Prep Time: 10 minutes || Cook Time: 20-25 minutes || Total Time: 30-35 minutes || Servings: 8-10
These simple sheet pan caramel apples are the perfect fall dessert that everyone will love. Made with fresh apples and a homemade caramel sauce, this easy recipe brings all the flavors of autumn to your kitchen in just 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This sheet pan caramel apple recipe is so much easier than making individual caramel apples. You get all the sweet, buttery caramel flavor without any of the mess. Plus, it feeds a crowd and makes a great dessert for family gatherings, potlucks, or cozy weeknight treats.
Ingredients (Makes 8-10 servings)
- 4-5 large apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith work best)
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: Chopped pecans or walnuts, flaky sea salt, or cinnamon
How to Make Sheet Pan Caramel Apples
Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready
Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will make cleanup super easy.
Step 2: Prepare Your Apples
Peel, core, and slice each apple into thick wedges. You want them thick enough that they won’t get mushy when baked. Put the apple slices in a large bowl and toss them with a little water or lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.
Step 3: Arrange the Apples
Spread the apple slices out evenly on your prepared baking sheet. Make sure they’re in a single layer so they cook evenly.
Step 4: Make the Easy Caramel Sauce
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together and cook for 3-4 minutes until the sugars dissolve and the mixture starts to bubble slightly.
Step 5: Add the Caramel
Pour the warm caramel sauce evenly over all the apple slices. Try to get some caramel on each piece for the best flavor.
Step 6: Bake Until Perfect
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the apples are tender when you poke them with a fork and the caramel is bubbly and golden around the edges.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Let the apples cool for a few minutes before serving. If you want, sprinkle with chopped nuts or a pinch of sea salt for extra flavor. These taste great warm or at room temperature.
Serving Ideas and Tips
These caramel apples are delicious on their own, but they’re also amazing served over vanilla ice cream, with whipped cream, or alongside a slice of pie. They make a perfect fall dessert that’s not too heavy.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover caramel apples in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 30-60 seconds.
Recipe Tips for Best Results
- Choose firm apples that won’t get mushy when baked
- Don’t skip the lemon juice – it keeps your apples looking fresh
- Watch the caramel sauce carefully so it doesn’t burn
- Let the apples cool slightly before serving to avoid burns from hot caramel
This easy sheet pan caramel apple recipe is perfect for anyone who loves the taste of caramel apples but wants something simpler to make. With just a few ingredients and one pan, you’ll have a delicious fall dessert that’s sure to impress!
