These apple pie bars combine all the beloved flavors of classic apple pie in a convenient, handheld form. Featuring a buttery shortbread crust, spiced apple filling, and golden crumb topping, these bars deliver the same comforting taste with much less effort than traditional pie. Perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or when you’re craving apple pie without the fuss of rolling pastry.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hour 10 mins
Servings: 16 bars
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2-3 tablespoons ice water
For the Apple Filling:
- 6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced (about 6 cups)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced
For the Crumb Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons whole milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment with butter or cooking spray.
- Make the crust. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work it in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining.
- Bind the crust dough. Stir in egg yolk, then gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough just comes together when pressed. Don’t overmix or add too much water.
- Press and pre-bake the crust. Transfer dough to the prepared pan and press firmly into an even layer using your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup. Prick all over with a fork to prevent puffing. Bake for 18-20 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but center is still pale.
- Prepare the apple filling. While crust bakes, combine diced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in a large bowl. Toss until apples are evenly coated. Stir in lemon juice and vanilla extract.
- Make the crumb topping. In a medium bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and salt. Add cold butter cubes and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to create a coarse, crumbly mixture with various-sized pieces.
- Assemble the bars. Remove the partially baked crust from oven. Spread the seasoned apple mixture evenly over the hot crust, then dot with small pieces of butter. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apples, covering completely.
- Bake to golden perfection. Return to oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the crumb topping is golden brown and you can see the apple juices bubbling around the edges. The apples should be tender when pierced with a knife.
- Cool completely. Allow apple pie bars to cool completely in the pan for at least 2 hours before cutting. This prevents the filling from being too liquidy and ensures clean cuts.
- Add glaze and serve. If using glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bars before cutting into 16 squares using the parchment overhang to lift from pan.
Tips for Success
Choose the right apples. Granny Smith apples hold their shape well and provide the perfect tart contrast to the sweet crust and topping. Honeycrisp or Braeburn apples also work excellently.
Dice apples uniformly. Cut apple pieces to roughly ½-inch cubes for even cooking. Pieces that are too large won’t cook through, while pieces too small will turn mushy.
Don’t skip the cooling time. These bars need to cool completely for the filling to set properly. Cutting too early results in messy, runny squares.
Prevent soggy bottoms. Pre-baking the crust creates a barrier that prevents the apple juices from making the bottom soggy. Look for light golden edges before adding the filling.
Test for doneness. The bars are ready when the crumb topping is golden brown and you can easily pierce the apples with a knife. The juices should be bubbling and slightly thickened.
Recipe Variations
Caramel Apple Bars: Drizzle ¼ cup caramel sauce over the apple layer before adding the crumb topping. Add another drizzle after cooling for extra indulgence.
Maple Pecan Twist: Replace ½ cup of the crumb topping flour with chopped pecans and add 2 tablespoons maple syrup to the apple mixture.
Cranberry Addition: Fold ½ cup dried cranberries into the apple filling for a tart-sweet contrast and beautiful color.
Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in all components. The texture will be slightly different but equally delicious.
Individual Portions: Use a standard muffin tin to create individual apple pie bar cups. Reduce baking time to 20-25 minutes total.
Storage Instructions
Room Temperature: Store covered apple pie bars at room temperature for up to 3 days. The crust stays crispest when not refrigerated immediately.
Refrigerator Storage: For longer storage, cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture, or warm briefly in a 300°F oven.
Freezer Storage: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 2 hours before serving.
Make-Ahead Tips: These bars actually improve in flavor after sitting overnight, making them perfect for advance preparation for gatherings.
Nutritional Highlights
Each apple pie bar provides natural fiber from apples and oats, along with essential nutrients like vitamin C and potassium. The combination of complex carbohydrates from the oats and fruit makes these bars more satisfying than many traditional desserts. Each serving contains approximately 280-320 calories, depending on whether you include the optional glaze.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve apple pie bars at room temperature or slightly warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert experience. They pair beautifully with coffee, spiced tea, or warm apple cider. For special occasions, dust with cinnamon sugar or serve alongside whipped cream flavored with a touch of maple syrup.
These apple pie bars deliver all the comfort and flavor of traditional apple pie in a format that’s perfect for sharing. The combination of textures from the tender crust, spiced apples, and crunchy topping creates an irresistible treat that’s sure to become a household favorite. Try the variations to customize the flavors for different seasons and occasions.
