Caramel Apple Crumb Bars

These homemade Caramel Apple Crumb Bars feature a buttery oat crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, a golden crumb topping, and a rich caramel drizzle. Easier than apple pie and perfect for fall gatherings, holidays, bake sales, or an everyday dessert.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 45

Total Time 2 5

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 16 bars

Ingredients

For the Crust & Crumb Topping

2 cups rolled oats
1½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup cold unsalted butter cubed

For the Apple Filling

3 medium apples peeled and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the Caramel Drizzle
⅓ cup caramel sauce

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Press two-thirds of the crumb mixture firmly into the prepared pan.
Toss the sliced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust.
Drizzle half of the caramel sauce over the apples.
Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the top.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Cool completely before lifting from the pan and slicing into bars.
Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the bars before serving.

Notes

Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady apples work best.
Slice the apples thinly so they soften evenly while baking.
Always let the bars cool completely before slicing for clean, neat squares.
Warm the caramel sauce slightly before drizzling if it's too thick.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freeze individual bars for up to 2 months.