If you’re craving a cozy fall treat that combines all the best flavors of apple pie with a luscious twist, you’ve got to try this Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe. These bars are a total game-changer — chewy oats meet tender, spiced apples, all wrapped up in a blanket of gooey salted caramel. Trust me, once you bake these, they’ll quickly become the dessert everyone asks for at my house. Ready to dive in? I promise it’s easier than you think, and oh-so-worth it.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Fall Flavors: The combo of cinnamon-spiced apples and salted caramel hits all the right cozy notes for the season.
Chewy and Gooey: You get the best of both worlds—a solid oat crust and crumble with a super soft, gooey apple-caramel center.
Simple Yet Impressive: This recipe feels fancy but is surprisingly straightforward to make, even for busy weeknights.
Crowd Pleaser: Everyone from kids to grandparents loves these bars—I’ve yet to meet someone who didn’t ask for seconds.

A square crumbly oat bar with a golden brown color sits on white parchment over a white marbled surface. The bar is cut into small squares and has a rough textured top layer mixed with oats and browned bits. A light brown caramel sauce is drizzled unevenly across the bar, adding a shiny contrast to the matte crumbly surface. The edges show a slightly darker baked crust, while the inside looks dense but crumbly. A jar is blurry in the background on the top left. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of these Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe comes from simple, fresh ingredients working in perfect harmony. Picking the right apples and a quality caramel really elevates the whole dessert, so I’ll share some of my favorite tips here.

Apples: Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp—they hold up well and balance the sweetness beautifully.
Lemon Juice: This keeps the apple slices from browning and brightens the flavor.
Flour: Adds just enough structure to hold everything together without making the bars too dense.
Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: Brown sugar gives that deep caramel-y flavor, while granulated sugar helps the apples caramelize slightly.
Spices (Cinnamon & Nutmeg): Don’t skip the warming spices—they make the apple filling sing with fall flavors.
Salted Butter: The saltiness in the butter complements the sweet caramel so well, making these bars addictive.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth—a must-have!
Baking Soda: Helps the oat crust rise just a bit for that perfect chew.
Old Fashioned Oats: For texture and a lovely rustic crumb.
Caramel: You can use store-bought caramel bits, jarred caramel sauce, or even homemade—just make sure it’s nice and melty!
Heavy Whipping Cream: Optional, but I add it when melting caramel bits to get a smoother sauce.
Flaked Sea Salt: A sprinkle on top finishes the bars with a delightful salty crunch.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe is—there are lots of fun ways to make it your own depending on what you like or have on hand. Here are a couple ideas if you want to switch things up or cater to dietary needs.

Add Nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts added to the oat crust give an amazing crunch and a little extra toasty flavor—I sprinkle them on top before baking.
Gluten-Free: Swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and use certified gluten-free oats to keep things safe without sacrificing texture.
Caramel-Free: If you want to skip the caramel, you can drizzle a thick homemade apple butter or even a maple syrup glaze on top for a different sweetness.
Spice it Up: For a twist, add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom into the apple filling for extra warmth and depth.

How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Apples

First things first, peel and slice your apples super thin—in my experience, the thinner the slices, the better they bake down into that perfect tender-but-not-mushy filling. Toss them in a bowl with lemon juice, flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. This mix both flavors and thickens the juices without making the bars soggy. Set this aside while you work on the crust.

Step 2: Make the Oat Crust

Using your stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy—that’s the secret to a soft, melt-in-your-mouth crust. Then stir in salt, baking soda, flour, and oats until everything just comes together. No overmixing here! Press half of this dough into your prepared pan. I’ve found that pressing firmly but evenly helps the crust bake up just right—no crumbly mess.

Step 3: Parbake the Crust

Bake that crust layer for about 8 minutes at 350°F until it’s starting to set but not brown. This pre-baking keeps the bars from turning soggy when you add the apple and caramel layers. While the crust bakes, go ahead and melt your caramel.

Step 4: Melt the Caramel

If you’re using caramel bits, toss them in a microwave-safe bowl and add a tablespoon of heavy cream. Heat in bursts of 30 seconds, stirring between, until you have a smooth, pourable sauce. If you’re using jarred caramel sauce, you can skip the cream—just warm it slightly so it’s easier to spread.

Step 5: Assemble the Layers

Once the crust is out of the oven, spread your apple mixture evenly over the warm layer. Pour the melted caramel evenly on top of the apples, spreading gently with a spatula. Then, dollop the remaining crust dough in spoonfuls on top of the caramel. Don’t worry about covering every inch; this uneven top makes for a rustic, crumbly finish that everyone loves.

Step 6: Bake Until Golden and Bubbling

Bake for 28 to 33 minutes until the edges are golden brown and you can see the caramel bubbling up around the apples. The smell at this point? Absolutely heavenly—it’s a great sign you’re almost done! When you take the bars out, immediately sprinkle flaked sea salt over the top to balance the sweetness with a little crunch and that signature salty hit.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

This is a hard one, but you really want to let the bars cool completely before slicing. This helps everything set so the bars hold their shape but stay chewy and gooey inside. Serve them room temperature or chilled, and feel free to drizzle on a little extra caramel sauce for that wow factor.

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Pro Tips for Making Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Thin Apple Slices: I slice my apples as thinly as possible to avoid uneven baking or raw chunks inside the bars.
Prebake the Crust: Parbaking prevents sogginess—learned the hard way that skipping this step makes a mess.
Use Flaked Sea Salt: Coarse salt crystals add a delightful texture contrast and balance the sweetness better than table salt.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overworking makes the crust tough; mix just until combined for tender, chewy bars.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe

The image shows square oat bars stacked closely together on a white marbled surface. One oat bar is lifted above the others, revealing three layers: a bottom layer with a dense, golden-brown crust with visible oats, a middle pale yellow layer that looks smooth and soft, and a top crumbly oat layer with scattered oats and drizzles of shiny caramel sauce in golden amber color. The texture appears crunchy on top with some caramel glossy spots. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with a sprinkle of flaked sea salt on top, but a light dusting of powdered sugar or even a spoonful of whipped cream works beautifully too. Sometimes I warm up extra caramel sauce to drizzle right before serving for that extra ooey-gooey touch that impresses guests.

Side Dishes

These bars shine as a dessert on their own, but if you want to turn it into a full-on indulgent treat, I recommend pairing them with vanilla ice cream or a scoop of salted caramel gelato. A hot cup of chai tea or black coffee also pairs perfectly, especially on a crisp autumn afternoon.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to cut these bars into bite-sized squares and serve them on a pretty platter with small spoons for easy snacking. Another fun idea is layering the bars with whipped cream and extra caramel sauce in glass jars for a portable dessert parfait that wows everyone.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Beyond that, I stash them in the fridge, where they stay fresh for about a week. Just be sure to bring them back to room temperature before serving—that’s when they taste their best!

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, these bars freeze beautifully. I wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently in the oven for a few minutes to refresh that fresh-baked texture.

Reheating

To get that freshly baked feel after reheating, I warm individual bars in a microwave for about 15 seconds or pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This helps the caramel soften again and that oat crumb regain some crispness.

FAQs

Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Absolutely! I recommend firmer, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp because they hold their shape well and provide a nice balance to the sweetness. Softer apples may get too mushy after baking, but feel free to mix varieties for a complex flavor if you like.
Do I need to peel the apples?

Peeling the apples helps create a smoother texture in the bars, but it’s not mandatory. If you prefer a bit more texture and fiber, you can leave the skins on. Just be sure to wash them well before slicing.
Can I make the caramel from scratch?

Definitely! Homemade caramel adds a wonderful depth of flavor—just be careful with the timing and temperature. You can replace the jarred caramel or bits with your homemade version, and remember to add a splash of cream if you want it smoother for spreading.
How do I prevent the bars from getting soggy?

Prebaking the bottom oat crust is key here. It creates a barrier and helps the crust hold together better when layered with juicy apples and caramel. Also, don’t overload the apple filling with too much liquid—tossing apple slices with a bit of flour and lemon juice helps soak up extra moisture.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe brings all my favorite flavors of fall into one irresistible treat. It’s the kind of recipe you want to make again and again, whether for a casual family dessert or a festive occasion. I hope you’ll give it a try and discover just how comforting and delicious homemade caramel apple bars can be. You’re going to impress yourself (and everyone you share them with) — happy baking!