These Paleo apple pie bars have a delicious almond butter crust and crumb top and perfect gooey sweet apple pie filling! They’re a fun fall dessert to make and eat with kids, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo and vegan.
I’m ridiculously excited to finally post the recipe for these apple pie bars. I think I made them in JULY, and they were a one-shot success (YAY!) so, that means it’s been quite a while since actually eating one. In fact, it feels like 2 years ago – at least according to Diana, my 10 year old.
Apparently the summer was a long one and these apple pie bars got lost somewhere in the first half. Maybe that’ll teach me to stop trying to work so far in advance – HA! I’m sort of the opposite of a procrastinator and tend to do things too early, then forget about them or get the timing all wrong and don’t know where to fit them in. Or, even more often, decide I hate the photos and decide to do the whole thing over.
In the case of these bars though, there will be no forgetting – these bars are a real-deal dessert, one you won’t believe is paleo, vegan, made with real-food ingredients and all that jazz. One of those desserts that disappears overnight once you give your family the green light. A dessert that makes Adam look at me with the nerve to ask, if, I actually came up with the recipe myself (snort.) Although I do take that as the highest of all compliments, it’s also, um, just a smidge offensive…
Now, while these apple pie bars are 100% mine, the crust and crumble are based on my almond butter and jelly bars and also soft chocolate chip cookies, which are both out of this world delicious.
When you have a good thing, it makes sense to fit it into as many recipes as possible! I figured an apple pie version would be a perfect seasonal spin on those bars, and the final version did not disappoint. Gooey sweet apple pie filling, almond butter cookie crust and topping, and, if you want to go all-out a la mode, a big scoop of ice cream and vegan caramel sauce. Dangerously delicious is an understatement!
Whether or not you top ’em, these paleo and vegan apple pie bars are going to become a favorite for sure – one even picky kids will love (because even my pickiest did!) and even non-paleo eaters can enjoy.
While you can sub in your favorite nut butter, since the crust relies heavily on almond butter, I suggest using one mild in flavor and nice and smooth for the best result. Cashew butter would work really well too. As for the apple filling, you’ll have to do your best to avoid eating it with a spoon before spreading it all over the crust – it’s dessert all on its own! Are you guys ready to bake? Let’s go!
Apple Pie Bars {Paleo, Vegan}
Paleo Apple Pie Bars
These Paleo apple pie bars have a delicious almond butter crust and crumb top and perfect apple pie filling! They're a fun fall dessert to make and eat with kids, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo and vegan.
Ingredients
For the Crust/Crumble:
- 3/4 cup smooth almond butter
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 3 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1 cup blanched almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
For the filling:
- 3 pink lady or other crisp tart sweet apples peeled and chopped (1/4 inch pieces)
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 3 Tbsp coconut sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tsp tapioca or arrowroot starch
- 1/8 tsp fine grain sea salt
Optional Caramel Sauce, for Topping**
- 2/3 cup coconut cream *
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line an 8 x 8 square metal baking dish with parchment paper.
For the Filling
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Combine the water, lemon juice and apples in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, apples should be somewhat softened.
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In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients, then stir into the apple mixture until dissolved and mixture thickens. Remove from heat and set aside to cool a bit.
For the Crust/Crumble
-
Whisk together the almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla, coconut oil until smooth. Stir in the almond flour, coconut flour, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda until a thick crumbly dough forms
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Press 3/4 of the dough into the prepared baking dish lined with parchment paper, chill the remaining dough while you bake bottom crust 7 minutes, then remove from oven.
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Spread the apple mixture over the partially baked crust, then drop or spoon the chilled crust mixture evenly over the top. Return to oven and continue to bake 25 minutes until top is golden brown. Remove and allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.
For the Optional Caramel Sauce
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Combine the coconut cream and coconut sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat so the mixture is bubbling evenly and continue to cook and stir until reduced and thickened, about 10-15 mins. It should resemble dark caramel. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. Allow to cool completely before serving.
Recipe Notes
*from one small can, full fat coconut milk may be used as well
**Nutrition info does not include optional caramel sauce
Nutrition
What I Used to Make My Paleo and Vegan Apple Pie Bars:
Want More Paleo Apple Recipes? Try One of these!
Sweet Potato Apple Breakfast Bake
Tell Me!
What’s your all-time favorite pie?
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Should I assume size of pan is 9×9? I will make when I know this and comment!
Sorry for forgetting to include! It’s an 8×8″ square metal pan, which you should line with parchment paper. Just updated the recipe so thanks for catching!
What size pan do you use?
Sorry – it’s an 8 x 8 inch square baking pan (metal) lined with parchment paper. Just updated the recipe to include that so glad you asked!
I too would like the pan size. They look delicious!
It’s an 8×8, lined with parchment paper, preferably metal – thanks for catching that I just updated the recipe!
Michele, these look incredible and I really like the ingredient list, too. Hard to believe they’re not made from butter, regular flour and sugar. Also, your husband’s comment is THE ultimate approval. I’ve gotten it from family and friends, too, and it’s the best.
These look fantastic! You make the best healthy desserts!
Surprised that these apple pie bars are vegan and paleo. Amazed that you could create such a yummy desert while keeping it vegan. Thanks for sharing this.
Your instructions mention adding vanilla to the crust mixture, but there is no listing of vanilla in the ingredients list. Also, the instructions say to add 3 tbsp maple syrup, yet the recipe ingredients state 1/4 cup maple syrup (which equals 4 tbsp). I’m very anxious to try these, but I would appreciate clarification of these two differences. Thank you so much, and thank you for all the incredible recipes you provide for us!
Hi! Thanks for catching that, I just fixed both – there IS supposed to be vanilla in the crust mixture and the maple amount is 1/4 cup. I hope you like them!
I can’t wait to try these for Christmas. If I don’t have tapioca or arrowroot, is there something I can substitute?
Can’t wait to make these! Do they cut neatly, and could they be eaten out of hand, or is a plate/fork needed?
Thanks!
Hi! After completely cooling they’ll cut pretty neatly but I’d still use a plate 🙂 however after being refrigerated they can just be eaten by hand and they’re good both ways. If you’re going to dig in right after baking a plate will definitely be necessary!
Thank you! I plan to make these the day before serving & will refrigerate to firm them up so we won’t need plates
I made this for a dinner of 6 last night and it was a big hit! Easy to assemble. Wonderful flavors throughout.
Making right now! The salt and cinnamon in the crust recipe are never mentioned in instructions. Was I supposed to add to crust or topping part only? Mine is already in the oven so I was gonna add to the topping crust. Hope that tastes good. Just wanted to bring it to your attention! Thanks for the recipe!
Just updated it, sorry about that! It goes in with the other dry ingredients for the crust/crumble mixture.
I am very new to this…like brand new. 🙂 I have found out that I have several food intolerances and almonds is my highest. Can coconut flour be used for the whole recipe? I am so hoping to find things that I can enjoy with the intolerances that I have discovered and yet let my body begin to heal. I am really loving your website. Thanks for all the hard work that you do.
Hi and welcome! For this particular recipe, I have tested an all coconut flour version. That said, I have a crust/crumble bar recipe that uses cranberry sauce but I think you can easily adapt it to the apple pie bars. It’s not vegan though, it uses eggs. I’ll link you to it here: https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/paleo-cookie-crumb-cranberry-bars/
If you’re on a desktop or lap top you can search by keyword on the blog to find recipes that use coconut flour or are nut free. Hope this helps!
Can you substitute the coconut flour for anything? For some reason it seems to bother my stomach and throat.
If you prefer, I think you can use all almond flour for the crumble mixture, the measurement would likely be up to 2 cups total off almond flour, however, since I haven’t tested it I’m not totally certain. I would say to try using 1 3/4 cups total, and then adding by the Tbsp until you get a very thick cookie dough texture. Again, I haven’t tried it, so can’t promise!
I wonder if I replace water with apple juice how would it taste??
I’m thinking it would be fine, a bit sweeter!
There’s are some fresh picked apples on my counter that must have been waiting for me to see this recipe! Is there a reason you specify a metal pan? My 8 inch square pan is glass.
I always use metal so I’m not sure now the baking time/temp would possibly need to be adjusted for glass. I’m sure it could work, just might need a slight adjustment, possibly needing to bake longer.
Do you know if these can be frozen?
Just made these! Sooo delicious fresh out of the oven. Wondering what is the best way to store them and how long they’ll last? Thanks!!
I store them in the fridge, they should be good for about 3-4 days if they last 🙂 So happy you like them!
Do these work well as a make ahead? If so, store in fridge only or can they be frozen? Or even just making the crust ahead? Thinking forward to thanksgiving. Thank you!
Enjoyed these cold. Maybe because the crust/crumble was hardened. Caramel sauce is definitely a must.
They’re definitely good chilled and yes I love that caramel sauce!
Would maple sugar work in place of the coconut sugar?
Can I freeze them once made? Would they get mushy in the thawing process?
Just made these and they smell wonderful. Expecting them to be delicious. One question: my crust/crumble was not very crumbly…..it was more thick and pasty. I melted the coconut oil and wondered if that was the issue here. Should I have added the coconut oil in solid form??
I had this same problem! Mine was thick and pasty as well! maybe it needs more coconut oil? It was simple, I’d love to make it again but wish my dough would turn out correctly.
Absolutely delicious. The only thing I changed is an extra 2 apples as we like it to be full of fruit
this looks great! any suggestions for making this ahead of time and how to store? thanks!
Made this today using coconut sugar to replace maple syrup and added chopped pecans to the topping; did not want squares, so left in dish. I will definitely make again,using more apples. Just what I wanted in an apple dessert, although I may decrease the sugar a bit.
But, really: 15 minutes prep time? prepping apples took me almost that long, then my almond butter was pretty stiff, coconut oil rock hard, plus I am slow anyway, so add another 15 minutes for me. ;.)
I had all these apples from my Costco run and this was a perfect recipe to use a bunch of apples. This was a perfect yummy dessert. I think I diced my apples too small and I would probably double the apples next time. I didn’t do the caramel sauce cause I am trying to cut the sweet somewhere and honestly didn’t feel like I was missing anything. This had a nice texture and enough sweetness. I will definitely make this again!! Thanks for a great recipe!
Just have to add that this crust/crumble will be my pie crust from now on; it is the best I have found.
Unfortunately these were very disappointing. The almond butter took over everything and that’s all I could taste. I made it for my in laws and was embarrassed because it tasted so bad. We scraped the apples and just ate those!!!
I cannot use any oil or vegan butters. Almond butters are ok.
What can be used instead of the coconut oil??
This is amazing! Unfortunately we didn’t have any left overs and I made it a second time with in a week! Great flavors. I also used the filling from this recipe to top the cinnamon waffles that Michele just released!!!
Hi, I just made this & its absolutely delicious. Turned out so well. I haven’t made the caramel sauce yet, I will tomorrow. I will be serving this for some friends after dinner tomorrow, I am sure everyone is going to love it! Definitely will be making this again!! Thanks for the recipe!!
Hi Michelle! Can I use peanut butter instead of almond butter? Thanks so much
The best paleo dessert I’ve found. Amazing. Delicious. Thank you.
These are sooooo good, I’ve made them a few times now and they turn out great every time…going to try doubling the recipe and turning it into a “real” pie for thanksgiving
I’ve made this recipe twice, and it is my favorite apple pie bar recipe ever – paleo or not! So delicious.
I made these bars and loved them.
I just made the filling for a yummy Apple Pie dip for the Siete Cinnamon Chips I bought, I just chopped the apples a little smaller.
Thank You for the wonderful recipe.
I don’t have almond flour or coconut flour, but I have King Arthur gluten-free baking mix. Could I use that instead?
So yummy!! I love the almond butter in the crust. It’s the perfect compliment to the cinnamon in the apples.
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WOW!! These were a HUGE HIT! Thank you so much for this fantastic recipe. We actually used crunchy almond butter with this recipe and found it to add a bit more interest in texture. These really help with my sweet cravings. Such an incredible outcome, thank you thank you thank you! 🙂
They were delicious! They did not last long. Finally paleo dessert that actually taste normal. I have a happy kid. Thank you!
I am making this right now. How do I store the extra bars? Do they need to be refrigerated?
Could this recipe be made without the almond butter? If so how would you sub it out?
These were amazing! Hubby and I both loved them. Definitely need either ice cream or some almond milk- super rich and yummy!!
Love this! Gluten free or not my company enjoyed this. If ya make it the night before I would suggest a little heat up in the oven before serving
Delicious! The family would not believe it was both GF and dairy free. Thank you for making food fun again!
Delicious! I made these for Thanksgiving and they were a huge hit. I didn’t make the sauce and served with fresh whipped cream. Perfection!
I made this last night, it taste yummy but it’s so crumbly and soft it’s hard to cut into pieces and pick them up. I’ll use them more as a dessert piece rather than a bar, I kinda assumed it would be firmer. Any advice on this? Maybe it is as it should. Anyway they’re delicious so I’d make it again, thanks for the recipe!
This recipe is sooo tasty. I didn’t make the caramel top, just put ice cream on top and it was delish.
Not a win for me. These don’t at all stick together. It’s like you have the crust, and then apples on top loosely, and then clumps of the dough on top. Not at all cuttable, and a massive waste of expensive ingredients and time. Going to try and bake it again tomorrow to soften the apples more so I can at least scoop this and serve it with ice cream. It won’t even make a good crumble, but at least it won’t go in the garbage. Made the recipe to the letter. Don’t waste your time or money on this. Not sure how this has such high ratings.
Absolutely delicious!
I am new to the paleo community and when thanksgiving was approaching I really wanted an apple pie. I made these apple crumble bars and they more than satisfied my desire for a tasty dessert. I like it more than a traditional pie because it wasn’t real sweet and it highlighted apple and cinnamon flavors which are my faves.