Apple Pie Bars Gluten Free Vegan and Paleo

Why you will love these bars:

• They taste amazing. These bars have all the flavor of caramel apple pie in an easier, hand-held dessert. The shortbread crust is lightly crisp and buttery in texture, the apple layer is soft and cinnamon-spiced, and the caramel is creamy and rich.
• They are made for many dietary needs. These apple pie bars are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, vegan when made with maple syrup, paleo-friendly, and refined sugar-free. They are made without oats, eggs, or butter.
• They are made with almond flour. Almond flour gives the crust a tender texture and helps make each bar more satisfying, with 7 grams of protein per serving.
• They are easier than pie. There is no rolling, chilling, or shaping pastry. Simply press the crust into the pan, bake it, add the apple and caramel layers, then chill until set.

Ingredient notes:

For exact measurements, refer to the recipe card later in this post.

Jump to the Recipe Card.

• Dry ingredients: almond flour, coconut flour, sea salt, and ground cinnamon. Use almond flour rather than almond meal for the best texture.
• Wet ingredients: honey or maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and cashew butter. For the smoothest caramel layer, use smooth, unsweetened cashew butter.
• Apples: sweet red apples work best in this recipe. Good options include Gala, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Ambrosia apples. Granny Smith apples are not recommended because they are less sweet.

Recipe variations and add ins:

• Instead of cashew butter, you can use almond butter or sunflower seed butter to make the caramel layer.
• To make salted caramel apple bars, sprinkle the top with a little coarse sea salt before placing the pan in the freezer to set.

How to make healthy apple pie bars:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Add all the shortbread crust ingredients to a bowl and mix well with a spoon or fork until a dough forms.

Step 2: Line an 8-inch by 8-inch glass baking dish with parchment paper. Transfer the crust dough to the pan and press it into an even layer. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. While it bakes, prepare the apple and caramel layers.

Step 3: Make the apple layer by placing a pot or large frying pan over medium heat. Add the coconut oil and let it melt. Add the chopped apples and cinnamon, then cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring often, until the apples are softened to your liking.

Step 4: Make the caramel by adding all caramel ingredients to a large bowl and stirring until completely smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Once the crust has baked, pour about three-quarters of the caramel over the shortbread base. Spread it evenly into a smooth layer.

Step 6: Using a slotted spoon, spoon the cooked apples over the caramel layer, spreading them evenly across the pan.

Step 7: Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the apples. Place the pan in the freezer for 1-2 hours, or until the bars are firm enough to slice.

Step 8: Remove the pan from the freezer, let the bars sit for a few minutes if needed, then cut into squares and enjoy.

Top tips:

• You do not have to peel the apples if you prefer to leave the skins on.
• These healthy apple pie bars can be served warm or cold, depending on your preference.
• After removing the bars from the freezer, let them sit for a couple of minutes so they are easier to slice cleanly.
• Use parchment paper to lift the bars from the pan more easily before cutting.

If you cannot use almond flour, cashew flour would be the best alternative.

Yes, these bars are vegan as long as you use maple syrup instead of honey. They are also made without eggs.

No, these apple pie bars are not low carb or keto.

Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Yes, these bars freeze well. Store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.