These bars combine all the deliciousness of a traditional apple pie but in a more portable and snackable form. The flaky crust is the perfect base for the gooey and cinnamon-spiced apple filling.

Each bite is bursting with the flavors of sweet and tart apples, complemented by a hint of warmth from the spices. Whether you’re looking for a delightful dessert or a tasty treat for the afternoon, these flaky apple pie bars are sure to satisfy your cravings.

Ingredients Needed for This Recipe

For the Crust and Topping:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Apple Filling:

4 to 5 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp is nice)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

A pinch of ground cloves

Optional Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons milk or cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions for Making Flaky Apple Pie Bars

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
Make the crust and topping: In a large bowl, mix 2 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cut in the chilled butter using a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 cup of this mixture for the topping.

Prepare the crust: Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
Prepare the apple filling: In another bowl, toss the sliced apples with 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until the apples are evenly coated.
Assemble the bars: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the apples.

Bake the bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
Prepare the optional glaze: While the bars cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (start with 1 tablespoon and add more as needed), and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled bars.
Serve: Once the glaze has set, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares or bars and serve.

Tips for Perfecting the Recipe

Select the Right Apples: The choice of apples can make or break your apple pie bars. For the best texture and flavor, use a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. Tart apples provide a nice contrast to the sweet filling, while sweet apples add depth and a robust apple flavor.

Keep Your Butter Cold: For a flaky crust, ensure your butter is very cold before incorporating it into the flour. This helps create small pockets of steam as the bars bake, leading to a flakier texture. Some bakers even freeze their butter for about 15 minutes before using it.

Do Not Overmix the Dough: When preparing the crust, mix just until the dough comes together. Overmixing can lead to gluten development, making the crust tough instead of tender and flaky.

Pre-Bake the Crust: Pre-baking the crust ensures it is partially cooked before adding the apple filling. This step prevents the crust from becoming soggy once the filling is added.

Slice Apples Thinly: Thinly sliced apples will cook more evenly and fit better into the layers of the bars. This also ensures every bite has a good balance of apple and crust.

Let It Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing. This patience pays off by giving the bars time to set, which makes them easier to cut and serve neatly.

Adjust the Sweetness: Depending on the sweetness of your apples and personal preference, you may want to adjust the amount of sugar in the filling. Taste your apples beforehand and decide if you’d like the filling sweeter or more tart.

Serving Suggestions

Classic Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve these apple pie bars warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for a classic dessert experience. The contrast between the warm bars and cold ice cream is irresistible.

Caramel Drizzle: Enhance the bars with a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra touch of sweetness and luxury. This addition is particularly appealing if you love the combination of apple and caramel flavors.

Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream on top of each bar adds a light and airy texture, complementing the dense apple filling and flaky crust.

Cheddar Cheese: For a traditional twist, serve your apple pie bars with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese. This pairing might sound unusual, but the savory cheese contrasts beautifully with the sweet, tart apple filling.

Dusting of Powdered Sugar: For a simple yet elegant touch, dust the bars with powdered sugar before serving. This not only adds a slight sweetness but also makes for a beautiful presentation.

Coffee or Tea: These apple pie bars are perfectly complemented by a hot cup of coffee or tea. The warmth of the beverage pairs nicely with the spices in the bars, making for a cozy dessert experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use store-bought pie crust? Yes, if you’re short on time, a store-bought pie crust can be used as a substitute for the homemade crust. However, the texture and flavor may differ slightly from the homemade version.

How do I store leftover apple pie bars? Leftover bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the bars for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Can I make these bars gluten-free? Yes, to make gluten-free apple pie bars, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Ensure that the blend includes xanthan gum if your flour mix doesn’t already contain it, to help with the texture.

Why did my crust come out soggy? A soggy crust can result from not pre-baking the crust long enough or from the apple filling being too juicy. To prevent this, make sure to pre-bake the crust as directed and slice your apples thinly. If your apples are particularly juicy, you can add an extra tablespoon of flour to the filling to help absorb the excess liquid.

Can I add nuts to the topping? Absolutely! Mixing chopped walnuts or pecans into the reserved crumb mixture before sprinkling it over the apples can add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to your apple pie bars.

Flaky Apple Pie Bars

5 from 1 vote

These Flaky Apple Pie Bars combine all the deliciousness of a traditional apple pie but in a more portable and snackable form

Ingredients

For the Crust and Topping:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup unsalted butter chilled and diced
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Apple Filling:

4 to 5 medium-sized apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp is nice)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
A pinch of ground cloves

Optional Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons milk or cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
Make the crust and topping: In a large bowl, mix 2 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cut in the chilled butter using a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 cup of this mixture for the topping.
Prepare the crust: Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.

Prepare the apple filling: In another bowl, toss the sliced apples with 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until the apples are evenly coated.
Assemble the bars: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the apples.
Bake the bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.

Prepare the optional glaze: While the bars cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (start with 1 tablespoon and add more as needed), and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled bars.
Serve: Once the glaze has set, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares or bars and serve.