Vegan Almond Flour Applesauce Bars (Oil-free, GF)

Grab a bowl and stir up a batch of vegan almond flour applesauce bars–it will only take about two minutes! Bursting with apple flavor, these bars are oil-free, gluten-free and low in sugar. Enjoy them for snacks, dessert, or breakfast.

Applesauce Bars that Taste Like Apples

You would not know it from the low number of applesauce-related recipes on my site, but I actually love applesauce. Credit the backyard apple tree in my childhood home, the fruits of which led to countless batches of homemade applesauce (thanks Mom & Dad ❤️).

So why so few applesauce recipes here on powerhungry? I think it is because so many applesauce cookies, breads or muffins do not taste like apples. If I make applesauce anything, I want the apple flavor to shine!

That is the case with these, my vegan almond flour applesauce bars. The mild flavor of almond flour enhances, rather than masks, the applesauce (of which there is a lot!), resulting in unabashed apple flavor.

Another bonus of these bars: they are sweet enough for dessert, but healthy enough for breakfast or snacking.

Recipe Benefits

• Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
• Oil-free
• Grain-free
• Gluten-free
• Made in 1 bowl
• Super-easy to make and bake

Ingredients

The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post.

• Almond flour or almond meal
• Flaxseed meal (preferably golden flaxseed meal, for a lighter flavor)
• Unsweetened applesauce
• Coconut sugar (a small amount)
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Baking Powder
• Salt

The fat from the almond flour and flaxseed meal, plus a heap of applesauce, makes these bars moist and tender, without the addition of any oil.

I like to add a small amount (two tablespoons) of coconut sugar to enhance the sweetness from the applesauce, but you can leave it out if you choose.

You can leave out, or reduce, the salt, as needed or desired. Salt enhances the flavor of the bars, but it is not necessary for the recipe to work.

How to Make Vegan Almond Flour Applesauce Bars

Note that the complete directions are also in the recipe card below.

Step One: Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Pan

Preheat the oven to 350F (180C) and line an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan with parchment paper (I spray the exposed interior sides with nonstick cooking spray, but it is not necessary.

Step Two: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the almond flour, flaxseed meal, coconut sugar, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt until blended. Be sure to break up any and all lumps in the almond flour.

Step Three: Stir in the Wet Ingredients

Add the applesauce and vanilla to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until completely combined. The mixture will be thick.

Step Four: Spread Dough into Prepared Pan

Scrape all of the dough into the prepared baking pan. Using a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the dough in an even layer, smoothing the top.

Step Five: Bake

Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes until set at the center and golden brown at the edges.

Step Six: Cool and Chill the Bars

Transfer the pan to a cooling rack and cool completely. Transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for one hour (or place in the freezer for 15 minutes). Chilling the bars will make them easier to remove from the pan.

Once chilled, use the parchment paper lining to remove the bars to a cutting board. Cut into 16 bars or squares.

Yum!

FAQ

How Do I Store the Vegan Almond Flour Applesauce Bars?

Store the cooled bars in an airtight container at cool room temperature for 1 day, in the refrigerator for 1 week, or the freezer for up to 3 months.

What is the Taste & Texture of the Bars?

The bars are moist, but hold together well (thanks to the flaxseed meal) and have true apple flavor, as promised.

What Can I Use in Place of the Applesauce?

An equal amount of mashed, very ripe bananas or pumpkin puree can be used in place of the applesauce. You will not need to add any coconut sugar if using mashed bananas (much sweeter than unsweetened applesauce). You may want to add a little bit more coconut sugar if using pumpkin puree.

Can I Replace the Almond Flour with a Different Flour?

An equal amount of my DIY Sunflower Seed Flour could be used in place of the almond flour. I have not tested it, but it should work fine.

Happy Baking!

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