Introduction

Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars are a delightful twist on the classic apple crisp, combining tender apples with a crunchy oat crust and a luscious salted caramel drizzle. Perfect for fall or any time you crave a comforting, sweet treat.

A close-up image of two square apple crumble bars on white parchment paper atop a white marbled surface. Each bar has four layers: the bottom is a firm, light brown crust; above it is a soft, caramel-colored filling with visible small chunks of green apple pieces; next is a chunky crumbly topping with uneven, golden brown clusters; finally, the bars are drizzled with thick, glossy caramel sauce flowing slightly off the edge. The texture contrast is clear between the smooth caramel, crunchy crumble, and juicy apple. 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: Prepare the crust and topping by combining the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a mixing bowl. Pour in the melted butter and mix until the mixture becomes crumbly.
Step 2: Press half of the crumbly mixture firmly into the bottom of a baking pan to form the crust. Evenly layer the diced apples over the crust, then drizzle the salted caramel sauce on top. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the apples to create the topping.
Step 3: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown. Let the bars cool completely before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith for a balanced sweetness and a firm texture.
For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the dry ingredients.
Replace half the butter with coconut oil for a subtle tropical twist.
Drizzle extra salted caramel sauce over the bars when serving for added decadence.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving to bring back their warm, gooey texture.

How to Serve

The image shows two square apple crumble bars stacked on a rustic wooden board, each bar having three visible layers: a light brown bottom crust, a middle layer with soft apple pieces and caramel sauce in caramel and yellow tones, and a crumbly textured top layer with golden brown crumbles and sprinkled with coarse white salt flakes. In the background, there is a clear jar filled with caramel sauce and a spoon inside, and a white bowl filled with red and green apples. The setting has autumn leaves around, placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?

Yes, store-bought salted caramel sauce works well and saves time. Just be sure to drizzle it evenly for the best flavor balance.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

To make a gluten-free version, 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

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4.8 from 409 reviews

Delight in these Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars featuring a buttery oat crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, and a luscious salted caramel drizzle. Perfectly baked to golden crispness, these bars offer a satisfying blend of sweet and salty flavors with a comforting autumnal touch.

Author: Stella
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 stir everything together until the mixture becomes crumbly, ensuring even distribution of the wet and dry ingredients.
Layer the Ingredients: Press half of the crumbly crust mixture firmly into the bottom of a prepared baking pan to form the base layer. Arrange the diced apples evenly over this crust. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce evenly over the apples. Finally, sprinkle the remaining crust mixture over the top, covering the apples completely.
Bake and Serve: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the assembled bars for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender. Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely before slicing into bars and serving to enjoy a warm, sweet, and slightly salty treat.

Notes

Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor contrast with the caramel.
Ensure the butter is fully melted but not hot when mixing to avoid cooking the flour prematurely.
Allow bars to cool completely to help them set for cleaner slicing.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
For an extra crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans over the caramel layer before adding the topping.

Keywords: Salted caramel, apple crisp bars, autumn dessert, caramel apple bars, baked dessert, oat crust