Description
A foolproof, pantry-friendly dessert that combines a buttery oat crust with spiced apple filling and rich caramel sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, these bars are perfect for fall gatherings and make excellent leftovers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (160g) Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 1 cup (125g) All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup (113g) Unsalted Butter, melted
- 1/2 cup (100g) Granulated Sugar
- 1 cup (200g) Brown Sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 21 oz (600g) can Apple Pie Filling
- 12–14 oz (350-400g) Caramel Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides, and grease lightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Pour in melted butter and mix until the texture resembles wet sand.
- Press the oat mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes until set. Remove from oven but leave it on the counter.
- Spread the canned apple pie filling evenly over the hot crust.
- Drizzle or spread the caramel sauce over the apples, swirling it gently with a knife or spatula to create pockets of flavor.
- In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and any remaining dry ingredients. Dot this streusel mixture over the caramel layer.
- Return to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and caramel is bubbling.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan (at least 2 hours or refrigerate for 1 hour) to ensure clean cuts.
Notes
Do not use instant or steel-cut oats; old-fashioned rolled oats provide the correct texture. Par-baking the crust prevents a soggy bottom. Chill bars completely before cutting to prevent the caramel from smearing. For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free oats and flour.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: fall dessert, caramel apple bars, oat crumble, easy baking, pantry recipe, apple pie filling, quick dessert