This easy apple bar recipe is the perfect way to capture that fall apple flavor. With a layer of apple butter, a crispy cinnamon streusel and a thick layer of fresh apples, these bars are simply fall in a bite.
I don't know about you, but fall is my favorite season. I love the weather, the sweaters and boots, the leaves, the holidays and all the flavors. Every fall, my son and I go with a couple of friends to the local apple orchards to pick apples and enjoy all the fall festivities. My son is a pro at apple picking. Lift and twist!
Since we live in the South, the beginning of fall can be hit or miss. It might be 90 degrees outside or it could be in the mid-60s like today. Thankfully this year has all the fall weather feels going on because I am already in full fall apple and pumpkin flavortown.
If you picked a few too many apples, like we did, then check out my easy gluten free apple crumble, these gluten free apple muffins or my family's favorite gluten free apple cake. They are simply perfect for fall!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- This recipe is so easy to make. The crust and crumble topping are the same dough.
- It can be enjoyed year round.
- It's gluten free and since it is dairy free and egg free, it's also vegan.
Ingredient Notes
- Gluten Free Flour Blend - I use Bob's Red Mill brand 1-to-1 flour in my recipes. You can use the gluten free flour of your choice, but ensure it contains xanthan gum or a similar binder.
- Gluten Free Oats - Again, I used Bob's Red Mill brand because they're certified gluten free. Oats are a tricky ingredient that can be contaminated during growing and processing, so if you're following a gluten free diet make sure to buy gluten free oats.
- Sugar and Brown Sugar - White sugar makes the crumble topping crispy while the brown sugar provides the caramel undertones that go so well with apples.
- Cinnamon - Cinnamon and apples are best friends. We don't need to add too much, since there is a lot of flavor in the apple butter.
- Baking Powder
- Salt - Salt compliments the sweetness of the other ingredients. Don't be tempted to skip it.
- Vegan Butter - I used Country Crock plant butter for this recipe. Any stick butter will work, just avoid margarine. If you're not dairy free, use regular butter in the same measure.
- Non-Dairy Milk - I used oat milk, but any non-dairy milk will work here. The milk helps hold the crust together. If you're not dairy free, use regular milk in the same measure.
- Vanilla - The vanilla provides a little complexity to the crust flavor.
- Apple Butter - The spicy, rich apple flavor in apple butter is exactly what these bars need to take them to the next level. Use a store bought brand or make this homemade slow cooker apple butter.
- Apples - I love using Golden Delicious apples for this recipe because they soften nicely during the cooking time. Granny Smith would also work great, although they may be a little bit less soft after baking.
- Pecans - Chopped pecans add a little nutty crunch to these apple bars. If you don't have pecans, you can substitute with walnuts or leave them out entirely.
See the recipe card for a complete ingredient list with measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
- Not Gluten Free - If you're not gluten free, you can make this recipe with all purpose flour and regular oats.
- Not Dairy Free - If you're not dairy free, use regular butter and milk in the same measure.
- No Pecans - You can replace the pecans with walnuts or omit the nuts entirely.
- Berries - replace the apples and apple butter with other fruits. I've tried strawberries with strawberry jam and blueberries with blueberry butter and both were delicious.
How to make apple bars
These apple bars are really easy to make and they don't even require a mixer. The only equipment you will need is a food processor and a 8" x 8" pan.
STEP 1: Add the gluten free flour, gluten free oats, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt to a food processor. Pulse it a few times to mix.
STEP 2: Pour the melted butter into the dry ingredients and pulse a few more times until the mixture appears crumbly.
STEP 3: Pour the vanilla and milk into the food processor and process until it clumps together like a crumbly dough.
STEP 4: Transfer the dough to a bowl and place in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling. Keeping it cold will make it easier to crumble.
STEP 5: Cut the apples into thin slices. You should get about 24 slices from each apple.
STEP 6: Add ⅔ of the dough mixture to your baking pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to press it into an even layer, this will be the bottom crust.
STEP 7: Spread the apple butter over the bottom crust.
STEP 8: Place the apple slices over the apple butter. You will have to overlap them slightly to make them fit. Cover the entire crust with apples.
STEP 9: Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the apples.
STEP 10: Crumble the remaining dough over the top of the apples. Then bake!
Storage
Store leftover apple crisp bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Apple bars can be served cold or reheated.
Recipe FAQs
What are the best apples for baking bars?
Do apple bars need to be refrigerated?
What can I do with a bushel of apples?
More apple recipes to consider:
If you try this recipe, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.
Recipe
Easy Apple Crisp Bars
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend
- ¾ Cup Gluten-Free Oats
- ¼ Cup Sugar
- ¼ Cup Light Brown Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 6 Tablespoons Vegan Butter melted
- 2 Tablespoons Non Dairy Milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 2 Golden Delicious Apple thinly sliced
- ½ Cup Apple Butter
- 6 Tablespoons Pecans roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F degrees. Line a 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large food processor, combine the gluten free flour, oats, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Pulse a few times to mix.1 Cup Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend, ¾ Cup Gluten-Free Oats, ¼ Cup Sugar, ¼ Cup Light Brown Sugar, ½ teaspoon Baking Powder, ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon Salt
- Add the melted butter and process until is pea-size crumbs.6 Tablespoons Vegan Butter
- Add the milk and vanilla and process until the dough sticks together. Transfer the dough to a bowl and refrigerate while you prepare the filling.2 Tablespoons Non Dairy Milk, 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- Thinly slice 2 baseball sized apples. I usually slice mine about ¼” thick or less. You should get about 24 slices from each apple. Set the sliced apples aside.2 Golden Delicious Apple
- Put ⅔ of the dough into the prepared baking pan. Keep the remaining dough in the refrigerator until ready. It will be easier to crumble if it’s cold. Press the dough firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan, covering the entire bottom. Don’t leave any holes.
- Pour the apple butter on top of the bottom crust and spread into an even layer.½ Cup Apple Butter
- Place the apple slices on top of the apple butter into three rows. You will overlap the apple slices a bit. Make sure to use all the slices, just fit them in anywhere. Once you’ve put in all the apples, gently press down on top of the apples so they press into the apple butter a little bit. Sprinkle the chopped pecans on top.6 Tablespoons Pecans
- Remove the remaining dough from the refrigerator and crumble it on top of the apples.
- Place into preheated oven and cook for 40 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool complete before cutting.
Notes
Tiffany is the recipe developer, stylist and food photographer behind Well Fed Baker. As a lifelong baker who had to go gluten free and dairy free in 2016, Tiffany strives to share allergen friendly recipes that never feel like they are free from anything.
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