These homemade Caramel Apple Granola Bars taste so much better than any bar you will find in the store. They are easy to make, and they are so soft and chewy. Perfect for on the go breakfasts or after school snacks.
Granola bars are one of those snacks that are just easy to keep on hand. Most of the time I make no bake granola bars for the kids to snack on during the week, but this week I pulled out an oldie, but goodie recipe.
It has actually been quite a while since I have made these baked granola bars. I had forgotten just how much I love these simple oatmeal bars. They have a soft, chewy texture that gets me every single time.
Plus, they are so easy to customize with different ingredients. Pretty much anything you like can be added to them.
The very first time I made these baked oatmeal bars I did a sweet and salty flavor combo. Potato chips and caramel bits added a great taste to these Caramel Oatmeal Bars.
Over the years, I have had fun with that recipe and made some pretty delicious caramel granola bars. These Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Granola Bars and these White Chocolate Caramel Granola Bars are two of my top favorites.
I had a few apples leftover after making these Apple Praline Donuts, so I decided to add them to a pan of apple cinnamon oatmeal bars for everyone to snack on. And of course, caramel had to be added too.
How to make Caramel Apple Granola Bars
You won’t believe just how easy it is to make this homemade granola bar recipe. Here is what you will need to do:
- Pour all the wet ingredients together in a bowl and beat until mixed together.
- Add the dry ingredients to the runny mixture. It will be very thick as you mix it. Keeping beating it until everything comes together.
- Cut the apples into small bite-sized pieces. You can peel the apples first, or keep it simple and leave them on. Since you are dicing them small, the peels are ok in these bars.
- Gently stir the diced apples and caramel bits into the dough and then press the batter into a pan. Rolos are also a great option if you cannot find the caramel baking bits.
- Bake and cool. Do not over bake these homemade granola bars. They can dry out really easily if you bake them too long.
Chocolate covered caramel apples are one of my favorite things to get when we visit Disney or Disney Springs. So, to jazz up these caramel apple bars I added a drizzle of white chocolate and sprinkled them with coarse white sanding sugar.
It just adds a fun and pretty touch to these caramel apple oatmeal bars. It’s not necessary, but it really does taste good.
CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!
The best thing about these chewy oat bars is that you can customize them with what you have on hand or what you like.
Homemade Granola Bar variations:
- Use rolled oats instead of quick oats for a chewier, heartier granola bar.
- Change up the mix-ins. Feel free to use toffee bits, peanuts, raisins, or chopped up Rolos instead of the caramel bits.
- Want more apple flavor? Use 1/4 cup applesauce or apple butter in place of one egg.
- Need egg free recipes, use 1/2 cup applesauce or flax eggs instead.
- Add a boost of protein by stirring in 1-2 scoops of vanilla protein powder.
- Drizzle the granola bars with chocolate melts instead of white melts. Or skip the chocolate altogether.
More easy oatmeal bars:
If you loved this granola bar recipe, be sure to try a few of these other delicious options.
- No Bake Nutella S’mores Granola Bars
- Raspberry Hot Chocolate Granola Bars
- No Bake M&M Granola Bars
- Thin Mint Granola Bars
- Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Bars
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Caramel Apple Granola Bars
These homemade Caramel Apple Granola Bars taste so much better than any bar you will find in the store. They are easy to make, and they are so soft and chewy. Perfect for on the go breakfasts or after school snacks.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups quick oats
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice + extra
- 1 cup finely diced apples
- 1 cup caramel bits
- 3/4 cup white chocolate melts
- 1 teaspoon coarse white sanding sugar, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray.
- Beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and eggs and beat again.
- Stir together the flour, oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Slowly add it to the butter mixture. The dough will be very stiff.
- Gently stir in the diced apples and caramel bits. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes. Cool completely. Cut into 12 bars.
- Melt the white melts according to the package directions.
- Spoon into a plastic bag and cut one corner off. Drizzle over the bars. Sprinkle with the sanding sugar and apple pie spice immediately and let set. Store in a tightly sealed container.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 14 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 337Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 212mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 2gSugar: 30gProtein: 5g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
(original photo from September 2012)
*The post for Caramel Apple Granola Bars was first published September 19, 2012. The photos and post were updated and republished September 18, 2020.
Gail says
What are mini marshmallow bits??
Jocelyn Brubaker says
They are mini marshmallow bits that come in a container. They are like the marshmallows in hot chocolate packets. I buy them at Walmart and Target where the regular marshmallows are sold.
Shantel says
These look so yummy! I’m going to try to make them for my little girl who inhales granola bars. Maybe just leave out the rolos so I can pretend they are healthy? Right? Apples? Thank you for sharing!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Haha! Yes, leaving out the Rolos would make them slightly healthier, but everything in moderation right?
icakepops says
It must be something in the Fall air that’s making jeans shrink because mine are too! These are great for on-the-run snacking!
Michelle's Tasty Creations says
Jocelyn,
Too funny because all those things jump right in my cart at the grocery store too 🙂 These look amazing! I can’t wait to try them. I will probably have to go get more goodies though to add. Thanks for sharing at Creative Thursday each week. Have a great week.
Michelle
TidyMom says
oooh, my kind of granola bar!!
Thanks so much for linking up! I featured your post in my wrap up http://tidymom.net/2012/fall-treats/
Have a great rest if of the weekend!
Pinterest911 says
Found you yesterday and thought these bars sounded so delicious I had to try them. I created my own rendition and wanted to share them with you …thank you for your inspiration on an old favorite.
Jocelyn says
I am so glad you tried them and did your own version. So fun!!!
Kamila Gornia says
Oh my gosh, looks amazing! Caramel… apples… GRANOLA BARS! What an amazing creation and combo.
Carissa Rasmussen says
awesome. I love making my own ooey gooey bars that I can claim as nutritious:) Thanks for the idea!
Jocelyn says
These ones probably could be made even healthier by substituting coconut oil too. It’s fun to come up with new ideas on fun bars.
KristaM says
Found and followed you through 36th Avenue’s link party. I just love your blog!
Katie Adams says
Oh my Goodness! These look amazing! I would love for you to share this on my weekly Blog Stalking Thursday Linky Party!
SallysBakingAddiction says
Jocelyn, you know i’m a HUGE granola bar/granola gal!!! I remember your caramel granola bars from earlier this summer and have had them pinned for awhile now! but caramel APPLE makes me so giddy and excited! And that chocolate drizzle… sinful 🙂 I’ve never baked with caramel extract before! yum.
Jocelyn says
I knew you would love these:-) This was the first thing I made with the caramel extract…just gave it a little different flavor than traditional vanilla.
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} says
I’ve been thinking today about making granola bars but wasn’t sure on the flavour. You just sealed a deal from me to make these. I’m a lazy shopper too but then it’s normally more of a hike with a full grocery cart to the car with 3 moany bored kids. But then I’m arthritic, I have an excuse! I would have totally put the apple chips in. Ironically, I haven’t seen those in the local shop for such a low price so I’ll be all homemaker-y on that!
-Lisa.
mystic2102 says
What is caramel extract, and what could you use in place of it? Also what could you use in place of the shortening? Butter/coconut oil?
Jocelyn says
I found the caramel extract at Walmart in the baking aisle. You could just use vanilla in place of it if you like. You could use the coconut oil in place of the shortening. It is just to think the chocolate a little to drizzle better.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
You are too funny – I do that too. I just did it last weekend. But in my defense, it’s like a half mile between stores. And it’s hot…. 😉 LOVE these granola bars, and totally, I would have bought the apple chips too!
Shiloh Barkley says
I’ve been doing soooo good running, and then I skipped last night and Monday and I feel horribly guilty and I feel horrible. I need to burn some calories!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
this is my kinda granola bar! Each recipe gets better and better – stop! I have too much to make already 🙂
Robin Allen says
Ummm… Yum! I swear, y’all just keep coming up wth deliciousness and I won’t be able to stop eating!
Jocelyn says
I couldn’t stop eating them either:-)
4Sisters says
Caramel apple granola bars sounds like the best snack EVER!!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction says
Oh I love apple chips! I have yet to try making granola bars with them. . .these sound like the perfect recipe to start with, especially since these contain rolos!
Buttercream Blondie says
These look awesome especially with the rolos! Just put an apple dessert in the oven & now I want to make these too!
Slice of Southern says
Loving, loving, loving these! Just pinned to Pinterest…have a great one!
Aimee says
You lazy sloth.
Haha. Just wanted to say that, clear in public. SLOTH.
Okay, now that we have that out of the way…can I be a sloth with you? I totally have jeans that SHRUNK. Clearly, it’s not me right? UGH, I am dying to go shopping for some fall clothes….but just want to drop a few pounds first. What exercise plan you going to kick start? I want to do it too!
Carrian Cheney says
These look fantastic!! Perfect for my little ones, and me. Let’s be honest, a lot for me.
Jocelyn says
Well, I say the kids devoured them, but I ate my fair share:-)
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
MM, I love me some apple chips. Question though, do they get soft again when you bake them? Either way, these look amazing, and I promise I won’t tell your pants that Rolos are in these beautiful bars. This applicious week is my fave!
Joan Hayes says
OK, these bars on on my list, they are healthy! of course I also consider sugary cereal with 8 vitamins and minerals healthy, but I’m just going with it.
And what is it with candy and other items not on the shopping list calling to us from across the store “buy me, you know you want to.” Talk about subliminal messages. I’ve gone into the grocery store with out a cart or basket just so I won’t pick up more than I can carry in my arms!