Introduction

Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars combine the comforting flavors of cinnamon-spiced apples with a buttery oat crust and a luscious salted caramel drizzle. This dessert bar is perfect for sharing and offers a delightful balance of sweet and salty in every bite.

Two square crumb bars are stacked on a piece of crinkled brown parchment paper. Each bar has three layers: a dense, pale golden base; a middle layer with a slightly translucent, light yellow texture; and a top crumb layer that is golden brown with a rough, crunchy appearance. A glossy caramel sauce with a rich amber color is drizzled over the top crumb layer, some of it dripping down the sides. The bars rest on a white marbled texture surface, with a blurred white plate and a hint of a red and white striped cloth in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 cups apples, peeled and diced
1/2 cup salted caramel sauce

Instructions

Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture becomes crumbly.
Step 2: Press half of this crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of a baking pan to create the crust. Spread the diced apples evenly over the crust, then drizzle the salted caramel sauce on top. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the apples to form the topping.
Step 3: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown. Let the bars cool completely before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith for a balanced sweet-tart flavor.
For extra texture, add chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts to the topping mixture.
Swap salted caramel sauce for dulce de leche or butterscotch for a flavor twist.
Make sure to let the bars cool fully to allow the caramel to set properly and make slicing easier.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat gently in the microwave to bring back some softness, or enjoy them chilled for a firmer texture.

How to Serve

A stack of five square dessert bars sits on a white plate, each bar showing three clear layers: a pale, firm base layer, a middle layer of soft-looking apple slices, and a top crumbly golden-brown streusel layer with a rough texture. A shiny drizzle of caramel sauce cascades over the top, pooling slightly around the bars. Behind the dessert bars, there are a few slices of green apple arranged on the plate. The surface is a white marbled texture with a checkered orange and white cloth blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples for this recipe?

Yes, but be sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture which could make the bars soggy.

Is it possible to make these bars gluten-free?

Absolutely. Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free.

Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 121 reviews

Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars are a delightful treat featuring a buttery oat and flour crust layered with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples and drizzled with rich salted caramel sauce. Baked to golden perfection, these bars combine crisp textures and warm, comforting flavors perfect for fall desserts or anytime you crave a sweet, fruity snack.

Author: Sophie
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Crust and Topping

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, melted

Filling

4 cups apples, peeled and diced
1/2 cup salted caramel sauce

Instructions

Prepare the Crust and Topping: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the melted unsalted butter and mix everything together until the mixture becomes crumbly and holds together when pressed.
Layer the Ingredients: Press half of the crumbly mixture firmly into the bottom of a baking pan to form the crust. Evenly layer the peeled and diced apples over the crust. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the apples. Finally, sprinkle the remaining crumbly mixture on top to create the crisp topping.
Bake and Serve: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the assembled bars for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the apples are tender. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares. Serve and enjoy the rich, sweet, and comforting flavors.

Notes

Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith for a balanced sweet-tart flavor.
Ensure the apples are diced evenly for consistent cooking.
For extra crunch, you can sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans on top before baking.
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently before serving to soften the bars.

Keywords: Salted Caramel, Apple Crisp Bars, Fall Dessert, Baked Bars, Sweet Treat, Caramel Apple, Oat Crust