Caramel apple pie bars give you everything you love about apple pie in an easy, portable bar. A buttery oat crust holds tender cinnamon apples, all topped with a crisp crumble and a generous drizzle of gooey caramel.
This easy caramel apple pie bars recipe uses one dough for both the crust and the topping, so there is no rolling, no lattice, and no pie plate to fuss with. Everything bakes in a standard 9×13 pan and slices into neat squares that travel well.
These bars are ideal for potlucks, bake sales, Thanksgiving dessert tables, and cozy fall weekends. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or enjoy them at room temperature with a cup of coffee.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (plus cooling)
Servings: 16 bars
Category: Dessert
Why You’ll Love These Caramel Apple Pie Bars
- All the flavor of apple pie with no rolling pin required
- One dough for both crust and crumble topping
- Tender cinnamon apples with a gooey caramel drizzle
- Easy to slice, transport, and serve to a crowd
- Perfect warm with vanilla ice cream
Ingredients You’ll Need for Caramel Apple Pie Bars
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, divided, plus 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 5 medium baking apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3/4 cup thick caramel sauce, divided
How to Make Caramel Apple Pie Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 pan with parchment, leaving an overhang.
- Mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl.
- Cut in the cold butter with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture is crumbly.
- Press about two-thirds of the crumb mixture into the pan and bake for 12 minutes.
- Toss the apples with the granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and remaining cinnamon.
- Spread the apples over the warm crust and drizzle with 1/2 cup of the caramel.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumbs evenly over the top and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Cool completely, lift out with the parchment, slice, and drizzle with the remaining caramel.
Tips for the Best Caramel Apple Pie Bars
- Use firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They hold their shape and balance the sweet caramel.
- Slice the apples thinly and evenly so they cook through in the time it takes the topping to brown.
- Keep the butter cold. Cold butter creates a crumbly, bakery-style topping instead of a greasy one.
- Cool the bars completely before slicing so the filling sets and the squares hold together.
Variations to Try
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping
- Use a mix of apples and pears for more depth
- Stir a pinch of nutmeg and cardamom into the apple filling
- Top with a drizzle of white chocolate for contrast
- Add a layer of cream cheese filling for a cheesecake twist
How to Store It
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Warm individual bars in the microwave for 15 seconds before serving.
Freeze sliced bars on a tray, then wrap and store for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best apples for caramel apple pie bars?
Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are best because they stay firm and tart, which balances the sweet caramel and crumb.
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Yes. Choose a thick caramel sauce or ice cream topping so it doesn’t soak into the crust.
Do I need to pre-cook the apples?
No. Thin slices cook through while the bars bake, as long as they are cut evenly.
Can I make caramel apple pie bars ahead of time?
Yes. Bake them a day ahead and store them covered. They slice even more cleanly once fully set
Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9x13 pan with parchment.
- Mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, half the cinnamon, salt, and baking powder, then cut in the cold butter.
- Tip: Keep the butter cold for a crumbly texture.
- Press two-thirds of the crumbs into the pan and bake 12 minutes.
- Toss the apples with the sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and remaining cinnamon.
- Spread the apples over the crust and drizzle with 1/2 cup caramel.
- Top with the remaining crumbs and bake 30 to 35 minutes.
- Cool completely, slice, and drizzle with the remaining caramel.
Notes
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.