Juicy chunks of apple, a thick crumb topping, and gooey caramel. These Gluten Free Apple Crumb Bars are going to be hard to resist!! Top with vanilla ice cream and hot caramel, this gluten free dessert is so easy to make!!
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My love for apples in my gluten free desserts has no end...how can I not create more delicious apple recipes? Apples are sweet, tart, and so full of flavor! Just check out this gluten free creamy apple cake recipe. It tastes like it came from a bakery!
I have been trying to stock up more on my Costco runs lately. Costco is taking great precautions and I feel safe shopping there. This week I bought two giant containers of apples.
My plan is to go on a mini apple baking spree :-). Besides making this gluten free apple crumb bars recipe, I also want to bake another gluten free apple galette.
My mantra for this simple apple crumb bars recipe is more juicy apple chunks = more apple flavor. This recipe uses 5 apples and bakes up beautifully.
If you love apples as much as we do, don't forget to check out all of my mouthwatering gluten free apple recipes!
There are over 2500 varieties of apples, including heirloom apples, so have fun experimenting to find your favorite baking apple!
Ingredients notes:
- Gluten free flour blend - If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
- Apples - There are so many great apples for baking! There are so many apples that will make your desserts incredible! My favorites include Fuji, Granny Smith, Jonagold, and Macintosh. There are over 2500 varieties of apples, including heirloom apples, so have fun experimenting to find your favorite baking apple!
- Brown sugar - You can also use coconut sugar if you prefer.
- Butter - To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter for vegan butter.
Recipe step by step instructions:
Step 1: Peel your apples. You can use a vegetable peeler, or apple corer to do this.
Step 2: Pour your diced apples into a bowl and add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Mix well to coat all of the apples.
Step 3: In a large bowl, add the dry ingredients. Whisk to blend them. Add the cold butter and use a pastry blender to cut in the cold butter so that you have a crumby mixture.
If you don't have a pastry blender, you can use two knives carefully to cut the butter in.
Step 4: Add in the egg and water and mix. Your crust dough will look like this photo above. You will know you added enough moisture if you use your hands and squeeze the dough. It should hold its shape.
Step 5: Dump ⅔ of the crust mixture into a parchment paper-lined 8x8 baking tin. Use a spoon or your hand to press the crust down firmly so that it is flat.
Step 6: Pour the diced apple mixture over the crust. Spread the apples out evenly over the crust.
Step 7: Add the remaining ⅓ of the crumble mixture and add it on top of the apple layer. You are now ready to bake!
Bake at 350º F for 25-30 minutes.
Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:
When the top is slightly golden and the apples are softer, your apple crumble bars are finished baking.
These gluten free apple crumble bars will keep up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
You can easily freeze these bars. To thaw them out, you can defrost them on the counter, or in the oven on low 300 degrees F.
You can easily make these crumb bars dairy-free by using a vegan butter.
You can easily make this recipe up to 2 days ahead then bake before you are ready to serve it.
Fun variations:
Feel free to change things up! You can add in chopped nuts, raisins, another fruit like blueberries, and even add certified gluten free oats to the crumb topping!
If you love crumb toppings, you will want to try my delicious gluten free coffee cake recipe too! It even has a dairy-free option.
More gluten free apple recipes:
If you tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave me a rating and a comment. I LOVE hearing from you!! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest to see even more delicious recipes!
📖 Recipe
Gluten Free Apple Crumble Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup cold butter
- 2 cups gluten free flour blend * see note
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- dash salt
- 1 egg
- 5 medium sized apples * see note
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Peel apples and dice into small pieces. Place the diced apples in a bowl.
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg over the apples.
- In a large bowl, combine the gluten free flour, baking powder, sugar, and dash salt. Whisk to blend.
- Cut the cold butter into chunks and add to the dry ingredients.
- Use a pastry blender to cut the butter into the flour. There is a photo in the post to show you what this crust mixture will look like.
- In a small bowl, scramble the egg with the water. Add to the crust mixture.
- Take a greased 8x8 baking pan and pour ⅔ of the crust mixture into the pan. Use your fingers or a large spoon to press the mixture flat to cover the bottom.
- Pour the apple mixture over the bottom crust.
- Add the remaining crust mixture to the top and spread out lightly to keep the crumbled shape.
- Bake at 350º F for 20-25 minutes until done.
- Top with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce
Notes
- I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure and Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour. Other flours should also work well.
- If you would like this recipe to be dairy-free, use vegan butter.
- If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain Xanthan Gum or Guar Gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
- These cookies will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, or up to 4 months in the freezer.
Nutrition
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joan
Since I never received an answer to my comment, I made it my way.
I did use almond flour but I used an 8x8" dish. (added golden raisins and chopped walnuts mixed in with the apples) It turned out really good and was enjoyed by all.
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Joan, if you scroll through the comments, I did respond. Did you check the box for an email notification when I responded? Either way, I am really glad you were able to adapt the recipe and that you enjoyed it :-).
joan
Can I use almond four and a springform pan? Looking forward to your reply.
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Joan. Do you mean using only almond flour? You would need something to hold it all together. Let me know what you are planning and I can try to help.
Liz
My husband loooves apple crumbles and I'll eat anything with apples haha. This will be a great way to get our 9 year old to eat more fruit, too! Thanks for the recipe!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you are making this. It is really delicious!
wilhelmina
This is so yummy! I made it for my family and we all loved it. I can't wait to make another batch!
Sandi Gaertner
You made my day. I am so glad everyone liked it.