Ingredients
Oat Crust Ingredients
- 1 cup quick cooking rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup maple syrup
Apple Pie Filling Ingredients
- 8 ounces applesauce, no sugar added
- ¼ cup 100% apple juice
- 2 teaspoons arrowroot or cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare muffin tin: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease or spray a muffin tin with oil and set it aside to prepare for the crust.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, all-purpose flour, white sugar, chia seeds, ground flaxseed, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir gently with a fork or whisk until all the dry ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together melted unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until fully blended. Add these wet ingredients to the dry mixture and mix until the oats are well coated and the dough appears pebbly in texture.
- Form oat crust cups: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and firmly press each ball into the muffin tin cups to form deep cups that will hold the apple filling. Make sure the crust is evenly shaped and thick enough to support the filling. Bake these crusts for 15 minutes on the middle rack until the edges turn lightly golden.
- Prepare apple pie filling: While the crusts bake, whisk together apple juice and arrowroot starch in a small saucepan. Add in the applesauce, white sugar, and cinnamon, whisking to combine. Heat the mixture over medium heat, bringing it to a simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until the filling thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
- Fill and bake apple pie bites: Once the oat crusts are baked, spoon about 1 tablespoon of the warm apple filling into each crust cup. Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes at 350°F until the centers set and edges become golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Allow the apple pie bites to cool in the muffin tin for 10 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the edges of each to loosen before carefully removing them. Serve warm or at room temperature for a delightful snack or dessert.
Notes
- Use unsweetened applesauce to control the sweetness of the filling.
- For a crispier crust, you can bake the oat cups a bit longer before adding the filling.
- Arrowroot and cornstarch serve the same purpose; use whichever is available.
- These bites are best served the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- To make them vegan, substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
