Paleo Apple Pie Bars
These easy, baked Apple Pie bars taste exactly like the comforting dessert minus all the guilt! Paleo, Gluten Free, Vegan and refined sugar free- These bars are the perfect snack between meals!
Oh Jetlag. How I hate thee. I’m back on home soil and running on little sleep and two haagen daaz ice creams (the flight attendant found me charming and gave me an extra).
Something I love doing when travelling, is without a doubt checking out what unique foods are in different countries or cities- especially when it comes to snack foods.
Even though it’s only been less than 2 years since my last trip over to America, I was shocked with how many new products had hit the shelves- and even rebranding of older products to keep with current trends.
The biggest eye opener for me was seeing how many paleo snack options were available! I remember during my wholeArman challenge, hard boiled eggs, jerky and more eggs were my go to choices. These days- you could have a multitude of snack bars, granola less granola (is that the right name?) and even an abundance of baked goods!
It’s amazing to see this variety- and something I truly hope Australia jumps on soon. Not just to Paleo snacks- but for diet lifestyle, including raw or vegan.
Ironically, during Niki’s paleo challenge which she (un)gracefully failed, I had two recipes made for her which never made it on the blog. After my recent jaunt up north, it inspired me to share it.
The first is a baked snack bar which after many failed attempts (trying to perfect the right amount of ground nuts to syrup) and many crumbled bars (I went through 4 tubs of Chobani 2% Yogurt with the broken bars as a topping), I finally nailed it.
I made a batch to bring to work and none of my colleagues or friends are remotely Paleo, yet they all thought it was delicious and ‘not healthy tasting’. (I seem to have that stigma attached to me).
These bars are delicious and smell amazing straight from the oven- a cross between an apple pie and a pannetone (this cake my Italian friend would gift me EVERY. CHRISTMAS). I went a couple of days eating two or three of them for breakfast with a coffee and they revved me for the day- full of warming spices and the perfect amount of sweetness without giving you a sugar rush- it’s perfection.
And in full disclosure here- because we all know blogger authenticity is key here– Only four of my bars turned our puuuuurty. The other four….not so much.
Remind me to ask mother dearest for some new kitchenware come Christmas.
Paleo Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cashew flour*
- 1/2 cup cashews*
- 1/2 cup pepitas
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1 T flaxmeal ground flaxseeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 T cinnamon
- 1 T nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp cardamom
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 3/4 cup cashew butter*
- 1 T coconut oil
- 1 large egg lightly whisked*
- 1/2 cup dried unsweetened apples
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line and grease a large baking tray with coconut oil generously
- In a blender or food processor, combine the cashew flour, walnuts, pepitas, shredded coconut, flaxmeal, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom and blend until a course powder is formed. Set aside.
- In a microwave safe dish, combine the maple syrup, cashew butter and coconut oil and heat for 1-2 minutes, or until completely melted.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground up nuts/flour and add the egg and mix well. Add the liquid mixture and ensure it is fully incorporated. Pour into the greased baking pan and press firmly to ensure an even layer is formed. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden on top.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, remove and cut into even sized bars.
Notes
Cashew flour, butter and nuts can all be replaced with almonds or another nut.
For a vegan version, omit the egg and substitute it for an extra T of flaxmeal.
These bars can be left in an airtight container for up to a week or frozen for later snacking (my preferred method)
Speaking of snack bars, swing by Friday for some of my travel snacks (which could fit many diet lifestyles!).
Have you noticed snacks trending with current dietary choices?
Have you ever eaten or been gifted the infamous Pannatone?
Oh pannetone is amazing – I was only given it once, and since then I just buy it for myself. Because I’m not very good at giving, clearly. Best thing I did with it was turn it into a bread and butter pudding – sounds gross but ohhh heavenly sweet bread…
These bars look awesome! I love dried apples rings, so this is an excuse to go buy them, eat half a bag, then may be make these…
What?! You like pannetone? It’s like dried bread which isn’t too sweet- saying that- I hear it makes amazing french toast!
Jet lag is the absolute worst.
I think half the reason I don’t bake and post it on the blog is because it turns out terrible looking LOL. I’m glad you were able to get four that look great. they look delicious as always.
Thanks, Hollie! Haha 4 out of 12 is pretty decent.
Welcome baaaaack! I love when people say things like “oh yum…. these don’t even taste healthy” ….um, thanks. Oh and only having a handful of bars/muffins/cookies turn out pretty is so real.
HAIIIIII my frappacino. (did I spell that right?).
Um. I should show you my failed attempts. It’s like blooming bread crumbs.
I never cared for the Pannetone but laugh as soon as I see it appearing on store shelves super early for the holidays…Every where I turn I see gluten free snacks and meals. Like everywhere.
Seriously! Pannetone is everywhere and it’s not even tasty (unless made into French toast!)- kind of like Challah bread!
Yay, welcome back!! Hope your jet lag doesn’t last for too long.
Charlotte and I demand you hang out with us next time. No excuses.
Love all cashew goodness going on in these bars!
I went overboard with it haha- Like, every form of cashew!
Why am I not surprised that the flight attendant found you charming? Well, good sir, that charm earned you more ice cream! Kudos to you for that! And this apple pie bars? Awesome! Although, I don’t think I would complain one bit about crumbling these up on top of yogurt. In fact, that’s pretty much what I eat for breakfast every day…but the apple is a nice change of pace.
Ironic that as soon as I arrived, Chobani set me up with some yogurt- so I need to crumble the perfectly intact bars.
And the flight attendant probably gave me two because I was the only one awake lol!
Ah cashews <3 Anything…really anything with cashews and I love it! Awesome recipe!
I totally whored out the cashews here haha!
Not just delicious but looks nutritious as well. Thanks for the recipe.
No worries at all- enjoy 🙂
I love pannetone! The best thing to do with it is to use it for French toast. I did it last year for our xxmas breakfast and it’s AMAZING!
YES!!!! That is the best vehicle for French toast!
Cashew flour!? That sound divine! I’m sure it is so naturally sweet and rich tasting! Must try to find some or make my own!
So good- I whored out the cashews in this recipe- cashew flour, chopped cashews and cashew butter lol!
Mmmm. I love apple pie, and what a great idea to have these as a kind of mini apple pie bars. Just right for the time of year! Thanks!
No worries- definitely seasonal!
PANNETONE!!! My mom’s side is from Italy so yes, yes we do eat it. It’s the BEST dunked in chocolate (almond) milk. Love love love!!! I like the plain one the best as it has the perfect amount of sweetness to it.
And I’ll take all of your “non-pretty” bars if you don’t want them… 😉
…..my Italian family friends tell me they write a message ob the bottom of the box because families recycle them lol!
Well heck, those four pretty bars turned out damn beautiful!!! I hope your trip to the states was chock full of fabulousness 🙂
It was almost fabulous. If only I saw some hummus.
I think it’s pretty rude of you not to have sent me a message the minute you put this post up. APPLE PIE is my LIFE, Arman. You can’t just go around nilly-willy with recipes like this and not tell me about it ;). I will take 123932 by express mail. Thanks, bud.
I know, right. But then again, I asssumed you were at your grandma’s house EATING LASAGNE.