Can you make apple crumble with oat flour?

Absolutely! Oat flour is a fantastic choice for apple crumble and apple crumble bars. It creates a tender crumb, adds a subtle nutty flavor, and makes the bars gluten-free (as long as your oats and oat flour are certified gluten-free). Oat flour blends beautifully with apples, resulting in a comforting dessert with a wholesome twist.

Can you use oats for apple crumble?

Yes, oats are a classic ingredient for any apple crumble or crumble bars. Old-fashioned rolled oats bring texture and a satisfying crunch to both the base and topping. In this recipe, using oats and oat flour together creates layers that are crisp, chewy, and flavorful—perfect for a classic or modern apple crumble bar.

Can you make oat crumble without flour?

You can! If you want to make a crumble without any flour at all, simply use extra oats in place of the flour. The topping will be more rustic and crunchy, with a pronounced oat flavor. For best results, combine oats with cold butter and brown sugar, and press the mixture together so it holds its shape while baking.

What flour to use for crumble without oats?

If you prefer to skip oats in your crumble, use all-purpose flour or even almond flour for a gluten-free option. Both create a classic crumbly topping that bakes up golden and crisp. For Apple Crumble Bars with Oat Flour, you can substitute the oat flour with all-purpose or a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a slightly different texture, but equally delicious results.

Apple Crumble Bars with Oat Flour – 7 Surprising Reasons

Description

These Apple Crumble Bars with Oat Flour blend the tartness of apples, the nutty flavor of oat flour, and the warmth of cinnamon for a cozy, modern twist on a family classic. Perfect for dessert, snack, or sharing at any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

3 large apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady), peeled, cored, and diced
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 cups oat flour (certified gluten-free if needed)
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
Optional: 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Optional toppings: powdered sugar, caramel sauce, Greek yogurt

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Prepare the apple filling: In a medium bowl, toss diced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine oat flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, remaining cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg if using.
Add cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender, fork, or your fingers to cut the butter into the mixture until coarse crumbs form and the mixture holds together when pressed.
Press about two-thirds of the crumble mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust layer, making sure every corner is covered.
Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly over the apple layer, gently patting it down.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbling through the crumble.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan for easy slicing. Remove using the parchment and cut into squares.
Serve as is, or topped with powdered sugar, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, caramel drizzle, or a dollop of Greek yogurt and cinnamon.

Notes

These bars stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. To freeze, wrap well and store for up to 3 months. For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or swap in your favorite mix of apples. Naturally gluten-free with certified gluten-free oats and oat flour.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 185
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 70mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 15mg