Easy Apple Pie Bars – Better Than Takeout
Easy apple pie bars are the perfect dessert for any occasion. With a crispy, golden crust and a warm, spiced apple filling, these bars are better than takeout and ready in just 30 minutes. After making these apple pie bars dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to the perfect crust and filling. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Cake and Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins.
Why This Easy Apple Pie Bars – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy, golden crust that's flaky and buttery
- Warm, spiced apple filling that's juicy and flavorful
- Easy to make and ready in just 30 minutes
- Better than takeout and perfect for any occasion
What You'll Need for Easy Apple Pie Bars – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Apples
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla extract
- Optional: Vanilla ice cream
- Optional: Whipped cream
- Optional: Caramel sauce
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Apples: Use a mix of sweet and tart apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for the best flavor.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Makes quick work of the dough and ensures a consistent texture. → See on Amazon
- Apple peeler — Saves time and effort in preparing the apples. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Apple Pie Bars – Better Than Takeout
- Prepare the crust: In a food processor, combine flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and salt. Pulse in butter until crumbly. Press into a greased 9×13 inch pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes.
- Prepare the filling: Peel, core, and slice apples. In a large bowl, combine apples, brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1 egg. Spread over hot crust.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Let cool before cutting.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Apple Pie Bars – Better Than Takeout
- : For a flakier crust, use cold butter and don't overwork the dough.
- Common mistake and fix: If the crust is too crumbly, add a bit more butter or a splash of cold water. If it's too sticky, add more flour.
- : For a sweeter bar, increase the sugar to 3/4 cup.
- : For a tangier bar, add a tablespoon of lemon juice to the filling.
Storing & Reheating Easy Apple Pie Bars – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: The crust can be prepared up to a day ahead and the filling can be prepared up to 4 hours ahead.
Freezing Easy Apple Pie Bars – Better Than Takeout
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a shortcut, use store-bought pie crust for the base and top.
- Best substitution: Substitute the apples with pears for a different flavor.
- Make-ahead: These bars can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe can be halved and baked in an 8×8 inch pan.
- Troubleshooting: If the bars are too soft, bake them a bit longer. If they're too hard, add a bit more apple filling.
Want to level up this recipe?
Parchment paper — Makes it easy to lift the bars out of the pan and prevents sticking. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Apple Pie Bars – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Apples
Seasonings
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: In a food processor, combine flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and salt. Pulse in butter until crumbly. Press into a greased 9×13 inch pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes.
- Prepare the filling: Peel, core, and slice apples. In a large bowl, combine apples, brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1 egg. Spread over hot crust.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Let cool before cutting.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a shortcut, use store-bought pie crust for the base and top.
- Best substitution: Substitute the apples with pears for a different flavor.
- Make-ahead: These bars can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe can be halved and baked in an 8×8 inch pan.
- Troubleshooting: If the bars are too soft, bake them a bit longer. If they're too hard, add a bit more apple filling.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
- Make ahead: The crust can be prepared up to a day ahead and the filling can be prepared up to 4 hours ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sat. Fat: 5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Apple Pie Bars – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can make the crust and filling ahead and assemble before baking.
This could be due to overbaking or not using enough apples. Make sure to keep an eye on them and use the right amount of apples.
Yes, they freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
No, this recipe is best made in the oven.
Pears work well as a substitute for apples in this recipe.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Apple Pie Bars – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
