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Caramel Apple Oatmeal Bars

Caramel apple oatmeal bars with chewy oat edges, cinnamon apples, and a gooey caramel layer. You’ll press an oat crumble base, bake until set, then cool so the caramel firms up.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 290
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Oatmeal base
  • 1.5 cup old-fashioned oats Rolled/old-fashioned oats for the chewy texture.
  • 1.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.75 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 0.75 cup butter Melted butter.
Apple filling
  • 3 apples Diced apples.
  • 0.5 cup caramel sauce
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch Helps thicken the apple-caramel mixture.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Make the oat mixture
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8x8-inch pan. This helps prevent sticking while you assemble the bars.
  2. Mix the old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and melted butter until evenly combined. The mixture should clump slightly when pressed.
Assemble the bars
  1. Press ⅔ of the oat mixture into the 8x8-inch pan, covering the bottom firmly. Use steady pressure so the base bakes into chewy edges.
  2. Toss the diced apples with caramel sauce and cornstarch until the apples look coated. Spread the apple mixture on top of the base in an even layer.
  3. Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the apples, creating an even top. Leave small gaps so steam can escape during baking.
Bake and cool
  1. Bake for 35 minutes at 350°F until the top is lightly golden and the center looks set. If needed, bake 2–3 minutes longer for a firmer middle.
  2. Cool completely before cutting to allow the caramel to set. Slice only after fully cooled for clean bars that hold together.

Notes

Cool completely so the caramel sets, then cut into bars. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; freeze bars in a sealed container up to 2 months and thaw in the fridge overnight. For a lighter option, swap half the butter for unsweetened applesauce if you don’t mind a slightly softer texture.