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A close-up of golden brown Nutty Fruit Crumble Bars cut into squares, showing the oat topping and fruit filling.
Emily Carter

Nutty Fruit Crumble Bars

Easy and budget-friendly, these crumble bars feature a hearty oat and nut crust with a sweet fruit filling, perfect for a snack or dessert.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons wheat germ
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • ⅓ cup chopped nuts such as almonds or walnuts
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 cups apple butter or fruit preserves

Equipment

  • 1 9x9 inch baking pan
  • 1 food processor
  • 1 Parchment paper
  • 1 mixing spoon
  • 1 wire rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x9 inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
  2. In a food processor, combine the old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, wheat germ, baking soda, melted butter, chopped nuts, and honey.
  3. Pulse until the mixture is well combined and the oats and nuts are broken down into small, crumbly pieces.
  4. Press about 3/4 of the oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
  5. Spread the apple butter or fruit preserves over the pressed crust layer, leaving a small border around the edges.
  6. Crumble the remaining 1/4 of the oat mixture evenly over the fruit filling.
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  8. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang.
  9. Cut into 16 squares.

Notes

For an even richer flavor, you can lightly toast the chopped nuts before adding them to the food processor mixture.
If you don't have a food processor, you can combine the dry ingredients and nuts by hand, then cut in the cold butter with a pastry blender or your fingers until crumbly. Stir in the honey.