Easy Apple Pie Bars
Buttery crumble base and topping filled with a thick layer of apple pie filling makes the perfect bite.
‘Tis the season of apple pie! Comforting spices, layers of thinly sliced tender apples, and buttery pastry – it’s a perfect fall treat. But let’s be honest, pie can be a lot to make from scratch. Our easy Apple Pie Bars give you all the benefits of apple pie without all the work. Just a quick crumble and easy apple pie filling packed into a square baking pan.
This is a great dessert for sharing. So whether you’re hosting the next holiday dinner or heading to a seasonal potluck – we promise this dessert is a winner!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
Tastes just like apple pie!
Packed with layers of cinnamon apples.
Perfect for sharing.
Top tips for making the best apple pie bars:
Leave some parchment overhanging. For easy lifting and removal, we like to line our pan with parchment paper and leave some overhanging the edges. The excess acts as little paper handles you can use to lift the crumble bars out of the pan.
Really pack down the base. For the best structural integrity (since it’s a fairly weighty dessert) be sure you really pack down the crumble base. We like to use the back of a measuring cup or offset spatula to press it down and into the corners and edges.
Pack in as many apples as possible. This recipe calls for a LOT of apples; in fact a majority of the thickness comes from the apple filling. So really don’t be afraid to pack down the apples.
Allow to cool before slicing. This recipes NEEDS to cool before you slice into squares or bars. The cooling is what helps the berry layer solidify so you don’t have a soupy mess.
How to make Apple Pie Bars:
Prep Time: 20 Min | Cook Time: 1 Hr | Total Time: 1 Hr 20 Min
Makes: 16 Servings
Ingredients
Apple Pie Filling
650 g (4-5) granny smith apples, thinly sliced
½ lemon, juiced
15 g (2 tbsp) whole wheat flour
50 g (¼ cup) brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground cloves
pinch kosher salt
Crumble Topping & Base:
240 g (2 cups) whole wheat flour
100 g (½ cup) brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
50 g (½ cup) oats
170 g (¾ cup) dairy-free butter
(optional) coarse sugar, for topping
Instructions
Heat the oven to 350°F
Prepare Apple Filling
Make apple filling in a large bowl by combining the sliced apples, lemon juice, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, spices and salt. Using your hands mix until all the apples are coated in the spiced sugar mixture. Set aside.
Prepare Crumble Base
In another large bowl mix together the whole wheat flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and oats.
Cut in the butter using a pastry blender and/or your hands to massage the butter into the flour mixture.
Prepare Apple Pie Bars
Line an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper.
Press ⅔ of the crumble mixture into the pan with an offset spatula.
Layer in the apples and press firmly down. You want the apples firmly packed into the bars – fit in as many as you can.
Top with the remaining crumble mixture then sprinkle with coarse sugar.
Bake for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown.
Allow to cool completely before slicing into 16 even squares.
Ingredient Notes:
Granny Smith Apples – Our go-to apples for pie because they hold their shape and the tart flavour helps to balance out the sweetness.
Whole Wheat Flour – This recipe was developed around whole wheat flour so substituting other flours can be difficult. If you want to include some all-purpose flour I recommend swapping no more than half.
Spices – This recipe calls for cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. You can leave any out or adjust the ratios if you don’t love the flavour.