Introduction

Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars are a delightful treat combining tender apples, rich caramel, and a buttery, crunchy topping. This easy-to-make dessert offers a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors with comforting autumn spices.

The image shows a stack of two square dessert bars on a round wooden board. Each bar has three layers: a light brown, firm crust at the bottom; a middle layer with visible yellow apple slices covered in gooey caramel sauce; and a top layer of crumbly, golden brown streusel with a slightly rough texture, sprinkled with coarse white sea salt. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with green and red apples, a glass jar filled with caramel sauce and a spoon inside, all set on a white marbled surface with colorful autumn leaves scattered around. 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, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and mix until the mixture is crumbly.
Step 2: Press half of the crust mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan. Spread the diced apples evenly over the crust, then drizzle with the salted caramel sauce. Sprinkle the remaining crust mixture evenly over the apples.
Step 3: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars.

Tips & Variations

Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor contrast.
For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
If the topping browns too quickly, cover the pan loosely with foil halfway through baking to prevent burning.
Add chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch.
Adjust the size of apple dice to your preference: smaller pieces create a softer filling, while larger chunks keep a bit more bite.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat individual bars in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore softness and warmth.

How to Serve

A close-up view of two square apple crumble bars resting on white parchment paper over a white marbled texture surface, each bar showing four distinct layers: a light golden crust at the bottom, a thick layer of soft, visible chunks of green apple mixed with a smooth caramel-colored filling, a crumbly golden-brown streusel topping with coarse, uneven pieces, and a generous drizzle of glossy caramel sauce flowing down the sides and pooling slightly on the parchment. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the salted caramel sauce from scratch?

Yes, homemade salted caramel sauce is easy to make by melting sugar until golden, then adding butter, cream, and a pinch of salt. Using homemade caramel adds a fresh, rich flavor to the bars.

How do I prevent the bars from becoming too soft?

Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing. This helps the filling set properly, preventing the bars from falling apart. Refrigerating them briefly can also firm them up if needed.

Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

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Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars combine tender, sweet apples with a buttery oat crust and a luscious salted caramel drizzle, creating a perfect blend of crisp texture and gooey decadence in every bite. This easy-to-make dessert is ideal for fall gatherings or anytime you crave a comforting treat with a hint of saltiness to balance the sweet.

Author: Tara
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 thoroughly until the mixture becomes crumbly, forming the texture needed for both the crust and the topping.
Layer the Ingredients: Press half of the crumbly mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan to create the crust layer. Evenly spread the peeled and diced apples on top of the crust, then drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the apples. Finally, sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the top, covering the apple filling.
Bake and Serve: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples have softened. Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely before slicing into bars. Serve and enjoy the perfect harmony of crispy topping, tender apples, and rich salted caramel.

Notes

If the topping browns too quickly during baking, cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil halfway through to prevent burning.
Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to ensure they set properly and hold their shape.
For a smoother caramel flavor, you can prepare salted caramel sauce from scratch or use a high-quality store-bought version.
Dice apples uniformly to promote even cooking and optimal texture.

Keywords: Salted Caramel, Apple Crisp, Bars, Dessert, Baked, Autumn, Sweet, Caramel, Oats, Cinnamon