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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, s’mores 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.
- Larabars– You’ll never want to buy them again after you make your own!
- 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.
OK so you eat fluffy pancakes for breakfast (waffels) and you think pumpkins are for making deserts/treats or whatever out of but you are actually having this conversation as to the true meaning of desert ?
Sure did! Thanks Claudia!
Is there a suitable substitute for the protein powder. I don’t use it.
Hi there! You can omit it- However, you’d need to adjust the liquids and add some granulated sweetener to taste 🙂
Good grief man, these look absolutely amazing! I’m trying these!
🙂 Thanks so much, Mary! Enjoy!
Totally going to try these! I LOVE pinterest for this very reason! Question for you, I’ve never used any kind of protein powder, what kind do you use and where do you get it? Also, can you get coconut flour at a regular grocery store?
Hi Heather 🙂 Thank you so much!
For sure- If not, I just included a new page on my site which has my ‘shop’ which pretty much is a collation of all the ingredients I use most often- https://thebigmansworld.com/shop/
I have been eyeing this for a while now and finally got the nerve to make it! I feel like I needed a lot of the almond milk-about 2 cups. is that right? I also wonder how many bars does this make? I just want to know for serving size, thanks! -Ruby
Hi Ruby! For sure- Sometimes, depending on the protein powder and coconut flour you use, you’ll need much more! 🙂
I made around 9-10 bars- They are adaptable based on how thick or thin you want them 🙂
I have been looking for ways to add more protein to my diet without relying on meat (my partner’s vegetarian, but I’m gluten free and soy sensitive, so meat substitutes are also not an option for me.) These look like they tick all the boxes and are something we could both enjoy. I’m excited to try these!
😀 Thanks so much, Tracy- I hope you guys enjoy them 🙂
Just made these bars with a new pumpkinseed protein powder I got and they taste really good! 😀 Looking forward to having one of them after my workout tomorrow :))
😀 Yay! That would motivate me to workout 🙂
Do you think these would be tasty with peanut butter powder added? Or not so much? Just wondering because apples with peanut butter is pretty stinkin delish.
Hi there! I haven’t personally tried it but I reckon it would be delicious- You said it, it is an amazing duo!
Just stumbled across these on Pinterest and they look amazing!! Making something very similar today 🙂
Thanks Rachel! These are a very delicious recipe and has had amazing feedback! 🙂 Enjoy!
These bars are my saving grace when I have a snack attack. Love them!
I couldn’t get the batter dry enough so I ended up rolling this into little apple pie energy bites. They are delicious if a little sticky. I had to make a lot of ingredients myself including the flours(Making oat and almond flour is a blender is beyond easy) and the mixed spice since it’s not a common thing here.
I think you have to use coconut flour for these to work as bars. We don’t have coconut flour though and no one in my family likes coconut either way.
Hi there! The coconut flour is pretty much the key to have the picture like texture- The other flours definitely do work (I often make them for my sister with the oat/almond blend) but I am very wary of the liquid ratio!
I just made this and got lost somewhere in the directions.
First of all what size is the large baking dish?I used 8-1/2 x 11″ and it was not as thick as your picture, nor did it fill up the container.
Next the dairy free milk, if you used 3/4 of a cup in the paleo version, how much in the vegan one?
And what is mixed spice exactly?
Thanks, I appreciate your sharing!
Hi Maureen!
The beauty of these bars is that they can be any shape or form- You can use a smaller dish which will produce a thicker bar. The vegan version, just play it by ear- You only need to add enough until a thick, firm batter is formed.
Mixed spice is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and all spice 🙂
Thanks so much! So do you think maybe a 1/2 cup of almond milk would be a good place to aim? Love the flavor but I didn’t probably put enough liquid because they are crumbly.