Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars: Your New Favorite Fall Baking Treat

When fall rolls around, two things are inevitable: pumpkin spice sneaks into everything (even your coffee creamer aisle looks like autumn exploded), and apples become the star of every kitchen. But sometimes, making a full apple pie feels like running a marathon—you’ve got the crust, the rolling, the chilling… by the time it’s done, you’re too tired to enjoy it.

That’s where Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars come to the rescue. They pack all the flavor of a cozy caramel apple recipe into a fuss-free, hand-held dessert. Imagine buttery crust, warm cinnamon-spiced apples, a golden crumble topping, and a final drizzle of salted caramel that ties it all together. It’s basically apple pie that decided to dress up in its casual weekend best.

These dessert bars are the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spiced. Serve them at a fall potluck, bring them to Thanksgiving, or just enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee while watching the leaves fall. They’re the kind of treat that makes your kitchen smell like comfort and your taste buds do a happy dance.

Why You’ll Love These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

• All the apple pie flavor, none of the stress.

• Perfect for sharing: Slice into neat bars for parties, potlucks, or family gatherings.

• Cozy fall baking vibes: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and apples = instant autumn mood.

• Flexible & forgiving: Works with store-bought caramel or homemade if you’re feeling extra.

Ingredients

Crust

• 115 g (½ cup / 1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

• 50 g (¼ cup) granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 125 g (1 cup) all-purpose flour

Apple Filling

• 2 large apples (Granny Smith + Pink Lady), peeled & thinly sliced (approx. 300 g / 10 oz)

• 15 g (2 tablespoons) all-purpose flour

• 25 g (2 tablespoons) granulated sugar

• 1–2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (to taste)

• ½ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)

• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Crumble Topping

• 100 g (½ cup, packed) light brown sugar

• 65 g (½ cup) all-purpose flour

• 50 g (½ cup) old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick/instant)

• 85 g (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened

Finish

• 175 g (¾ cup) salted caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought, for drizzling)

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prepare the crust: Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F). Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment (leave overhang for easy lifting). Mix melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in flour until dough forms. Press into pan. Bake 15 minutes, then set aside.

2. Apple filling: Toss sliced apples with flour, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg until well coated.

3. Crumble topping: Mix flour and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a fork until crumbly, then stir in oats.

4. Assemble & bake: Raise oven to 175°C (350°F). Spread apples evenly over warm crust. Sprinkle crumble topping. Bake 30–35 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling at edges.

5. Cool & serve: Cool at least 2 hours on a rack. For chilled bars, refrigerate 2 more hours. Drizzle with salted caramel, slice, and serve.

Tips for the Best Dessert Bars

• Mix your apples. A combo of tart (Granny Smith) and sweet (Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or Fuji) gives balance.

• Don’t skimp on the cool time. I know it’s hard to wait, but slicing too soon = crumble avalanche.

• Homemade vs. store-bought caramel. Both work beautifully. Homemade has that deep buttery flavor, but jarred caramel is a lifesaver when time’s tight.

• For extra crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble.

• Serving hack: Warm bars slightly before serving and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You’ll thank me later.

A Personal Note

The first time I made these bars, it was for a neighborhood fall block party. I thought, Oh, they’ll be fine, nothing fancy. Well, joke’s on me—people were lining up for seconds before I even got to grab one myself. One neighbor whispered, “Don’t tell my grandma, but these might beat her pie.” (No grandmas were harmed in the making of this dessert, I promise.)

Now, they’ve become my go-to apple dessert when I want something that feels homemade but doesn’t eat up my entire afternoon. They’re comforting, nostalgic, and just a little indulgent—basically everything fall baking should be.

What to Serve with Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

These bars shine all on their own, but they also love company. Pair them with hot apple cider, a spiced chai latte, or a cozy cappuccino for peak autumn comfort. For a dinner party, serve with vanilla bean ice cream and maybe a sprinkle of toasted pecans on top. If you’re feeling festive, a glass of sparkling cider or even a sweet white wine makes a fun pairing.

And let’s be honest—these are also perfect as a sneaky breakfast treat with your morning coffee. No judgment here.

How to Store

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

• Refrigerator: Keeps well for 5–6 days. I recommend reheating briefly for that fresh-baked taste.

• Freezer: Slice, wrap individually in plastic, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and drizzle with fresh caramel before serving.

Pro tip: If freezing, hold off on the caramel drizzle until you’re ready to serve. It keeps the texture perfect.

FAQs

Can I double the recipe?

Yes! Use a 9×13 inch pan and bake 5–10 minutes longer. Perfect for feeding a crowd.

Do I have to peel the apples?

Not at all. Leaving the peel on adds texture and saves time. Just slice them thin.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes—swap the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend and use certified GF oats.

What’s the best way to cut neat bars?

Chill before slicing, then use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts.

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

Stick to rolled oats for the best crumble texture—quick oats can get mushy.

The Cozy Wrap-Up

These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are proof that apple pie doesn’t have to be complicated to taste incredible. They’re portable, shareable, and oh-so-cozy—like the fall season baked into dessert form. Whether you make them for a potluck, a holiday table, or just because Tuesday needed a little sweetness, these dessert bars never disappoint.

So go ahead, grab your apples and caramel sauce—it’s time to make a fall treat that’s guaranteed to win hearts (and maybe a few recipe requests).

Discover more delicious recipes by following me on Facebook and Pinterest.

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

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• Author: Olivia Hartwellen
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 12 bars 1x

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Description

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a cozy, fuss-free twist on classic apple pie—featuring a buttery shortbread crust, spiced apple filling, a golden oat crumble, and a final drizzle of salted caramel. Perfect for potlucks, fall gatherings, or holiday tables, these hand-held dessert bars capture all the flavor of apple pie in an easy, shareable format.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust

• 115 g (½ cup / 1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

• 50 g (¼ cup) granulated sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ¼ tsp salt

• 125 g (1 cup) all-purpose flour

Apple Filling

• 2 large apples (Granny Smith + Pink Lady), peeled & thinly sliced (approx. 300 g / 10 oz)

• 15 g (2 tbsp) all-purpose flour

• 25 g (2 tbsp) granulated sugar

• 1–2 tsp ground cinnamon (to taste)

• ½ tsp ground ginger (optional)

• ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg

Crumble Topping

• 100 g (½ cup, packed) light brown sugar

• 65 g (½ cup) all-purpose flour

• 50 g (½ cup) old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick/instant)

• 85 g (6 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened

Finish

• 175 g (¾ cup) salted caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought, for drizzling)

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Instructions

• Prepare the crust: Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper (leave overhang). Mix melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Stir in flour. Press into pan. Bake 15 minutes, then set aside.

• Apple filling: Toss apple slices with flour, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg until coated.

• Crumble topping: Mix flour and brown sugar in a bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly, then stir in oats.

• Assemble & bake: Raise oven to 175°C (350°F). Spread apples evenly over warm crust. Sprinkle crumble on top. Bake 30–35 minutes, until golden and bubbling.

• Cool & serve: Cool at least 2 hours. Refrigerate 2 more hours for neat slicing. Drizzle with caramel, cut into bars, and serve.

Notes

Mix apple varieties (tart + sweet) for balanced flavor.

Chill fully before slicing for clean bars.

Add pecans or walnuts to the crumble for crunch.

Warm slightly before serving with vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.

If freezing, add caramel drizzle just before serving.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American