These Apple Oatmeal Bars can be enjoyed at any time of the day—whether as a dessert, a snack, or even a grab-and-run breakfast. This recipe creates a delicious cookie bar with two layers of oatmeal cookie crust sandwiching a layer of sweetened apples. If desired, they can be made with various add-ins like raisins, nuts, or additional spices to suit different tastes.
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These cookie bars are relatively simple to prepare, requiring just a few basic ingredients and minimal effort. They're also portable, making them convenient for on-the-go snacking.
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Apple filling ingredients
The apple filling uses the following ingredients:
- Apples: use baking apples such as Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Gala, etc... Peel, core and slice apples thinly (approximately ⅛ inch)
- Granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Cornstarch: added to help absorb excess juices which helps prevent a soggy bottom in these bars
See recipe card for quantities.
Dough ingredients
The oatmeal cookie dough uses the following ingredients:
- Butter: use unsalted and room temperature butter
- Brown sugar: use light or dark brown sugar
- All-purpose flour: sift the flour to remove any lumps
- Baking soda, ground cinnamon and salt
- Oatmeal: use old-fashioned oatmeal. Instant oatmeal can lead to a mushy dough.
See recipe card for quantities.
Apple filling instructions
Start the Apple Oatmeal Bars recipe by preparing the apple filling.
Peel, core and slice apples thinly (approximately ⅛" thickness).
Combine apples and granulated sugar in a bowl. Toss to combine. Cover bowl and let rest for 30 minutes (this allows the apples to macerate and release excess juices).
Pour apples into a strainer placed over a bowl. Drain excess juices and discard.
Add cornstarch and ½ teaspoon cinnamon to the drained apples. Stir until absorbed. Set bowl aside.
Dough instructions
Sift or whisk together flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon and salt.
Place softened butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment begin mixing on medium speed. Continue to mix until the butter and sugar mixture is light and fluffy (approximately 2 - 3 minutes). Note: a hand mixer may also be used.
Add the flour mixture to the butter/sugar bowl. Mix for 20 - 30 seconds or until combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl if necessary.
Add oatmeal and stir using a rubber spatula until well distributed. Note: the dough will be crumbly.
Assembly and baking instructions
Coat a 9" x 13" pan with baking spray or butter generously.
Pour half of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Using your hands, lightly press the dough down so it evenly covers the bottom of the pan.
Layer the apple slices evenly over the dough.
Sprinkle the second half of the dough over the apples so it is evenly distributed. Press lightly with the palm of your hand.
Bake in a preheated 350° F oven for 30 - 35 minutes. Top will be nicely browned and slightly risen. Remove from oven, place on a wire rack and allow to cool before serving.
Cut into desired size pieces and serve. Enjoy!
Variations
These Oatmeal Apple Bars are easily adaptable to a variety of tastes. Consider one of the following:
- Gluten-free - substitute an equal amount of 1 to 1 gluten-free flour replacement for the all-purpose flour. King Arthur and Bob's Red Mill are both good brands for gluten-free flour.
- Vegan - the only non-vegan element in these Oatmeal Apple Bars is the butter. Use a vegan butter replacement to make these vegan.
- Walnuts and/or raisins- Walnuts and raisins complement this dessert nicely. Add a ½ cup of chopped, toasted walnuts and ½ cup of raisins when stirring the oatmeal into the cookie dough.
Equipment
Use the following equipment to make the Apple Oatmeal Bars recipe:
- 9" x 13" baking pan: use a glass or metal baking pan at least 2" deep. Alternatively, use a silicone baking pan for easy removal and to avoid the need to grease the pan.
- Mixer - a hand mixer or stand mixer may be used.
- Bowls, measuring cups and spoons
- Sieve: to drain the excess juices after macerating the apples.
- Rubber spatula
Storage
Cover the apple oatmeal bars with foil or plastic wrap. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, wrap bars in plastic and freeze for up to 2 months.
FAQ
Macerating draws out some of the moisture from the apples and reduces the amount of liquid they release during baking. This helps prevent a soggy bottom in the oatmeal apple bars. 
More oatmeal desserts
Love oatmeal in your desserts? Check out some of these recipes:
I hope you enjoy these Oatmeal Apple Bars as much as my friends and family do!
📋 Recipe
Apple Oatmeal Bars Recipe
Equipment
- Hand Mixer or
- 9 inch by 13 inch Pan Use a pan approximately 2" deep
- Strainer
- Measuring cups, spoons and mixing bowls
Ingredients
Filling
- 4 Medium Apples (Granny Smith, Honey Crisp or Fuji) Peeled, cored and cut into ⅛" slices
- ⅓ Cup Granulated Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
Dough
- 1 ¼ Cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ Cup Brown Sugar, light or dark brown packed
- 2 Cups All-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 2 ½ Cup Oatmeal, Old Fashioned
Instructions
Prepare Pan
- Spray a 9" x 13" pan with baking spray or butter generously.
Prepare Apple Filling
- Peel, core and slice apples thinly (approximately ⅛" thickness).
- Put apples and granulated sugar in a bowl. Toss to combine. Cover bowl and let rest for 30 minutes (this allows the apples to macerate and release excess juices).
- Pour apples into a strainer placed over a bowl. Drain excess juices and discard.
- Add cornstarch and ½ teaspoon cinnamon to the drained apples. Stir until absorbed.
Make Cookie Base
- Preheat oven to 350° F
- Sift or whisk together flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon and salt.
- Place softened butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment begin mixing on medium speed. Continue to mix until the butter and sugar mixture is light and fluffy (approximately 2 - 3 minutes). Note: a hand mixer may also be used.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter/sugar bowl. Mix for 20 - 30 seconds or until combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl if necessary.
- Remove the bowl from the mixer. Add oatmeal and stir using a rubber spatula until well distributed. Note: the dough will be crumbly.
- Pour half of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Using your hands, lightly press the dough down so it evenly covers the bottom of the pan.
- Layer the apple slices evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle the second half of the dough over the apples so it is evenly distributed. Press lightly with the palm of your hand.
Bake
- Bake for 30 - 35 minutes. Cookie bars will be risen and a golden brown on top. Cool completely, cut into desired size pieces and serve.
Ramil Hinolan says
I like this with my coffee, a perfect pair.
Gervin Khan says
Awesome recipe! It was a healthy and delicious cookie bar that everyone will love it! Nice combination of ingredients, love it!
Beth says
All I need is some coffee, and I have the perfect breakfast. These are really good!