If cozy desserts had a greatest hits album, vegan caramel apple crumb bars would be track one. These bars take everything people love about apple crisp and caramel apples and press it into a buttery, handheld dessert that feels special but stays refreshingly simple. With a tender pastry base, cinnamon-kissed apples, gooey vegan caramel, and a golden crumble topping, every bite delivers contrast and comfort.
Perfect for fall baking, holiday dessert tables, or just a quiet afternoon treat, these vegan apple crumb bars come together in under an hour and slice beautifully; so they’re perfect for sharing. Even better, they’re made with pantry staples and require no fancy equipment or chilling time.
Why Caramel Apple Crumb Bars is a Must-Bake Vegan Fall Dessert Recipe
These vegan apple crisp bars strike that magical balance between rustic and indulgent. They’re sturdy enough to pick up, yet soft and gooey inside thanks to the baked apples and caramel layer. Unlike more traditional Fall dessert recipes, such as apple pie, there’s no rolling, crimping, or worrying about soggy bottoms.
They’re also:
- Completely dairy-free and egg-free
- Easy to scale for gatherings
- Ideal for make-ahead desserts
- Packed with warm fall flavors
Think of them as a vegan apple crisp transformed into a bakery-style bar, with layers that melt together just enough to feel decadent without being heavy.
Ingredients for Vegan Caramel Apple Crumb Bars
This recipe yields 16 bars. Prep time takes about 15 minutes, followed by a 30-minute bake. From start to finish, the total time comes to 45 minutes.
Base
- 1 1/4 cups (150g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp (25g) light brown sugar
- 5 tbsp (75ml) neutral oil
- 2 tbsp (30ml) water
- 3/4 tsp (3g) baking powder
- 1/4 tsp (2g) salt
Filling
- 3–4 medium apples (350g), peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp (15ml) lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp (1g) ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (60ml) vegan caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling
Crumble
- 1/4 cup (50g) light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp (30ml) neutral oil
- 2 tsp (10ml) water
- 1/4 tsp (2g) salt
- 1/4 tsp (1/2g) ground cinnamon
How to Make Vegan Caramel Apple Crumb Bars
1. Prepare the Pan and Oven
Grease or line an 8” x 8” (20 x 20cm) baking pan with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Make the Base
In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir to evenly distribute. Add the oil and water, stirring until a crumbly dough forms. Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan, patting it into an even layer that covers the bottom completely.
3. Make the Crumble Topping
In a medium bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the oil and water, stirring gently until small crumbles form. Use fingers to toss the mixture until slightly larger crumbs appear, keeping them no bigger than a pea for even baking.
4. Prepare the Apple Filling
Peel and thinly slice the apples. Toss the slices with lemon juice and cinnamon until evenly coated. This step enhances flavor and prevents browning.
5. Assemble the Bars
Arrange the apples evenly over the base, minimizing gaps for consistent texture. Drizzle 1/4 cup vegan caramel sauce over the apples, allowing it to seep between slices. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly across the surface.
6. Bake
Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the top is lightly browned and the filling appears set. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before removing and slicing. Drizzle additional caramel over each slice before serving for a truly decadent vegan apple dessert.
Vegan Apple Dessert Texture and Taste Notes
These vegan caramel apple crumb bars transform a classic vegan Fall dessert recipe into a decadent handheld sensation. The apples soften while baking, melding with caramel into a cohesive layer that tastes rich and comforting. The pastry base remains crisp, while the crumble topping adds a sweet crunch that contrasts beautifully with the gooey center.
Each bite carries layered textures: crisp, soft, sticky, and crumbly. A final caramel drizzle adds gloss and indulgence, delivering a vegan baking recipe that tastes unmistakably like fall.
Best Apples for Vegan Apple Crumb Bars
Apple choice plays a key role in structure and flavor. Tart varieties such as Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Macintosh work best, as they hold their shape during baking and balance the sweetness of the caramel and crumble. These apples soften without turning mushy.
Sweeter apples like Fuji or Gala tend to release more moisture and can become overly soft, making them less ideal for this recipe.
Oil and Caramel Tips for Vegan Baking
Any neutral oil works well in this vegan dessert recipe, including canola, sunflower, or vegetable oil. Melted coconut oil can also be used, though it adds a noticeable hint of coconut to both the base and crumble.
Vegan caramel sauce can be salted or unsalted depending on preference. If homemade caramel is used, salt levels can be adjusted to complement the apples and brown sugar crumble.
Storage and Make-Ahead Notes
These vegan caramel apple crumb bars are best enjoyed the same day as they are baked. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days. For best results, store without the caramel drizzle, as moisture will soften the crumble over time. Add caramel just before serving for the freshest presentation.
Cozy Vegan Apple Dessert
These vegan caramel apple crumb bars are a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert that brings together tender spiced apples, rich caramel, and a buttery crumble in every bite. Whether served fresh from the pan or sliced for sharing, they offer a comforting balance of textures and flavors that feel both nostalgic and indulgent. Finished with a drizzle of caramel, each bar delivers a sweet, satisfying taste of fall.
Vegan Caramel Apple Crumb Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups/150g all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp/25g light brown sugar
- 5 tbsp/75ml neutral oil
- 2 tbsp/30ml water
- 3/4 tsp/3g baking powder
- ¼ tsp/2g salt
- 3-4 medium/350g apples peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp/15ml lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp/1g ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup/60ml vegan caramel sauce + more to drizzle on top
- 1/4 cup/50g light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup/60g all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp/30ml neutral oil
- 2 tsp/10ml water
- 1/4 tsp/2g salt
- 1/4 tsp/ 1/2 g ground cinnamon
Method
- Grease or line an 8” x 8”/20 x 20cm baking pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350° F/175C.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Add the oil and water. Stir until a crumbly mixture forms.
- Press mixture into pan. Pat into an even layer.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the oil and water and stir until just combined into small crumbles but still a bit powdery.
- Toss further with your fingers until slightly larger crumbs form (no larger than a pea).
- Peel and thinly slice the apples.
- Toss the sliced apples with lemon juice and cinnamon.
- Arrange on the base in an even layer with as few gaps as possible.
- Drizzle 1/4 cup/60ml caramel sauce over the apples.
- Sprinkle the crumble evenly on top of the apples.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until set and browned on top.
- Cool in pan completely before removing and cutting. Drizzle the cut slices with more caramel before serving.
- Best the same day. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Best if stored without the caramel drizzle. The crumble will soften during storage.
Notes
Private Notes
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