If you’re anything like me and love the cozy flavors of autumn desserts but want something quick and fuss-free, you’re going to adore this Easy Vegan Apple Pie Bars Recipe. Imagine juicy, cinnamon-spiced apples nestled between layers of tender vegan crust and topped with a crumbly oat streusel—it’s basically apple pie, but wrapped up in convenient bars! Perfect for sharing, gifting, or sneaking a midnight snack. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to keep this recipe in your back pocket for every season.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday pantry staples you likely already have, making it quick to whip up.
Balanced Sweetness: The tart Granny Smith apples balance the brown sugar and cinnamon perfectly for that classic apple pie flavor.
Texture Contrast: Creamy, tender apple filling paired with a buttery crisp crust and oat streusel topping keeps every bite interesting.
Vegan-Friendly: Completely plant-based without losing any of the comforting, nostalgic pie vibes.

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a dessert that has two visible layers. The top layer is a rough, crumbly texture with golden brown clusters featuring oats and small pieces of nuts, covering the entire surface evenly. Just beneath the crumbly layer, a darker, glossy layer is partially visible near the edge, suggesting a soft fruit filling. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface with a light gray cloth partially visible around the bottom right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Easy Vegan Apple Pie Bars Recipe is carefully chosen to create that perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Plus, these tips help you pick the best versions to make your bars extra special.

Granny Smith apples: Their tartness offsets the sweetness and they hold their shape beautifully, so your bars won’t become mushy.
Brown sugar: Adds rich, caramel-like sweetness and enhances the apple’s natural flavors.
Cinnamon: The classic warm spice that makes everything taste like fall.
Lemon juice: Prevents the apples from browning and adds a subtle brightness that lifts the filling.
Cornstarch: The magic thickener that gives the apple filling a creamy, slice-able consistency without being gloopy.
Vegan pie crusts: Using ready-made crusts is a huge time saver, but homemade works beautifully too, especially if you like it buttery and flaky.
Old-fashioned rolled oats: Create a hearty, rustic crumb topping with great chewiness.
Vegan butter: Diced and chilled to add richness and help form delicious clumps in the streusel.
All-purpose flour: For structure in the streusel and the crust, making the bars stable and easy to slice.
Neutral oil (for baking dish): Keeps the bars from sticking without adding flavor that competes with the apples.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love making this Easy Vegan Apple Pie Bars Recipe my own by swapping in different apples or adding extras like nuts or raisins. It’s such a flexible recipe that you can really get creative with!

Add a Nutty Twist: Sometimes I’ll mix chopped walnuts or pecans into the streusel topping for a little crunch and deeper flavor.
Spice it Up: Forgot cinnamon? No worries—try a pinch of nutmeg or allspice; it totally changes up the vibe in a good way.
Make it Seasonal: Swap out some apples for pears or add some fresh cranberries during the holidays for a festive touch.
Healthier Version: Use whole wheat flour in the streusel or reduce the brown sugar to your liking for a lighter treat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Vegan Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Apple Filling Gently

Start by tossing those thinly sliced Granny Smith apples into a pot with the brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, cornstarch, and half of the water. Cook them on medium-low heat with the lid on for five minutes, stirring carefully so you don’t break up the slices. Adding the rest of the water after five minutes and cooking low and slow again helps the mixture become creamy without turning to mush—this trick is something I learned after a few overcooked batches. Keep stirring from the bottom so nothing sticks or burns. Once thick and creamy, set the filling aside to cool.

Step 2: Prep Your Pan and Crust

Lightly oil your 9×13 baking dish to prevent sticking—this step helps with clean slices later on. Lay down one vegan pie crust and trim any extra edges. Don’t toss those scraps! You’ll add them to your streusel topping later for extra oatmeal-dough goodness.

Step 3: Make the Streusel Topping

In a medium bowl, get your oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and the chilled vegan butter ready. I find using my hands here works best: blend everything until clumps form. Then add those dough scraps from your crust and mix it together. This combination of oats and buttery clumps is one of my favorite textures in this recipe—little crispy bites are the best!

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spread the cooled apple filling evenly over the bottom crust. Next, drape the second pie crust on top, trimming off excess edges just like before, and cut those scraps into small pieces for your topping. Scatter the streusel evenly over everything. Bake for about 35 minutes until the top turns golden and irresistible.

Step 5: Cool and Slice Like a Pro

Once your bars are out of the oven, let them cool completely before refrigerating for at least an hour—overnight is even better. I learned the hard way that rushing this step leads to filling that’s too runny and bars that fall apart when you slice them. When chilled, the filling firms up nicely, making tidy, Instagram-worthy squares.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Vegan Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Choose Crisp Apples: Turning to tart apples like Granny Smith helps maintain that perfect texture instead of mushy filling.
Don’t Skip Cooling: Giving the filling time to cool and set really helps keep your bars from falling apart when slicing.
Streusel Magic: Adding those crust scraps to the topping isn’t just tasty—it uses up leftovers and adds a wonderful doughy texture.
Watch the Heat: Cooking the apple filling low and slow prevents it from burning and helps develop that smooth creaminess.

How to Serve Easy Vegan Apple Pie Bars Recipe

A white glass round dish on a white marbled surface filled with several square oat bars stacked unevenly. Each bar has a top layer of crumbly oat clusters that are light brown and beige with a rough texture, and underneath there is a visible layer of cooked fruit filling in a dark amber color peeking through the middle. A pink lid is partially lifted by a woman's hand, revealing the oat bars inside. A white and beige cloth is placed partly under the dish. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping my apple pie bars with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce for that special treat vibe. Fresh mint leaves add a pop of color when you’re serving guests. Sprinkle a little powdered sugar over the bars right before serving if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

These bars pair perfectly with a hot cup of chai tea or your favorite coffee in the afternoon. For a heartier dessert spread, I sometimes serve them alongside roasted nuts or a crisp green salad with a tart vinaigrette to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these bars on a wooden board topped with fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs—so simple yet elegant. Wrapping individual bars in parchment and tying with twine makes a lovely homemade gift that’s always appreciated.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keeping them chilled really helps preserve the texture of the filling and the crispness of the topping. Before serving leftovers, I let them sit at room temp for a few minutes to take the chill off.

Freezing

If I want to stock up, I wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. They keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, just thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

To bring life back to chilled or frozen bars, I pop them in a 325°F oven for 8-10 minutes. This helps warm the filling without drying out the crust. If you’re in a rush, a quick 20-second zap in the microwave works too, but the crust won’t be quite as crisp.

FAQs

Can I use different types of apples for this Easy Vegan Apple Pie Bars Recipe?

Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are ideal for their tartness and firmness, you can mix in or substitute other varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji. Just keep in mind that sweeter apples may make the filling sweeter, so adjust your sugar accordingly.
Do I need to par-bake the crust to avoid sogginess?

In my experience, par-baking isn’t necessary if you cook the apple filling low and slow and cool the bars properly before slicing. But if you prefer an extra-crisp crust, par-baking the bottom layer for 10 minutes before adding the filling is a great option.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour in the streusel with a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free vegan pie crusts to make it gluten-free. Make sure the pie crust brand explicitly states it’s gluten-free to avoid any surprises.
How long do these bars keep fresh?

Stored in the fridge in an airtight container, these bars stay fresh for about 4 days. Beyond that, the texture may change, so I recommend freezing extras if you want to keep them longer.
Can I prepare the apple filling in advance?

Yes! You can make the apple filling a day ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Then just assemble and bake when you’re ready, which can save you some time on a busy day.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Vegan Apple Pie Bars Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it brings the comfort and nostalgia of homemade apple pie without all the fuss. Whether you’re cooking for family, hosting friends, or craving a solo treat, these bars never disappoint. I find joy in the simple moments, like slicing through that crisp crust to reveal the creamy apple filling beneath—and I hope you experience that same delight when you make this recipe. Go ahead, give it a try, and don’t forget to savor every bite!