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    Home » Course » Dessert

    The Best Paleo Apple Pie Bars

    Published: Oct 3, 2020 · Modified: Oct 5, 2023 by Erin Carter · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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    These are the best paleo apple pie bars! They have a flaky shortbread crust, a cinnamon spiced apple pie filling and are topped with a rich and creamy caramel sauce. They are the perfect fall treat that are also gluten free, dairy free and vegan!

    On overhead shot of a paleo apple pie bar with a bite out of it.
    Table of Contents
    • Why you will love this recipe:
    • Taste and texture:
    • Key ingredients and substitutions:
    • How to make this recipe:
    • Tips and variations:
    • How to serve:
    • How to store: 
    • Frequently asked questions:
    • Other desserts you will love:
    • Recipe

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • These gluten free apple pie bars are so delicious! They have a flaky shortbread crust, a cinnamon spiced apple pie layer and are then drizzled in the best rich and creamy caramel!
    • These bars taste just like a classic apple pie but are so much easier to make.
    • This caramel apple bars recipe makes the perfect fall dessert.
    • These bars can be served warm or cold and keep really well in the fridge if you want to save some for later.
    • Besides being paleo these bars are also gluten free, dairy free and vegan!
    • They are healthy apple pie bars compared to other apple pie bars since these are refined sugar free. 
    • This almond flour apple bars recipe is great to serve anytime but it would also be perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas. 
    • If you love apple pie bars you will also love apple pie overnight oats!

    Taste and texture:

    These apple bars have the perfect flaky shortbread crust with the most delicious melt in your mouth apple caramel topping. The bars taste like a caramel apple pie and have hints of cinnamon. The apple pieces melt in your mouth with every bite!

    Key ingredients and substitutions:

    • Almond flour - one of my favourite gluten free flours! You could swap this for cashew flour instead. Almond flour is great to bake with because it's high in protein, healthy fats and fiber. Be sure to use almond flour and not almond meal. 
    • Coconut flour - to give the crust a nice crumbly texture. I do not recommend trying to swap this for another flour.
    • Coconut oil - coconut oil is my favourite dairy free oil to bake with. It gives the crust on these apple bars the perfect crunchy texture. 
    • Honey or maple syrup (use maple syrup for vegan) - to give these bars the perfect amount of sweetness while keeping them refined sugar free. 
    • Apples - the star of this recipe! I recommend using red apples such as gala, honeycrisp, pink lady or ambrosia. 
    • Ground cinnamon - to give these apple bars that perfect apple pie spice flavour. 
    • Cashew butter - this is used to make the dreamy caramel sauce that tops these bars. You can swap this for almond butter or sunflower seed butter. 

    How to make this recipe:

    To make the shortbread layer:

    Step one:

    First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Step two:

    Now add all the crust ingredients to a bowl and blend well with a spoon or fork.

    Step three:

    Next line an 8″ x 8″ glass baking dish with parchment paper and transfer the dough to the pan and press down with a spoon until you have an even layer.

    Step four:

    Then place the pan in the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, until the edges are golden. While the crust is baking, move on to making the other layers. 

    To make the apple pie filling:

    Step one:

    Place a pot or large pan on the stove on medium heat and add the coconut oil. Once the oil is melted, add the other ingredients. 

    Step two:

    Then cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the apples are the consistency you desire. Next make the caramel layer.

    To make the caramel layer and assemble these bars:

    Step one:

    Place all the caramel ingredients into a large bowl and stir well until it’s smooth.

    Step two:

    Pour approximately 3/4 of the caramel over the shortbread crust, and spread evenly until smooth.

    Step three:

    Then using a slotted spoon, spoon the apples over the caramel sauce. 

    Step four:

    Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the apples. Then place the pan in the freezer for 1-2 hours to let the bars harden. 

    Step five:

    Then remove the pan from the freezer and cut the bars into desired sized pieces. Then serve and enjoy!

    Step by step directions for making healthy apple pie bars.

    Tips and variations:

    • If you don't feel like peeling the apples you don't have to.
    • Instead of cashew butter you can use almond butter or sunflower seed butter.
    • These bars can be served warm or cold.
    • To make these into salted caramel apple bars sprinkle the bars with a little course sea salt before placing them in the freezer to harden. 
    • When you take them out of the freezer to cut, let them warm up for a couple minutes to make cutting them easier. 

    How to serve:

    These dessert bars are delicious served on their own, either warm or cold, but if you want to take them up a notch consider serving them with:

    • Dairy free vanilla ice cream
    • Dairy free vanilla yogurt
    • Coconut whipped cream - learn how to make it here

    How to store: 

    • I recommend storing these bars in the fridge once they’ve been cooked and cut into pieces. Store them in an air tight container for up to 7 days. 
    • These dairy free apple pie bars freeze really well so feel free to save and store some for later.
    Cut up apple pie bars with caramel drizzle on top.

    Frequently asked questions:

    What type of apples should I use for this recipe?

    Any type of sweet red apple will do. Some of my favourites are Gala, Honey Crisp and Pink Lady.

    What can I use instead of almond flour?

    If you can't have almond flour I would use cashew flour instead.

    Are these apple bars vegan?

    Yes! As long as you use maple syrup to sweeten them they are! I kept them egg free for this reason.

    Other desserts you will love:

    • Turtle Bars
    • Paleo Blueberry Cheesecake
    • Paleo Chocolate Donuts
    • Paleo Lemon Cranberry Bars
    • Paleo Brownies with Caramel

    Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!

    Recipe

    A paleo apple pie bar with a bite out of it and pieces of cooked apples beside it.

    Paleo Apple Pie Bars

    These paleo apple pie bars are incredibly delicious! With a shortbread crust, apple pie layer and drizzled in caramel you are going to love these! They're also vegan, gluten free and dairy free.
    5 from 29 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 414kcal
    Author: Dr. Erin Carter

    Ingredients

    Shortbread Crust Ingredients

    • 1 1/2 cups almond flour
    • 2 tablespoon coconut flour
    • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
    • 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • pinch sea salt

    Apple Layer Ingredients

    • 3 red apples, peeled and cut into small pieces
    • 3 tablespoon coconut oil
    • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

    Caramel Layer Ingredients

    • 1 cup cashew butter
    • 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
    • 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • pinch sea salt

    Instructions

    Shortbread Layer Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 350F.
    • Add all the crust ingredients to a bowl and blend well with a spoon or fork.
    • Line an 8" x 8" glass baking dish with parchment paper and transfer the dough to the pan and press down with a spoon until you have an even layer.
    • Place the pan in the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, until the edges are golden.
    • While the crust is baking, you can start making the other layers.

    Apple Layer Instructions

    • Place a pot or large pan on the stove on medium heat and add the coconut oil. Once the oil is melted, add the other ingredients.
    • Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the apples are the consistency you desire.

    Caramel Layer Instructions

    • Place all the ingredients into a large bowl and stir well until it's smooth.
    • Pour approximately 3/4 of the caramel over the shortbread crust, and spread evenly until smooth.
    • Using a slotted spoon, spoon the apples over the caramel.
    • Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the apples.
    • Place the pan in the freezer for 1-2 hours, until the caramel hardens.
    • Remove the pan from the freezer and cut the bars into pieces and enjoy!

    Notes

    1. You don't have to peel the apples if you don't want to.
    2. If you don't have cashew butter you can use almond butter or sunflower seed butter instead.
    3. You can use any type of sweet red apple for this recipe. My favourites are Honey Crisp, Gala and Pink Lady.
    4. I recommend storing these bars in the fridge.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 414kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @pureandsimpleno or tag #pureandsimpleno!

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    DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kristie

      October 08, 2020 at 7:04 pm

      Yuuuummm, so good!5 stars

      Reply

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    Hi everyone! My name is Dr. Erin Carter and I am so thrilled you are here. I am a physician with specialities in both internal medicine and rheumatology, and I believe that food and healthy living are forms of medicine. In my spare time I share health information and delicious, healthy recipes here on Pure and Simple Nourishment.

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