Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars (Your New Favorite Fall Dessert)

Ohhh these bars. They’re buttery, gooey, sweet, salty and everything fall dreams are made of. The moment they hit the oven, your kitchen will smell like cinnamon-kissed apple orchards and golden caramel clouds. These Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars are that comforting kind of messy-good treat you’ll want to make on repeat. Grab your cozy socks we’re baking something magical.

Why You’ll Crave These Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars

These bars? They’re basically autumn in edible form. The soft-baked apple filling melts into rich salted caramel, all wrapped in a buttery crumble that gives the perfect little crunch with every bite

They’re also wildly easy to throw together which means you don’t need a whole weekend or a ton of baking experience. If you’ve made cookie dough, you can make these. Plus, the crumble does double duty as both base and topping

Pair these bars with a cup of warm cider or serve them beside these Mini Apple Pies for the ultimate cozy spread

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 medium apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith + Honeycrisp are a dream team)
½ cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade works)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Optional: a little sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top after baking makes it sparkle

How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars

Prep Your Pan and Crumble

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper. Let the sides hang over a bit so you can lift the bars out later without tears or crumbs everywhere

In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Add the flour and stir until the dough is crumbly but clumps when you press it together. Scoop out about two-thirds and press it firmly into the pan for your crust. Use your hands, not a spoon it feels good

Layer the Apples and Caramel

Toss your diced apples with cinnamon and nutmeg in a separate bowl. Spread the spiced apples evenly over your crust, then drizzle that caramel all over the top. This part smells like heaven

Crumble the remaining dough over everything. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect messy tops are the prettiest once baked

Bake and Cool

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden and the apples are bubbling at the edges. Now, the hardest part. Let them cool completely. Completely. That caramel needs time to set or you’ll end up with delicious apple crumble mush (not bad, but not bars)

Once cool, lift them out, slice, and try not to eat four before serving

Tips for Success

Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for balance Granny Smith, Fuji, and Honeycrisp are all solid picks
Let the bars cool fully before slicing. I know it’s hard. Trust me, though it’s worth it
If your crumble mixture feels too dry, add 1–2 teaspoons of milk to bring it together
Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top once they come out of the oven for an extra salty-sweet bite

Ingredient Swaps & Shortcuts

You can swap in brown sugar for a deeper flavor
Need gluten-free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend
Pressed for time? Use pre-sliced apples and store-bought caramel you’ll still get those dreamy layers
Love caramel apples? Pair these with this Easy Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip for a festive dessert board

Storage + Reheating Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temp for 2–3 days or in the fridge for up to a week
Reheat gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring the caramel back to life
They also taste great chilled, like a soft apple cookie bar

FAQ: You Asked, We Baked

Final Bites and Cozy Thoughts

These bars taste like a caramel apple hug. They’re simple to make, easy to share, and oh-so comforting. When you’ve got leftover apples to use up or just want your house to smell amazing, this is the recipe to reach for

And hey if you’ve got extra apples on hand, make a batch of these crisp Air Fryer Apple Chips and drizzle them with any leftover caramel sauce. Total fall snack win

So bake a batch, share them with someone you love, and maybe save a secret square for yourself. You earned it

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