Why I Love Apple Pie Bars
These apple pie bars capture all the comforting flavors of a classic pie but in a simpler, faster form. The crust bakes up crisp and granola-like, sandwiching a bright, cinnamon-maple apple filling and finished with a buttery streusel on top. The even layer of filling means the bars bake faster than a whole pie, yet still deliver the bubbling, tender apple experience everyone loves.
Make them once and you’ll see why they’re so addictive—easy to assemble, ideal for busy evenings or gatherings, and a perfect way to showcase fresh fall apples.
Apple Pie Bars Ingredients
- Apples – Choose a crisp, sweet-tart baking apple such as Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, or Jonagold for the best texture and flavor when baked.
- Allspice – A warm, aromatic spice that complements cinnamon and enhances the apple filling.
- Maple syrup – Adds natural sweetness and depth to the filling, pairing beautifully with apples and autumn spices.
- Rolled oats – Provide texture and structure to the crust and streusel; they hold up better than quick oats.
The exact ingredient amounts are included in the recipe card below.
How to Make Apple Pie Bars
Step 1: Make the crust – Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, kosher salt, and cinnamon. Cut cold butter into small pieces and toss them into the dry mixture. Work the butter in with your hands until the mixture is crumbly but holds together when pressed. Reserve 2 cups of this mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture evenly into a greased 10 x 14-inch pan and bake for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the apple filling – Thinly slice and core the apples. In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with flour, granulated sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and allspice until evenly coated. Spread the apple mixture over the prebaked crust and arrange into an even layer.
Step 3: Bake the bars – Sprinkle the reserved crust mixture over the apples to form a streusel. Bake at 350°F for 35–45 minutes, until the apples are tender and the topping is golden. Allow the pan to cool before cutting into bars to let the filling set.
Recipe Tips
- Lightly pack brown sugar in the measuring cup — firm packing will add too much sugar for this recipe.
- To test the streusel, press a handful in your fist: it should hold shape but crumble easily.
- No need to peel the apples; the skins add texture, nutrition, and save time.
- When transferring apples to the crust, scrape the bowl so all the seasoned juices make it into the pan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The crust/streusel mixture can be combined ahead and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Press and bake when ready.
Use crisp, slightly tart apples that keep some texture when baked, such as Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, or Jonagold.
Yes. Chopped pecans or walnuts are delicious folded into the streusel—toast them lightly first for more flavor.
Store refrigerated for up to five days or freeze for up to one month.
More Fall Recipes
- No-bake pumpkin icebox cake
- White chocolate and peanut butter popcorn
- Pumpkin coffee cake with cheesecake swirl
- Easy skillet pear crisp
- Easy apple crisp
- Pumpkin applesauce cake
- Pumpkin loaf
- Cinnamon roll cookies
Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
I hope you try these apple pie bars and enjoy them with family and friends. Leave a comment and a star rating to let others know how they turned out—your feedback helps others decide to make this simple, delicious dessert.
Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
For the granola crust
- 2 ¾ cups rolled oats
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 16 tbsp (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
For the apple pie filling
- 4 baking apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Braeburn)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp allspice
- ¼ cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 10 x 14-inch baking pan and set aside.
For the crust
- In a large bowl, mix rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and kosher salt.
- Add cold butter and work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles wet sand with some pea-sized butter pieces. Reserve 2 cups for the topping.
- Press the remaining mixture into the prepared pan, making sure it’s even and up the sides. Bake the crust for 15 minutes and let it cool slightly.
For the filling
- Core and thinly slice the apples. In a large bowl, combine the apples with flour, granulated sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and allspice. Toss to coat.
- Spread the apple mixture evenly over the baked crust. Sprinkle the reserved 2 cups of crust mixture over the apples. Bake at 350°F for 35–45 minutes, until the apples are tender and the topping is golden. Cool for about 1 hour before slicing into bars.
Video
Notes
For best results, use a crisp baking apple. Lightly pack brown sugar when measuring—don’t overpack. Test the streusel by pressing it: it should hold but crumble easily. No need to peel apples; the skins provide texture and nutrients. Scrape the bowl when adding the apples so all the seasoning makes it into the pan.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!