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These apple pie protein bars come together in 10 minutes and taste every bit as decadent as classic apple pie. Plus, each bar is loaded with 12 grams of protein!
If you’ve been following for long, you know I have a very strong opinion when it comes to store-bought protein bars.
Sure, they are convenient, but they’re often filled with unnecessary sweeteners and additives. Plus, they usually don’t contain enough protein!
That’s why I always make my own homemade protein bars, including banana protein bars, cinnamon protein bars, and apple pie protein bars.
Table of Contents
Recipe highlights
- Full of apple pie flavor. If you love the flavors of apple pie but need a more satisfying high-protein snack, these bars are for you.
- The texture. The applesauce combined with creamy almond butter adds a soft, moist texture to the bars, giving them the perfect bite.
- A no-bake recipe. I love an easy no-bake recipe, especially when it’s this hands-off.
- Diet-friendly. In my kitchen, I’m always in need of snacks that cater to various diets and lifestyles. Luckily, these bars are made without gluten or dairy, and they can easily be made sugar-free, too!
If you’re looking for more classic dessert-inspired protein bars, try my carrot cake protein bars or cookie dough protein bars.
Ingredients needed
The ingredient list may look long, but I promise, they’re all simple ingredients. If you’re a fan of high-protein snacks, you probably have most of them on hand already.
- Coconut flour. My favorite high-protein, high-fiber flour that’ll give the bars a perfect cakey and chewy texture.
- Almond flour. I recommend using blanched almond flour instead of almond meal, which will give the bars a gritty texture.
- Protein powder. Use vanilla protein powder for the extra flavor boost. I used brown rice protein, but use whatever protein powder you have on hand.
- Granulated sugar. I used white sugar, but you can use light brown sugar or a sugar-free sweetener if preferred.
- Spices. I used apple pie spice plus extra cinnamon and nutmeg because I really love those spices, but you could just use apple pie spice if you prefer.
- Almond butter. To add protein and richness to the bars. Make your own or use a store-bought creamy almond butter. Not a fan of almond butter? Use any nut butter, like peanut butter or cashew butter, or a nut-free butter like tahini or sunflower seed butter instead.
- Maple syrup. For sweetness and to bind the ingredients together. I’ve also used monk fruit syrup for a sugar-free alternative.
- Applesauce. I prefer unsweetened apple sauce since we already add sugar and maple syrup to the bars.
- Milk. Just enough to thin out the batter. I used unsweetened almond milk.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to make apple pie protein bars
Step 1- Prep work. Line a large baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 2- Combine dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the flour, protein powder, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and apple pie spice.
Step 3- Add wet ingredients. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the almond butter and maple syrup and heat until melted. Pour the almond butter mixture into the dry ingredients and mix to combine. Fold in the applesauce and continue mixing until the batter is crumbly.
Step 4- Add milk. Using a spoon, add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until a thick, firm batter is formed.
Step 5- Shape. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and press firmly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Recipe tips and variations
- Add coconut flour. Occasionally, when I’ve made this recipe, the batter will become quite thin. When this happens, add a dash of coconut flour until the dough becomes firm.
- Use a food processor. When I want to save time, I’ll blend all ingredients in a food processor instead of mixing them by hand.
- Sweeten to taste. Taste the bar batter after you’ve mixed everything, and add more sweetener if desired. I find this essential if I’m using unflavored protein powder.
- Experiment with mix-ins. I like to fold in shredded coconut, white chocolate chips, or chopped nuts for a little extra flavor.
Storage instructions
To store: Store leftover apple pie bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
To freeze: Freeze leftover bars in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Let the bars thaw overnight in the fridge.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you’d like to omit the protein powder, either add less milk to firm up the bars or swap the protein for coconut flour.
Yes! Fold through some finely chopped apples or diced dried apples. If you choose the former, you’ll need to enjoy the bars within a week.
More healthy no bake snack recipes to try
- Peanut butter protein balls– The ultimate no-bake snack for peanut butter lovers.
- No-bake brownie bites– Rich, fudgy bites made without flour or refined sugar.
- No-bake oatmeal bars– Always a favorite in my house!
Apple Pie Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut flour
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ cup protein powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 cup almond butter can sub for any nut or seed butter of choice
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Line a large baking dish with greased paper and set aside.
- In large mixing bowl, combine the flour, protein powder, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice and mix well.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the nut butter and maple syrup and heat until melted. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and mix well. Add the unsweetened applesauce and mix until combined- The batter should be crumbly.
- Using a spoon, add the milk of choice one spoonful at a time until a thick, firm batter is formed.
- Transfer to lined baking dish and press firmly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Morning, I just made some pumpkin pie breakfast cookies and they look and smell great! I’m sure they taste just as great as these apple pie bars and your coconut-cashew bars. They really are awesome! I look forward to my coffebreak because I got some cake batter bites, an apple or coconut bar in the evening. These are really great, all three of them. I will start to make more from your site, no-baking is soooo easy. I made coconut-cashew spread and put it in the bars, just to die for
Love your site.
Yay! Thanks so much for your feedback, Miranda- It means a tonne! 🙂
This is about to become my savior. If I add a bit more protein powder, I should be able to get by using this for pre during and post wrestling. …I have been looking for something like this for a while, thank you!
Oh yay! Let me know how you like them, Ana! 🙂
Hi! Can I ask something about this? After you refrigerate the bars, you can save them in the fridge? Or you have to use them always cold?
Hi Clo! You certainly can or you can even freeze them 🙂
Please clarify – can I use a total of 1.5 cups coconut flour (for the 2 cups oat flour & .5 cup coconut flour)? I’m not paleo, but must avoid oats. Thanks.
Hi Kelli- I’d recommend just 1 cup of coconut flour total 🙂
How did you get them to be so thick?? I tried making these and they turned out nothing like the picture. I’m guessing, user error, but I followed the instructions to a T! Do I just need to use a smaller pan? More dairy free milk?
hey Michelle 🙂 No worries- usually it’s the brand of protein powder or coconut flour which has this impact- Do you mind me asking which brands you use? Also, they should be formable using your hands, so any size pan should work. More milk won’t help unless the batter is crumbly 🙂
I just used what I had on hand–Bob’s Red Mill coconut flour (same brand for oat flour) and then tera’s whey protein powder. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Hi, first I want to say I love your recipes and have pinned soooo many of them! I would love to know if you have any ideas for a substitute for nut/seed butter in this recipe. My son is very allergic to nuts and seeds. Would coconut butter work? If not, have any ideas? This recipe looks so good and I would love to make it for everyone in my family to enjoy 🙂
Hey Tara! Thanks so much for your kind words!
Okay- For nut butters/seed butters- I’ve only really tried with soy nut butter and sunflower seed butter- Coconut butter might work but honestly, I’ve never tried it as my full nut butter substitute.
I substituted milk with fresh apple cider, they are pretty nice, but like previous comment I’d like to know the nutritional value of each bar, I guess I’ll have to go get my calculator 😉 – thanks for the recipe 🙂
No worries at all- Thanks for letting me know! for sure, just plug it into your calculator 🙂
These look amazing! Would whey protein powder work well?
Hi Cristina! I don’t recommend using whey as it tends to make baked goods/no bake goods more liquid like- You can try it out and see 🙂
What’s the nutrition info on these bars? Specifically the amount of protein in each bar.
Hey Jenn! If you add the nutritional information into a calorie calculator, it will provide the information for you 🙂
hi! they look sooo nice. but on my place here, there is no (healthy) proteinpowder available. may i substitute it? 🙂
Hi there! You can leave it out just cut back on the milk 🙂 The protein powder I use tends to help with the stickiness 🙂
This recipe definitely wins points for being forgiving. I didn’t have oat flour, coconut flour, apple sauce, or syrup of any kind. Instead I added oatmeal, shredded unsweetened coconut, a handful of dried mulberries, two chopped apples I quickly steamed in the microwave along with the rest of the ingredients listed in my food processor and voila: portable deliciousness. Thank you!
Hi Arman! My uncle spelled his name “Armand”. I was wondering if I could just use GF flour. Must it be oat flour? I have organic oats too. Thank you!
Just trying to clarify some ingredients instructions for the Apple pie bars…new to coconut flour here! How much does this recipe need in total? And what does sifted mean! Don’t laugh, new to this lifestyle (and cooking simultaneously! 😉 )
Don’t be silly, Meghan- Never laughing- Just at my sister.
Are you planning on going the full paleo route? IF so, I’d say stick to 1 full cup total. Sifted just means shaking the flour through a sifter- The coconut flour can at times, be clumpy 🙂
Is the protein powder required, or would it work without? TIA!
These look wonderful, I’m definitely gonna make them soon! I’m just curious as to what type or brand of protein powder you used in your recipe? Thanks!