Vegan Apple Crumble Pie Bars

Three decadent layers of shortbread, apple pie filling and crunchy streusel topping, these apple crumble pie bars will quickly become a Fall staple. Enjoy these easy apple bars made 100% gluten free and vegan.

These gluten free apple pie bars are perfect for the lazy baker–I’m talking to myself here–desserts in bar form are far less intimidating than baking an actual pie. Not to mention, these are perfect for feeding a crowd!

What could be better than three decadent layers of shortbread, warm apple pie filling and crunchy streusel topping? They are so easy to make because I took components from some of my other pie recipes like this crowd pleasing cherry slab pie or my easy vegan pumpkin pie. If you are looking for more pies in bar form, you will love my vegan strawberry cookie bars.

What are the best apples for apple bars?

While I believe the best apples for apple pie is a personal preference and that any apple will work but with that being said, I prefer to use honey crisp apples or granny smith when I’m feeling a little tart. In this recipe, I used honey crips apples.

Do you cook apples before putting them in a pie?

I don’t cook my apples before putting them in my apple crumble pie bars. For extra tender apple filling, slice the apples as thinly as you can!

How to make apple crumble pie?

Don’t get intimidated by the layers, this apple pie bars recipe is easy-to-make and they come together rather quickly. Here’s what you need to make them–

Ingredients You’ll Need

Shortbread layer ingredients, apple pie filling ingredients and streusel topping ingredients:

• vegan butter– I prefer to use Earth Balance brand but any vegan butter in stick form will work
• organic cane sugar – sugar is what keeps the crust soft
• organic brown sugar – brown sugar give the crumble a caramel like flavor
• gluten free baking flour – it’s important that you use an all purpose gluten free baking flour or a 1:1 with added gums for help give the crust some elasticity, this will result in a less crumbly crust layer.
• finely ground sea salt – adding salt will help enhance the flavors
• 4 medium sized apples – I used Honeycrisp but any apple will work in this recipe. If you like your apple pies a little more tart, use Granny Smith apples.
• lemon juice – the citrus in the juice will help to keep your apples from brown and release the natural juices
• ground cinnamon

Equipment needed to make this recipe:

• 8×8 inch baking pan
• mixing bowls
• peeler
• pastry cutter and/or fork

Here’s how to make these apple pie bars with streusel topping:

1. Start by making your shortbread crust and placing the melted vegan butter and cane sugar into a bowl and stirring until combined. Add in the flour and salt and stir until combined. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of an 8×8 inch pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 F for 15-18 minutes and golden brown.
2. Meanwhile, peel your apples and slices them thinly. Place the apples slices, lemon juice, flour, cane sugar and cinnamon into a mixing bowl and stir until combined. Transfer the filling to the crust.
3. How to make crumble topping for apple pie? Stir together the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and sea salt until combined and then add the cold vegan butter and use a pastry cutter or a fork to combined until crumbles form. Top the apple slices with the crumble and bake for 30-40 minutes and golden brown.

That’s how easy it is to make apple pie bars!

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Gluten Free Vegan Apple Crumble Pie Bars

Three decadent layers of shortbread, apple pie filling and crunchy streusel topping, these apple crumble pie bars will quickly become a Fall staple. Enjoy these easy apple bars made 100% gluten free and vegan. 

Pin Recipe

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time45 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple bars, apple crumble bars, apple pie, apple pie bars, apple pie bars recipe, apple streusel bars, gluten free apple bars, vegan apple bars

Servings: 16 apple crumble bars

Calories: 215kcal

Author: Ciarra Siller

Equipment

• 8×8 inch baking pan
• Mixing bowls
• pastry cutter
• apple peeler

Ingredients

Shortbread Layer

• ½ cup vegan butter melted
• ¼ cup organic cane sugar
• 1¼ cup gluten free baking flour all purpose or 1:1
• ¼ tsp finely ground sea salt

Apple Pie Filling

• 4 medium sized apple I used honey crisp
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp gluten free baking flour all purpose or 1:1
• ⅓ cup organic cane sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Apple Crumble Topping

• ¾ cup organic brown sugar
• ¾ cup gluten free baking flour all purpose or 1:1
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp finely ground sea salt
• 6 tbsp cold vegan butter chopped into small cubes

Instructions

• Pre-heat the oven 350 F°. Make the shortbread crust by placing the melted vegan butter and cane sugar into a bowl and stirring until combined. Add in the flour and salt and stir until dough crumbles form. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of an 8×8 inch pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-18 minutes and golden brown.
  
• Meanwhile, peel your apples and slice them thinly. Place the apples slices, lemon juice, flour, cane sugar and cinnamon into a mixing bowl and stir until combined and apple are coated. Transfer the filling to the crust.
  
• For the crumble topping, stir together the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and sea salt until combined and then add the cold butter and use a pastry cutter or a fork to combined until crumbles form. Top the apple slices with the crumble and bake for 30-40 minutes and golden brown.
  

Notes

These apple pie bars are best if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up 4 days. They can be stored lightly covered at room temperature for 24 hours.