Best Apple Pie Bars

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Apple Pie Bars combine the beloved flavors of traditional apple pie with the ease of a bar dessert. The crust is buttery and flaky, the filling is bursting with cinnamon-spiced apples, and the streusel topping adds the perfect crunchy finish. Unlike pie, these bars are fuss-free—no rolling dough or lattice work required—and are easy to slice and serve. They’re ideal for holiday parties, potlucks, or cozy nights in.

Ingredients

For the crust and topping:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted

For the apple filling:

• 5 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

2. Make the Crust:

   • In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

   • Stir in the melted butter until mixture is crumbly.

   • Press about two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.

3. Prepare the Apple Filling:

   • In a separate bowl, toss the sliced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and flour until evenly coated.

4. Assemble the Bars:

   • Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust.

   • Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the apples as a topping.

5. Bake:

   • Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.

6. Cool and Serve:

   • Allow bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing.

   • Serve plain or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 16 bars

• Prep time: 20 minutes

• Cook time: 50-60 minutes

• Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Variations

• Add Nuts: Mix chopped walnuts or pecans into the crumb topping for extra crunch.

• Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle caramel sauce over the bars before serving for a rich addition.

• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the apple filling for deeper flavor.

• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.

• Mini Bars: Bake in mini muffin tins for individual servings perfect for parties.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store apple pie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

• Freezing: Freeze bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

• Reheating: Warm bars in the microwave or oven before serving to enhance the flavors and soften the apples.

FAQs

Can I use canned apples instead of fresh?

Fresh apples give the best texture and flavor, but you can use canned sliced apples drained well. Adjust baking time as needed.

What type of apples are best for these bars?

Firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold up well during baking and provide a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.

Can I prepare these bars ahead of time?

Yes, they can be made a day in advance and stored covered at room temperature or in the fridge.

How do I prevent the crust from becoming soggy?

Make sure to spread the apples evenly and press the crust firmly to help keep the bars stable.

Can I make these bars dairy-free?

Use dairy-free butter substitutes to make the recipe dairy-free.

Can I substitute brown sugar with white sugar?

Brown sugar adds moisture and depth of flavor, but you can use white sugar if needed.

Can I add raisins or dried cranberries to the filling?

Yes, dried fruit adds a nice chewy texture and sweetness—add about 1/2 cup to the filling.

How do I get a crumbly topping?

Don’t overmix the crumb topping—mix just until combined for a tender, crumbly texture.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, simply double the ingredients and bake in two pans or a larger pan, adjusting baking time.

How thick should the crust and topping layers be?

Aim for about two-thirds of the crumb mixture as crust and one-third as topping for the perfect balance.

Conclusion

Best Apple Pie Bars bring the classic flavors of apple pie into a simple, convenient dessert perfect for any occasion. With a buttery crust, spiced apple filling, and crumbly topping, these bars are comforting, delicious, and easy to share. Whether for a holiday feast or an everyday treat, these bars offer a slice of apple pie happiness without the fuss of traditional pie making. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature, and savor the taste of fall in every bite!

Best Apple Pie Bars

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• Author: Alice
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Best Apple Pie Bars capture the warm, comforting flavors of classic apple pie in a convenient, sliceable form. With a tender buttery crust, cinnamon-spiced apple filling, and a crumbly streusel topping, these bars are perfect for gatherings, snacks, or festive desserts. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, they bring apple pie joy without the hassle of rolling dough.

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Ingredients

For the crust and topping:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted

For the apple filling:

• 5 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

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Instructions

• Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

• Make the Crust: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in melted butter until crumbly. Press about two-thirds of mixture firmly into the bottom of prepared pan.

• Prepare the Apple Filling: Toss sliced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and flour until evenly coated.

• Assemble Bars: Spread apple mixture evenly over crust. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over apples.

• Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, until topping is golden and apples are tender.

• Cool and Serve: Allow to cool completely in pan on wire rack before slicing. Serve plain or with vanilla ice cream.

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Notes

Add chopped walnuts or pecans to crumb topping for extra crunch.Drizzle caramel sauce over bars before serving for extra indulgence.Add ground cloves or ginger to apple filling for spiced flavor.Use gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.Make mini bars using muffin tins for party servings.Store bars in airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate up to a week.Freeze wrapped bars for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in fridge.Warm bars before serving to enhance flavor and soften apples.