Introduction

These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars combine the comforting flavors of spiced apples, buttery oat crust, and rich salted caramel sauce. Easy to make and perfect for sharing, they offer a delightful twist on classic apple pie in a portable, sliceable form.

The image shows a close-up of a multi-layered dessert bar with four clear layers. The bottom layer is a darker, crumbly crust with visible oats, creating a crunchy texture. Above that is a smooth, light brown layer that looks soft and dense, followed by a thin, pale layer which appears creamy and smooth. The top layer is chunky and golden brown, made up of oat clusters and nuts, all drizzled with a shiny caramel sauce that adds a sticky texture. The dessert is set against a white marbled surface with a blurred green apple in the background, adding a fresh contrast. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

5 medium apples, sliced between 1/8″ and 1/4″ thick (744 grams sliced)
1 tbsp lemon juice
3 tbsp all-purpose flour (21 grams)
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed (73 grams)
1 tbsp cinnamon (7 grams)
3/8 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
Pinch of salt
1 and 1/2 cups salted butter, melted (340 grams or 24 tbsp)
3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled or weighed out (390 grams)
2 cups old-fashioned whole rolled oats (195 grams)
1 and 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed (330 grams)
1 and 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup granulated sugar (210 grams)
6 tbsp salted butter, cubed (85 grams)
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp heavy cream (135 grams)
Pinch of fine sea salt

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350℉. Spray a 9×13 pan with nonstick spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the ends to lift the bars out easily later.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, 3 tbsp flour, 1/3 cup light brown sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ground cloves, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently with a silicone spatula to avoid breaking the apple slices. Set aside.
Step 3: Melt 1 and 1/2 cups salted butter in a large bowl. Stir in 3 cups flour, 2 cups oats, 1 and 1/2 cups light brown sugar, baking soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp salt until well combined.
Step 4: Reserve 2 cups (about 330 grams) of the crust mixture for the topping. Press the remaining crust mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the base.
Step 5: Give the apple mixture another stir, then spoon it evenly over the crust base, leaving excess liquid behind in the bowl. Sprinkle the reserved crust mixture evenly over the apples.
Step 6: Bake for 38 to 45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
Step 7: While the bars bake, prepare the salted caramel sauce following your favorite recipe or a trusted guide with step-by-step instructions.
Step 8: Let the bars cool on a wire rack at room temperature for 1-2 hours before slicing.
Step 9: Serve slices drizzled with salted caramel sauce as desired.

Tips & Variations

Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for a more complex flavor and balanced sweetness.
Reserve some oats to sprinkle on top of the bars before baking for an extra crunchy texture.
Make the salted caramel sauce up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate; warm gently in the microwave before serving.
Try adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the crust mix for added crunch.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Refrigerate whether or not they have caramel drizzled on top to maintain freshness. Reheat gently if desired; these bars are delicious warm, at room temperature, or cold. Any leftover salted caramel sauce should be stored in a sealed container in the fridge and can be reused on other desserts.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of a square dessert bar with four visible layers. The bottom layer is dark brown, textured like a firm crust mixed with oats. Above that is a lighter tan layer with a smooth and slightly dense texture, followed by a thin, paler cream-colored layer. The top layer is a crunchy oat and nut mixture, golden brown with a sticky glossy caramel drizzle and tiny white flakes sprinkled on it. In the blurry background, a green apple is partially visible, all set on a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples for this recipe?

Fresh apples are best for texture and flavor. If using frozen apples, thaw and drain excess liquid well to prevent a soggy crust.

Do I have to make the salted caramel sauce from scratch?

You can use store-bought salted caramel sauce for convenience, but homemade sauce provides the best flavor and freshness.