If you’re searching for that perfect fall dessert, prepare to fall head over heels for Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars. Imagine the coziness of a warm apple crisp, but in a satisfyingly sturdy, pick-up-and-eat bar form. With a brown sugar oat crust, spiced cinnamon apples, gooey salted caramel, and a golden crumbly topping, every bite is a celebration of autumn flavors. These crowd-pleasers deliver comfort, nostalgia, and a bit of indulgence—making them just as welcome in a lunchbox as they are on a special dessert table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things approachable—no tricky techniques or hard-to-find ingredients, just the classic flavors we all love. Each component in Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars plays a starring role, ensuring that every layer is delicious and perfectly textured.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: The backbone of our crust and crumble, oats give a satisfying chew and nutty flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Helps bind the base and topping, keeping each bar sturdy yet tender.
- Light brown sugar, packed: Adds deep caramel notes and keeps the crust moist and rich.
- Granulated sugar: Lends sweetness and balances the tart apples.
- Ground cinnamon: No apple dessert is complete without this warming spice—it amps up the comfort factor instantly.
- Ground nutmeg: Just a pinch goes a long way, giving the filling complexity and warmth.
- Salt: Pop of salinity that heightens all the flavors and keeps the dessert from being too sweet.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Creates that dreamy, crumbly texture while delivering rich flavor in every bite.
- Medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced: The heart and soul—choose tart-sweet apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best punch.
- Lemon juice: Brightens up the apples and preserves their pretty color, so your bars look as good as they taste.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the filling so your bars hold together, catching every last bit of juicy apple goodness.
- Salted caramel sauce: That magical drizzle that makes these bars truly unforgettable; use extra for finishing touches!
- Chopped pecans (optional): For a toasty, nutty crunch and picture-perfect top, sprinkle these on generously if you love a little extra texture.
How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Take an 8×8-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper, letting a little extra hang over the sides for easy lifting later. This simple step makes the biggest difference, ensuring your Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars come out in perfect, neat squares every time.
Step 2: Mix Up the Crust and Crumble
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture turns delightfully crumbly—almost like wet sand. Scoop out one cup of this mixture and set it aside for the topping. The rest is destined to become your sturdy, delicious crust!
Step 3: Build the Crust Layer
Press the remaining crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan. The trick here is a gentle but thorough press; aim for an even, tight layer, so each Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bar holds together and tastes delicious from corner to corner.
Step 4: Toss and Layer the Apples
In a medium bowl, toss your diced apples with a splash of lemon juice and cornstarch. This quick step helps keep the apples fresh tasting and perfectly thickened during baking. Spread the apples evenly over your pressed crust, covering every nook so each bite gets a pop of fruit.
Step 5: Drizzle the Salted Caramel
Generously drizzle one-third cup of salted caramel sauce over the apples. This is where the magic happens—the caramel melts into the apples while baking, infusing the filling with that luscious, sweet-salty ripple that makes these bars so addictive.
Step 6: Add the Topping and Pecans
Sprinkle the reserved crumb topping all over the caramel apple layer, adding the chopped pecans if you’re using them. This final layer bakes up golden, crunchy, and irresistible. If you love a classic crisp topping, don’t hold back here!
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling away around the edges. The scent alone will have everyone circling the kitchen!
Step 8: Cool, Slice, and Drizzle Again
Once baked, let the bars cool completely in the pan—resist slicing too soon, as the bars need time to set. When they’re cool, lift them out with the parchment and drizzle with extra caramel for that final wow factor. Now, slice into nine neat Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars and watch them disappear!
How to Serve Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars
Garnishes
Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars love a good finishing touch. Try an extra drizzle of warm salted caramel sauce, a scoop of vanilla ice cream for contrast, or a dusting of powdered sugar. For a fancy hint, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right before serving wakes up all the rich flavors.
Side Dishes
Pair these bars with a cup of spiced chai latte, hot apple cider, or even a simple mug of strong coffee for the ultimate fall treat. If you’re serving a crowd, round out your dessert table with bowls of roasted nuts, whipped cream, or bittersweet chocolate squares that complement the apple-caramel notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your bars into bite-sized pieces for a dessert platter at gatherings, or layer chunks of Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars into trifles with whipped cream and more caramel. For an extra-special touch at holidays, wrap individual bars in parchment and twine for thoughtful edible gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator—they’ll stay fresh for up to five days. Arrange parchment between layers to keep them from sticking and preserve their lovely crumb topping.
Freezing
These bars are freezer-friendly! Once cooled completely, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap or parchment, place them in a zip-top bag or airtight container, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight—they’ll taste just-baked!
Reheating
If you love your Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars warm, reheat them gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or pop them in a low oven until just heated through. Add a fresh drizzle of caramel or a scoop of ice cream to restore that melty, just-baked vibe.
FAQs
Can I use different kinds of apples?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples provide the best texture and tang, you can mix and match with other varieties like Braeburn or Fuji. You might just discover a new favorite combination in your Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars.
Do I need to use homemade caramel sauce?
Nope—store-bought salted caramel sauce works beautifully in this recipe and keeps things simple. If you have a homemade version you love, though, it’ll make your Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars even more special!
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes! Just swap in your favorite gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour, and make sure your oats are certified gluten-free. The rest of the recipe remains the same, and you’ll still end up with irresistible bars.
What’s the best way to get clean slices?
For the neatest bars, let your baked bars cool completely—or even chill them in the fridge—before cutting. Use a sharp knife and clean it between slices to get those beautiful bakery-worthy squares.
Can I make Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars ahead for a party?
You sure can. These bars actually taste even better after a day in the fridge, as the flavors meld together. Slice them just before serving and drizzle with fresh caramel for the best texture and presentation.
Final Thoughts
Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars are more than just a dessert—they’re a sweet invitation to create cozy kitchen memories and share the flavors of fall with people you love. Give them a try, and let their irresistible blend of spiced apples, oat crumble, and gooey caramel become your new seasonal favorite. I can’t wait for you to take that first delicious bite!
Print
Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 9 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the sweet and salty goodness of these Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars. A buttery oat and sugar crust filled with tender spiced apples, drizzled with salted caramel, and topped with crunchy pecans. Perfect for a fall dessert or any time you crave a delicious treat.
Ingredients
For the Crust and Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Apple Filling:
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 3 cups)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/3 cup salted caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Mix Crust: Combine oats, flour, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add melted butter and mix until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup for topping.
- Form Crust: Press remaining mixture into the pan to form the crust.
- Prepare Apple Filling: Toss apples with lemon juice and cornstarch. Spread over crust, drizzle with caramel.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle reserved crumble mixture and pecans on top.
- Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and bubbly. Cool, then drizzle with more caramel. Slice into bars.
Notes
- Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples are recommended.
- Chill bars before cutting for easier slicing.
- Store leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
