Imagine the cozy comfort of classic apple pie, but in a delightful, hand-held form that’s perfect for sharing—these Apple Pie Bars are a dessert you’ll crave all year round. With a buttery base, juicy spiced apples, and a sweet vanilla glaze, every bite delivers a taste of nostalgia and warmth. Whether you’re hosting a gathering, packing a picnic, or simply looking for a sweet treat to enjoy with coffee, these bars promise homemade goodness with every slice. Apple Pie Bars are a must-try for anyone who loves the flavors of fall but wants something just a little easier to serve and share.

Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, pantry-friendly ingredients come together to create these irresistible Apple Pie Bars. Each one plays a special role—whether adding sweetness, texture, or that signature apple pie aroma that will fill your kitchen as they bake.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the crust and crumble, providing structure and a delicate crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the crust just enough without overpowering the buttery flavor.
- Salt: A pinch brings out all the other flavors—don’t skip it!
- Unsalted butter, cold and cubed: Creates that wonderfully flaky texture in the base and topping.
- Large egg: Binds the crust together for a tender, cohesive bite.
- Apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced: The star of the show—choose a mix of tart and sweet for the best flavor.
- Brown sugar: Adds a caramel-like depth to the apple filling.
- Lemon juice: Brightens up the apples and keeps them from browning.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses the filling with that classic, warming spice.
- Ground nutmeg: Just a touch for extra warmth and complexity.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the apple juices so your bars slice up beautifully.
- Powdered sugar: The base for the sweet, silky glaze.
- Milk: Thins the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a fragrant finish to the glaze that ties all the flavors together.
How to Make Apple Pie Bars
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave enough overhang on the sides to lift the bars out easily after baking. This simple trick ensures perfect edges and easy cleanup, too!
Step 2: Make the Crust and Crumble
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or fork to cut it in until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Add the egg and mix until a soft dough forms—don’t overwork it! Press about two-thirds of this dough firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan, creating a sturdy base for your Apple Pie Bars.
Step 3: Prepare the Apple Filling
In a separate bowl, gently toss the sliced apples with brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. This combination coats each slice in sweet, spiced goodness while the cornstarch helps thicken those delicious juices as the bars bake. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust, making sure every corner gets plenty of fruit.
Step 4: Add the Crumble Topping
Take the remaining dough and crumble it evenly over the apples. This creates a rustic, golden topping that gets beautifully crisp in the oven. If you’re feeling adventurous, sprinkle in some chopped nuts here for extra crunch and flavor!
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the apples are tender. The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely irresistible. Let the bars cool completely in the pan so they set up nicely and are easy to slice.
Step 6: Glaze and Slice
Once your Apple Pie Bars have cooled, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle this creamy glaze over the bars for a sweet, picture-perfect finish. Lift the bars out using the parchment paper, slice into squares, and get ready to serve!
How to Serve Apple Pie Bars

Garnishes
For a beautiful touch, add a sprinkle of extra cinnamon or a handful of toasted chopped nuts on top of the glaze. A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside each bar takes them right over the top!
Side Dishes
Serve these bars with a hot cup of coffee, spiced chai latte, or a cool glass of apple cider. They’re also lovely paired with a simple fruit salad or a scoop of yogurt for a more balanced treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your Apple Pie Bars into triangles for a fun twist, or use a cookie cutter for shapes at a festive gathering. Stack them on a tiered cake stand for an eye-catching dessert display, or wrap individual bars in parchment and twine for charming party favors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Apple Pie Bars fresh, store any extras in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay delicious for up to five days, making them a great option for prepping ahead for parties or lunchbox treats.
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully! Place cooled, unglazed bars in a single layer in an airtight container. When you’re ready to serve, thaw them at room temperature and add the glaze just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
If you prefer your Apple Pie Bars warm, simply heat them in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds or pop them in a low oven until just heated through. Warm bars and melty glaze are a match made in dessert heaven.
FAQs
What types of apples work best for Apple Pie Bars?
A mix of tart and sweet apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, gives the filling a balanced flavor and great texture. Using more than one variety keeps things interesting and prevents the bars from becoming too sweet or mushy.
Can I make Apple Pie Bars gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. The texture may be slightly different, but they’ll still taste wonderful.
How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy?
Be sure to toss the apples with cornstarch, which thickens the juices as the bars bake. Also, let the bars cool completely before slicing so everything sets up nicely.
Can I add other fruits or mix-ins?
Yes! Try adding a handful of fresh berries, dried cranberries, or chopped walnuts or pecans to the apple mixture or crumble topping for extra color, texture, and flavor.
Is it necessary to peel the apples?
Peeling the apples gives the filling a softer and smoother texture, which is classic for Apple Pie Bars. However, if you love a little extra fiber and rustic feel, you can leave the peels on—just slice them thinly!
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a dessert that captures all the magic of apple pie with half the fuss, these Apple Pie Bars are your new go-to treat. They’re simple to make, endlessly customizable, and sure to bring smiles wherever you share them. Give them a try—you’ll be hooked after the first bite!
Print
Apple Pie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these easy-to-make Apple Pie Bars featuring a buttery, crumbly crust and a spiced apple filling, topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for a fall dessert or anytime you crave the classic flavors of apple pie in a convenient bar form.
Ingredients
Crust and Topping
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 large egg
Filling
- 6 cups apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg and mix until dough forms.
- Press Dough for Crust: Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a separate bowl, toss the sliced apples with brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch until well coated.
- Assemble Filling: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust layer in the pan.
- Add Crumble Topping: Crumble the remaining one-third dough over the apple filling evenly.
- Bake: Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the apples are tender.
- Cool Bars: Let the bars cool completely in the pan to set properly.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars using a spoon or piping bag, then slice into 16 bars and enjoy.
Notes
- Use a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for the best flavor balance.
- Bars can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- For added texture, mix chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans into the crumble topping before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg