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Fall in love with these easy Apple and Plum Crumble Bars. They’re loaded with tart apples, sweet plums, and sandwiched between two layers of buttery, cinnamon spiced oats.
These crumble bars are great Thanksgiving dessert, after-school snack, or a yummy treat to enjoy during the fall season. Top them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make these feel like a traditional crumble.
Pair them with a glass of my Non Alcoholic Apple Cider Sangria or these frozen Apple Cider Slushies.
Growing up on the farm we are no stranger to a good fruit crumble, they’re a rustic classic! But, if I am being honest my family eats crumble bars the most because they are just easier and we love that they’re a hand-held dessert.
The bottom and top layer is a buttery, cinnamon spiced, oat crumble, and the middle is a bright apple and plum filling, just like your traditional crumble. Plus, crumble bars are perfect for taking to fall gatherings, packing in lunch boxes, or serving at Thanksgiving since there’s no need for bowls, spoons, or worrying about the filling sliding around on the plate.
If you love oat based bars like we do, try my Chocolate Crumble Bars, Caramel Bars, or these Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars.
Let’s Make These Crumble Bars Together! Click To Watch
Ingredients for Apple and Plum Crumble Bars
These crumble bars are 3 delicious layers, but only 10 ingredients. Other than the apples, plums, and lemon, the remaining ingredients are pantry staples which makes this so easy. Keep reading for notes and substitutions.
- Apples: In this recipe I use Honey Crisp apples because they are nice and firm. Other great options are Fuji, Pink Lady, and Jazz apples. Wash them thoroughly, peel, and dice them into small, bite sized pieces.
- Plums: Use any type of plum. Again, you will want to wash and dice them into same size pieces as the apple. You do not have to peel the plums because they break down in the baking process.
- Oats: This recipe uses old fashioned rolled oats and I do not recommend swapping them out. Quick cook oats tend to not hold up as well and the crumble bars fall apart.
- All-Purpose Flour: Feel free to use 1:1 gluten free flour in its place (I make these that way quite often).
- Almond Flour: A little bit of almond flour adds so much moisture and texture to these bars. It can be substituted for all-purpose flour if you do not have any.
- Brown Sugar: Use either dark or light brown sugar, it will add deep caramel notes as well as moisture to the crumble bars. Easily swap it out for coconut sugar, cane sugar, or even granulated sugar. Just note it can slightly alter the texture and taste.
- Ground Cinnamon: Because every crumble deserves some yummy cinnamon spice.
- Unsalted Butter: Any variety works, including dairy free and plant butter. You can use salted butter as well.
- Cornstarch: This will help to thicken the fruity mixture as it bakes. Arrowroot powder or a little all-purpose flour works as well.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled just doesn’t cut it, but if you do not have lemon juice, apple cider vinegar in its place is a great substitute.
How to Make Apple and Plum Crumble Bars
Here’s a quick summary so you can see just how easy these crumble bars are to make. Don’t forget to grab an 8×8 square baking pan.
1. Prepare and assemble. Mix together the melted butter, oats, all-purpose flour, almond flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Press 2/3 of this mixture into the prepared dish. Combine the diced apples and plums with cornstarch, lemon juice, brown sugar, and pour it over the crust. Top with remaining oat crumble mixture.
2. Bake and serve. Bake until golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Cool completely to room temperature in the pan, then cut into 9 squares. Serve with vanilla ice cream for a traditional crumble experience.
Find the complete recipe instructions with measurements below.
Storing Information
The best way to store these Apple and Plum Crumble Bars is in pre-cut squares and in an airtight container. Just place layers of wax paper between the crumble bars to keep them from sticking together. At room temperature they are best to eat within 3 days, or in 7 days if refrigerated.
And if you’re wondering, “can I freeze these?” The answer is yes, and they freeze great actually. All you have to do is place the cut bars in a reusable gallon bag and freeze them for up to three months. This makes them an easy to grab and go snack or dessert. Just thaw them at room temperature prior to serving and eating.
Helpful Recipe Tips
Secure your parchment paper to make constructing the bars easier. My favorite hack is using binder clips to help hold the parchment paper in place (see images above in directions). They keep the parchment paper from sliding around as you press down the oat crumble layer.
Swap out basic ingredients to meet your dietary restrictions without compromising the taste or texture. You can make these gluten free with gluten free flour and gluten free oats. Or swap out the dairy for plant based butters. You can even make them vegan by using coconut sugar. P.S. I have tried all of these variations and they turn out perfect every single time.
Double the recipe to make a 9×13 pan of these Apple and Plum Crumble Bars. Trust me, you’re going to love these and wish you had more. Just hit the 2x button in the recipe card below. This will automatically double the ingredients making it easier for you.
Try other stone fruits in place of the plums or with the plums. Peaches, apricots, and cherries are all great options because they are firm stone fruits. They also all pair well with the apples.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, I strongly recommend peeling the apples. As they bake the peels detach from the fruit and give chewy stringy bits within the crumble bars that’s unpleasant.
More Fall Dessert Recipes For You To Try
- Apple Spice Cake with cream cheese buttercream
- Viral Pecan Pie Dip
- Caramel Apple Pie Dip
- Glazed Pumpkin Chai Cookies
- Apple Crumble Tart
- Caramel Cinnamon Cake with cinnamon cream cheese buttercream
- No Bake Turtle Pie
- Pecan Upside Down Cake
- Pumpkin Pie Dip topped with whipped cream
- Butterscotch Pudding Filled Cupcakes
- Or browse all fall recipes.
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Apple and Plum Crumble Bars
EQUIPMENT
INGREDIENTS
Oat Crumble
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup almond flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter - melted
Apple and Plum Filling
- 1 cup apples - peeled and diced
- 1 cup plums - diced
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice - fresh (or use apple cider vinegar)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your oven to 375 °F and center the oven rack. Prepare an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and non-stick cooking spray. NOTE: Use binder clips to hold the parchment paper in place (remove them before baking).
- In a medium sized bowl add the old fashioned rolled oats, all-purpose flour, almond flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Combine with a fork until the butter has evenly saturated the mixture.
- Place ⅔ of the oat crumble into the bottom of prepared baking dish. Using the bottom of a glass or measuring cup, evenly distribute and heavily press down the crumble so it doesn't fall apart once it's baked. Set aside.
- In another medium sized bowl combine the peeled and diced apples and plums, corn starch, lemon juice, and brown sugar. Top the oat crumble mixture with the fruit mixture, and make sure it's evenly spread out.
- Crumble the leftover ⅓ oat crumble mixture on top of the fruit mixture. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling.
- Allow the Apple and Plum Crumble Bars to cool in the pan until room temperature before cutting into 12 equal squares. Serve plain or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
VIDEO
RECIPE NOTES
STORING INFORMATION
- At room temperature, covered and in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerated, covered and in an airtight container, for up to 7 days.
- Frozen, in an airtight container, for up to 3 months. Thaw to room temperature prior to serving and eating.
Metric conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
I love crumble topping. Peaches are in season. That would be awesome!
Yes! Peaches would be great in this as well!
~Elizabeth
Love the addition of plum! These sound amazing – can’t wait to try!
Thank you! I believe apple and plum are truly underrated!
~Elizabeth
Those look good. I like anything with a crumble topping!
Me too! A good oat-ey crumble is the best!
Thank you for taking the time to rate and comment on this recipe!
~Elizabeth
Super easy ingredients!!
Yes they are! Thank you for taking the time to rate and comment!
Enjoy!
~Elizabeth