Can I use fresh apricots instead of preserves?

Yes, fresh apricots can be used, but they need to be cooked down with sugar first to create a thick filling similar to preserves.

What type of oats works best?

Rolled oats work best because they provide the ideal chewy texture. Quick oats may become too soft, while steel-cut oats are too firm for this recipe.

Why are my crumble bars falling apart?

This usually happens when the base layer is not pressed firmly enough or when the bars are cut before cooling completely.

Can I make Apricot Oatmeal Crumble Bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use certified gluten-free oats.

Apricot Oatmeal Crumble Bars – Best Easy Recipe

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Apricot Oatmeal Crumble Bars are buttery oat dessert bars layered with sweet apricot preserves and topped with a golden crumbly oat topping. They are easy to make, soft, slightly chewy, and perfect for snacks, desserts, or lunchbox treats.

Author: Emily
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 9 bars 1x
Method: Baking

Ingredients

Scale

1 ½ cups rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup brown sugar
¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup apricot preserves

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
Add melted butter and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and stir until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
Press about two-thirds of the crumble mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan to create the base crust.
Spread the apricot preserves evenly over the crust using a spatula.
Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the apricot layer without pressing it down.
Bake for 30–40 minutes until the topping becomes golden brown and the edges are firm.
Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before lifting from the pan and slicing into squares.

Notes

Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting to prevent the filling from spilling out.
Use thick apricot preserves for the best texture and flavor.
Parchment paper helps remove the bars easily from the baking pan.
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
For extra texture, chopped almonds or walnuts can be added to the crumble topping.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 230 kcal
Sugar: 16 g
Sodium: 120 mg
Fat: 11 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 31 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 3 g
Cholesterol: 25 mg

Find it online: https://recipeshots.com/apricot-oatmeal-crumble-bars/