These apple pie bars are delicious and easy to make! You need simple ingredients to make this yummy treat.
Today I am sharing another recipe with apples. If you made my strawberry bars, you know how delicious and easy to make they are. I decided to share a fall version of them.
I use my cinnamon shortbread cookie recipe for the dough. These apple pie bars with shortbread crust are crunchy and soft. You’ll use the same dough for the crust and the crumbles to make these simple and from scratch apple pie bars.
Thick crust and crumbles with cinnamon and apples are so yummy and they are perfect any time of the year, especially in fall and winter.
Can You Freeze Apple Pie Bars?
Yes! You can keep in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. You can thaw these bars overnight in the fridge.
How to Make Apple Pie Bars with Crumb Topping
I start with apples. First I peel, core and slice the apples into small pieces. Then I place the chopped apples into a medium bowl and toss with lemon juice, sugar, flour (alternatively you can use cornstarch) cinnamon and nutmeg. I set aside the bowl.
Next, I start to make the dough. I combine flour, cinnamon, and sugar in a large bowl.
Then I add the cold cubed butter and cover with flour mixture so I cut the butter into the flour mixture easily with 2 forks until they look like breadcrumbs. (Alternatively, you can rub with your fingertips.)
Later, I spread ⅔ of the mixture into the oven-proof dish with a spoon. I lightly flour the spoon to avoid it sticking to the flour-butter mixture. After that, I add the apple mixture over the dough and cover the apples with the remaining ⅓ of the dough. I make some big crumbles by squeezing the dough.
Finally, I bake for 55 minutes until the top becomes golden brown and the crumbles are crunchy. I let it cool completely before slicing with a sharp knife. When it is cool, I cut it into 16 pieces.
You can keep these bars in the fridge in an airtight container up to 4 days or you can freeze up to 3 months.
Enjoy!
Other apple recipes you may enjoy!
- Apple Blondies
- Caramel Apple Bars
- Puff Pasty Apple Turnovers
- Apple Crisp Cookie Cups
- Easy Apple Crumble Recipe
- Apple Crumble Muffins
- Dried Apples
Apple Pie Bars Recipe
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 550 g (4 and ½ cups-4 medium apples) chopped cubed apples
- 30 g (2 tablespoons) granulated sugar
- 25 g (2 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon) all-purpose flour*
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Crust & Crumbles
- 280 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour (dip and sweep)**
- 185 g (¾ cup and 1 tablespoon) unsalted butter, cut into small cubes, cold
- 105 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F(177C°). Grease 8 inch (20cm) square oven-proof dish and line the bottom and sides with parchment paper, about 2 inches(5 cm) of overhang on each side.
Apple Filling
- Peel, core and slice the apples into small pieces. Place the chopped apples into a medium bowl. Toss the apples with lemon juice, sugar, flour/cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside the bowl.
Crust & Crumbles
- Combine flour, cinnamon, and sugar in a large bowl.
- Add the cold cubed butter and cover with flour mixture so you can cut the butter into the flour mixture easily. You can use 2 forks or a pastry blender. Alternatively, you can rub with your fingertips.
Assemble
- Spread ⅔ of the mixture into the oven-proof dish with a spoon. Lightly flour the spoon to avoid it sticking to the flour-butter mixture. You can spread with your hand too. Add the apple mixture over the dough and cover the apples with the remaining ⅓ dough. You can make some big crumbles by squeezing the dough with your hand.
- Bake for 55 minutes until the top becomes golden brown and the crumbles are crunchy. Let it cool completely before slicing. You can let it cool at room temperature for 1-1,5 hours and then you can keep in the freezer so it can cool faster. Once completely cool, lift the paper from the sides, remove the bars from the dish, cut into 16 pieces. You can keep in the fridge in an airtight container up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Notes
Nutrition
Mrs
These look delicious! Is it possible to use
canned apple pie filling? Thank you.
Meymi
Thank you! I haven’t tried but I believe you can use canned apple pie filling.
Kathleen Anne Cole
First time on this site. Thank you for this delicious recipe. I have made many apple desserts. In a way, this reminds me of a New York crumb coffee cake I made a few years ago, minus the apple. For time’s sake, I decided to use a canned apple filling and it turned out superb :). Don’t forget the ice cream!
Meymi
Hi Kathleen, I am so happy that you enjoyed these bars! Thank you for your feedback!
Christine
When I ask my son (35 years) what I can make for him when he visits, this is always the recipe. I think I’ve made this more than a dozen times.
I double the recipe and bake it in a 13×9 pan. I freeze bars so there are some left for another day.
Great warmed up and with ice cream.
Meymi
Hi Christine, Thank you so much for your comment! I’m so happy to hear this is a family favorite recipe!
Barbara
This sounds delicious! I was wondering if it was possible to double the recipe and bake it in a larger pan. Or would it not bake correctly?
Meymi
Hi Barbara, Yes, you can double the recipe and bake in a 13×9 pan. It may take longer to bake. After 55 minutes, you can check the oven with 5 minute intervals. Enjoy!
Linda
Do you use one or two cans of pifilling?
Meymi
Hi Linda, I use 4 medium apples not apple pie filling. You can find the recipe at the bottom of my post in the recipe card.
Chibi
What kind of apples are best to use?
Meymi
Hi Chibi, You can prefer Granny Smith for a tart flavor and Fuji for a sweet flavor or you can use a combination of both. I know some of my readers enjoyed these bars with Honeycrisp.
Brenda
Hi, do you press down the crust or just sprinkle it in? I’m think it would be pressed down but wanted to check!
Meymi
Hi Brenda, I press down the crust. Enjoy!
Romi
Hi. Looks amazing. Should the apples be peeled or can you leave the skin on?
Meymi
Thank you! They should be peeled.
Lisa
Made them tonight, fabulous! I used honey crisp. I’ll keep and remake often. I used pumpkin pie spice because I didn’t have nutmeg. Thank you for the recipe
Meymi
Hi Lisa, I am so glad you loved these bars. Thank you for your comment and feedback!
Jen
Hi! Making these tonight. Should we use salted or un-salted butter? The recipe doesn’t specify. Thanks!
Meymi
Hi Jen, It is unsalted butter. Enjoy!
Elaine
Weighed sugar, flour, butter, and apples exactly. Measured all other ingredients. Used fresh honeycrisp apples. Crust and apples were in perfect ratio. I was concerned about the lack of liquid ingredients in the recipe, but the juice from the apples provided ample moisture, and it was not dry. I needed to bake it for about 65 minutes at 350 degrees for the crust and crumbs to begin to become light brown. It wasn’t sweet enough for my taste, but we have a few family members who don’t like very sweet desserts, and this was perfect for them. I’ll make it again and add more sugar to the crust ingredients. Thanks for this recipe.
Meymi
Hi Elaine, I am so glad you and your family members enjoyed these apple bars! Thank you for your comment!
Enid
Perfect for a dessert served with ice cream or custard thank you
Meymi
Hi Enid, I am so glad you enjoyed these bars. Thank you for your comment!
Ruth Talford
Great texture and easy to make, but I thought the filling was bland…I’d add/substitute 1-2 Tbls Brown Sugar and 1/2 tsp Salt to accentuate the apple taste.
Linda
Is this for a 9×13” baking dish?
Meymi
It is an 8-inch square dish. You can find all the information in the recipe card.
Trina
This recipe was fantastic, I use granny apples. Some family wanted carmel on theirs and so I drizzled it on top after it came out of the oven and they loved it!!!
Thank you!!!
Meymi
Hi Trina, I am so happy you all loved these bars. Thank you for your comment!
Chris B
These were really good! My hubby loved them. I used Granny Smith and honey crisp apples two of each. I did chop my apples super small and these were fully cooked in 55 min.Chris
Meymi
Hi Chris, I’m so glad to hear that you both enjoyed these bars. Thank you for your feedback!
Susan Younce
I made this today and my husband LOVED it. I like to make fruit desserts for him because they often have less sugar than cakes and cookies. He is a food critic so a compliment from him should be valued!
Meymi
Hi Susan, I’m happy to hear that your husband loved these bars so much. Thank you so much for letting me know!
Maria Mannella
Made these bars for the second time tonight. The recipe is so easy and the bars are delicious. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Meymi
Hi Maria, I’m so glad you enjoyed these bars so much. Thank you for your comment!
Meka
Tried the recipe, it was excellent! I ended up making a cinnamon, nutmeg sugar glaze on top as a drizzle. Awesome!
Meymi
Hi Meka, I’m so glad you loved these apple bars. The sugar glaze sounds delicious. Thank you for your feedback!
Lynne
I made these apple bars and added the glaze. Took the recipe with me to our church dinner and not a crumb was left!
Meymi
Hi Lynne, I’m so glad everyone enjoyed these bars so much. Thank you for your comment!
G
This was great! I used Fuji and Golden delicous apples, and added extra cinnamon, but otherwise followed the recipe exactly and I’m very happy with it!
Anita Roberts
I tried this recipe yesterday and everyone loved it.Thanks so much for a quick and easy recipe, definitely a keeper.
Meymi
Hi Anita, I’m so happy to hear that everyone enjoyed these bars so much. Thank you for your comment!
Shirley
Can these bars be eaten with your fingers or to messy, need a fork.
Meymi
Hi Shirley, Once they are completely cool, you can enjoy as you like!
Mikki
I would like to make a 9×13 pan instead of 8″ square. The increments still show 4-1/2 cups of apples. Would I actually double the apples?
Meymi
Hi Mikki, You should double each ingredient including the apples.
Debby
Not nearly enough apple or spice. Mainly a shortbread cookie. Tasted good but I’ll add more apple next time as well as liquid.
Jules
Really simple to do and tastes nice. I’m amazed some people are saying it isn’t sweet enough it definitely is. Personally I’d double the amount of apple filling.
Meymi
Thank you so much for your feedback, Jules!
Trisha
Amazing Recipe. Easy to make, light flaky and a hit as “bring to work dessert”, thank you!
Meymi
Hi Trisha, I’m thrilled to hear you loved these bars so much! Thank you for your comment!
Arlene
I found the flavor good but the they were too mushy
Meymi
Hi Arlene, I’m glad you enjoyed the taste. If they were mushy, it is probably because of the variety of the apples you used. You can prefer Granny Smith for a tart flavor and Fuji for a sweet flavor; they hold their shape while baking. I hope this helps.
Sharron McAfee
Soooo delicious. I made this first time almost a year ago, and have made it 3 times since. My husband way prefers this to traditional apple pie.
I have tweaked the recipe a tiny bit by substituting dark brown sugar in the crust/crumbs, and by pre-baking the crust for 20 minutes. Thanks for your lovely recipes.
Meymi
Hi Sharron, Thank you so much for your comment and feedback! I’m thrilled to hear both you and your husband loves this recipe so much!
Ellen
Can you use almond flour for a GF version?
Meymi
Hi Ellen, I haven’t tried with almond flour so I’m not sure how the outcome will be.
Annie.oops
I made the bars as written. While the apple filling was good, I found the crust too thick and dry, not tasting like shortbread at all. The topping browned nicely but was also dry, a bit powdery in some spots. I won’t be trying this one again.
Art W
If I double the recipe for a 9×13 dish, will that affect the baking time?
Meymi
It can take 15 minutes longer. You can check the oven after 55 minutes and then check with 5 minute intervals.
Art W
I brought these to an art gallery reception, and everyone loved them; the plate was empty! Thank you for a great recipe!!!
Meymi
Hi, I’m thrilled to hear this recipe was a hit! Thank you so much for your comment!
Eloise Middendorf
it didn’t hold shape so it ended up being more of a casserole. Baked for 45 min and still was undercooked. Would not make again.
Meymi
Hi Eloise, I’m surprised to hear that. I wonder if you used less flour than you should.
Donna R Deuster
My apple pie bars were superb!
Meymi
Hi Donna, I’m thrilled to hear you loved this recipe! Thank you for your comment!
Julie S
I used Jonathan apples, doubled the recipe and served your apple pie bars at our church fellowship hour this morning — what a hit! I am now thinking of making them for Thanksgiving instead of tradition apple pie. 🙂
Ariane
Normally I like making apple pies, but I just don’t have the time to spend hours in a kitchen at the moment. So, I gave this recipe a try, and I must say it’s a GREAT recipe; easy and yummy!!! Thank you.
Meymi
Hi Ariane, Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe a lot!
Kati
The filling is fine but the crust/topping is just too powdery and dry and not enjoyable.
Cindy
Made these bars last night. They are beautiful and tasty. I ended up baking them a good 10 minutes longer to get my apples tender and bubbly. I used half fuji and half Granny Smith. I also added a pinch of salt to the topping because I think all sweets need a bit of salt. One other note: I accidentally forgot to add the parchment paper sling as the recipe noted. I didn’t even butter the pan! I was so afraid I’d be chiseling bars out of the pan this morning but they cut up and came out beautifully. I was thrilled! Thanks for the recipe.
Meymi
Hi Cindy, Thank you for your feedback! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed these bars!
Mallory
Made these for thanksgiving and my whole family loved them! I used honeycrisp apples and doubled the cinnamon. I was worried because I forgot to grease the pan (and didn’t use parchment) but there was enough butter that they came out of the pan super easily.
Meymi
Hi Mallory, I’m so happy to hear you all enjoyed these bars! Thank you for your comment and feedback!
Lisa
If you already have homemade apple pie filling how long would it take to cook the bars?
Meymi
Hi Lisa, I’d bake the crust first until it slightly changes color and then add the filling, cover the apples with the dough crumbles and bake until the crumbles are crunchy.