Salted Caramel Apple Baked Oatmeal Dessert

Salted Caramel Apple Baked Oatmeal Dessert is the perfect balance of cozy comfort and indulgent flavor. It brings together tender baked apples, hearty oats, rich caramel, and just the right touch of salt to elevate every bite. While it feels decadent enough for dessert, it’s still simple to prepare and wonderfully versatile.

First, warm spices and brown sugar soften the apples as they bake. Meanwhile, rolled oats absorb creamy milk and vanilla, creating a tender yet structured texture. Then, caramel melts into the oats, while a subtle salted finish keeps the sweetness balanced and refined. As a result, each spoonful feels rich but never heavy.

Interestingly, oatmeal bakes gained popularity as an easy way to turn pantry staples into something special. Over time, apples and caramel became natural companions in baked desserts. Today, this version offers a modern, elevated twist that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Serve it warm with extra caramel, or enjoy it as-is for a comforting, crowd-pleasing treat.

Recipe Yield: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
2 medium apples, peeled and diced
¼ cup brown sugar
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
3 Tbsp salted caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp flaky sea salt, for finishing

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat and prepare:
First, preheat the oven to 350°F. Then, generously butter an 8×8-inch baking dish and set it aside.

2. Mix wet ingredients:
Next, in a large bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salted caramel sauce until smooth and fully combined.

3. Combine dry ingredients:
Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, stir together the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, fine sea salt, and baking powder until evenly mixed.

4. Add apples:
After that, gently fold the diced apples into the dry mixture, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout.

5. Assemble the bake:
Now, pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined, then transfer everything into the prepared baking dish.

6. Bake:
Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, until the center is set and the edges are lightly golden.

7. Finish and serve:
Finally, remove from the oven and sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt. Let rest for 5 minutes, then drizzle with extra salted caramel and serve warm.

Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe

• Use the Right Apples:
  Choose firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith. They soften beautifully while holding their shape, adding texture and flavor contrast throughout the bake.
• Finish with Flaky Salt:
  A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt after baking enhances the caramel flavor and creates a true sweet-salty balance without overpowering the dessert.
• Avoid Overmixing:
  Stir just until combined. Overmixing can make the oatmeal dense instead of soft and spoonable.