Description
These Gluten-Free Apple Pie Bars are a delightful vegan dessert that combines a tender gluten-free crust, spiced apple filling, and a buttery oat crumble topping. Perfectly balanced with warm cinnamon and nutmeg, these bars are easy to make and ideal for serving at gatherings or as a sweet treat anytime. Featuring a dairy-free and gluten-free formula, they are a crowd-pleaser for those with dietary restrictions.
Ingredients
Crust
- ½ cup unsalted dairy-free butter, melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups gluten-free 1:1 flour blend
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your gluten-free blend already contains it)
Apple Filling
- 4 medium apples (or 3 large), peeled and cored
- 2 tablespoons gluten-free 1:1 flour blend
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Crumble Topping
- ½ cup gluten-free rolled oats
- ½ cup gluten-free 1:1 flour blend
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted dairy-free butter, cold and grated
Optional
- Dairy-free caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) for drizzling
Instructions
- Freeze Butter: Place 6 tablespoons of unsalted dairy-free butter in the freezer to firm up for the crumble topping preparation.
- Preheat & Line: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on at least two sides for easy removal later.
- Prepare Crust Dough: Melt ½ cup of dairy-free butter and let it cool slightly. In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and the melted butter. Stir in gluten-free 1:1 flour and xanthan gum (if using), mixing until a dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish to form the crust.
- Par-Bake Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until it becomes slightly puffy but not fully browned. Remove from oven.
- Slice Apples: While the crust bakes, peel and core the apples, then thinly slice them into ¼-inch slices for even cooking and texture.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with gluten-free flour, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until all pieces are evenly coated with the spiced mixture.
- Grate Butter: Remove the frozen butter from the freezer and grate it using a coarse grater to prepare it for the crumble topping.
- Prepare Crumble Topping: In a bowl, mix together gluten-free rolled oats, gluten-free flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and granulated sugar. Add the grated cold butter and use your hands or a pastry cutter to mix until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
- Assemble: Spread the prepared apple filling evenly over the warm par-baked crust. Then sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake Until Golden: Return the assembled bars to the oven and bake for 35 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and crisp.
- Cool & Slice: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set before lifting out using the parchment paper overhang. Slice into 9 to 12 bars. Drizzle with dairy-free caramel sauce before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Make sure to use a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend that contains xanthan gum or add it separately to help with texture.
- Chilling the bars after baking helps them firm up, making slicing easier and cleaner.
- For extra flavor, you can add a splash of lemon juice to the apples before tossing with sugar and spices.
- The crumble topping can be customized with chopped nuts or shredded coconut for additional texture.
- Store leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days and reheat gently before serving.
- Ensure the dairy-free butter is firm and cold when grating for the best crumble texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American