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+ servings
apple pie bars stacked
4.34 from 3 votes

Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Homemade apple pie bars with a buttery sugar cookie crust, spiced green apple filling, and crumble topping. Easier than apple pie!
Prep 15 minutes
Cook 1 hour
Total 2 hours 30 minutes
Fat 27
Carbs 41
Protein 9
Yield 12

Ingredients

Crust

Apple Filling

Crumble Topping

  • 2/3 cup rolled oats
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray an 8x8-inch baking dish with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Set aside.

Make the Crust

  • Place all of the crust ingredients into a large bowl. Use a spatula (or your hands) and stir together until a crumbly mixture forms that can hold its form.
    Apple pie bars with oats, oat bran, cinnamon and apples elegantly displayed on a cutting board.
  • Transfer the crust mixture into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to flatten the crust mixture evenly into the pan. The more tightly packed the mixture, the better.
  • Bake until golden brown, about 15-17 minutes. Keep the oven on while you make the filling.

Make the Apple Filling

  • While the crust is baking, make the apple filling. Begin by cooking down the apples. Placing all of the filling ingredients into a medium-size pot set over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil.
    Sliced apples arranged in a white bowl, perfect for making apple pie bars.
  • Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer until the filling has reduced and thickened, about 7-9 minutes.* Stir every so often.
  • Remove the pot from the heat. Use a fork to mash the apples so that the filling is a combination of apple mash and apple chunks.
  • Pour the apple filling over the baked crust. Use a spatula to evenly spread it out. Set aside.
    An apple pie bar baked on a baking pan, served with a spatula.

Make the Crumble Topping

  • Place all of the ingredients for the crumble topping into a medium bowl. Use a fork (or pastry blender) to cut in the ingredients until a crumble forms.
  • Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping on top of the apple filling.
  • Bake until the crumble topping is golden brown, about 26-28 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool for 10-15 minutes. Transfer the bars to the refrigerator and chill for at least an hour before slicing and serving.
    Apple crisp bars with granola and pecans, resembling apple pie bars, displayed on a cutting board.

Tips & Notes

  • Storage: Store any leftover pie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing Instructions: Once fully cooled, cut the pan of bars into squares, place in a single layer on a baking sheet, and freeze until fully frozen. Remove the bars from the freezer, wrap individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn, and place into freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, transfer frozen bars to the refrigerator to thaw, then enjoy cold or warm up the bars prior to serving.
  • Filling: If the filling isn't thickening easily, add 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch. 

Watch it

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1/12 | Calories: 435kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 27g | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 22g