Apple Pie Bars
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My easy Apple Pie Bars have all the warm, cozy flavor of a classic apple pie, but with way less fuss! A buttery shortbread crust, soft cinnamon-spiced apples, and a sweet crumble topping come together to make the ultimate fall dessert. Perfect for snacking, gifting, or serving at your next gathering.
Table of Contents
- Here's Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients You'll Need
- In Photos: How To Make Homemade Apple Pie Bars
- More Apple Recipes
These bars are a go-to favorite around here once apple season rolls in. You get the same nostalgic comfort as homemade apple pie, but no need to fuss with rolling out dough or getting a picture-perfect lattice. Just simple layers and big, bold flavor.
Here's Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easier than pie: No rolling pins, no chilling, and no fancy crust shaping. Just press, layer, and bake.
- All the cozy fall vibes: Apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter? Yes please.
- Great make-ahead option: These bars taste even better after resting for a day.
- Perfect for parties or lunchbox treats: Slice them into squares for a portable snack or dessert.
Ingredients You'll Need
The recipe card at the bottom of the post contains the full list with all of the amounts. Refer to that when you're cooking.
For the Crust
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the crust, giving it structure.
- Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness and a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the other flavors.
- Cold, unsalted butter: The key to a tender shortbread-style crust. Cold butter ensures flakiness.
For the Apple Pie Filling
- Large apples: Honeycrisps are a great choice due to their balanced sweetness and tartness.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the apple mixture and helps create a syrupy coating.
- All-purpose flour: Thickens the filling slightly, making it less runny.
- Ground cinnamon: Warm, traditional apple pie flavor.
- Kosher salt: Don't use table salt, the measurements aren't 1:1 with Kosher salt.
- Lemon juice: Fresh is best, but bottled will work in a pinch.
For the Crumb Topping
- Unsalted butter: Melted so it easily mixes into the crumble.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the topping a tender, sandy texture.
- Light brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a hint of molasses.
- Ground cinnamon: For extra cozy flavor.
- Kosher salt: Just a touch to balance the sweetness.
In Photos: How To Make Homemade Apple Pie Bars
Step 1: Make the Crust
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9x9-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt until well combined.
Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until only pea-sized pieces remain. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan.
Bake the crust for about 15 minutes, or until it looks set but not browned.
Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling
In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, and lemon juice.
Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the apples have softened slightly and the mixture has a syrupy consistency (about 5 to 10 minutes).
Spoon the apple filling evenly over the pre-baked crust.
Step 3: Add the Crumb Topping
Melt the butter in a small saucepan.
Stir in the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt with a fork until the mixture is clumpy. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
Step 4: Bake
Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the topping looks crisp.
Cool completely and then cut the bars into squares.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
- For the flakiest crust, make sure your butter is straight from the fridge.
- Let the bars cool completely before slicing to help them set cleanly.
- Want a little extra sparkle? Sprinkle a coarse sugar over the crumb topping before baking.
More Apple Recipes
- Simply Perfect Apple Pie
- Apple Scones
- Apple Galette
- Dutch Apple Pie
- Homemade Applesauce Recipe
- Irish Apple Tart
Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 ¾ cups (218.75 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (90 g) powdered sugar
- ¾ teaspoon (4.5 g) kosher salt
- ¾ cup (170.25 g) unsalted butter, cold
For the Apple Pie Filling
- 3 (546 g) apples, large, peeled, cored, and chopped (I used honeycrisps)
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 4 ½ teaspoons (9 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon (0.75 g) kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons (7.5 g) lemon juice
To Make the Crumb Topping
- 4 tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter
- ¾ cup (93.75 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (55 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
- ½ teaspoon (1 g) ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon (0.75 g) kosher salt
Instructions
To Make the Crust
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9x9-inch metal pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter until only pea-sized pieces remain.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, pressing it into an even layer.
- Bake until set (approx. 15 minutes).
To Make the Apple Pie Filling
- Stir the chopped apples together with the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt in a medium pot until evenly coated.
- Cook the mixture over medium-low heat on the stovetop until the apples have softened slightly and the mixture is syrupy (approx. 5 to 10 minutes).
- Layer the apple pie filling over the partially baked crust and add the crumb topping in an even layer.
- Bake the bars until beginning to turn golden brown around the edges (approx. 35 to 45 minutes).
To Make the Crumb Topping
- Melt the butter in a small pot, then add flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Toss together with a fork and sprinkle over the top of the bars before baking.
