Gluten-free Apple Pie Bars

Name: Apple Pie Bars
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 1, 8.5 x 8.5 Square Pan
Ingredients: 1 c. gluten-free flour blend, spooned and leveled (I use Bob's RedMill 1:1); 1/4 c. sugar; 1/2 c. unsalted butter (1 stick) cold and cubed; Pinch of salt; 3/4 c. gluten-free flour blend, spooned and leveled (I use Bob's RedMill 1:1); 1/2 c. sugar; 1/2 tsp. cinnamon; 1/4 tsp. baking powder; 4 1/2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cold and cubed; 1 1/2 lbs. apples (about 3 1/2 - 4 c. when diced) peeled, cored, and chopped into small cubes; 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter; 1/4 - 1/3 c. sugar (depending on the sweetness of your apples); 1 tsp. cinnamon; 1 Tbsp. gluten-free flour blend (I use Bob's RedMill 1:1); 2 Tbsp. water; 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar; 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted; 1-2 Tbsp. milk; 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Desserts

Oct 20

Written By Kali Terry

As the crisp autumn air settles in, and the leaves turn to shades of amber and gold, there's something magical about indulging in seasonal treats. Fall is a time for cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and of course, the iconic comfort foods that define this beautiful time of year. Among these, apple pie reigns as a classic favorite. However, for those who follow a gluten-free lifestyle, making a traditional apple pie can sometimes feel like a distant dream. Enter: Gluten-Free Apple Pie Bars—a modern twist on the classic dessert that’s perfect for the season.

Jump to Recipe

These bars bring together all the familiar flavors of a warm, gooey apple pie, but in a more convenient, portable form. With layers of tender, cinnamon-spiced apples, a buttery crust, a crumbly crumb topping, and a hint of sweetness through the vanilla glaze, they’re sure to become a fall staple in your baking repertoire. What’s even better? These bars are easy to make, gluten-free, and absolutely bursting with autumnal flavor. Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or just a cozy afternoon treat, they capture the essence of fall in every bite.

The Essence of Fall in Every Bite

Imagine walking into your kitchen on a crisp, cool day. You can smell the faint scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar wafting through the air. The oven hums quietly, baking these Gluten-Free Apple Pie Bars to golden perfection. The apples, cubed small and sweetened just right, meld beautifully with the perfectly spiced filling. Each bite is a nostalgic reminder of the warmth of fall, and the soft, slightly chewy texture of the bars adds an extra layer of comfort that only autumn desserts can provide.

Apple pie is already the epitome of fall flavors, and when you turn it into a gluten-free bar, you’re left with something even more special. Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, a fall birthday, or simply the change of season, these bars serve as an invitation to slow down, enjoy a little sweetness, and share the joy of the harvest season.

Key Elements That Make These Bars Special

1. Gluten-Free Goodness

For those avoiding gluten, making a pie crust from scratch can sometimes be a bit daunting. But these gluten-free apple pie bars have simplified that process without compromising on flavor. By using a gluten-free flour blend, these bars achieve a flaky, tender crust that’s just as satisfying as the traditional version—minus the gluten. The crust serves as the perfect foundation for the soft apple filling and gives the bars structure without being overly heavy.

2. Apples with Warm Spices

The apples are the star of these bars. Using a mix of tart Granny Smith apples and sweet McIntosh or Honeycrisp apples offers a perfect balance of flavors. After being cubed small and cooked down with butter, cinnamon, and a splash of vanilla extract, the apples become soft, juicy, and wonderfully fragrant. As they bake, the apples release their natural sweetness, which marries perfectly with the hint of spice, creating a comforting, aromatic filling that embodies all the essence of fall.

3. A Buttery, Crumbly Crust

What’s an apple pie without its crust? The crust is crucial, and this gluten-free version doesn’t disappoint. It’s rich, buttery, and has just the right balance of crumble. The texture is light yet sturdy enough to hold the warm, spiced apples, and it has a satisfying melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes each bite feel indulgent. It’s the kind of crust that would make even a gluten-loving baker take notice.

4. A Sweet, crumbly, Buttery Finishing Touch

What truly elevates these Gluten-Free Apple Pie Bars is the addition of the crumb topping. While the base is already rich, buttery, and indulgent, the crumb topping introduces a delightful contrast in both texture and flavor. It adds a perfect balance to the soft, spiced apple filling and provides a satisfying crunch that every dessert needs. The crumb topping takes these bars from good to extraordinary, creating a perfect harmony of flavors that will make every bite feel like a little indulgence.

5. Optional Vanilla Glaze: A Sweet, Smooth Finish

To take your Gluten-Free Apple Pie Bars to the next level, consider adding the vanilla glaze on top. This optional drizzle is the perfect finishing touch that transforms these already delicious bars into an elegant dessert worthy of any special occasion. The glaze adds a touch of sweetness and a silky smooth texture that complements the warm, spiced apples and buttery crumb topping beautifully. It’s an extra indulgence that makes these bars feel even more decadent and visually appealing.

Perfect for Sharing

One of the best things about these gluten-free apple pie bars is how easy they are to share. Unlike a traditional pie that requires slicing and serving with a delicate touch, these bars can be easily cut into squares or rectangles and passed around to guests, making them ideal for gatherings. They’re also portable—perfect for bringing to picnics, fall festivals, or even a simple get-together with friends. You can package them up in a cute box with a ribbon or serve them on a platter with a dollop of whipped cream for that extra touch of elegance.

Why These Apple Pie Bars Are Perfect for Fall

Fall is the season of transformation, and what better way to celebrate that than with a dessert that transforms a classic apple pie into a portable, easy-to-enjoy treat? The rich colors of autumn—burnt orange, deep reds, and golden yellows—are mirrored in the rich colors of the apple filling and the warm, golden crust of these bars. It’s a dessert that feels like a visual and sensory celebration of everything that’s wonderful about the season.

Here’s why they’re the ideal fall treat:

Seasonal Comfort: Fall is all about coziness, and these apple pie bars provide just that. The combination of tender apples, warm spices, and a buttery crust offers the kind of comfort we crave when the days start to get shorter and the temperatures drop.
Autumn’s Bounty: Apples are at their peak in the fall, and there’s nothing quite like using fresh, in-season fruit in a dessert. These bars allow you to take full advantage of fall's bounty, transforming simple apples into a warm, irresistible filling that’s impossible to resist.
Ease of Preparation: Unlike a traditional pie, which can require a bit of patience and skill, these bars are quick to prepare and much easier to handle. You can have them ready in under 2 hours, giving you more time to savor the season and less time stressing in the kitchen.
Perfect for Gatherings: With their easy-to-serve, easy-to-share nature, these bars make an ideal treat for potlucks, family dinners, or holiday parties. Their portability also means you can bring them along wherever you go, ensuring that you’re always prepared for fall festivities.

Pro Tips for Perfect Apple Pie Bars

Choosing the Right Apples: When making apple pie bars, it’s important to select apples that hold up well during baking. A mix of tart and sweet apples, like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and McIntosh create the perfect balance of flavor.
Chill Your Dough: If you want your crust to be extra flaky and tender, be sure to use extremely cold butter.
Serving Suggestions: While these bars are delicious on their own, you can take them up a notch by serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream.

Let the baking begin!

TIPS AND TRICKS:

- Always preheat your oven.

- All refrigerated ingredients should be room temperature unless stated otherwise.

- Use your food processor to make the crumb topping after you make the crust. This way it's ready to go when the filling is done.

- You can use whatever apples you like! I used Honeycrisp and Mcintosh.

- I shopped the apples in small, diced pieces because they're easier to cut through when the bars are finished.

- I recommend tasting your apple filling for sweetness before dumping it onto the crust. It all depends on the apples you use - you can always add a little bit of sugar if needed.

Gluten-Free Apple Pie Bars are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience. With every bite, you’ll be transported to a cozy fall day, enjoying the warm, comforting flavors of autumn. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or simply to enjoy with loved ones, these bars are a wonderful way to celebrate the season. So, when the weather turns crisp and the apples are ripe for picking, remember: there's no better way to enjoy fall than with a batch of homemade apple pie bars, fresh out of the oven.