If you’re on the hunt for a fall-inspired dessert that tastes just like classic apple pie but is infinitely easier to share at gatherings, Apple Pie Bars are about to become your latest obsession. With buttery layers, tender spiced apples, and an irresistible crumbly oat topping, these crowd-pleasing treats are the ultimate solution for potlucks, bake sales, or cozy nights in. Whether you serve them warm with a scoop of ice cream or pack them up for a picnic, Apple Pie Bars pack all the nostalgia and flavor of homemade pie—minus the fuss of wrestling with a pie crust.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Apple Pie Bars come together with pantry staples and market-fresh apples. Each ingredient plays a unique role, bringing either crunch, juiciness, sweetness, or warmth to every bite—so don’t be afraid to use the real deal for best flavor!

All-purpose flour: This forms the base and gives structure to both the crust and apple filling for sturdy, sliceable bars.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweet crispness to the crust and balances the tartness of the apples.
Salt: Just enough to lift all the flavors and keep the sweetness in check—don’t skip it!
Unsalted butter (cold, cut into cubes): Essential for that perfectly flaky, melt-in-your-mouth crust—use it straight from the fridge for best results.
Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, thinly sliced): Their tart flavor holds up beautifully to baking, and their firm texture ensures the bars don’t go mushy.
Light brown sugar (packed): Offers caramel notes in both the apple filling and streusel, deepening the overall flavor.
Ground cinnamon: Infuses cozy, warming spice into every layer.
Ground nutmeg: Adds a touch of extra autumnal flavor—just a whisper makes a difference!
Lemon juice: Amplifies the apples’ brightness and keeps slices from browning.
Old-fashioned rolled oats: Lends the streusel topping both texture and heartiness for that signature crumble.
Butter (melted): Binds the streusel together, creating those irresistible golden-brown clusters on top.

How to Make Apple Pie Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang along the sides to make removing your Apple Pie Bars super easy after they’re baked. This step saves you time and ensures clean slices every time.

Step 2: Make the Buttery Crust

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your flour, granulated sugar, and salt—the backbone of a sturdy, flavorful crust. Cut in the cold cubes of butter until the mixture turns crumbly and resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into your prepared pan to form the crust. Pop it in the oven for 15 minutes, just until it’s lightly golden and set.

Step 3: Prepare the Apple Filling

While the crust bakes, toss your thinly sliced Granny Smith apples with both sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hit of lemon juice. Coating the apples ensures every slice is kissed with warm spice and sweetness, and the flour helps soak up those lovely apple juices so your bars aren’t soggy. When the crust is ready, evenly spread the apple mixture over the warm base.

Step 4: Mix and Add the Streusel Topping

In a separate bowl, stir together old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, and salt until you have a crumbly mixture. Sprinkle this glorious streusel generously over the apples—this layer delivers crunch and extra cinnamon flavor with every bite.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, until the topping is deeply golden and the apples are bubbly and tender. Your kitchen will smell so good you’ll want to pull up a chair right at the oven door. Let the bars cool completely in the pan; this is key so they set up properly and slice without falling apart.

Step 6: Chill (Optional) and Slice

For especially neat squares, slip the cooled pan into the fridge for an hour to firm up the bars. Use the parchment overhang to lift the whole batch out, then slice into perfect Apple Pie Bars. They cut cleanly and are ready for serving, gifting, or—let’s be real—devouring as an anytime treat.

How to Serve Apple Pie Bars

Garnishes

Dress up your Apple Pie Bars with a dusting of powdered sugar or a gentle drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence. If you really want to wow, serve them warm alongside a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream—the contrast of toasty bar and chilly cream is truly magic.

Side Dishes

Pair your bars with mugs of spiced chai, cinnamon coffee, or rich hot chocolate for a cozy café vibe. For lighter fare, offer with a fruit salad or sliced pears to keep things fresh and balanced at a brunch table or afternoon tea.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re hosting, try cutting Apple Pie Bars into bite-sized mini squares and arranging them on a rustic wooden board. For a picnic or bake sale, wrap individual bars in parchment and tie with twine for an Instagram-worthy, grab-and-go treat. These bars also make a fantastic edible gift when packed into a box and gifted with a little note.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying a few (or several) fresh from the pan, store leftover Apple Pie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them extra fresh for up to a week, pop them in the fridge—they’ll retain their lovely texture and flavor.

Freezing

Apple Pie Bars freeze like a dream! Once they’re completely cool, layer them between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container or zip-top bag. They’ll stay delicious for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours at room temperature when you want a pie fix on demand.

Reheating

If you love a warm bar (and who doesn’t?), just reheat individual servings in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. To refresh a whole batch, place the bars in a baking dish, cover loosely with foil, and warm in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. Serve immediately for that just-baked aroma and taste.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Dessert

Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples bring tartness and help the bars hold their shape, you can experiment with other firm varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn for a slightly different flavor and texture. Mixing a couple types together adds great complexity too!

Do I need to peel the apples?

For the best texture in these bars, peeling is recommended—it keeps each bite tender and lets those classic apple pie spices shine. If you’re after a rustic look and don’t mind a little chew, you can certainly leave the peels on.

Can I make Apple Pie Bars gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, and make sure your oats are certified gluten-free. The results are just as delicious and the method is exactly the same.

Should I serve Apple Pie Bars hot or cold?

Both ways are fantastic! Warm bars are lovely with ice cream melted on top for dessert, but cold or room temperature bars are perfect for snacking or tucking into a lunchbox. Either way, they’ll disappear fast.

Can I double this recipe for a bigger crowd?

Yes, you can! Just use two 9×13-inch pans or a larger rimmed baking sheet, and watch the baking time—a bigger batch may need a few extra minutes. Don’t forget to double the parchment so you can still lift the bars out easily.

Final Thoughts

These Apple Pie Bars are a sweet little secret you’ll want to share with friends and family, or maybe just keep for yourself (we won’t tell!). Bursting with apple flavor and warm, cozy spices, they’re everything you love about pie—no rolling pin required. If you give these a try, be sure to savor each delicious bite…and get ready to add them to your all-time favorites!

Apple Pie Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 2 hours (including cooling time)
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the delicious flavors of apple pie with these easy-to-make apple pie bars. A buttery crust, sweet apple filling, and crunchy oat streusel combine to create a perfect treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter (cold, cut into cubes)

For the Apple Filling:

4 cups Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Streusel Topping:

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

Prepare the Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Press into pan and bake for 15 minutes.
Make the Apple Filling: Combine apples, sugars, flour, spices, and lemon juice. Spread over crust.
Create the Streusel Topping: Mix oats, sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, and salt. Sprinkle over apples.
Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden and apples are tender. Cool before slicing.