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.
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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.
Over the years, I have had fun with that baked granola bar recipe and made some pretty delicious strawberry granola bars.
I had a few apples leftover after making these apple donut holes, 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.
Why Make These Bars
Homemade granola bars are so easy to customize with different ingredients. Pretty much anything you like can be added to them.
After they bake and cool they have a soft, chewy texture that is so delicious.
The sweet caramel apple flavor will satisfy all your fall cravings. Plus, they make great lunch box treats for the kids all week long.
Key Ingredients
All you need are a few ingredients plus a few apples to make this easy homemade granola bar recipe. Apples and caramel bits give it that delicious fall flavor.
- Butter - We like to use unsalted in our recipes because it gives a better control over the saltiness in a recipe.
- Brown Sugar - Sweetens the bars and also gives them that yummy soft, moist texture.
- Quick Oats - The smaller oats hold together better in this recipe. Rolled oats can also be used if you prefer more of a chunky texture.
- Apple Pie Spice - This is a delicious spice blend for fall treats.
- Apple - One large apple diced should give you enough for this recipe. We like to use Gala apples for all our baking.
- Caramel Bits - Bags of these little candy bits can be found in the baking aisle and they give such a great caramel flavor and chew to baked goods.
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 mixing 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.
- Bake and cool. Do not over bake these homemade granola bars. They can dry out really easily if you bake them too long.
BruCrew Tip: 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's not necessary, but it really does taste good.
Tips and Variations
The best thing about these chewy oat bars is that you can customize them with what you have on hand or what you like.
- 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 ¼ cup applesauce or apple butter in place of one egg.
- Need egg free recipes, use ½ 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 melting wafers instead of white chocolate. Or skip the chocolate altogether.
Recipe FAQs
That is totally up to you. The apples are being diced finely in this recipe, so the peels bake and melt into the bars really well.
Yes you can. Chopped Snickers or Rolos would be awesome in this recipe.
More Easy Oatmeal Bars
If you loved this granola bar recipe, be sure to try a few of these other delicious options.
Do you love a recipe you tried from Inside BruCrew Life?
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Recipe
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
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups quick oats
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice + extra
- 1 cup finely diced apples
- 1 cup caramel bits
- ¾ 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.
*The post for Caramel Apple Granola Bars was first published September 2012. The photos and post was updated and republished September 2020.
Pinterest911
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
I am so glad you tried them and did your own version. So fun!!!
Kamila Gornia
Oh my gosh, looks amazing! Caramel... apples... GRANOLA BARS! What an amazing creation and combo.
Carissa Rasmussen
awesome. I love making my own ooey gooey bars that I can claim as nutritious:) Thanks for the idea!
Jocelyn
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
Found and followed you through 36th Avenue's link party. I just love your blog!
Katie Adams
Oh my Goodness! These look amazing! I would love for you to share this on my weekly Blog Stalking Thursday Linky Party!
SallysBakingAddiction
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
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}
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
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
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
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
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
this is my kinda granola bar! Each recipe gets better and better - stop! I have too much to make already 🙂
Robin Allen
Ummm... Yum! I swear, y'all just keep coming up wth deliciousness and I won't be able to stop eating!
Jocelyn
I couldn't stop eating them either:-)
4Sisters
Caramel apple granola bars sounds like the best snack EVER!!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction
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
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
Loving, loving, loving these! Just pinned to Pinterest...have a great one!
Aimee
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
These look fantastic!! Perfect for my little ones, and me. Let's be honest, a lot for me.
Jocelyn
Well, I say the kids devoured them, but I ate my fair share:-)
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
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
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!