Zapple Crumble Bars

Zapple crumble bars are a unique and delicious way to sneak zucchini into a dessert! This easy zucchini recipe will fool all who eat it. Try it and see! 

I am always on the look out for easy zucchini recipes!  These Zapple Crumble Bars are so much fun because no would ever guess that these dessert bars are filled with zucchini instead of apples.  You honestly can't tell.  These are fantastic served hot topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cold with whipped cream.  No matter how you served them, they will disappear quickly!

How to make this sneaky zucchini recipe:

• Combine the ingredients for the crumb crust/topping in a food processor.  Pulse until crumbly.
• Press half the crumbs in the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking dish.
• Peel the zucchini, slice in half and then into strips.  Thinly slice each zucchini strip into pieces.  They should resemble thinly sliced apple pieces.
• In a microwave safe bowl, toss the zucchini slices with the other filling ingredients, cover with saran wrap and microwave on high for 4 minutes.
• Pour over the crust.
• Crumble the remaining crust crumbs over the top of the zucchini filling.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.  The crumb top should just be starting to brown a little.
• Cool at least slightly before serving with ice cream or cool completely and serve later.

Frequently asked questions:

What is a "zapple"?

Excellent question!  Zapple is a fun name given to zucchini that is used in place of apples in a recipe.

What are crumble bars?

Crumble bars are a dessert with a crumb crust, some sort of fruit filling, or in this case a faux apple filling, and a crumb topping.  They are using served cold as a bar or hot with a scoop of ice cream.

Are large zucchini good to use for this recipe?

Not really.  For this recipe it is better to use smaller zucchini.  Small zucchini have a softer texture and milder flavor.  The biggest difference however are the seeds.  In small zucchini the seeds are still soft and just blend in.  You won't even know they are there.  If you were to use a large zucchini for this recipe you will need to scrape the seeds out first.

Should I salt the zucchini before using it?

Not for this recipe.  A lot of zucchini bread recipes instruct you to sprinkle the grated zucchini with some salt to draw out the extra moisture.  You don't need to do that with this recipe.

Since zucchini grows and multiplies at an unbelievable rate I like to have a variety of zucchini recipes that my family likes.  My most popular zucchini recipe is for my Chocolate Zucchini Bread.  It's so moist and chocolaty!  We also love this Banana Zucchini Bread!  I also use this Garden Vegetable Soup recipe this time of year because it uses other produce from my garden, too, which is a plus.  And don't forget to try my Zucchini Bread Pancakes!!!

Zapple Crumble Bars Recipe

★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews

• Author: Mindee
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 15 Bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

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Description

Zapple crumble bars are a unique and delicious way to sneak zucchini into a dessert! This easy zucchini recipe will fool all who eat it. Try it and see!

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Crust and Topping:

• 3 cups Flour
• 1 tsp Salt
• ¾ cup Sugar
• 1 ½ tsp Cinnamon
• 1 cup Butter

Filling:

• 6 cups peeled, thinly sliced Zucchini strips (see note)
• ½ tsp Lemon Juice
• ½ cup Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 3 tsp Flour

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine the flour, salt, sugar and cinnamon for the crumb crust/topping in a food processor.  Pulse until crumbly.
3. Press half the crumbs in the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking dish.
4. Peel the zucchini, slice in half and then into strips.  Thinly slice each zucchini strip into pieces.  They should resemble thinly sliced apple pieces.
5. In a microwave safe bowl, toss the zucchini slices with the lemon juice.  Then toss with the brown sugar, cinnamon and flour. Cover with saran wrap and microwave on high for 4 minutes.
6. Pour over the crust.
7. Crumble the remaining crust crumbs over the top of the zucchini filling.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.  The crumb top should just be starting to brown a little.
9. Cool at least slightly before serving with ice cream or cool completely and serve later.

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Notes

• Important Note:  Smaller zucchini are best for this recipe because the seeds are small.  If you use a large zucchini you will need to scrap out the seeds first.

Keywords: zucchini, apple crumble bars, apple pie

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