If you love all things cozy, sweet, and a little bit indulgent, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe. It’s like apple pie got a modern makeover — chewy oats, tender spiced apples, and that amazing salty caramel drizzle all baked up into bars you can grab anytime. When I first tried this, I was hooked immediately, and I know you will be, too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The sweet, tart apples and gooey salted caramel blend with warm spices to create something unforgettable.
- Chewy & Buttery Texture: Oats make these bars satisfyingly chewy while a buttery crust gives you that comforting pie feel.
- Easy to Make: You’ll find that it comes together quickly and bakes mostly unattended—ideal for busy days or last-minute dessert plans.
- Crowd Favorite: My family goes crazy for these bars every time—I promise yours will, too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients in this Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe work together beautifully to give you layers of flavor and texture—from the tart apples to the rich caramel and rustic oat crust. Here are my tips on what to look for when you shop so your bars turn out perfectly.
- Apples: Use tart, firm apples like Granny Smith for the best texture and balanced sweetness.
- Lemon juice: Helps prevent apple slices from browning and adds a subtle brightness.
- Flour: Both for dusting the apples and building that sturdy crust.
- Granulated sugar & brown sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and depth, while granulated sugar keeps the apples nicely sweetened.
- Cinnamon & nutmeg: These warm spices bring out the cozy apple pie vibe.
- Salted butter: Use good-quality butter for rich flavor and that perfect crumbly base.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances sweetness and adds a lovely aroma.
- Baking soda: Gives the crust a little lift for a tender bite.
- Old fashioned oats: They add chewy texture and a rustic look to the bars.
- Caramel: Go with Kraft caramel bits, homemade, or jarred caramel sauce—each works great, just adjust the cream accordingly.
- Heavy whipping cream: Only if you’re melting caramel bits; it helps create a silky sauce.
- Flaked sea salt: Sprinkled on top to balance sweetness and add that irresistible salty crunch.
Variations
I love how flexible this Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe is—there’s room to tweak it your way without losing any of that fantastic flavor. Feel free to make it your own!
- Gluten-Free: Swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and use gluten-free oats to make these bars safe for gluten sensitivity without losing chewiness.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of ground ginger or cloves if you want to punch up the autumn spice game.
- Nuts: Toss in chopped pecans or walnuts to the oat crust for added crunch and a toasty flavor.
- Caramel Sauce Variation: Using jarred caramel sauce makes it quicker, but if you want that homemade vibe, melting caramel bits with a bit of heavy cream creates luscious, silky caramel.
How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prep the apples and spice mix
Start by peeling and slicing your apples very thinly—this helps them cook evenly and layer nicely without overpowering the bars. Toss those slices with the lemon juice (this keeps them bright), flour (helps thicken the filling), sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Set this aside to let the flavors meld while you prep the crust.
Step 2: Make the dough base
In a large bowl, cream together the salted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes a couple of minutes with a mixer. Add in the salt, baking soda, flour, and oats and mix just until combined. The dough will be crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
Step 3: Bake the crust base
Press half the oat dough evenly into your prepared 8×8 pan. I like to line the pan with parchment paper first for easy cleanup and lifting the bars out later. Bake this bottom crust layer at 350°F for about 8 minutes—you want it to be just starting to set but not fully baked yet.
Step 4: Prepare the caramel and layer the bars
While the crust is baking, melt your caramel. If you’re using caramel bits, melt them with heavy cream in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring in between until smooth and silky. Jarred caramel sauce can be used as is—just warm it slightly to make it easier to spread.
Once the crust is out of the oven but still warm, layer the spiced apple slices evenly over the crust. Drizzle the warm caramel sauce over the apples—this is where the magic happens, so don’t be shy!
Step 5: Top and bake your bars
Drop spoonfuls of the remaining oat dough on top of the apples and caramel. Don’t worry about covering evenly—the dough will spread and create a rustic, crumbly top. Pop the pan back in the oven and bake for 28-33 minutes, or until the edges of the bars are golden brown and you see the caramel bubbling through.
Step 6: Finish with sea salt and cool
Right after removing the bars from the oven, sprinkle them generously with flaked sea salt. This contrast is key and takes the flavor over the top. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. They’re fantastic served room temperature or chilled straight from the fridge, especially with an extra drizzle of caramel on top.
Pro Tips for Making Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe
- Thinly Slice Apples: I learned that slicing apples super thin lets them soften just right in the oven without turning mushy.
- Don’t Overmix Dough: Mixing the oat dough just till combined keeps it crumbly and tender instead of tough.
- Warm the Caramel: Warming caramel before drizzling helps it spread nicely and meld with the apples perfectly.
- Sprinkle Sea Salt Immediately: Putting the salt on when the bars are hot helps it stick and enhances the sweet-salty contrast.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a huge fan of giving these bars a little extra something with a light dusting of powdered sugar for that pretty, festive touch. Sometimes I add a drizzle of warmed caramel sauce or even a dollop of whipped cream for guests. The flaked sea salt on top is non-negotiable for me—it balances the sweet richness perfectly.
Side Dishes
These bars are perfect on their own, but I love serving them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a small bowl of cinnamon-spiced whipped cream. For brunch, they’re great paired with a hot chai latte or a cup of black coffee to cut through all that caramel goodness.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these bars on a rustic wooden platter with fresh apple slices and a sprinkle of chopped nuts around the edges. You can also cut them into bite-sized squares and serve with toothpicks as easy grab-and-go treats. Wrapping individual bars in parchment paper tied with twine makes for adorable gifts or party favors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature if I plan to eat them within 2 days, but refrigeration extends their life up to 5 days. They stay moist but firm up just a bit, which I actually like for easy slicing.
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully! When I make extras, I wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They keep well for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
To warm up leftover bars, I pop them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or heat them briefly in a low oven. That’s when the caramel gets extra gooey, and the oats soften just a touch. If you’re serving chilled bars, a quick drizzle of caramel sauce freshens them right up.
FAQs
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Can I make Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare and bake these bars a day or two ahead. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge, then serve at room temperature or slightly warmed. They actually taste better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld.
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What kind of apples work best in this recipe?
I recommend tart and firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They hold their shape during baking and add a nice tangy contrast to the sweet caramel and brown sugar.
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Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of melting caramel bits?
Yes! Jarred caramel sauce works perfectly and even saves prep time. Just warm it before drizzling so it spreads easily. If you use caramel bits, melting them with heavy cream gives a richer, silkier caramel.
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How do I avoid soggy bars with the apple filling?
The trick is tossing the apple slices with flour and lemon juice before layering. This helps absorb excess moisture while still letting the apples stay tender without making the crust soggy.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen when I want that perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spiced comfort food that everyone loves. It’s easy enough for a weekday treat but special enough for sharing at celebrations. I hope you’ll give it a try—and I’m certain it will become one of your go-to recipes for cozy, delicious desserts.
Print
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 12 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars combine sweet, gooey caramel and tart apples with a chewy oat crumb topping, enhanced by warm spices and a touch of sea salt. These bars offer a delicious twist on classic apple pie in an easy-to-eat bar form, perfect for any dessert craving.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 1 lb thinly sliced apples (about 2 large apples)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅕ teaspoon nutmeg
- pinch of salt
Dough and Topping
- ¾ cup salted butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
Caramel Topping
- 3 ounces caramel (kraft bits, homemade, or from the jar)
- 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream (use if melting caramels, optional if using caramel sauce)
- flaked sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.
- Prepare Apples: Peel and slice the apples very thinly. In a small bowl, toss the apple slices with lemon juice, flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Set this mixture aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the salted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add salt, baking soda, flour, and oats to the creamed butter mixture. Mix on low speed until combined, forming the dough.
- Form Base Layer and Bake: Press half of the dough evenly onto the bottom of the prepared 8×8 pan to form the crust. Bake this base for 8 minutes to set.
- Melt Caramel: While the base is baking, melt the caramel bits together with the heavy whipping cream in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until smooth. If using caramel sauce, omit the cream.
- Assemble Bars: Remove the partially baked base from the oven and immediately spread the prepared apples evenly over it. Drizzle or dollop the warm caramel sauce over the apples.
- Top with Remaining Dough: Drop the remaining dough by spoonfuls over the caramel and apples. It does not need to be spread evenly, as it will bake into a crumbly topping.
- Bake Bars Completely: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 28-33 minutes, or until the dough topping is golden brown and the caramel is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bars from the oven and immediately sprinkle with flaked sea salt. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing. Serve at room temperature or chilled, optionally with an extra drizzle of caramel sauce.
Notes
- These bars have a chewy oat base and topping with a sweet, gooey caramel apple pie filling.
- The use of flaked sea salt enhances the contrast between the sweet caramel and tart apples.
- Thinly slicing the apples ensures they bake properly within the bar without remaining too firm.
- Using parchment paper in the pan helps with easy removal and clean slicing.
- The bars can be served warm or cold and are excellent with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 263 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 304 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 32 mg
