Vegan Apple Pie Bars (Gluten-Free)
Try this Vegan Apple Pie Bars (gluten-free) recipe.
Try this Vegan Apple Pie Bars (gluten-free) recipe.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- filling:
- topping:
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- crust:
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 1/2 cup almond meal/flour
- caramel sauce:
- 1 tablespoon applesauce
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tablespoon flax meal
- 1 1/2 cups oat flour (ground-up rolled oats)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave nectar
- 2 apples, sliced thinly (i used honeycrisp)*
- 1 tablespoon oat flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup pecans roughly chopped**
- 2 tablespoons oat flour
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave nectar
- 1/2 cup pitted dates soaked in hot water
- 1/3 upalmond milk or water
- Carbohydrate 14.41976204753 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 8.68225034693137 g
- Fiber 2.83308609953347 g
- Protein 3.3901114580488 g
- Saturated Fat 5.2162062846849 g
- Serving Size 1 1 -16 bar (68g)
- Sodium 11.4304409718285 mg
- Sugar 11.5866759479965 g
- Trans Fat 0.593511930527771 g
- Calories 144 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch x 8-inch baking pan with foil; lightly grease with non-stick spray.
- Crust: In a large bowl, add oat flour, almond meal and flax meal. Stir to combine. Add coconut oil, maple syrup and salt; stir until ingredients are fully incorporated. Add water; mix well.
- Press the crust evenly into the pan, slightly bringing the crust up on the sides. Make sure the crust is the same thickness throughout.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven; place in the fridge and cool for 10 minutes.
- Filling: In the same large bowl, place the sliced apples, coconut sugar, oat flour, applesauce, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stir until the ingredients evenly coat the apples.
- Evenly layer the apples on the baked crust; slightly press down to pack the apples in.
- Topping: In the large bowl, add oats, pecans, oat flour, cinnamon and salt; stir to combine. Add melted oil, maple syrup and vanilla. Stir well until ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Sprinkle topping evenly on top of the layered apples.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the topping is lightly browned and crispy. Remove from the oven; let the bars sit in the pan for 30 minutes.
- Place in the fridge and let cool for at least 30 minutes.
- In a blender, add soaked dates, milk and salt. Blend until smooth.
- Drizzle the caramel sauce over the bars.
- Slice and enjoy!
My Unexpected Journey into Vegan Baking: A Gluten-Free Apple Pie Bar Adventure
As a busy working mom, my kitchen is usually a battlefield of half-eaten lunches and forgotten Tupperware. Finding time to bake is a luxury, not a regular occurrence. But lately, I've been craving something sweet, something comforting, something that doesn't involve a mountain of refined sugar and questionable ingredients. That’s where these Vegan Apple Pie Bars stepped in – unexpectedly – and completely changed my perspective on baking.
It all started with a whim. I’d stumbled across this recipe online (I’m not going to lie, Pinterest is my guilty pleasure). The photos looked divine: golden-brown, perfectly crisp topping, juicy apples peeking through… It was irresistible. Being a somewhat health-conscious individual, I’m also always on the lookout for gluten-free options. The fact that these bars ticked all the boxes – vegan, gluten-free, and absolutely delicious – made it a must-try.
I’ll admit, I wasn’t overly confident. My baking skills are, let's just say, rudimentary. But following the instructions (which, thankfully, were clear and concise), I found myself surprisingly engrossed in the process. The aroma of cinnamon and apples filling my kitchen was intoxicating. It was like a mini-spa day, a moment of tranquility in the middle of my chaotic week. I've always found solace in creating things, and baking, even when I am a beginner, felt empowering.
The first bite was a revelation. The crust was wonderfully buttery (coconut oil, genius!), the filling perfectly tart and sweet, and the topping provided a delightful crunch. They were everything I'd hoped for and more. My kids, usually picky eaters, devoured them. My husband, not usually a dessert person, asked for seconds. This was a win. A resounding, delicious win.
This wasn't just a recipe; it was an experience. It was a reminder to slow down, to appreciate the simple pleasures, and to discover the joy in creating something delicious from scratch. I've made these bars several times now, tweaking them slightly to suit my preferences (I added a sprinkle of chopped walnuts to the topping, a suggestion from a friend). But the core recipe, the magic that it creates, remains consistent and perfect. If you’re looking for a simple, satisfying, and surprisingly easy dessert, look no further. Give these Vegan Apple Pie Bars a try; you might just surprise yourself.
Beyond the deliciousness, this whole experience sparked something in me. The satisfaction of creating something so delicious from seemingly simple ingredients was unexpected. And honestly, the time spent baking, even with the kitchen becoming a little chaotic, became a moment of mindful creation and quiet in my busy life. It reminded me that moments of creativity can weave themselves through even the most hectic schedules. It isn't about perfection or expertise but about finding moments for yourself and experiencing that satisfaction.
What I discovered wasn’t just a great recipe, but a new appreciation for baking. It’s become a little ritual now, a way to de-stress and reconnect with myself. The best part? My kids love helping, making the whole process even more meaningful. Baking isn’t just about the finished product; it’s about the journey, the shared moments, and the delicious rewards at the end.
So go ahead, try these bars. You might just discover your own hidden baking talent, or, like me, find a new way to slow down and savor the simpler moments in life. And if you happen to bake a batch, let me know how they turn out!
