Caramel Apple Crisp Bars Made Easy – Apple Crisp Bars With Apple Pie Filling

Caramel Apple Crisp Bars are a crowd-pleasing dessert fit to serve that crowd. Using apple pie filling and oats, you can easily make these apple crisp bars with a caramel topping. Serve as is or topped with vanilla ice cream.

These caramel apple crisp bars taste just like a caramel apple! Caramel, cinnamon, apple – what’s not to love here?

Caramel Apple Crisp Bars

If you love any type of old fashioned apple dessert such as crisp or crumble, then you have to try these Apple Crumble Bars. It’s the perfect fall dessert. Imagine an apple crisp featuring an oatmeal topping turned into a tasty little bar. The oat base and topping are to die for thanks to butter, brown sugar and oats.

The center, or course, is a classic apple pie filling. But, the icing on the cake isn’t really an icing; instead, it is a thick caramel sauce, right from the ice cream topping aisle at the grocery store. Drizzle as much or as little caramel topping as your heart desires.

Apple Crisp Bars With Apple Pie Filling

My family is such a big fan of these Cherry Pie Bars (using a can of cherry pie filing) that I just knew I needed to create an apple pie bar variation. I love how easy these caramel apple crumble bars are to make.

For one, they are incredibly simple because the recipe includes a can of apple pie filling. The apples are already sweetened with the perfect amount of cinnamon. Second, the oat crust and oat topping layers on these apple crisp bars is just one mixture that you make up and then divide. Third, the caramel topping comes straight from the ice cream topping aisle at the grocery store! I love the flavor of caramel.

Ingredient List for Easy Caramel Apple Bars

• Quick Oats (quick-cooking oats)
• Butter (or margarine), melted
• All-Purpose Flour
• Baking Soda
• Brown Sugar
• Apple Pie Filling – try this no sugar added version
• Caramel Topping – Look for it in the ice cream topping aisle!

How to Make Apple Crisp Bars using Apple Pie Filling

Step by Step Instructions

1. Melt butter.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, quick oats, and baking soda; add melted butter and combine until it is completely moistened.
3. Set aside 2 cups of mixture for crumb topping; press the remaining oat mixture into the bottom of a greased jelly roll pan.
4. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 12 minutes.
5. Remove baking pan from oven, spread one can of apple pie filling over top. Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture.
6. Bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes.
7. Let cool for 10 minutes; drizzle with caramel topping.
8. Serve as is or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

For the full ingredient amounts and recipe steps for easy caramel apple bars, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

Recipe FAQs

• This recipe for apple crisp bars uses a can of apple pie filling. If you want loads and loads of apples, add a second can to the recipe. This will also make the recipe stretch farther.
• Be sure to use quick oats, not to be confused with old fashioned oats.
• 1 1/2 cups butter is equal to 3 sticks.
• Apple Crumble Bars are made in a jelly roll pan, meaning they will serve a crowd. I like to line the bottom of my jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
• The best part in my opinion is the caramel topping. Drizzle as much or as little as you desire, or omit completely. If you feel fancy, make homemade salted caramel sauce.
• Check out our Amazon Store for our favorite pantry and kitchen items, including a jelly roll pan!
• Love all things caramel and apples? Check out Farmwife Cooks’ Caramel Apple Coffee Cake and our Apple cake with caramel sauce.

How do I get a crunchy apple crisp?

Is your apple crisp isn’t getting a nice crunch on top, chances are you aren’t using enough butter. The oat topping should be moist, almost wet (not to the extent of pools of butter).

If your topping is on the dry side, add more melted butter, one Tablespoon at a time until it gets moist. This will help get a “crispy” apple crisp.

Old Fashioned Apple Desserts

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Apple Crisp Recipe

Red Hot Cinnamon Apples 

Grandma’s Sour Cream Apple Squares

Minnesota Apple Crisp 

Apple Cheesecake Trifle