Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars

Why Make This Recipe

These Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars are a delightful dessert that everyone can enjoy, whether you follow a gluten-free diet or not. They combine the sweetness of apples with a crunchy crumble topping, creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Plus, they are easy to make and a great way to use up extra apples you might have lying around. They make an excellent snack for kids, a treat for guests, or a comforting dessert after dinner.

How to Make Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour blend
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 2 cups chopped peeled apples (about 2 medium apples)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour blend, almond flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
5. Press about two-thirds of this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create the crust.
6. In another bowl, toss the chopped apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, and cornstarch.
7. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust.
8. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture on top of the apples.
9. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft.
10. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares.

How to Serve Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars

Serve these delicious bars warm or at room temperature. They pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. They can also be enjoyed as a quick snack with a cup of tea or coffee.

How to Store Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars

Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for about a week or freeze the bars for up to three months. Just make sure to wrap them well to prevent freezer burn.

Tips to Make Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars

• Make sure to use a good quality gluten-free flour blend for the best texture.
• Choose a mix of sweet and tart apples for added depth of flavor in the filling.
• For an extra crunch, consider adding some chopped nuts to the crumble mixture.
• If you like spices, feel free to experiment with additional flavors like allspice or ginger.

Variation

You can customize the filling by adding other fruits, such as pears or berries, or by mixing in some oats into the crumble mixture for added texture.

FAQs

1. Can I use regular flour instead of gluten-free flour?
Yes, but this will change the recipe to a non-gluten-free version.

2. What types of apples are best for this recipe?
Tart apples like Granny Smith work well alongside sweeter varieties. A mix is often best.

3. How can I make these bars vegan?
You can substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative and use a flaxseed or chia seed mixture as an egg replacement if needed.

Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars

Delightful dessert bars combining the sweetness of apples with a crunchy crumble topping, perfect for everyone, gluten-free or not.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 9 bars

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 220

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Crust

• 1 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour blend Use a good quality blend for best texture.
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes Substitute with vegan butter for a vegan option.

For the Filling

• 2 cups chopped peeled apples (about 2 medium apples) A mix of sweet and tart apples is recommended.
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease and line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour blend, almond flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
5. Press about two-thirds of this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create the crust.

Assembly

1. In another bowl, toss the chopped apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, and cornstarch.
2. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust.
3. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture on top of the apples.

Baking

1. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft.
2. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares.

Notes

Serve warm or at room temperature. Pairs well with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days; refrigerate for a week or freeze for up to three months.