Ina's Apple Pie Bars | Easier Than Apple Pie! (2024)

julie @ peanut butter fingersSeptember 27, 2017, 1:47 pm

these sound amazing! we’re hoping to go apple picking in the next week or two, so i’m saving this one!!

• JenSeptember 28, 2017, 1:23 pm

  I know you’ll love these Julie!

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MelissaSeptember 27, 2017, 3:02 pm

OK, this may be a dumb question, but I assume you’re supposed to core and slice the apples before cooking them with the butter. Seems obvious, but probably needs to be included. Do you recommend peeling them or not peeling them? Traditional apple pie has peeled apples…

• JenSeptember 27, 2017, 3:05 pm

  I’ll update the recipe! That was a complete oversight on my part. Thank you! 🙂

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LesqSeptember 28, 2017, 7:31 am

I live in NYC and met Ina Garten Park Avenue and 62nd street yesterday. She is very lovely just as I would have been expected. It was funny that u mentioned her this morning as I read your witty, insightful, awesome blog everyday. Recipe is ??

• Teri || a foodie stays fitSeptember 28, 2017, 10:18 am

  You met Ina?!?!?! That’s amazing. And that makes me SO happy to hear she is really is lovely!!

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  • TracyNovember 14, 2021, 4:19 am

    Can I use ground nutmeg instead of freshly grated nutmeg?

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• JenSeptember 28, 2017, 1:22 pm

  How AMAZING that you met Ina yesterday! I can’t imagine her being anything other than warm and lovely. She just seems to radiate that. I appreciate your kind words about my blog. xoxo

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Julie @ Running in a SkirtSeptember 28, 2017, 8:58 am

How delicious is this??? Love the extra apples and slices!

• JenSeptember 28, 2017, 1:22 pm

  Thank you! They are delicious!

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Teri || a foodie stays fitSeptember 28, 2017, 10:17 am

• JenSeptember 28, 2017, 1:21 pm

  Thank you! And yes, you must break in that new kitchen with lots of yummy homemade food!

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Sarah @ Bucket List TummySeptember 28, 2017, 12:58 pm

These sound delicious! I like your substitutions. I still have so many apples from apple picking so adding this to the list!

• JenSeptember 28, 2017, 1:21 pm

  I think you’ll love them!

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JojoOctober 2, 2017, 12:47 pm

I made these to celebrate the October 1 yesterday ??Do you think I could cut these up, individually wrap them, and freeze them? Then heat them up when wanted?

• JenOctober 9, 2017, 3:22 pm

  Hi – I’m sorry for the late response but yes, I think you could. Most baked goods tend to freeze quite well. I would say they’d probably keep okay in the freezer if they’re individually tightly wrapped for 2-3 months.

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ErinOctober 16, 2017, 6:32 am

oh my gosh! those are so beautiful.

JenniferOctober 17, 2017, 11:23 am

Do you think you could be lazy ,if at a loss for time, and use pie filling?

LindaSeptember 30, 2018, 7:59 pm

These were tasty but FAR more work than making an apple pie!! Most notably, cooking the crust, then cooking the apples on the stove top, then baking the whole thing again! WAAAYY too much work & too time-consuming! Took me 2 hours!!
Won’t be making these again anytime soon…

• Patricia WardNovember 15, 2018, 7:27 pm

  It’s definitely worth all the work to make this in my opinion.?

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  • nadine martellaDecember 4, 2020, 12:55 pm

    You used an 8×8 pan. Ina used 9×13. Why did you?

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• Debra CordellOctober 4, 2019, 12:08 am

  I agree! These are very good, but the title is misleading. Took me a lot longer than I expected to complete!

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KBNovember 4, 2018, 7:59 pm

I made these this weekend — sooo good! The best part is that you can eat it cold the next morning for the perfect breakfast… alongside a hot cup of coffee 🙂

• CarolynSeptember 29, 2019, 10:05 am

  Apple pie for breakfast with coffee in the morning? ???

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  • DeniseNovember 24, 2023, 9:07 pm

    I once went to coffee with my father onThanksgiving morning. I was surprised when he ordered a slice of pumpkin pie. When I commented on that he replied, “After all of that food there is never room for pie. So I would rather have it with coffee now.’ Seeing the wisdom, I have been doing the same since:-)

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Megan KinneyNovember 6, 2018, 9:29 am

I also made these this weekend and have been enjoying them with coffee! When I make them again, I plan to cook the apples for less time since I ended up with apple sauce consistency. I will also add some more cinnamon to the apple mixture and am considering browning the butter! Thanks for sharing this lovely Fall recipe!

Mary NimmoNovember 7, 2018, 7:04 pm

Do you think this recipe could be doubled in a 9×13?

• JenNovember 7, 2018, 9:07 pm

  yes!

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• Patricia WardNovember 15, 2018, 7:30 pm

  I doubled the recipe, and used a 9×13 pan. Worked out fine.

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Chris GarrisonNovember 13, 2018, 9:45 pm

I have made these several times and everybody loves them. Here’s the reason why I love them. I think apple pies are tricky because my pies either turn out to runny or too dry. Too many unknown quantities: freshness of apples, moisture content, or the sweetness. But these apple pie bars are consistently good. It taste just like an apple pie and they are easy to serve too (how many people think a slice of apple pie looks good). I throw in a couple more apples than the 3 lbs listed in the ingredients. I just found a little more apple was needed.

Patricia WardNovember 15, 2018, 7:25 pm

I’ve already posted a comment on this recipe. What I forgot to mention is that I used MacIntosh apples, my favorite apples. I will definitely make this over and over again! I made it (doubled it because I took it to a party) and was disappointed that almost all was eaten at the party I brought it to. It’s gone now, but I wanted to go to the market and buy all the ingredients today and make it again! Yum!

KerryApril 5, 2019, 5:00 pm

Can this be made without the nuts?

LORETTA CARLSONApril 22, 2019, 7:38 pm

this is easy to make and delicious

MandyMay 2, 2019, 5:59 pm

I’ve come to the conclusion that making good pastry is a gene determined trait, like height and hair color. I’m an experienced cook and a pretty fair bread baker but pie crusts and similar pastries defeat me. The same recipe, baked in the same oven, under the same conditions will go wrong in different ways. I’m not right AND I’m not consistent. Hopefully your recipe will break the curse!

MariJune 26, 2019, 10:04 pm

Way too much work for a 8×8; would definitely double for a 9×13

Diane SteensmaSeptember 7, 2019, 6:54 pm

Just made this recipe and it is Devine looks great and is going to be my go to from here on in . Thankyou

CarolynOctober 10, 2019, 1:38 pm

Made this using Red Mills 1-1 baking flour. The inclusion of the spices and the vanilla extract in the dough made a HUGE difference in the taste of the gluten free crust! The dough didn’t have that blah taste. I did omit the initial 20 min. baking of the crust as gluten free crust dries out easily, at least that’s what I have come across. I also did not cook the apples as much as I like the apples larger. ? how this recipe adapted well to a gluten free crust!

Kris JOctober 12, 2019, 10:01 pm

I have made these twice…both times for my birthday. They are absolutely delicious. They are worth the work! The crust is divine. The whole family cannot quit saying YUM

ClariceOctober 13, 2019, 6:53 am

This recipe is pretty much fool(me) proof. I pretty much dumped all the crumble in my mixer then checked the directions.Did the same with the apples and it worked in spite of me! It turned out to be delicious and I didn’t need a rolling pin. ?.

EstherOctober 17, 2019, 9:25 pm

This is delicious! Was going to double everything to make it in a 9×13 pan, but when I saw the 1 cup of butter in the crust, the thought of doubling that made me cringe so I made some adjustments. I still made it in the 9×13 pan, I did not double the crust, but more than doubled the apples since I love the fruit part of pie. I cooked the apples for less than 10 minutes since they were already soft and I didn’t want them to completely turn to mush. The dessert turned out beautifully- I actually can’t imagine needing any more crust than it has. Thanks for the recipe 🙂

MaryNovember 3, 2019, 8:43 pm

Mine are in the oven now for the final bake. Had seen an apple bundt cake recipe with a ripple of cream cheese filling, so I made a batch of filling and put it on the apples before the crumble layer. Fingers crossed. Shouldn’t ad lib on a first-time recipe, but here goes anyway…

VickiNovember 20, 2019, 2:40 pm

Can these be frozen to serve later?

• JenNovember 25, 2019, 2:44 pm

  I think they would freeze well!

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PATSY MAXWELLDecember 9, 2019, 8:15 pm

What size pan would I need to triple the recipe? Do you think a half sheet cake pan would work?

• MeredithOctober 28, 2022, 1:23 pm

  No. A sheet pan isn’t deep enough.

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NanJanuary 31, 2020, 6:01 pm

I Just took this out of the oven. It smells and looks delicious. Will have a piece with a scoop of ice cream tonight.

JanMarch 24, 2020, 5:33 pm

I made your apple crumb bars today. They are outstanding . Thank you for sharing.

JulieApril 7, 2020, 4:16 pm

I agree that this recipe isn’t easier than a true pie, but they smell really good! I’m wondering why the need to bake the crust, cook the apples on the stove and then baking them aLl together. Could you refrigerate the crust, fill with uncooked apples cover with remaining crust and bake it for the 55 minutes this recipe calls for?

• JenApril 10, 2020, 8:05 am

  Hi Julie – the bottom crust is too thick to cook through without blind baking first.

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AnitaMay 18, 2020, 7:24 pm

Can you use a tart dish and omit the parchment paper?

• JenMay 20, 2020, 8:28 am

  You could try if your tart dish is deep enough. Baking with parchment just makes things so much easier!

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MiaMay 26, 2020, 10:10 am

I made this dessert and it was amazing. I added lemon rind which added flavor.

Mary DominickJune 13, 2020, 8:58 pm

This is one of my most popular recipes. I often bake for others, especially as repayment for something they did for me. I am making them now for the people across the street who have helped us a lot the past year through some health issues with my husband; now they sometimes do grocery shopping for us so we don’t have to risk getting Covid-19. The 15 yr. old boy often helps us out around the yard. Such a great family! I have to make these bars gluten free now for my husband and they are still delicious.

SamanthaAugust 14, 2020, 1:22 pm

I am wondering, can these be made without the walnuts?

TabithaOctober 1, 2020, 4:51 pm

Do these need to be refrigerated? What is the best way to store these, and how many days will they last?

AliceOctober 4, 2020, 9:48 pm

I used 3 pounds of apples which came out to 7 large. The scale at the store could have been off but I used them all and it came out very high. They did not cook down like my apple pie did the week before. I will, however, be making this again and I will try 4-5 medium apples. The taste was excellent!

HollyOctober 13, 2020, 2:56 pm

Hello, these look amazing! I am also wondering if you can omit the walnuts without altering the recipe?

Colleen K ParkerNovember 17, 2020, 1:43 pm

I am going to make these to bring for Thanksgiving….making the day before, so do I just serve them cold? or should I heat them up before serving? I have to travel 5 hours

CeeKayApril 1, 2021, 8:41 pm

Is it ok to substitute margarine for some of the butter? (I don’t have that much butter on hand and would love to make these tonite.) Thank you.

• JenApril 1, 2021, 9:03 pm

  I’m not sure but you can try!

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JenniferApril 22, 2021, 5:24 pm

Delicious! The right balance of salty and sweet. I will definitely make this again.

• JenMay 1, 2021, 2:51 pm

  So happy to hear this!

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  • MaureenSeptember 26, 2021, 3:14 pm

    Has anyone made this recipe omitting the walnuts?

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    • SuzanneAugust 14, 2022, 1:17 am

      A lot of inquiries about not adding walnuts. I’m sure you could leave them out and it wouldn’t impact the bars at all.

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f SethmanOctober 7, 2021, 2:11 pm

Just made this with my nieces help. Super easy when using refrigerated pie crust and apple pie filling we canned 2 wks ago! Chose not to put crust on top. Wonderful

LinnNovember 13, 2021, 7:10 pm

Thinking of making this for Thanksgiving instead of Apple pie this year, can it be made ahead and frozen?

JennyOctober 1, 2022, 11:28 am

I rarely comment, and I was skeptical. I bake a lot and I thought the crust was going to end up like a hard shortbread..boy was I wrong. I think the walnuts maybe…anyway. made this for work using the full crust amount as the bottom crust in a 9×13 pan. Doubled the apples cooking some ahead of time as the recipe states and throwing some in raw ( they didn’t all fit in the pan). Made a crisp topping. That crust was amazing!! I will definitely be using that as the topping next time.

GRMA25October 5, 2022, 3:50 pm

Excellent recipe. I made 1.5x the recipe for a 9 x 13 pan. It turned out perfect.

GeorgiannaOctober 31, 2022, 8:00 am

Absolutely wonderful! Glad I made a double batch! Better than apple pie!

• JenNovember 1, 2022, 10:53 am

  Yay! Happy to hear you liked them!

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AllisonOctober 31, 2022, 3:57 pm

These are SO DELICIOUS! A new go-to recipe for fall baking or just to use up any apples – thank you! A crowd pleaser, for sure!

• JenNovember 1, 2022, 10:49 am

  I’m so glad they were a hit Allison!

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LuAnnMarch 12, 2023, 5:38 am

I just read Ina’s version and it is made in a 13×9 pan. Your recipe is made in a 9 inch pan. I love that you added more apples and spices. Can I double this recipe for a 13×9 baking pan? I looks absolutely delicious. Thanks for sharing.

• JenMarch 24, 2023, 7:44 am

  Yes, I think you could try!

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Mary Ruth DixonOctober 1, 2023, 2:44 pm

Delicious recipe! But did you actually use 3 pounds of apples? Because 4 medium apples is not close to 3 lbs. I was trying to get up to 3 lbs then realized that was more than I’ve ever used in Apple pies. At that point my husband had already peeled 6 so I stopped hi. And it was plenty!

KathyNovember 15, 2023, 10:37 pm

These are AMAZING! They are not easy but worth the work.