Healthy Apple Pie Bars

Indulge in something a little sweet with these Healthy Apple Pie Bars. Made with an almond butter crumble, ripe honeycrisp apples, and a delicious glaze, these bars are the perfect autumn-inspired treat!

Indulge in something sweet

It's no secret - I am all about "bar" recipes. My recipe index is filled with every flavor you could possibly imagine, like key lime pie, cookie dough, pecan pie, lemon, and chocolate peanut butter, to name a few. Basically, if you can think of the flavor, I've probably created a bar recipe for that.

I just love that they're so easy to make, and that they serve as great grab-and-go treats. They're kind of the same concept as brownies, but with way more intense, unique flavors!

After scanning through all of the variations I've created in the past, I realized there was one flavor in particular that was missing: apple pie! How could I have overlooked such a staple flavor?

I decided to jump right in, and the rest is history. These healthy apple pie bars are made using healthier, whole ingredients and make the perfect addition to the line up. They're chewy, sweet, and can be customized exactly to your liking!

Ingredients used in this easy apple pie recipe

Healthy apple pie bars consist of three sets of ingredients: the base and crumble, the apple layer, and the glaze topping! Each part uses healthy, whole ingredients to achieve the delicious flavors, but we'll get more into that in a minute.

Base + Crumble Topping:

• Almond butter (natural)
• Coconut oil
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla
• Almond flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

Apple Layer:

• Apples (Peeled, cored, and diced; I use honey crisp)
• Lemon juice
• Coconut oil
• Arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
• Maple syrup
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg

Powdered Sugar Glaze:

• Powdered sugar
• Almond milk

Tools need to make this recipe

To create this recipe, you'll need a number of kitchen tools. Below is a complete list that you can use as a guide before you begin cooking - just gather and go!

• Baking pan (I used an 8x8, but any size will work; just adjust your cooking time accordingly)
• Nonstick spray or parchment paper
• Small mixing bowl
• Large mixing bowl
• Stirring utensil
• Sauce pan
• Whisk

For measuring, you will need the following sizes: ⅛ tsp, ¼ tsp, ½ tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, ¼ cup, ⅓ cup, ½ cup, and 1 cup.

How to make healthy apple pie bars

Healthy apple pie bars are made in a series of steps that begin with making the almond butter base and crumble topping, followed by the apple pie "filling" and the glaze.

To begin making your healthy apple pie bars, preheat the oven to 350F and line an 8x8 baking pan with nonstick spray or parchment paper.

Then, in a small bowl, mix the almond butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla until well combined.

In a large bowl, mix the almond flour, baking soda, and salt.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry, and then stir until fully mixed.

Press ⅔ of the almond butter dough into the bottom of the pan until evenly spread. Set aside the other ⅓ of the dough.

In a saucepan, heat the lemon juice and coconut oil over medium heat. Whisk in the arrowroot powder until there are no clumps.

Next, whisk in the maple syrup, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the apples, and stir until they're well coated.

Let the apples sauté for about 6-7 minutes, or until they're slightly softened.

Pour the apples over the unbaked almond butter base. Crumble the remaining ⅓ of the dough and add to the top of the apple mixture.

Bake for 30-32 minutes, or until the top becomes golden.

Let cool for 30 minutes before placing in the fridge to cool for another hour. I recommend letting them sit in the fridge for 3-4 hours before cutting.

If using the optional glaze, mix the powdered sugar and almond milk, and then add it to the top of the bars.

A healthier recipe for apple pie bars

In this recipe you'll find a number of healthier baking ingredients. All were chosen to keep this recipe as whole as possible and provide extra nutrients!

Natural almond butter
Almond butter is my preferred option in the nut butter world. I love the way it tastes and the high amounts of protein it provides! Additionally, I always opt for all natural nut butters, as the alternatives are filled with so many preservatives. When it comes to nut butter, natural is a must.

Coconut oil
My preferred baking oil is always coconut oil. It's got a better nutritional content than vegetable and canola oil and works really well with essentially any recipe.

Maple syrup
When it comes to adding a touch of sweetness, I always like to use maple syrup! It tastes fantastic and is a great way to achieve a yummy flavor without dumping buckets of white sugar into your recipe.

Almond flour
Almond flour is a go-to in my world! It works well in any baked recipe and is a good, healthy alternative to all-purpose flour.

Arrowroot powder
This powder works similarly to cornstarch or flour and helps to thicken up the recipe. I like to use it in place of cornstarch because it contains extra fiber and calcium!

Almond milk
I tend to stay away from dairy milk, instead opting for nut milks! They contain more natural nutrients and aren't pumped with all of the hormones that come in cow's milk.

Apple pie bar substitution options

Missing an ingredient? Check this list before running to the store! Many of the items in this recipe can be substituted with simple alternatives.

• Almond butter: Not feeling almond butter? That's okay! Absolutely any nut butter will work in this recipe, as will nut-free SunButter.
• Coconut oil: Any similar high-fat baking oil will work in place of coconut oil, such as vegetable or canola.
• Maple syrup: You can use honey or molasses to sweeten your bars! These don't convert at a 1:1 ratio, so add to taste.
• Baking soda: Out of baking soda? That's okay! You can use 1.5 teaspoon baking powder to replace it.
• Arrowroot powder: If you don't have arrowroot powder handy, you can use cornstarch instead.
• Almond milk: Finally, any milk will work in place of almond milk. You can use another nut milk, or use dairy milk.

Optional add ons alert!

Want to spice up your bars a bit? Add chopped glazed nuts, like pecans or walnuts on top! You can also sprinkle on chocolate chips, or add a caramel drizzle! YUM.

How to store leftover healthy apple pie bars

Extra apple pie bar treats can be kept in the refrigerator. Keep them in an airtight container to maintain flavor and texture, and enjoy within 5 days.

More delicious bars to try

Loved my apple pie bars? There are plenty more where these came from! I have a bunch of different bar recipes on my site, with flavors ranging everywhere from chocolate and s'mores to pb&j and key lime pie!

• Key Lime Pie Bars
• Cereal Bars
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
• S'mores Bars
• Cookie Dough Bars

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa