Apple Nachos

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More Apple and Pear Snacks
Peanut butter, chocolate chips, Stemilt Fuji Apples, and coconut flakes before becoming apple nachosHi I’m Christy and I share recipes on a website called Feasting Not Fasting. I have been cooking and baking at home since I was old enough to reach the kitchen counter. Now I mainly share quick, healthy recipes with natural ingredients that make it easier to eat healthy at home without sacrificing any flavor.

Apple nachos are a fun treat for kids and adults alike. With a creamy peanut butter drizzle, chocolate chips in every bite and a light sprinkle of coconut, this healthy snack is both nutritious and delicious. The peanut butter isn’t just there for flavor. It adds 9grams of protein per serving to keep you full longer.

With just 4 ingredients, this healthy apple nachos recipe is fast and easy to make. It comes together in under 10 minutes and is very kid friendly, since it only takes a few simple ingredients and steps. My 5 year old helped me make it and did all of the chocolate chip sprinkling with only a few sample bites in between. Little ones will need help cutting the apples, microwaving and navigating the steps in between but an older kid could manage this healthy apple recipe from start to finish.

Apple nachos are just as good for events as they are for a quick after school snack. They’re a nice healthy, yet sweet, option for game day and would be excellent alongside all of the usual savory appetizers served on Super Bowl Sunday. If you’re bringing them to an event or expect them to sit out and not be devoured right away, make sure to soak the apples in lemon juice to avoid browning. This way, your apple nacho leftovers will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Apple slices getting soaked in lemon juice

How to Make Apple Nachos

I used Fuji apples in this recipe but Cosmic Crisp, Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith or pretty much any one of your favorite Stemilt apples will work here. Choose your favorite or whatever you have on hand and let’s get started.

  1. First and foremost, slice those apples thin! ¼” is ideal.
  2. Soaking in lemon water is entirely optional but recommended if you’ll be snacking on the apples over time and not devouring immediately. Just make sure to dry them off well or the excess water will run off on your serving plate and look messy.
  3. We chose to lay the apples in an overlapping circle formation which is easy and functional but you can make it into a layered square or even a tree shape, as shown in the holiday options section.
  4. Microwave that peanut butter! If you have an exceptionally runny peanut butter you may be able to skip this step but for most, this step is essential. The peanut butter will cool quickly so do this after the apples are laid out and ready to go.
  5. And now its time for the fun stuff. Drizzle that peanut butter all over the apples. Doing it in a zig-zag pattern all around ensures that no apples are left untouched.
  6. Now sprinkle with chocolate chips, coconut or whatever else sounds good to you and serve right away.

Variations

While apples with peanut butter and chocolate is always a winning combo, there are many different variations and twists you can try for this fun snack. Since caramel apples are notoriously hard to eat, making caramel apple nachos delivers the same flavor without the need to bite through a thick layer of hardened caramel. Here are some of our other favorite toppings:

A hand picking up a slice of apple drizzled in peanut butter and chocolate chips

  • Caramel sauce
  • Melted chocolate (white, milk or dark)
  • Granola
  • Toasted nuts (slivered almonds, crushed pecans, etc.)
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Butterscotch or peanut butter chips
  • Raisins or other dried fruit
  • Candy sprinkles
  • Small candies
  • Blueberries
  • Hemp hearts
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Cinnamon
  • Switch out the peanut butter for almond butter

If you have a specific diet, you can easily customize the recipe to fit your needs too. Here are some ideas:

  • For a peanut allergy or to make the recipe Paleo compliant, sub with almond or sun butter.
  • Vegan? Just make sure you’re using dairy free chocolate chips.
  • If you’re gluten free, you’re in luck! The recipe is okay for you to eat as is. Just make sure any extra toppings are gluten free.

Holiday Options

Apple Nachos display in a Christmas tree formation

There’s an apple nacho combination for every season! It’s easy to customize to your own preferences or the season. Here are a few flavor combinations for different holidays:

  • Halloween snack nachos with Reese’s Pieces, drizzled caramel, and melted white chocolate. Drizzle the white chocolate in circular rings, then drizzle in outward lines from the center to form a spider web pattern.
  • Christmas apple nacho tree using Stemilt Granny Smith Apples, caramel sauce, drizzled dark chocolate and M&Ms arranged like Christmas lights with toasted almonds or yellow M&Ms placed as a star on top.
  • Valentine apple nachos with drizzled caramel, melted white chocolate, and pink and white M&Ms or other pink similar chocolate candies.
  • Saint Patrick’s day, use green apples, caramel sauce, mini marshmallows and green sprinkles.

Whether you stick to the recipe as written or choose to tweak, it’s hard to go wrong with this one. I hope you enjoy making this recipe as much as I did!

Ingredients

  • 2 Stemilt Fuji apples
  • 1/2 cup of peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons of unsweetened coconut flakes
  • Optional: lemon juice

Apple nachos are a fun tasty snack and way to use your favorite apples paired with peanut butter, chocolate and coconut flakes. This recipe can be made in 10 minutes or less and can be customized to fit your favorite ingredients like caramel, nuts or mini marshmallows!

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  • Yield
    4 servings
  • Prep time
  • Cook time
  • Total time
  • Cuisine
    American
  • In Category
    Snacks, Side dish

Instructions

  1. Cut apple into quarters and remove inner core. Cut each apple wedge into thin 1/4” slices.
  2. Optional Step: soak apple slices in cold water mixed with lemon juice at a ratio of 1 Tbsp. lemon juice per cup of water for 5 minutes to prevent browning. Do this if you want the apple nachos to be able to sit out for more than 15 minutes without the apples oxidizing and turning brown. Pat apple slices dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels after.
  3. Arrange apple slices in a circular pattern on a serving plate.
  4. Place peanut butter in a small microwave safe bowl and microwave for 20-30 seconds until it is warm and easy to drizzle. Do not over microwave and make sure to drizzle right away while it is still warm!
  5. Use a spoon to drizzle the peanut butter onto the apples using a zig-zag motion to distribute it evenly.
  6. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips, coconut flakes and any other other desired toppings on top of the apple nachos. Serve right away.

Notes:

  1. Apple nachos are best eaten right away but if you soaked in lemon water, leftovers can keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  2. Other toppings ideas include: caramel sauce, melted chocolate, toasted nuts, granola, mini marshmallows, a dash of cinnamon or whatever else you can think of.

Nutritional Information

Per Serving

  • Calories: 345
  • Fat Content: 24g
  • Cholesterol Content: 0mg
  • Sodium Content: 150mg
  • Carbohydrate Content: 29g
  • Fiber Content: 5g
  • Sugar Content: 20g
  • Protein Content: 9g

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