Apple Bars with Cheerios

5 from 5 votes. Tap stars to vote

Apples and spice make sweet bars that are perfect in fall or any time of year. These Apple Bars have a base and topping made with Cheerios.

Prep Time30

Cook Time55

Total Time1 25

Course: Brownies/Bars, Dessert, Fall Dessert, Fruit Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 330kcal

3 cups Cheerios cereal, divided
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon (If using Apple-Cinnamon or Pumpkin Spice Cheerios, you can omit this.)
¼ teaspoon baking soda
⅛ teaspoon salt
½ cup melted butter, unsalted

Peel and core the apples, then cut them into chunks.
Combine the chopped apples with the ½ cup of brown sugar, boiled cider, nutmeg, ground cloves, and cinnamon in a large saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer the apples, stirring them often, for about 13 minutes, until they're soft and the mixture is very thick.
Remove the pan from the heat and hold it aside.

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and spray the paper with nonstick cooking spray.
Stir together 2½ cups of the Cheerios, the flour, ½ cup of brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Pour in the melted butter and mix until the ingredients are moistened and thoroughly combined.
Set aside ½ cup of the mixture.
Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Press this mixture down firmly and evenly.
Bake the base for 18 minutes until the crust is lightly browned. Remove the pan from the oven.

Spread the apple mixture evenly over the top of the crust.
Sprinkle the base mixture you set aside over the apple layer. Then, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of Cheerios over the top as well. Lightly press these toppings into the apple layer.
Return the pan to oven. Bake for an additional 30 minutes, until the top is lightly browned. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack.
Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting.

Once the bars are completely cool, lift them from the pan by pulling up the edges of the parchment paper. Use a sharp knife to cut them into 9 bars.

Transfer the apple bars to a plate or storage container and cover them tightly. Store the bars in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Try other flavors of Cheerios in these bars if you'd like, such as seasonal Pumpkin Spice, Apple-Cinnamon, Honey Nut, Maple, Vanilla Spice, or Frosted.
Press the base mixture very firmly into the pan, so that it holds together well once it's baked.