Healthy Apple Pie Bars (Gluten Free + Vegan)

These Healthy Apple Pie Bars are so similar to the classic apple pie that we all know and love, but a little easier to make! I’m all about making my favorite desserts into bars. Especially, when trying to make a pie gluten free and dairy free because it can get challenging sometimes. With these apple pie bars, you don’t have to worry about rolling out a crust or cutting the lattice for the top. And you’ll love that this simple crust is made in only one bowl and it’s the exact same dough used for the crust and the crumble on top! The apple pie filling is also easy to make and it’s sweetened naturally with only coconut sugar. So, for all lovers of apple pie, you’re sure to love this healthier and easier bar version!

Healthy Apple Pie Bars

This dessert is completely vegan, dairy free, gluten free, grain free, paleo, soy free and refined sugar free.

Interested In More Recipes Like This One?

I love making bars as they are so easy to make and always come out perfect! If you’d like to check out more bars, my Blueberry Lemon Oatmeal Bars (Gluten Free + Dairy Free). As well as my Healthy Oatmeal Fudge Bars (Gluten Free + Dairy Free).

Another easy paleo dessert is banana bread and I love to make different versions! Feel free to check out my Double Chocolate Banana Bread (Gluten Free + Dairy Free). Along with my Carrot Cake Banana Bread Loaf (Gluten Free + Dairy Free). If you’d like to see more fun and healthier treat recipes, just go to the dessert category of my menu!

Apple Pie Bars Ingredients:

Apples: I used Gala apples in this recipe but the classic apple to use in apple pie is the Granny Smith. You can definitely use whatever variety you prefer!

Coconut Sugar: This is the unrefined sweetener for the apple pie filling. You can, of course, substitute another granulated sugar in it’s place like organic brown sugar.

Water: Adding water gives some liquid to cook the apples and creates that saucy goodness you want.

Cinnamon and nutmeg: These spices work beautifully to bring natural flavor to the apple pie bars. You can also adjust them according to your preference!

Sea salt: Adding a little sea salt helps to bring out the other flavors in this recipe but you can leave it out if you prefer.

Tapioca starch: This starch comes from cassava and it’s perfect for thickening sauces. It’s also an ingredient in the crust as it proves some binding without added gluten. Here’s an option if you need to purchase.

Almond flour: This gluten free flour has a great taste and texture that I love with these pie bars.

Baking soda: The rising agent for our crust.

Coconut oil: This oil works as a butter alternative. You should be able to substitute organic butter in it’s place but I haven’t tried this myself.

Maple Syrup: The liquid unrefined sweetener works so well in the crust. You can try to replace this with honey but, sometimes that changes the texture and baking so keep that in mind.

Apple Pie Filling Instructions:

1. Start by washing your apples then peel and remove the core. Slice thinly and add to a pot on medium heat along with coconut sugar, water, cinnamon, nutmeg and sea salt. Allow liquid to cook at a low boil for about 10 minutes.
2. When apples have released a lot of liquid, stir in tapioca starch. You can use some of the liquid in the pot to make a slurry if you want it completely clump free but, I just stir it straight in.
3. Allow apples to continue cooking for another 10 minutes then, remove from the heat and set aside while preparing the crust.
4. After baking the first layer of crust, spread apple filling on top in an even layer.

Gluten Free Crust Instructions:

1. Add the dry ingredients to your bowl and stir to combine then, add in coconut oil and maple syrup.
2. Use your hands to mix and create the firm dough. You can also use a spoon but I find it much easier to do with my hands.
3. Set aside 1/2-3/4 cup of crust dough for the crumble on top. To a lined 8×8 baking dish, press the rest of the dough into an even layer and then build up a little on the edges. Poke holes using a fork across your crust to ensure it bakes evenly and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. After the crust has baked for 10 minutes, remove from oven and layer with apple pie filling and crumble the remaining dough on top. Return to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges of the crust turn a lightly golden color.

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Healthy Apple Pie Bars Recipe (Gluten Free + Vegan)

Keyword: Apple pie bars

Author: Adrianne from Bananasaboutlife.com

Serves: 9

Ingredients:

Apple Pie Filling:

• 2 medium apples (I used Gala but any kind works)
• 1/3 cup coconut sugar
• 2/3 cup water
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• a pinch nutmeg (optional)
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 Tablespoon tapioca starch (also called tapioca flour)

Crust and Topping:

• 3 cups blanched almond flour
• 2 Tablespoons Tapioca starch (tapioca flour)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup coconut oil (softened)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup

Instructions:

Apple Pie Filling:

1. Start by washing and peeling your apples. Remove and discard the core then, thinly slice apples into similar size long slices. To a small pot on medium heat, add apple slices, coconut sugar, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, sea salt and bring liquid to a boil. Stirring occasionally, allow ingredients to cook at a low boil until apples have become soft and released a lot of liquid (about 10 minutes).
2. When apples are soft, stir in tapioca starch. To avoid a little bit of clumping, you can transfer some apple liquid out of the pot to a cup and stir the tapioca starch in that before adding it back to the pot. I like to just add the starch straight to the pot and stir it in.
3. Stirring occasionally, allow apple filling to continue cooking on a low boil for 10 minutes then, remove from heat and set aside.

Apple Pie Bars:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line an 8×8 baking dish with unbleached parchment paper.
2. Now, it’s time to make your crust. To a large mixing bowl add almond flour, tapioca starch, baking soda, sea salt and stir to combine. To that same mixing bowl add soft coconut oil, maple syrup and use your hands to combine into a firm dough.
3. Set aside 3/4 cup of dough for the topping and press the rest into lined baking dish in an even layer. I like to make the edges a little thicker than the middle but you do it how you like! Now, use a fork to poke holes in the crust to help it bake evenly (refer to the picture above or just poke about every 1 inch).
4. Place crust in the oven and bake for 10 minutes then remove from oven. Transfer apple pie filling onto your crust and spread into an even layer. On top of the apple layer sprinkle the rest of the dough you set aside.
5. Return to the oven and bake bars for 20-25 minutes or until the crust has some slightly golden edges. Allow bars to cool a bit before slicing into bars.
6. Store leftovers lightly covered in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Want More Vegan Dessert Recipes?

If you’d like to check out more vegan desserts, you might enjoy my Healthy Oatmeal Fudge Bars (Gluten Free + Vegan). As well as my Super Fudgy Vegan Brownies (Gluten Free + Flourless) and my Vegan Gluten Free Cookies Stuffed with Homemade Nutella.

Please Leave a Comment!

This post is a recipe for Healthy Apple Pie Bars which are grain free, gluten free and vegan. If you enjoyed this recipe then please, feel free to check out my other posts. I would also love to hear about your experience with these bars and how you like them! Thank you for visiting my blog today and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!