Name: Vegan Apple Pie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups (250g) all-purpose plain flour, spooned and leveled; ¾ cup (170g) vegan butter, chilled; ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar; 1-2 tablespoons (15-30g) cold water; Pinch of salt (if using unsalted butter); ⅓ cup (40g) rolled oats (or ⅓ cup (35g) pecans or walnuts); ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; 4 medium-sized apples, cored and peeled (around 550g after coring and peeling, ideally tart-sweet varieties like Granny Smith or Fuji); ⅓ cup (65g) packed light brown sugar (or more granulated sugar); 3 tablespoons (40g) granulated sugar (or more brown sugar); ¼ cup (30g) all-purpose plain flour; 3 tablespoons (45g) melted vegan butter; 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 14 reviews

If you love the warm, cozy flavors of traditional apple pie but want something a little quicker and easier to serve, you are going to adore this Vegan Apple Pie Bars Recipe. These bars capture all the wonderful textures and tastes of classic apple pie with a buttery shortbread crust, a luscious layer of cinnamon-spiced apples, and a delightfully crumbly oat topping. What makes this recipe really shine is how it uses one versatile dough for both the base and crumble—saving you time without sacrificing any of the deliciousness. Trust me, once you try these bars, they’ll become your go-to comfort dessert for any season.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows eight ingredients arranged neatly on a white marbled surface. At the top left, there are three apples, two red and one green. To the right of the apples, there is a white bowl filled with flour. Below the flour, a smaller white bowl holds white sugar, while next to it on the right is another white bowl containing brown sugar. Below the apples, there is a white plate with several square pieces of butter. To the bottom right of the butter, there is a white bowl with rolled oats. At the bottom left, a small white bowl contains two types of brown spices placed side by side. The overall scene is bright, clean, and organized, showing raw baking ingredients. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Getting the ingredients right is half the magic of these bars. They’re simple staples that come together beautifully: the flour and vegan butter create that irresistibly crumbly crust, the sugars add just enough sweetness to balance the tart apples, and a mix of cinnamon and nutmeg brings that cozy spice you crave. Each component plays a vital role in both flavor and texture, making the end result a deliciously harmonious treat.

All-purpose plain flour (2 cups / 250g): This forms the foundation of the shortcrust pastry and crumble topping, giving a tender yet sturdy base.
Vegan butter (¾ cup / 170g, chilled): Essential for that rich, buttery flavor and a tender crumb, keep it cold for the best texture.
Granulated sugar (½ cup / 100g): Sweetens the crust while adding a slight crispness when baked.
Water (1-2 tablespoons, chilled): Helps bring the dough together without making it sticky—add slowly!
Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor, especially if your butter is unsalted.
Rolled oats (⅓ cup / 40g) or pecans/walnuts (⅓ cup / 35g): Adds a lovely texture and nutty flavor to the crumble topping, choose your favorite.
Ground cinnamon (¼ teaspoon + 1 ½ teaspoons): The star spice that infuses the apples and crumble with warmth.
Medium-sized apples (4, about 550g peeled and cored): The heart of the filling—opt for a variety that balances sweet and tart for best results.
Light brown sugar (⅓ cup / 65g) and additional granulated sugar (3 tablespoons / 40g): These sugars sweeten and caramelize the apples beautifully.
All-purpose plain flour (¼ cup / 30g): Helps thicken the apple filling so it’s wonderfully gooey but not runny.
Melted vegan butter (3 tablespoons / 45g): Enriches and binds the apple filling together while adding softness.
Ground nutmeg (½ teaspoon): Adds a subtle earthiness that complements the cinnamon and apples perfectly.

How to Make Vegan Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Pastry Base

Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (355°F) and lining an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper to catch the crumbly goodness. Then, combine the flour, chilled vegan butter, and sugar in either a food processor or a mixing bowl. Pulse or cut the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add the chilled water, just enough until the dough comes together without feeling sticky. This dough is your secret weapon—it provides both a firm base and the crumble topping later on.

Step 2: Bake the Crust

Press half of the dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan, creating a lovely shortbread layer. Pop it into the oven and bake for 15 to 17 minutes, or until you see a slight golden hue on the edges. This step sets the foundation and gives that buttery crunch that makes these bars irresistible. Let the crust cool while you prepare the luscious apple filling.

Step 3: Prepare the Crumble Topping

While the crust is baking, combine the rolled oats (or your choice of nuts) and a pinch of ground cinnamon into the remaining dough in the food processor or bowl. Give it a few quick pulses or stir until just combined—this mixture will add texture and flavor as a crunchy layer on top.

Step 4: Make the Apple Filling

Thinly slice the peeled and cored apples, then toss them gently with brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, melted vegan butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This mix creates the perfect balance of sweetness and spice that will soften into a deeply flavorful layer once baked—no soggy filling here, just pure apple goodness.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake the Bars

Layer the spiced apple slices evenly over your pre-baked crust, packing them close together to fit in as much delicious fruit as possible. Pour any remaining juice from the mixing bowl on top—this helps keep the filling wonderfully moist. Finally, sprinkle the crumble topping all over the apples, creating a beautiful golden crust. Bake the whole pan for about 43 to 48 minutes, or until the crumble is perfectly golden and the apples feel tender when tested with a toothpick.

Step 6: Cool and Cut

Let the bars cool completely in the pan so everything sets nicely. Once cooled, use a serrated knife to cut into 16 squares. These bars are perfect on their own or fancy enough to dress up with your favorite vegan ice cream for a special treat.

How to Serve Vegan Apple Pie Bars Recipe

The dish shows one square piece of apple crumb cake on a white plate with a shiny thin gold rim, placed on a white marbled surface. The cake has three main layers: the bottom layer is a pale yellow soft base, the middle layer consists of thinly layered cooked apple slices with cinnamon visible between the slices, and the top layer is a crumbled streusel with bits of cinnamon and nuts. On top of the cake is a single round scoop of vanilla ice cream with a smooth, creamy texture, covered by thick, light brown caramel sauce drizzled down the sides of both the ice cream and the cake. In the blurred background, there are more pieces of the crumb cake and colorful red and green apples. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Simple garnishes make these apple pie bars shine even brighter. A dusting of powdered sugar adds a festive touch, while a drizzle of vegan caramel sauce or a dollop of freshly whipped coconut cream complements the warm spices beautifully. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, sprinkle some toasted pecans on top for a nutty crunch that pairs perfectly with the crumbly topping.

Side Dishes

These bars on their own are comforting and satisfying, but serving them alongside a scoop of creamy vegan vanilla ice cream turns this dish into a decadent dessert experience. For a lighter pairing, a warm cup of spiced chai tea or a glass of almond milk offers a cozy balance to the sweet, spiced apples.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings or potlucks, consider serving the bars on a rustic wooden tray lined with parchment paper for a charming farmhouse vibe. You can also cut the bars into mini squares and place them in pretty paper liners to double as grab-and-go treats. Adding edible flowers or fresh mint leaves as a garnish adds a pop of color that’s as delightful to the eyes as it is to the palate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which is often the case!), store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day. If you want to keep them longer, pop them into the fridge where they will stay fresh for up to four days. Keep in mind that the crumble topping might soften slightly over time but will still taste delicious.

Freezing

These bars freeze beautifully! Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They will keep well for up to one month. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the oven.

Reheating

To bring the bars back to their freshly baked glory, reheat them in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will help crisp up the crumble again and warm the spiced apple filling perfectly. Avoid microwaving if possible, as the texture might become soggy.

FAQs

Can I use gluten-free flour for this Vegan Apple Pie Bars Recipe?

Absolutely! Using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend can work well, but be sure it’s one that can substitute 1:1 for regular flour. You might notice a slightly different texture, but the flavor will still be delicious.

What types of apples are best for these bars?

A combination of sweet and tart apples like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith works best. This mix ensures you get balance—sweetness with a little tang—that keeps the filling vibrant and flavorful.

Can I make the dough by hand without a food processor?

Yes, definitely! Use a pastry cutter or two knives to cut the vegan butter into the flour and sugar until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add chilled water slowly and mix gently until it just comes together.

Is the crumble topping necessary?

While you can skip the crumble, it really adds a wonderful contrast of texture and a hint of nuttiness (especially if you use oats or nuts). It’s one of the elements that makes this Vegan Apple Pie Bars Recipe so special.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The crumble should be a golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with softened apple pieces but not wet dough. The apples will be tender but not mushy, and the crust should hold together nicely.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Apple Pie Bars Recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy all the comforting flavors of apple pie without the fuss of rolling out crusts and dealing with a whole pie. It’s approachable, super tasty, and perfect for sharing with friends and family on chilly afternoons or special occasions. Give it a go—you’ll find yourself reaching for these bars again and again as a sweet moment of seasonal bliss.