I absolutely love how this Apple Pie Bars Recipe brings all the cozy, comforting flavors of classic apple pie into a much easier, portable bar form. Whether you’re prepping for a family gathering or just need a quick after-dinner treat that doesn’t require slicing a whole pie, these bars are perfect. You get that perfect balance of sweet, cinnamon-spiced apples nestled between buttery, crumbly layers that I swear, everyone keeps asking for more.
When I first tried these apple pie bars, I was blown away by how simple the process was, especially compared to making a traditional pie. Plus, they bake up evenly, making slicing a breeze without the mess of pie filling oozing everywhere. If you’re on the lookout for a tried-and-true Apple Pie Bars Recipe that feels like fall in every bite, this one’s a total winner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: You don’t need any fancy baking techniques or special equipment to whip these up.
- Perfect Portion Control: Bars mean no messy slices, just grab and go, great for lunchboxes or parties.
- Crowd Pleaser: My family goes crazy for these, especially when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Flexible Ingredients: You can swap the thickener or tweak spices to suit your tastes without losing that classic apple pie vibe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the right ingredients together is key to making the best Apple Pie Bars Recipe. I love using crisp, tart apples for the filling, but any baking apple will do, and the combo of cinnamon and nutmeg gives it that iconic warm flavor.
- Apples: Choose a firm variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and tartness.
- Granulated Sugar: Needed for sweetness in both the filling and crumb layers.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is for the crust and a little in the filling – makes everything hold together nicely.
- Lemon Juice: A splash to keep the apples from browning and add freshness.
- Ground Cinnamon: The star spice in any apple pie flavor, adding warmth.
- Ground Nutmeg: Just a pinch for a subtle spice depth.
- Unsalted Butter: Cold and cubed, it’s what gives the crust that perfect crumbly texture.
Variations
I love tweaking this Apple Pie Bars Recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand. Don’t hesitate to switch things up—you’ll find that small changes can make this recipe your own.
- Use Cornstarch Instead of Flour: I discovered this trick to make the filling a bit clearer and less dense—plus, it sets up beautifully.
- Add Chopped Nuts: Walnuts or pecans sprinkled in the crumble topping add a lovely crunch that my family really enjoys.
- Dairy-Free Butter Substitute: For a vegan twist, I’ve swapped out butter for a coconut oil blend and loved how flaky the crust turned out.
- Spice Mix: Try adding a little ground ginger or cardamom if you want a more festive, complex flavor.
How to Make Apple Pie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Apples
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). Next, grease your 8-inch square baking dish and line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over by about 2 inches. This overhang is a total game-changer when it comes time to lift the bars out without wrecking the edges. Peel, core, and chop your apples into small cubes, then toss them in a bowl with lemon juice, sugar, flour (or cornstarch if you prefer), cinnamon, and nutmeg. I like to let this sit while I’m working on the crust — it helps the flavors meld.
Step 2: Make the Crust and Crumble Mixture
In a large bowl, combine your flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Adding the cold, cubed butter on top, cover it with some of the flour mixture so you don’t get butter stuck to your fingers. Then, using either two forks, a pastry blender, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the texture resembles coarse crumbs. I usually find a pastry blender the easiest for this, but sometimes I just get in there with my hands — it feels more intuitive.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake Your Apple Pie Bars
Press about two-thirds of the crumb mixture evenly into your parchment-lined pan. You can lightly flour your spoon or your hands to keep the dough from sticking — trust me, it helps! Next, layer your apple mixture over the crust, and then crumble the remaining dough on top. I like to leave some larger crumbles in the topping, which gives a nicer texture and a rustic look once baked. Bake for about 55 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crispy. Let the bars cool completely before slicing, which can take 1 to 1 ½ hours at room temperature, or speed things up by placing them in the freezer.
Pro Tips for Making Apple Pie Bars Recipe
- Chill the Butter: Make sure your butter is really cold to get that perfect crumbly texture, rather than greasy or dense.
- Don’t Overmix the Crust: Mixing just until the butter is cut in helps keep the layers tender and flaky.
- Use a Sharp Knife for Slicing: After the bars cool completely, a sharp, sturdy knife helps you get clean squares without squashing the crumble.
- Allow Full Cooling: Cutting too soon can cause the filling to spill; patience here means prettier bars and less mess.
How to Serve Apple Pie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
I love adding a dusting of powdered sugar over the bars just before serving for that extra touch of sweetness and presentation. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce takes these bars to another level — it’s become a family favorite way to enjoy them!
Side Dishes
These apple pie bars pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or my go-to chai tea latte for a cozy afternoon break. I’ve also served them alongside a simple whipped cream or even some spiced whipped mascarpone for special occasions.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive get-together, I’ve arranged the bars on a rustic wooden board with small ramekins of caramel dip, chopped nuts, and fresh apple slices. Guests love personalizing their bites! You could also serve smaller, bite-sized squares on skewers for an easy party finger food.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep any leftover apple pie bars in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh and tasty for about four days — perfect for snacking without any effort.
Freezing
These bars freeze wonderfully. I like to cut them first, wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. That way, I can take out just what I need without thawing the whole batch. They keep up to three months in the freezer.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop a bar in the microwave for about 20–30 seconds or warm it in a 350°F oven wrapped in foil for 10 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked warmth. Adding a scoop of ice cream right after melting is my favorite indulgent way to enjoy leftovers.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen apples for the Apple Pie Bars Recipe?
Frozen apples release more moisture, which can make the bars soggy. If you must use frozen, thaw and drain off excess liquid before adding the filling ingredients to avoid this problem.
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What is the best type of apple to use?
I prefer tart, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp because they hold their shape during baking and provide the right balance of sweet and tart flavor.
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Can I make the Apple Pie Bars Recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup, and use a gluten-free thickener like cornstarch in the filling for the best results.
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How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy?
Make sure you toss the apples well with the flour or cornstarch and lemon juice to absorb excess moisture. Also, spreading the crust evenly and letting the bars cool fully before slicing helps keep that lovely texture intact.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Pie Bars Recipe is one of those gems that never gets old in my kitchen. It’s perfect for busy days when you want that nostalgic apple pie flavor without all the fuss. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these bars as much as I do—they’re sure to become a new family favorite! So grab those apples, preheat your oven, and let’s get baking.
Print
Apple Pie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Apple Pie Bars featuring a tender buttery crust, a spiced apple filling, and crunchy crumble topping. Perfect for a dessert or snack, these bars blend warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavors with fresh apples in a convenient square pan format.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 550 g (4 and ½ cups – 4 medium apples) chopped cubed apples
- 30 g (2 tablespoons) granulated sugar
- 25 g (2 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon) all-purpose flour* (or 1 tablespoon cornstarch as substitute)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Crust & Crumbles
- 280 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour (dip and sweep method recommended)
- 185 g (¾ cup and 1 tablespoon) unsalted butter, cut into small cold cubes
- 105 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease an 8 inch (20 cm) square oven-proof dish and line the bottom and sides with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches (5 cm) of overhang on each side to help lift out the bars later.
- Prepare Apple Filling: Peel, core, and chop the apples into small pieces. In a medium bowl, toss the chopped apples with lemon juice, sugar, flour (or cornstarch), cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly coated. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Make Crust & Crumbles: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and granulated sugar. Add the cold cubed butter and work it into the flour mixture by cutting it in with two forks, a pastry blender, or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Assemble Bars: Spread two-thirds of the crumble mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan, lightly flouring your spoon or hands to prevent sticking. Spread the apple filling evenly over this base layer. Finally, sprinkle the remaining one-third of the crumble mixture on top, pressing some down lightly and leaving some pieces larger for a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the assembled pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the crumble is crunchy.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature for about 1 to 1.5 hours. To speed cooling, you can place them in the freezer after room temperature cooldown. Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars from the pan and cut into 16 pieces.
- Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months for longer preservation.
Notes
- You can substitute 1 tablespoon of cornstarch for the 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon of all-purpose flour in the apple filling for a slightly different texture.
- The dip and sweep method for measuring flour helps prevent over-packing and results in more accurate flour quantities.
- For best results, use cold unsalted butter and work quickly to keep the dough crumbly and flaky.
- The nutritional information is an estimate from an online nutrition calculator and may vary depending on ingredient brands and exact measurements.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 205 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
