Description
These Apple Crumble Bars combine a tender almond flour crust with a spiced apple filling and a crunchy pecan crumble topping. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and coconut sugar, these bars are a wholesome dessert option that pairs perfectly with dairy-free vanilla ice cream. Easy to make and baked to golden perfection, they offer a delightful mix of textures and flavors perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 3 1/2 cups chopped peeled apples (about 3 medium apples)
- 1 1/2 tbsp coconut sugar or Monk Fruit Sweetener
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tsp arrowroot flour
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tsp lemon juice
Crust
- 2 cups almond flour
- 2 tbsp arrowroot flour
- 1/4 cup pecans
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp melted ghee
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp salt
Crumble
- 1 cup pecans
- 2 tbsp almond flour
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare baking pan and preheat oven: Spray a 9×9 inch baking pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the correct baking temperature while you prepare the ingredients.
- Prepare apples and start filling: Peel and chop your apples into small pieces. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the apples with coconut sugar (or Monk Fruit Sweetener), maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, water, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Stir to combine and cook for about 3 minutes, allowing the mixture to heat evenly.
- Thicken the apple filling: Sprinkle the arrowroot flour over the apple mixture and stir thoroughly until combined. Continue cooking until the filling thickens to a jam-like consistency, which helps it hold together in the bars.
- Make the crust dough: In a food processor, add almond flour, arrowroot flour, pecans, vanilla extract, melted ghee, maple syrup, and salt. Process until the mixture forms a dough-like consistency that can be spread evenly.
- Form the crust: Transfer the dough into the prepared baking pan and press or spread it evenly to cover the entire bottom of the pan, creating a solid base layer for your bars.
- Assemble the bars: Pour the thickened apple filling over the crust and spread it out evenly to form the middle layer.
- Prepare the crumble topping: Using the food processor, pulse pecans, almond flour, maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon until the texture resembles coarse crumbs. Spread this crumble mixture evenly over the apple filling layer.
- Bake the bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is set in the middle.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool before slicing into 9 bars. Serve these delicious apple crumble bars warm or at room temperature, ideally with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream for a perfect treat.
Notes
- For a lower sugar version, substitute coconut sugar or maple syrup with low-carb sweeteners like Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweeteners.
- These bars pair wonderfully with dairy-free and keto-friendly vanilla bean ice cream. See recipe link for an easy homemade option.
- Ensure apples are peeled and chopped finely for even cooking and texture.
- Arrowroot flour is used to thicken the apple filling; if unavailable, you can substitute with cornstarch but adjust quantity as needed.
- To keep this recipe keto-friendly, opt for sugar substitutes and use ghee instead of butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
