Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars

There’s nothing cozier than the smell of warm apples baking in the oven, especially when paired with gooey caramel and a buttery crisp topping. These Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars are everything you love about classic apple crisp but baked into easy-to-serve dessert bars. They’re chewy, gooey, crunchy, and the perfect balance of sweet and salty.

The base is a simple shortbread-like crust that holds up the juicy apple filling. On top, a buttery oat crumble adds that irresistible crispiness you’d expect from apple crisp. And then comes the best part—drizzling golden salted caramel over every slice. The caramel melts into the apples, creating a gooey layer that makes each bite unforgettable.

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert for fall gatherings, holiday parties, or just a weekend baking project, this recipe is it. These bars slice cleanly (once cooled), making them perfect for serving at potlucks or packing in lunchboxes. Plus, they save you from scooping messy bowls of apple crisp while still delivering all the comfort you crave.

In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know: how to make the crust, filling, crumble, and caramel drizzle; what ingredients to swap if needed; and tips for storage, freezing, and reheating. By the end, you’ll have a go-to recipe that tastes like fall in every bite.

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What Makes These Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars Special?

• Gooey and crisp in one bite – You get the chewy caramel, tender apples, and crunchy topping all layered perfectly.

• Portable dessert – Unlike traditional apple crisp, these bars are easy to cut, pack, and share.

• Shortcut friendly – Use store-bought caramel if you don’t want to make your own.

• Crowd-pleaser – They’re perfect for holidays, bake sales, or cozy family dinners.

• Make-ahead friendly – Bake them a day before and they taste even better as the flavors settle.

These bars combine the homey comfort of apple crisp with the convenience of a hand-held dessert. That balance of sweet apple, buttery crumble, and a touch of salted caramel is what makes them stand out from the rest.

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Ingredient Notes

Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients that make these bars shine:

• Apples: Use a mix of tart and sweet apples (like Granny Smith + Honeycrisp) for the best flavor. Too soft and they’ll turn mushy, too tart and they’ll need extra sugar.

• Butter: Unsalted butter gives you control over the salt. Cold butter is essential for the crust and crumble—it keeps them flaky.

• Brown Sugar: Adds a rich caramel-like sweetness that pairs perfectly with apples. You can substitute with coconut sugar if needed.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the crust and topping. Gluten-free flour blends work too.

• Rolled Oats: Give the crumble topping its hearty texture. Quick oats can work, but rolled oats are best.

• Caramel Sauce: You can make homemade caramel (worth it!) or use a high-quality store-bought version.

• Sea Salt: A pinch of flaky sea salt balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.

• Cinnamon + Nutmeg: Warm spices that bring classic apple pie vibes.

Optional equipment: a 9×13-inch baking pan, parchment paper (for easy removal), and a pastry cutter (or your hands for mixing the crumble).

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How To Make Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars

1. Preheat and Prep
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang (this makes lifting the bars out easier).

2. Make the Crust
   In a bowl, combine 1 cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed), 2 cups flour, and ½ cup brown sugar. Mix until crumbly. Press firmly into the pan to form an even base. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden.

   Tip: Don’t overbake the crust at this stage—it will bake again later.

3. Prepare the Apple Filling
   Peel and slice 5 medium apples. Toss with ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg. Spread evenly over the baked crust.

   Look for: apples should be evenly coated but not too wet.

4. Add the Crumble Topping
   In another bowl, combine 1 cup oats, 1 cup flour, ½ cup brown sugar, and ½ cup cold butter. Mix until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the apples.

   Tip: Squeeze some of the mixture into small clumps for extra crunch.

5. Bake
   Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender.

6. Cool and Drizzle
   Let the bars cool completely (about 1–2 hours). Drizzle with salted caramel sauce, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, then slice into squares.

   Important: Cooling fully helps the bars set so they slice neatly.

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Storage Options

• Room Temperature: Keep covered for up to 2 days.

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for 4–5 days. The bars stay firm and taste even better chilled.

• Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

• Reheating: Warm slices in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes or microwave for 20 seconds.

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Variations and Substitutions

• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend for the crust and topping.

• Nutty Twist: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble for extra crunch.

• Pumpkin Spice Version: Swap cinnamon and nutmeg for pumpkin pie spice.

• Berry Blend: Replace half the apples with blueberries or raspberries.

• Caramel Swap: Try maple syrup drizzle instead of caramel for a lighter twist.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What apples work best for these bars?
   A mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp works beautifully. Tart apples balance the sweetness.

2. Can I make this ahead of time?
   Yes! They taste even better the next day after the flavors settle. Just wait to drizzle caramel until serving.

3. Why is my crust crumbly?
   Make sure to press it firmly into the pan before baking. Cold butter also helps bind it.

4. Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
   Yes, but the texture will be softer. Rolled oats give the best crisp topping.

5. Do I need to peel the apples?
   It’s up to you! Peeled apples make softer bars, but leaving the skins adds texture.

6. Can I use store-bought caramel?
   Absolutely. Choose a thick caramel sauce for the best drizzle effect.

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Conclusion

These Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars are everything you love about fall desserts in one easy-to-serve treat. With buttery layers, gooey apples, a crisp oat topping, and that irresistible salted caramel drizzle, they’re bound to be a family favorite.

Bake a batch for your next gathering, and don’t be surprised when people ask for the recipe. Try them warm, chilled, or straight from the freezer—you can’t go wrong. If you give these bars a try, share your results—I’d love to hear how they turned out!

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