 Caramel Apple Oat Bars are the perfect way to celebrate the season! Packed full of fresh apples, nuts and oozing with caramel, these bars are hard to resist!
Caramel Apple Oat Bars
I have been on a caramel apple kick for weeks. But I’ve totally been cheating. You know those Pumpkin Spice Caramels from a few weeks ago? Well, I grab a few of those and an apple and sit down to the best snack a girl could ask for – deconstructed caramel apples! Seriously addicting. And the pumpkin spice? Holy moly! It adds a whole lot of awesomeness to a caramel apple!
Seeing as how I’ve made caramel apple EVERYTHING but was still craving caramel apples…these bars were next up on my list. I’ve done caramel apple empanadas, caramel apple monkey bread, caramel apple cinnamon rolls and even a caramel apple shake (to.die.for.). Earlier this season I made Caramel Apple Crumble Bars and while those were crazy good, they were total short cut bars – made with cake mix and apple pie filling.
I had a bunch of apples to use up from a recent trip to Apple Hill and thought some from-scratch bars would be just the thing. They were!
You know I am super fond of bars. Easy, perfect for crowds, and a whole lot quicker than batches and batches of cookies. Wait! Caramel Apple Cookies…oh gosh! Now I need to make those too!
These bars are packed with a ton of oats and the fresh apples are really the star of the show. Combined with the sweet, buttery silkiness of the caramel – it’s a match made in heaven.
These caramel apple oat bars just get better with time. Excellent the first day they are pure heaven on day three. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect treat!
More Apple Recipes
- Homemade Apple Pie Spice
- Caramel Apple Empanadas
- Baked Apple Pie Dip
- Carrot Apple Zucchini Bread
- Apple Strudel
How To Make Caramel Apple Oat Bars
Caramel Apple Oat Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups quick oats
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 cup butter melted
- 30 KRAFT caramel squares
- 1 tbsp milk
- 2 cups tart baking apples peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts pecans or walnuts - optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment or lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Combine oat, flour, brown sugar, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl.
- Stir in butter until nice and crumbly.
- Press a little more than half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the pan and bake for 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt caramels and milk together in a microwave-safe container on high in 30 second intervals, stirring in between. Set aside.
- Remove pan from the oven and sprinkle with apple and nuts. Drizzle caramel mixture over the top.
- Crumble remaining oat mixture over the top of the caramel and return pan to the oven.
- Bake for an additional 20-22 minutes or until top is lightly browned.
- Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
Kathy says
I just made these and they taste wonderful! However, mine didn’t set up? But that’s not stopping me from eating them with a spoon! Not sure what happened. I am using my new convection oven, on auto conversation which automatically lowers the temp to 325. What do you think?
BillieJo says
Could caramel topping be substituted for the caramel squares? If so, 1/4 cup or ?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It’s a little thinner consistency but it might work. I would think more like 1/2 to 2/3 cup. Let me know if you give a try and it works 🙂
CakePants says
These bars look fantastic!! I made a caramel apple galette recently, and it whetted my appetite for everything caramel apples…looking forward to trying these!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Sounds delicious! Thanks!
Mir says
These look so gooey and crumbly and perfect! Like you, I’m crazy for caramel apples. This bar is the best!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I think I could have a caramel apple ever day Mir. No problem 🙂 Thank you!
Shubila says
I think I gained 5 pounds looking though your site. I am drooling over the abundance of amazing recipes.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
LOL! Thank you!
marcie says
I love Apple Hill! It reminds me of when my boys were smaller. These bars look so incredible, Trish, I love all that caramel-apple-oaty goodness!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Apple Hill is something I look forward to every year Marcie. I just love it! Thank you!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
Bars are always popular. This combo is always popular. I like cooking with fruit—-and actually oatmeal too. No doubt that this is a winning recipe.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Carol!
Ala says
These are beautiful and chock full of the oats I need–I’m off to buy another pack now since I used them all up making granola! Can’t wait to try these gorgeous gems, Trish!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You are so sweet Ala! Oats are definitely a staple around here too!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
I love bars and am obsessed with anything caramel apple these days too. I would have a hard time stopping at one – that thick oat topping looks irresistible!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Caramel apple is pretty much the best thing EVER in my opinion Kelly 🙂 The oats are just a perfect pairing with that sweet/tart flavor combo. Thank you!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
There is just nothing better in the fall then caramel and apples!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Couldn’t agree more Julianne! Thank you!
Liz says
Love these squares. Thank you.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Liz!!