Paleo Apple Pie Bars (Vegan)
User Reviews
4.5
Paleo Apple Pie Bars (Vegan)
Description
Paleo Apple Pie Bars combine an almond flour-based shortbread crust with a rich apple filling. The apples are peeled, thinly sliced, and simmered with maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, and water until they release moisture, then thickened with tapioca flour to achieve the right consistency. The crust dough is a mixture of almond flour, melted coconut oil, pure maple syrup, and sea salt, pressed half into an 8x8 pan and reserved half as topping crumbles. After spreading the filling over the crust, the remaining crumbly dough tops the bars before baking.
The result is a balanced dessert with a moist but thick apple interior and a slightly crisp, crumbly almond topping. The natural sweetness from maple syrup enhances the apples without overwhelming them, and the cinnamon adds a warm depth. The bars are suitable for those avoiding grains and animal products.
For variations, cassava flour may substitute for almond flour in a nut-free version, adjusting coconut oil amounts to manage dough consistency. Additionally, melted butter can replace coconut oil if dairy is allowed. This versatility accommodates differing dietary needs while preserving the bars' structure and flavor.
Ingredients
Apple Filling:
- 3 ½ cups apple peeled and sliced thinly (2 apples
- 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch salt sea salt
- 2 tsp tapioca flour
Shortbread Crust and Topping:
- 2 ½ cups almond flour finely ground
- 6 Tbsp coconut oil melted**
- 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- Pinch salt sea salt
Instructions
Prepare the Apple Filling:
- Add all of the ingredients for the apple filling except for the tapioca flour to a small saucepan. Cover, heat over medium-high heat on the stove top, and bring mixture to a full boil. Stir occasionally and allow mixture to cook at a gentle boil until the apples have leached out a great deal of liquid.
- Add the tapioca flour and continue cooking and stirring, until the mixture is very thick, about 15 to 20 minutes total. Remove from heat and set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.
- While the apple filling is cooking, prepare the rest of the recipe.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 8” x 8” cake pan with parchment paper.
Prepare the Crust:
- Stir together all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Keep stirring until a thick, moist, crumbly dough forms.
- Measure out ½ cup of the crust mixture and place it in a bowl to use as the topping.
- Press the rest of the crust mixture into the parchment-lined cake pan until you have an even layer of crust. Poke several times with a fork to ensure even baking. Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 12 to 16 minutes, or until the crust is golden-brown and appears as though it has set up.
- Remove the crust from the oven.
Make the Bars:
- Spread the apple filling mixture over the crust in an even layer. Sprinkle the reserved topping mixture over the apple layer.
- Bake the bars for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crumb bar topping is golden-brown. Remove from the oven and allow crumb bars to cool at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use cassava flour as a 1:1 substitute for almond flour to make the bars nut-free; adjust coconut oil slightly if dough becomes crumbly.
- Melted butter can replace coconut oil for a non-vegan, dairy-inclusive version.
- The crust dough should be thick and hold together but not sticky for best results.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 9Bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 329 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1of 9 | |
| Calories | 329kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 17g | 34% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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