, you could include a Granny Smith.
• Lemon Juice: A splash of fresh lemon juice added to the apple filling is crucial. It brightens the flavor of the apples, preventing the filling from tasting overly sweet, and adds a delightful hint of tang that balances the rich spices. It also helps prevent the apples from browning too quickly during preparation.
• Vanilla Extract: (Included in the method but not explicitly listed above). A good quality vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors in the apple filling, adding a sweet, aromatic dimension that truly elevates the dish.
• Pinch of Salt: (Included in the method but not explicitly listed above). A small pinch of salt in both the apple filling and the crumble mixture might seem minor, but it’s essential for balancing and intensifying all the sweet and spiced flavors. It’s a fundamental component in all good baking!

How To Master These Delicious Vegan Apple Crumble Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide

(For precise measurements, detailed instructions, and a printable version, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located at the bottom of this page.)

Making these vegan apple crumble bars is a straightforward process, but a few key steps ensure perfection. Let’s walk through it:

1. Prepare the Apple Filling: Begin by peeling, coring, and thinly slicing your chosen eating apples. Transfer the prepared apple slices to a medium saucepan. Add the light brown soft sugar, diced vegan butter, fresh lemon juice, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir all these ingredients together until the apples are well coated.
2. Cook the Apple Filling: Place the saucepan over medium heat and gently sauté the apple mixture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Continue cooking until the apples have softened slightly, but still retain some bite, and their natural juices have reduced down to a thick, glossy syrup. This process ensures a flavorful and concentrated apple layer. Once cooked, remove the pan from the heat and set the apple filling aside to cool completely. Allowing it to cool is vital before the next step. Once fully cooled, sprinkle the plain flour over the apples and gently stir it in. This flour acts as a thickener, preventing the filling from becoming too watery during baking.

3. Prepare the Crumble Mixture (Dry Ingredients): In a large mixing bowl, combine the plain flour, porridge oats, light brown soft sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly distributed.

4. Incorporate the Vegan Butter: Add the cold, diced vegan block butter to the dry ingredients in the bowl. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour mixture. Work quickly to prevent the butter from getting too warm. Continue rubbing until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs and no large lumps of butter remain. This creates the perfect crumbly texture for both the base and topping.

5. Form the Base: Preheat your oven to 190°C/170°C fan/375°F/gas mark 5. Grease and line a 20 cm/8 inch square cake tin with baking parchment, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal later. Take about two-thirds of your prepared crumble mixture and tip it into the lined tin. Spread it out evenly and press it down very firmly using the back of a spoon or your knuckles. The firmer you pack it, the more cohesive your base will be. Place the remaining one-third of the crumble mixture in the refrigerator while the base bakes.
6. Pre-bake the Base: Bake the pressed base in the preheated oven for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until it turns a pale golden brown around the edges. This initial bake ensures a perfectly crisp and sturdy foundation for your bars.

7. Assemble the Layers: Once the base is pre-baked, remove the tin from the oven. Spread the cooled apple mixture evenly over the warm, baked base. Then, retrieve the remaining crumble mixture from the fridge and scatter it generously over the apple layer. Gently press the topping down very slightly to ensure it adheres to the apples, but avoid compacting it too much – you still want that lovely crumbly texture.

8. Final Bake: Return the tin to the oven and bake for another 25-30 minutes, or until the crumble topping is beautifully golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling gently around the edges.
9. Cool and Slice: Once baked, remove the bars from the oven. It’s crucial to let them cool in the tin for at least 20 minutes before attempting to transfer them to a wire rack. This cooling period allows the bars to set and firm up, making them easier to handle. For the cleanest slices, allow the bars to cool completely on the wire rack before cutting them into squares or fingers. Patience is key here!

Expert Tips & Frequently Asked Questions for Perfect Crumble Bars:

Achieving bakery-quality vegan apple crumble bars is simple with a few insider tips:

• Precision in Measuring: For consistent and successful baking results, I cannot stress enough the importance of using a digital kitchen scale and metric measurements (grams). All my recipes are meticulously developed using grams, as this method offers unparalleled accuracy. Cup conversions, especially for dry ingredients like flour and oats, can be wildly inconsistent due to variations in how ingredients are packed. Using a scale not only guarantees better and more consistent results but is also generally less messy and more efficient than using multiple measuring cups.
• Storage Guidelines: These apple crumble bars are truly at their best on the day they are baked, when the base and topping are at their crispiest. However, they will keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for approximately 3-4 days. Over time, the crumble may soften slightly, but the flavor will remain excellent.
• Freezing for Later: Yes, these bars freeze exceptionally well! Once completely cooled, wrap individual bars or a whole slab tightly in parchment paper, then in foil or plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2-3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the oven for a few minutes until heated through.
• Portioning Suggestions: This recipe typically yields nine generous large squares, which are perfect for a substantial snack or dessert. However, if you’re serving a larger crowd or prefer smaller portions, you can easily cut them into twelve finger-sized bars.
• Serving Suggestions: While these bars are absolutely delicious on their own as a snack, they transform into an indulgent dessert when served warm. Pair them with a scoop of creamy vegan vanilla ice cream, a dollop of coconut cream, or a generous pour of warm vegan custard for an ultimate comforting treat. The warm, spiced apples and crisp crumble create a delightful contrast with the cold or creamy accompaniment.
• Achieving the Perfect Crumble: The key to a good crumble topping is to work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Avoid overworking the dough, as this can develop the gluten and lead to a tough, rather than tender, crumble. Keep the butter cold throughout the process for the best results.
• Cooling is Crucial: It’s tempting to cut into these bars as soon as they come out of the oven, but resisting the urge is paramount. Allowing them to cool completely (or at least mostly) allows the apple filling to set and the base to firm up, ensuring clean, intact slices. Warm bars will be much more delicate and prone to falling apart.

More Delicious Vegan Apple Recipes to Explore:

If you’re an apple lover like me, you’ll be thrilled to discover more plant-based ways to enjoy this versatile fruit:

• Vegan Apple Cake
• Vegan Eve’s Pudding
• Ginger Apple Pie (Vegan)
• Mincemeat, Marzipan and Apple Bread Wreath
• Vegan Apple Bundt Cake
• Mini Apple Pies (Vegan)
• Simple Wholemeal Apple Cake

Each of these recipes offers a unique way to celebrate the humble apple, ensuring your kitchen is filled with delightful aromas all season long.

If you’ve tried your hand at this recipe for Vegan Apple Crumble Bars, I’d absolutely love to hear how it turned out for you! Please take a moment to rate it and leave a comment below. Your feedback is invaluable! Don’t forget to tag @domestic_gothess on Instagram and use the hashtag #domesticgothess when you share your creations – I love seeing your beautiful bakes!

All images and content featured on Domestic Gothess are protected by copyright. If you wish to share this recipe with others, please do so respectfully by utilizing the provided share buttons. We kindly request that you do not screenshot or post the recipe or its content in full. Instead, please include a direct link back to this original post for the complete recipe and details. Thank you for your understanding and support!