These delicious apple pie bars are a fantastic alternative to traditional apple pie, offering all the comforting flavors in a much more convenient format. Baked in a casserole dish, they feature a buttery crust and a sweet, spiced apple filling that’s perfect for sharing.

Easy Apple Pie Bars Recipe - Perfect for Fall Desserts! 16

This easy recipe is ideal for those busy fall days when you crave a homemade treat but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. It’s a save-worthy addition to your fall dessert collection, perfect for harvest gatherings or simply enjoying with your family.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe for apple pie bars is a true winner for so many reasons. First, it takes the classic, beloved taste of apple pie and transforms it into a portable, sliceable bar, making it incredibly practical for potlucks, lunchboxes, or just a simple dessert after dinner. It’s perfect for busy parents, new bakers, or anyone who wants a delicious homemade treat without all the fuss of making a traditional pie crust from scratch. You’ll love how quickly these come together, especially when you’re looking for a comforting fall dessert that doesn’t require a lot of advanced planning. Serve them warm with a scoop of ice cream, or enjoy them at room temperature with a cup of coffee. They’re versatile, satisfying, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients before you start baking is the best way to ensure a smooth and enjoyable cooking experience. This recipe uses common pantry staples and fresh apples, so you likely have most of what you need already on hand. Don’t worry about fancy equipment; a standard 9×13 inch baking dish and a few mixing bowls are all you’ll need.

INGREDIENTS:

1 (17.5 ounce) package refrigerated crescent roll dough
6 medium-sized apples, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1-2 tablespoons milk or cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

When it comes to ingredient choices, you have a little flexibility. For the apples, a mix of sweet and tart varieties works wonderfully to create a balanced flavor profile. Granny Smith provides that classic tartness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji add a lovely sweetness and crisp texture. If you don’t have fresh lemon juice, a splash of apple cider vinegar can work in a pinch to prevent the apples from browning and brighten their flavor. For the crescent roll dough, any brand of refrigerated crescent rolls will do the trick; just make sure it’s the sheet variety or that you can easily press the seams together to form a solid crust. For the glaze, feel free to use any type of milk you have on hand, whether it’s dairy milk, almond milk, or oat milk.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

One of the best features of these apple pie bars is how quickly they come together, making them an ideal choice for a weeknight dessert or a last-minute gathering.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 25-30 minutes
Cooling time: 15-20 minutes (before glazing and serving)
Total time: Approximately 55-65 minutes

This timeline ensures you can have a warm, delicious dessert ready in just over an hour, with most of that time being hands-off baking. The cooling time is important to allow the filling to set slightly and the bars to be easily cut and glazed.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Making these apple pie bars is a straightforward process, perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Follow these steps for a delicious result every time.

Prepare your baking dish and oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Unroll one can of crescent roll dough and press it firmly into the bottom of the prepared dish, making sure to seal any perforations to form a solid crust. You can let it extend slightly up the sides.
Peel and slice the apples: Peel, core, and thinly slice your apples. Aim for slices about 1/4-inch thick so they cook evenly. Place the sliced apples in a large bowl.
Create the apple filling: To the bowl of sliced apples, add the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss everything together gently until the apples are evenly coated with the spices and sugar.
Assemble the bars: Pour the spiced apple mixture evenly over the crescent roll crust in the baking dish. Unroll the second can of crescent roll dough and carefully place it over the apple filling, gently stretching it to cover the entire surface. Pinch the edges of the top and bottom crusts together to seal.
Add the butter topping: Melt the unsalted butter and brush it evenly over the top layer of crescent roll dough. This will help create a beautiful golden-brown crust and add a rich flavor.
Bake until golden: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top crust is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork. You should see some bubbling around the edges.
Prepare the glaze: While the bars are cooling slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and pourable. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk; if too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
Glaze and serve: Let the apple pie bars cool in the dish for at least 15-20 minutes before drizzling generously with the prepared glaze. This cooling time allows the filling to set up, making the bars easier to slice neatly. Slice into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

These apple pie bars are wonderfully versatile, making them perfect for various occasions and tastes. For a fun twist, consider adding a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the apple filling for extra crunch and nutty flavor. A sprinkle of dried cranberries or golden raisins can also add a pleasant chewiness and tart sweetness. If you’re a fan of caramel, a drizzle of store-bought caramel sauce over the top of the glaze takes these bars to a whole new level of indulgence.

When it comes to serving, these bars are fantastic on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a variety of accompaniments. For a classic dessert experience, serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. They’re also excellent with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon sugar on top, especially if you prefer a less sweet glaze. For a casual gathering or buffet, arrange them on a platter for easy grab-and-go treats. Kids especially love these bars because they’re easy to hold and eat, making them a great option for school lunch desserts or after-school snacks.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even with a simple recipe, a few common mistakes can impact the final result. Knowing what to look out for will help you achieve perfect apple pie bars every time.

One frequent issue is under-baking the apples. If your apple slices are too thick, they might not soften completely during the baking time, leaving you with crunchy, raw-tasting apple bits. To avoid this, make sure to slice your apples thinly and uniformly, about 1/4-inch thick. You can also cover the bars loosely with foil if the crust is browning too quickly before the apples are tender.

Another common slip-up is not sealing the crescent roll dough properly. If the bottom crust isn’t pressed firmly together or the top crust isn’t sealed to the bottom, the apple filling can seep out, making the bars messy and potentially burning on the bottom of the pan. Take a moment to press the seams of the bottom crust together and firmly pinch the edges of the top and bottom crusts to create a good seal.

Finally, cutting the bars too soon can lead to a messy presentation. The apple filling needs a little time to cool and set up after baking. If you slice into them while they’re still piping hot, the filling will likely ooze out, and the bars won’t hold their shape well. Allow them to cool for at least 15-20 minutes before drizzling with glaze and cutting. Patience here will be rewarded with clean, beautiful slices.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

These apple pie bars are a fantastic make-ahead dessert, perfect for busy schedules. Once baked and cooled, they can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. If you want to extend their freshness, you can refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Just be aware that refrigeration might make the crust slightly less crisp.

If you plan to make them ahead for an event, you can bake the bars completely, let them cool, and then store them unglazed. Prepare the glaze just before serving and drizzle it over the bars

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.