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 lookout for easy zucchini recipes! These Zapple Crumble Bars are so much fun because no one 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 serve them, they will disappear quickly!
Jump to:
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 it 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
Excellent question! Zapple is a fun name given to zucchini that is used in place of apples in a recipe.
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.
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, is 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 would need to scrape the seeds out first.
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
Ingredients
Crust and Topping:
- 3 Cups Flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ¾ Cup Sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 Cup Butter
Filling:
- 6 Cups peeled thinly sliced Zucchini strips (see note)
- ½ teaspoon Lemon Juice
- ½ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 3 teaspoon Flour
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine the flour, salt, sugar, and cinnamon 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 it 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 lemon juice. Then toss with the brown sugar, cinnamon and flour. 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.
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.
Kathi
Easy, delicious and a good way to use up zucchini or yellow squash.
L.s.
This is SUPER delicious!!! But be watchful or you will be addicted.