If fall had a flavor, it would taste exactly like these Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars — buttery, sweet, spiced, and just the right amount of salty.
Each bite is a perfect balance of textures: a soft, crumbly shortbread base, a layer of tender cinnamon apples, and a gooey drizzle of salted caramel, all topped with a crisp, buttery crumble. It’s like apple pie meets caramel blondies — but even easier to make!
They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy weekends, or whenever you want your kitchen to smell like heaven. And the best part? No pie crusts or complicated steps — just mix, layer, bake, and enjoy.
Why You’ll Love These Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars
- Simple ingredients — no mixer or fancy tools needed.
- Perfect fall flavor — cinnamon, apples, and caramel in one bite.
- Soft, gooey, and buttery — irresistible texture!
- Great make-ahead dessert — even better the next day.
- Portable and shareable — perfect for parties, bake sales, or potlucks.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
If you love apple pie but want something easier to serve and store, these crumble bars are the perfect solution. The shortbread crust and crumb topping come from the same dough — making this recipe simple, efficient, and incredibly tasty.
The salted caramel adds that indulgent touch that balances the tart apples beautifully, while the crumble topping adds a satisfying crunch. It’s a dessert that looks fancy but comes together effortlessly — guaranteed to impress every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Crust & Crumble:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Apple Filling:
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the Salted Caramel:
- ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)
How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars (Step by Step)
Step 1: Preheat your oven
Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
Step 2: Make the crust and crumble
In a large bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt. Stir until smooth. Add flour and mix until a crumbly dough forms.
Step 3: Press the crust
Press about ⅔ of the mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan to form the crust. Reserve the remaining dough for the crumble topping.
Step 4: Prepare the apple filling
In another bowl, toss diced apples with brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until coated.
Step 5: Assemble the layers
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the apples. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture on top.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Step 7: Cool and slice
Cool completely in the pan, then drizzle with extra caramel if desired. Lift using parchment and cut into squares or bars.
Tips for the Best Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars
- Use firm apples — they hold their shape and prevent sogginess.
- Cool before slicing — helps bars set and hold together.
- Use real butter — for the richest flavor and best crumble texture.
- Don’t skip the salt — it balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Line your pan — makes clean removal and cutting easy.
- Add nuts — chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
- Double the caramel — if you want an extra gooey layer.
- Add oats — mix ½ cup rolled oats into the topping for texture.
- Make ahead — they taste even better the next day.
- Warm before serving — microwave a few seconds for that fresh-baked feel.
Variations & Substitutions
- Apple Pie Bars: Add a pinch of allspice and cloves for deeper spice flavor.
- Oat Crumble Bars: Replace ½ cup flour with rolled oats.
- Nutty Version: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping.
- Caramel Pecan Apple Bars: Layer toasted pecans with the apples and caramel.
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute.
- Vegan Option: Use vegan butter and dairy-free caramel.
- Extra Spiced: Add pumpkin spice blend for a fall twist.
- Cran-Apple Bars: Add ½ cup dried cranberries to the apple layer.
- Maple Caramel Bars: Use maple syrup-infused caramel for added warmth.
- Mini Bars: Make them in an 8×8 pan for thicker, smaller batches.
What to Serve With Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars
- Vanilla or cinnamon ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Hot apple cider or coffee
- Warm caramel drizzle
- Toasted pecans on top
Storage & Reheating Tips
To Store:
Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To Freeze:
Freeze individual bars wrapped in parchment for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
To Reheat:
Warm in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes for that fresh-baked texture.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use canned caramel?
Yes — store-bought caramel sauce works great! Just mix in sea salt for balance.
Can I use apple pie filling?
Yes, but fresh apples give a better texture and flavor.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — use a larger pan or bake in two 9×13 pans.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes — they taste even better the next day once the flavors meld.
Do they need to be refrigerated?
If your kitchen is warm, yes. Otherwise, room temperature for 2 days is fine.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes — use gluten-free flour and certified GF caramel.
Can I use other fruits?
Pear, peach, or mixed berries work beautifully with caramel.
Can I skip the caramel?
Sure — they’re still delicious as simple apple crumble bars.
Can I make them vegan?
Yes — use vegan butter and coconut-based caramel sauce.
Can I serve them warm?
Definitely! They’re amazing warm with ice cream or caramel drizzle.
Final Thoughts
These Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars are everything you love about fall — warm apples, buttery crumble, and rich caramel in every bite. They’re simple to make yet taste like something from a high-end bakery.
Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or cozy nights in, these bars deliver the comforting flavors of apple pie in a convenient, easy-to-serve form. Sweet, salty, gooey, and golden — they’re the kind of dessert that makes everyone ask for seconds.