Wholesome & Easy Apple Butter Crumble Bars: Your Perfect Fall Treat (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

Whip up these delightful Apple Butter Crumble Bars, crafted with a mere 6 whole food ingredients. An ideal choice for a grab-and-go breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a guilt-free healthy dessert.

Can you believe how quickly August disappeared, friends? It feels like just yesterday we were basking in the height of summer, and now, almost in the blink of an eye, we’re hurtling headfirst into the crisp embrace of autumn. This rapid shift, a sensation of time both dragging and flying by, often mirrors the transformative journey we’re all on. Just recently, I playfully teased M when I noticed his calendar still stuck on “April.” Yet, that five-month gap in page-turning perfectly encapsulates the whirlwind of 2025 so far – a slow beginning, now accelerating into the beautiful, vibrant colors of Fall.

This past month brought new adventures and shifts in perspective. We introduced Flora, our beloved furry companion, to the beach for the very first time. It was a surprising experience; initially, she was quite intimidated by the majestic roar of the tide and the relentless way the waves threatened to dampen her tiny paws. The ocean played a game of chase, pushing her back and forth, until finally, on our last day, a spark of bravery ignited within her. She ventured into the salty water, a small but significant step. We cheered her on, our hearts swelling with pride, watching this tiny creature stand resiliently against the vast, powerful ocean. It’s a poignant reminder, isn’t it? We are all just small drops in a boundless ocean, yet, like Flora, we possess the incredible capacity to overcome challenges and achieve remarkable things.

Speaking of tackling “hard things,” this month also marked another immersive weekend of my 300-hour YTT (Yoga Teacher Training) program. This particular session introduced us to the art of cueing a mandala-style vinyasa class, a practice that encourages students to gracefully rotate on their mats. The back of the mat transforms into the front, and vice versa, creating a dynamic flow that constantly shifts your direction and perspective. This fascinating shift encourages a “beginner’s mindset” – approaching each experience as a fresh start, free from preconceived notions, allowing for genuine growth and discovery.

And that, truly, is what Fall embodies for me. It’s more than just a season; it’s a profound feeling of renewal. It’s an invitation for a fresh start, a golden opportunity to establish new routines, to set harmonious rhythms, and to embrace growth, learning, and positive change. As the days grow shorter and the air crisper, my kitchen becomes a sanctuary for beloved seasonal favorites. The aroma of cinnamon and apples fills the air, and at the top of that list are these incredibly comforting and wholesome Apple Butter Crumble Bars.

These easy-to-make Apple Butter Crumble Bars are a testament to simplicity and natural goodness. Crafted with just six thoughtfully selected whole food ingredients, they are a wonderfully versatile addition to your culinary repertoire. Whether you need a quick, energizing breakfast to kickstart your day, a satisfying pick-me-up snack, or a truly healthy dessert that tastes indulgent, these bars fit the bill perfectly. They’re not just delicious; they’re made with ingredients you can feel good about, free from refined sugars and artificial additives. Let’s dive into how you can bring this taste of autumn into your home.

Essential Ingredients for Wholesome Apple Butter Crumble Bars

Creating these delightful Apple Butter Crumble Bars requires a minimal list of wholesome, readily available ingredients. We’re focusing on simplicity and natural flavors to ensure a truly nutritious and satisfying treat. Here’s everything you’ll need to gather:

• Oat Flour: Provides a naturally gluten-free base for the crust, adding a subtle nutty flavor and wholesome texture. It’s a great alternative to traditional wheat flour for those with sensitivities.
• Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: These oats are crucial for the signature crumble texture and add essential fiber, making the bars incredibly satisfying and providing sustained energy. They also contribute to the rustic, comforting feel of the bars.
• Eden Foods Organic Brown Rice Flakes: A fantastic addition that enhances the crumble’s texture with a delicate crispness. These flakes are a versatile pantry staple, offering an extra layer of whole grain goodness and a subtle, satisfying chew.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Our natural sweetener of choice, offering a rich, warm flavor that beautifully complements the apple butter, creating a harmonious taste profile without any refined sugars. Its liquid form also helps bind the crumble together.
• Coconut Oil: Binds the crust and crumble together, contributing to a wonderfully tender texture and a hint of tropical aroma. When melted, it perfectly coats the dry ingredients, ensuring a cohesive dough.
• Eden Foods Apple Cherry Butter: The vibrant star of our filling! This organic fruit butter provides a delightful sweet-tart flavor with no added sugars, making it the perfect single-ingredient filling for these wholesome bars. Its natural pectin helps it set beautifully.

That’s truly it! Just six simple, whole food ingredients come together to create these incredibly flavorful and healthy crumble bars. No complex components or hard-to-find items, just pure, wholesome goodness that you can feel great about enjoying and sharing.

Crafting Your Apple Butter Crumble Bars: A Simple Guide to Perfection

Making these Apple Butter Crumble Bars is a straightforward and enjoyable process that yields incredibly rewarding results. Follow these simple steps to create a batch of delightful, wholesome treats that are perfect for any time of day, embodying the comforting flavors of autumn.

1. Prepare Your Baking Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the optimal temperature for even baking. Next, take an 8-inch x 8-inch baking pan and line it carefully with parchment paper. Allowing the parchment to extend over the sides will create “handles” that make it incredibly easy to lift the entire batch of bars out of the pan once they’re baked and cooled, ensuring clean, intact slices. Alternatively, you can lightly grease the pan with coconut oil if parchment paper isn’t available, but parchment is highly recommended for ease.
2. Mix the Crumble Dough: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine all the dry and wet ingredients designated for both the crust and the topping. Add your oat flour, old-fashioned rolled oats, Eden Foods Organic Brown Rice Flakes, pure maple syrup, and thoroughly melted coconut oil. Stir these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and a cohesive dough forms. The mixture should be moist enough to stick together when gently pressed between two fingers. If your dough appears too dry or crumbly and doesn’t hold its shape, incorporate a small splash of filtered water or unsweetened almond milk, adding one teaspoon at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved. Be careful not to add too much liquid, as this can make the crust soggy.

   A note on Eden Foods Organic Brown Rice Flakes: These aren’t just for crumble bars! They are an excellent pantry staple for a variety of uses, from creating creamy, nourishing breakfast porridge to enriching the texture of baked goods, and even thickening savory soups and stews. Sourced from organic California short grain brown rice, these flakes are gas fire roasted and then delicately rolled, ensuring optimal flavor, digestibility, and a delightful light texture in your recipes.

3. Form the Base: Take approximately two-thirds of the prepared crumble dough mixture. This portion will form the foundational crust of your bars. Press this portion firmly and evenly into the base of your parchment-lined baking dish. Use a spatula, the back of a spoon, or even your clean hands to ensure you create a smooth, compact, and even crust across the bottom of the pan. A uniform base will ensure even baking and a beautiful presentation.
4. Add the Apple Butter Filling: Generously spoon the Eden Foods Apple Cherry Butter directly on top of the prepared crust. Carefully spread the fruit butter into an even layer, extending all the way to the edges of the crust. This vibrant, flavorful layer will become wonderfully saucy, sweet, and perfectly tart during baking, creating a delicious contrast with the oat-based crust.

   

5. Create the Crumble Topping: With your clean hands, gently crumble the remaining one-third of the dough mixture evenly over the apple butter layer. Aim for varied sizes of crumbles to achieve that rustic, irresistible texture that characterizes a perfect crumble bar. Avoid pressing it down; the goal is a loose, airy, and textured topping that will bake up golden and slightly crisp.
6. Bake to Golden Perfection: Carefully transfer the baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake the bars for approximately 30-35 minutes, or until the crumble topping achieves a beautiful golden brown hue and the edges are lightly caramelized. The delightful scent of baked apples, cinnamon, and oats will permeate your kitchen, signaling their readiness. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time to prevent over-browning.
7. Cool Completely: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and place it on a wire rack. This step is crucial for the bars to set properly, allowing the filling to firm up and preventing them from falling apart when sliced. Allow them to cool completely at room temperature, which can take a couple of hours, before attempting to slice them into 9-12 individual bars. Patience here will be rewarded with perfectly clean, neat, and delicious slices!

   

8. Store for Later Enjoyment: These Apple Butter Crumble Bars are excellent for meal prep and store wonderfully. Once completely cooled, transfer the sliced bars to an airtight container. They will maintain their freshness and wonderful flavor in the refrigerator for up to one week, ensuring easy access for quick meals or snacks throughout your busy schedule. For longer-term planning, these bars freeze beautifully. Simply place them in a freezer-safe, airtight container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for several months, ready to be thawed at room temperature or gently reheated whenever a craving strikes.

The Magic of Eden Foods Apple Butter: A Flavorful Filling

The secret to the incredibly luscious, sweet, and perfectly tart filling in these crumble bars lies in the exceptional quality of Eden Foods Organic Apple Cherry Butter Spread. This isn’t just any ordinary fruit spread; it’s a meticulously crafted blend that truly elevates the flavor profile of this entire recipe. It transforms what could be a simple filling into a rich, saucy, and deeply satisfying experience, providing a burst of authentic fruit flavor in every single bite.

What makes this particular fruit spread so special and a standout choice for our crumble bars? It’s the harmonious combination of two premium, organic fruits: Montmorency Tart Cherries and Michigan apples. Montmorency cherries are renowned for their distinct tartness, vibrant ruby-red color, and numerous health benefits. The organic Michigan apples, on the other hand, contribute a delightful natural sweetness and a deeper, more rounded fruit flavor. Together, they create a balanced and complex taste that is both comforting and invigorating. This exquisite blend ensures that the filling is naturally bursting with fruitiness without the need for any added sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, or artificial ingredients.

I am a genuine admirer of all of Eden Foods Fruit Spreads, and for very good reason. Their unwavering commitment to using no added sugar and relying solely on the natural sweetness of real fruit and fruit juice is truly commendable. This dedication to purity means you’re enjoying the true essence of the fruit, undiluted by unnecessary additives. This makes their fruit butters not only incredibly delicious but also a significantly healthier choice for you and your family, aligning perfectly with a whole food, plant-based lifestyle.

Beyond being the star of these crumble bars, the versatility of Eden Foods Apple Cherry Butter is immense. Try spreading it generously on your morning toast or a warm English muffin for a flavorful start to the day. Swirl it into your oatmeal or yogurt for an added layer of fruitiness and natural sweetness, or dollop it onto pancakes or waffles for a gourmet breakfast experience. And, of course, it shines in all your baking endeavors, creating an effortlessly delicious, single-ingredient filling for everything from pies to tarts, muffins, and especially these irresistible apple butter crumble bars. It’s truly a must-have pantry item for healthy and delicious creations.

Optimizing for Meal Prep: Smart Storage Solutions for Freshness

These Apple Butter Crumble Bars are a meal prep dream come true! Their robust structure, fantastic flavor, and ability to hold up well over time make them an ideal candidate for preparing ahead of time. This ensures you have healthy, delicious options ready throughout your busy week, reducing stress and promoting consistent healthy eating habits. I often dedicate a Sunday afternoon to baking a pan, knowing that M and I will have delightful and nourishing bars for breakfast, or satisfying snacks, in the days to come. This simple habit drastically simplifies healthier eating on hectic mornings or when a craving for something sweet but wholesome strikes.

To keep them at their absolute best, once completely cooled, transfer the sliced bars to an airtight container. They will maintain their freshness and wonderful flavor, along with their ideal texture, in the refrigerator for up to one week. This makes them incredibly convenient for grabbing on your way out the door or for a quick bite between meals. For longer-term planning and to always have a healthy option at your fingertips, these bars freeze beautifully. Simply place them in a freezer-safe, airtight container or bag, separating individual layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for several months, ready to be thawed at room temperature for a few hours or gently reheated for that fresh-baked experience whenever a craving strikes.

It’s worth noting a natural characteristic of these bars: after a few days in the refrigerator, the crumble topping might absorb some moisture from the apple butter filling, becoming a little softer. This is a completely natural occurrence and does not in any way compromise the taste, nutritional quality, or enjoyment of the bars. In fact, some might even prefer the slightly softer, more cohesive texture, as it allows the delicious flavors to meld even more harmoniously, creating a deeper, richer profile. So, whether fresh out of the oven, chilled, or reheated from frozen, these bars are always a wholesome delight.

Creative Ways to Serve Your Apple Butter Crumble Bars for Any Occasion

Once your Apple Butter Crumble Bars have cooled completely and been sliced into individual portions (typically 9-12 bars), they are ready to be enjoyed in a multitude of ways. Their versatility makes them suitable for any meal, snack, or dessert occasion, catering to different preferences and cravings throughout the day.