Easy Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Alright, if you’re craving a cozy, delicious apple treat but want something quicker and easier than a traditional pie, you’re going to love this Easy Apple Pie Bars Recipe. Imagine all the warm spices and tender apples you adore in apple pie, but with a buttery oat topping and no complicated lattice crust. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just need a sweet pick-me-up, these bars come together with minimal fuss and maximum comfort. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become your go-to for fall and beyond!

this …

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each component in this Easy Apple Pie Bars Recipe plays its own role to create a dessert that’s both comforting and crowd-pleasing. I always pick firm Granny Smith apples for their tartness and texture—they hold up beautifully during cooking. And the crumbly oat topping? It’s my secret to adding that cozy homemade vibe without extra effort.

• Granny Smith apples: Their tart flavor balances the sweet brown sugar, and they keep their shape when cooked.
• Brown sugar: Adds deep molasses notes that deepen the apple’s sweetness naturally.
• Cinnamon: A classic spice pairing with apple, providing warmth and aroma.
• Lemon juice: Cuts through the sweetness and prevents the apples from browning.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the apple filling, giving that luscious, creamy consistency you expect in a pie.
• Pie crusts (vegan): Convenient and flaky, making prep easier without sacrificing texture.
• Old-fashioned rolled oats: For a hearty, chewy streusel topping that feels homemade.
• All-purpose flour: Helps bring the streusel topping together for a crisp finish.
• Vegan butter: Provides richness and helps create those golden, lovely clumps in the streusel.
• Neutral oil: Used to coat the pan, ensuring the crust doesn’t stick and bakes evenly.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love most about this Easy Apple Pie Bars Recipe is how flexible it is. Over time, I’ve personalized it depending on what’s in my pantry, and you definitely can too. Want it sweeter, spicier, or nutty? There’s room for your personal twist.

• Add nuts or seeds: I like tossing in chopped walnuts or pecans to my streusel for an extra crunch and a little toasted warmth.
• Spice it up: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or allspice along with the cinnamon for a more complex spice profile.
• Sweetener swap: If you prefer, swap brown sugar for coconut sugar or maple syrup for a different sweetness vibe.
• Crust options: If you’re avoiding store-bought crust, a homemade vegan pie dough or even a crumble base works beautifully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Cook the apples gently for a silky filling

Start by placing your thinly sliced Granny Smith apples into a large pot. Toss them carefully with brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, cornstarch, and half of the water (¼ cup). The key here is to stir gently without breaking the apples up because you want nice slices in your bars, not mush. Cover the pot and let it simmer on medium-low for 5 minutes, which softens the apples without turning them to sauce.

Step 2: Finish the filling to a creamy consistency

Add the remaining ¼ cup of water after the first 5 minutes, stir well to combine, then reduce the heat to low. Cover again and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning. You’ll notice the filling thickens into a beautiful creamy texture that’s not too runny yet not dry—perfect for slicing bars later. Remove from heat and set aside to cool; this cooling step helps the filling set nicely.

Step 3: Prepare your baking dish and crust

Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with neutral oil so the crust doesn’t stick. Lay one of your vegan pie crusts flat inside the dish, trimming off any excess dough along the edges—you can save this extra dough to add to your streusel topping later. Getting this crust layer right gives you a sturdy base that will bake evenly without sogginess.

Step 4: Mix up the oat streusel topping

In a medium bowl, combine rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and diced chilled vegan butter. This step is super fun—use your fingers to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture clumps together. This creates a crumbly, buttery topping that browns to perfection in the oven.

Step 5: Layer and assemble your bars

Spoon the cooled apple filling evenly over the crust. Top it with the second pie crust, trimming the edges again and saving any dough scraps. Dice those scraps and mix them right into your oat streusel to avoid waste and boost the topping’s texture. Spread this oat mixture evenly over the top of the second crust layer—this final touch gives your bars that irresistible golden crunch.

Step 6: Bake and cool for perfect slices

Bake the whole assembly at 350°F (175°C) for about 35 minutes, until the streusel turns golden brown and everything smells like fall heaven. Let the bars cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least an hour—or overnight if you can wait. This chilling step is my must-do because it helps the filling firm up, making those bars much easier to slice cleanly.

How to Serve Easy Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Garnishes

I like topping my apple pie bars with a scoop of creamy vegan vanilla ice cream—it melts just enough into the warm bars to add that dreamy creamy contrast. A drizzle of dairy-free caramel sauce is also a personal favorite if you want to take things up a notch (hey, why not?). If you’re serving them for a crowd, a dusting of powdered sugar adds a pretty touch without any fuss.

Side Dishes

These bars shine bright on their own, but pairing them with a cup of hot chai, spiced apple cider, or your favorite coffee makes for an extra inviting snack or dessert. I’ve also served them alongside a simple green salad with toasted nuts for a cozy autumn brunch that balances sweet and savory beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like arranging these bars in a rustic wooden tray lined with parchment and garnishing with sprigs of fresh rosemary or cinnamon sticks. It adds a warm, festive vibe. You could also cut the bars into mini squares and serve on skewers with a drizzle of vegan caramel or chocolate—super fun for parties!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover apple pie bars covered tightly in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavor actually improves a bit as the spices settle in, and the filling remains nice and creamy. Just keep them chilled until you’re ready to enjoy again.

Freezing

Freezing these bars works great if you want to prep ahead. Wrap individual bars or the whole pan tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently in the oven to refresh that fresh-baked texture.

Reheating

I reheat my slices in a preheated oven at 325°F for about 10-15 minutes. This refreshes the crust’s crispiness without drying out the filling. Microwaving is okay if you’re in a hurry, but I find the crust loses its crunch.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Easy Apple Pie Bars Recipe has made my life easier and my snack game stronger. It captures all the cozy comfort of apple pie without the drama of rolling out perfect lattices or waiting hours. I love baking this on cool afternoons when I want something sweet but simple, and sharing it with friends always feels like a warm hug. Give it a try—you’re going to enjoy every bite as much as I do!

Print