Some recipes make you feel like you’re wrapping yourself in a warm hug, don’t they?
Apple pie is one of those classics for me—Sunday afternoons at Grandma’s house, the smell of fresh apples and cinnamon wafting through the air.
But I love giving my nostalgic favorites a twist, and that’s how these apple pie bars came to life.
Adding a salted peanut butter caramel drizzle? Pure genius.
It’s like a road trip for your taste buds, going from the traditional to the adventurous. Plus, it’s gluten-free, so more people can enjoy it.
Tips & Substitutions
- Ingredient Swaps: Use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version or honey instead of maple syrup if preferred.
- Extra Flavor: Add a pinch of ground ginger to the apple filling for a little zing.
- Make-Ahead: These bars freeze beautifully. Just wait to add the caramel until serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these bars slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped coconut cream. For a cozy drink pairing, hot cider or a latte works wonders.
Apple Pie Bars with Salted Peanut Butter Caramel
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 9 bars 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Warm spiced apple pie bars topped with a crumbly oat layer and drizzled with salted peanut butter caramel—comfort food with a twist.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free oat flour
- ½ cup almond flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed) or coconut oil for a vegan option
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 medium apples (I like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ⅓ cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
For the Crumble Topping:
- 1 cup gluten-free oats
- ½ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter or coconut oil (melted)
For the Salted Peanut Butter Caramel:
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine oat flour, almond flour, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add cold butter, maple syrup, and vanilla. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to mix until crumbly.
- Press the mixture firmly into the baking pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Set aside.
- Make the Apple Filling:
- Toss diced apples with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch in a large bowl.
- Spread the apple mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust.
- Create the Crumble Topping:
- Mix oats, almond flour, coconut sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Drizzle melted butter over the mixture and stir until it forms a crumbly texture.
- Sprinkle over the apple layer.
- Bake the Bars:
- Bake the assembled bars for 35-40 minutes, until the apples are tender and the topping is golden. Let cool completely.
- Prepare the Caramel:
- In a small saucepan over low heat, combine peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, and salt. Stir until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Drizzle and Serve:
- Once the bars are cool, drizzle the peanut butter caramel over the top. Slice into squares or rectangles and enjoy!
Notes
Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or just indulging in a treat that’s equal parts nostalgic and inventive.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
