Apple Pie Crumble Bars

These Apple Pie Crumble Bars have a nutty, buttery pie crust and crumble topping with a sweet and crunchy apple pie filling in the middle. Packed with fall spices, These easy-to-make apple pie bars are vegan, paleo, and gluten-free.

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These apple pie crumble bars have become the favorite around here!

The apple pie filling is sweet and tangy, soft but still crunchy. The “buttery” and nutty pie crust and crumble toppings are so easy to make and yet so delicious.

Made with almond flour, coconut flour, almond butter, and maple syrup, these apple pie bars are paleo, vegan gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. 

Who doesn’t love a healthy apple pie in bar form? You can enjoy these as the perfect holiday dessert or a sweet and wholesome brunch recipe for the family.

If you love dessert bars as much as I do, you should try this Healthy Pumpkin Pie Bars recipe, this vegan Pecan Pie Bar recipe, and this Pumpkin Cookie Bars recipe as well.

Now, let’s get to this delicious and healthy apples pie recipe. 

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How are the Apple Pie Crumble Bars healthy?

Is there anything better than a dessert that’s healthy at the same time!?

It’s such a win-win situation! 

These apple squares with shortbread crust are made with wholesome ingredients that are nutritious and delicious.

To make this paleo dessert and to achieve a healthy recipe, I have made a few swaps from what’s usually included in apple pie. 

Gluten-free flour

Instead of white wheat flour, I’m using almond flour and coconut flour. Both of them are gluten-free, less processed, and have a better overall nutritional value. 

Refined sugar-free

Maple syrup is substituted for white granulated sugar. That makes this a refined sugar-free recipe.

Compared to refined sugar, maple syrup has antioxidants and minerals, such as magnesium and zinc, making it a healthier choice than table sugar.

Read more about maple syrup versus white sugar here. 

Healthy fats and protein

I have added almond butter to the ingredients. Not only is almond butter delicious and adds a nice nutty flavor to the apple crumble bars, but it’s also rich in protein and healthy fats which increases this paleo dessert’s nutritional value. 

Adding almond butter also made it possible to reduce the amount of butter in the recipe, which definitely makes it healthier. 

Dairy-free

And speaking of butter, I’m using dairy-free vegan butter for these apple pie crumble bars.

Compared to regular butter vegan butter has about half the amount of saturated fat and no cholesterol at all, something dairy butter has a lot of.

Compare regular butter and vegan butter for yourself here.

You could also use coconut oil instead of the vegan butter. Honestly, I don’t think it turned out as good, neither in flavor or texture. However, if that is what you have on hand, it will work.

Paleo

While all these swaps made the apple pie crumble bar recipe healthier than traditional apple pie bars, it also made them gluten-free, paleo, and vegan.

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What kind of apples to use for these homemade crumble bars

For this vegan apple pie recipe, you can pretty much use any kind of apples as you would like.

Use the apples you have from going apple picking or your favorite apples already in your fridge. (You know you should be storing apples in the fridge, right?)

I used a mixer of Honey Crisp and Granny Smith apples. That resulted in a sweet, tangy, and crunchy apple filling, perfect for these apple pie crumble bars. 

There is no need to peel the skin off the apples unless you are using apples with rougher skins (like some of the Granny Smith).

Personally, I think it adds a nice texture to the paleo dessert, and plus, there are so many nutrients in the apple peel it’s a shame to remove it. 

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Ingredients needed for healthy apple pie bars

As mentioned above, this apple pie crumble bars recipe is made with wholesome and nutritious ingredients that are good for you. This gluten-free dessert recipe is made with paleo-friendly and vegan ingredients.

Apple pie Filling

• Apples
• Maple syrup
• Arrowroot flour
• Apple pie spice
• Lemon juice
• Vanilla extract

Pie crust and crumble topping 

• Almond flour
• Coconut flour
• Almond butter – Natural. I used smooth raw almond butter from Trader Joe’s
• Maple syrup
• Vegan butter – melted and cooled
• Baking soda
• Salt

How to make apple pie crumble bars 

These apple crumble bars are made in two different sections. One is the apple pie filling, and one is the crust and crumble.

Apple Pie Filling

To make the apple pie filling, start with washing the apples. There is no need to peel them. 

Secondly, core and cut the apples into 1-inch cubes. 

Then, in a small to medium pot, mix together maple syrup, apple pie spice, lemon juice, and arrowroot flour. Whisk until there are no clumps left. 

Now, add the apples to the maple syrup mixture and stir well. 

Bring the apple maple mix to a boil and turn the heat down to low.  

Stir occasionally to make sure the apples are cooked evenly. Simmer for about 10 minutes.

Then stir in vanilla extract and turn off the heat.

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Pie Crust and Crumble Topping

While the apple pie filling is simmering, it’s time to prepare the paleo and gluten-free crust and crumble.

First, whisk together almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Whisk until there are no clumps left. 

Then, in a separate bowl, combine almond butter, melted and cooled vegan butter, and maple syrup. 

Now, gently combine the wet and dry ingredients using a spatula. The two mixtures should form into a dough-like ball.

Then, line or grease an 8×8 baking dish. 

Evenly press 2/3 of the gluten-free pie crust dough into the baking dish. 

Secondly, pour the apple pie filling on top of the crust and spread it out evenly.

Lastly, use your hands to form various shaped crumbles of the remaining dough and spread it on top of the apple pie filling. 

Then, bake in a preheated oven at 350 F for 25 min.

Before cutting into the apple pie crumble bars, let the pie cool for at least 30 minutes to allow it to set. The crumble bars will hold better once it has cooled completely.

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How to serve the apple pie crumble bars

• Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream
• For a delicious breakfast option, serve with yogurt or more almond butter
• Drizzle the apple pie bars with extra maple syrup and dust with apple pie spice or cinnamon
• Spread some vegan cream cheese frosting for an extra decadent dessert 

How to store paleo apple crumb bars

These delicious and healthy apple pie bars are best enjoyed fresh or within two days of baking. 

However, you can store them in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 – 5 days, just note that the crumble topping is going to soften and become less crumbly. I actually kind of love that, but, it is different from the original texture. 

Like most baked goods, these apple crumble bars can be frozen. But the same applies here, the texture might be slightly different. 

What are you waiting for? Get started with baking these healthy, paleo, and vegan apple pie crumble bars.

And when you are done, leave me a review below. I would love to hear what you think!

I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN USE “TRIED IT” ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING #SHUANGYSEATS

Other apple recipes you might love

1. Healthy apple bread with crumble topping 

2. Baked Apple Cider Donuts

3. Instant Pot Apple Butter