Apple Crunch Bars
Sweet and crunchy apple bars with cinnamon and walnuts, featuring a tender yogurt-based base and a crisp streusel topping, perfect for fall gatherings or teatime treats.
Ingredients
- 2 c. all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 c. brown sugar ⓘ
- 1/4 c. margarine, softened ⓘ
- 1 tsp. baking soda ⓘ
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) carton plain low-fat yogurt ⓘ
- 1 egg ⓘ
- 2 c. peeled, chopped Granny Smith apples ⓘ
- 1/4 c. chopped walnuts ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and softened margarine in a bowl, beating well at medium speed of an electric mixer.
- Reserve 2 cups of the flour mixture and set aside.
- Add baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt to the remaining flour mixture; beat well.
- Add vanilla extract and low-fat yogurt; beat well.
- Stir in the peeled, chopped Granny Smith apples.
- Sprinkle the reserved flour mixture over the apple mixture and press lightly to form a crust.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow to cool before cutting into bars.
- Sprinkle chopped walnuts over the top before serving if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist, try using other tart apples like Honeycrisp or Braeburn instead of Granny Smith. You can substitute the margarine with unsalted butter for a richer flavor. If you want to decrease the sugar, use a sugar substitute or reduce the brown sugar slightly. Ensure your ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing. For added texture, consider mixing in some oats.
Serving Suggestions
These Apple Crunch Bars are delicious on their own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They also make a great accompaniment to a Creative Salad for a light meal. Drizzling with caramel sauce or serving with Best Caramel Frosting can elevate them for dessert. They're perfect for lunchboxes or as a snack with coffee or tea.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Apple Crunch Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week. To reheat, place a bar in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, or warm them in a toaster oven for a few minutes to regain some crispness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Apple Crunch Bars contains roughly 1412 calories, with 22g protein, 228g carbohydrates, and 48g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (242% of the Daily Value), calcium (120% of the Daily Value), and iron (79% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2455mg per serving (107% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that other ingredients, like baking soda and yogurt, are also gluten-free to maintain the integrity of the recipe.
What can I use instead of walnuts?
If you have nut allergies or simply prefer not to use walnuts, you can replace them with sunflower seeds or omit them entirely. You could also try using pecans or sliced almonds for a different flavor and texture.
Can I freeze these bars?
Absolutely! You can freeze Apple Crunch Bars for up to 3 months. Make sure they are fully cooled, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. To enjoy, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).