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Apple Nachos are a fun snack that will sneak more fiber into your day. You can customize this easy recipe with any toppings you love!
Whether you are looking for an after-school snack or a gluten-free dessert idea, these apple nachos are the perfect solution. They can be assembled in as little as 5 minutes, and taste better than simply dipping apple slices into peanut butter.
In this case, the presentation really does make a difference!
Ingredients You’ll Need
All you need to make apple nachos are apple slices and nut butter. You can use a sweet variety, like Fuji apples, Gala, or Honeycrisp, or a more tart granny smith apple if you prefer. Then get creative with the toppings!
Topping ideas include hemp hearts for added protein, ground cinnamon, chopped almonds, crunchy granola, raisins, dried cranberries, or shredded coconut. If you have date caramel on hand, you can also use that for an easy plate of caramel apple nachos.
For more of a dessert, you can offer melted dark or white chocolate to drizzle on top, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, chopped candy bars, and any other small candies you like.
It can be a fun activity for kids and tastes like a real treat!
How to Make Apple Nachos
To get started, thinly slice an apple into about 30 slices. I like to make the slices roughly 1/8-inch thick for a good ratio of apple-to-toppings in each bite.
Arrange the sliced apples on a plate, fanning them out so each slice will be topped. Then it’s time to add the toppings of your choice!
Drizzle almond butter on top, or some melted chocolate for a little added sweetness. (Tip: If your nut butter is thick, you can quickly warm up a couple of tablespoons on the stove or in the microwave to create a more drippy consistency.)
For melted chocolate, keep in mind you’ll only need to melt about 2 to 3 tablespoons of chocolate chips per serving of apple nachos Melt those in a double boiler over the stovetop, or add them to a microwave-safe bowl and cook in 30-second intervals in your microwave until they are melted.
Note: If the chocolate isn’t easy to drizzle, you can add a 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil to the bowl and stir well until it’s incorporated. The chocolate sauce will be much easier to drizzle that way!
Add protein by sprinkling on hemp hearts, and some crunch by adding chopped nuts. Then they are ready to eat!
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple nachos will not keep well for long, so prepare only what you plan on eating in one sitting. The apples will brown eventually and lose their crisp bite, so they are most appealing within an hour of preparing them. You can add lemon juice to the apple slices to help prevent browning, but keep in mind it might alter their flavor slightly.
Yes, when you use dairy-free chocolate chips and other vegan-friendly toppings, this recipe is free of animal products. (Candies like mini M&M’s and Snickers are not vegan, so just be sure to check the labels if you need a vegan recipe.)
Looking for more healthy snack ideas? Try Chocolate Hummus, Banana Mug Cake, and Frozen Banana Bites for more easy options.
Ingredients
- 1 large Fuji apple
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips (optional)
- 1 tablespoon hemp hearts (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped peanuts (or other toppings)
Instructions
- Slice the sides off the apple to remove the core and seeds, then slice each chunk thinly, making roughly 30 thin apple slices. Arrange them on a plate for serving.
- Drizzle the peanut butter evenly over the apple slices, then add the mini chocolate chips, hemp hearts, and crushed peanuts on top. I like this combination for crunch and added protein, but you can use any other toppings you love. (If you want to melt the chocolate chips, you can drizzle melted chocolate over the apples, too.)
- Serve the apple nachos right away for the best flavor and texture. The apples will brown over time, so depending on the variety that you use (see notes), these are best served within 30 to 60 minutes of making them, if possible.
Notes
- Nutrition information is for the entire batch, assuming you use all of the toppings listed above. This information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, so it’s just an estimate and not a guarantee. For a lower-calorie snack, use fewer toppings or share with a friend!
- Picking the Right Apples: Certain apples resist browning more than others, including yellow Opal apples and red Gala apples. If you need to make these ahead of time, those apples will last a little longer than others, but I still recommend making these no more than 60 minutes in advance.
Nutrition
If you try this apple nachos recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it.
We love anything apple in our house. Especially during fall apple season. This recipe was a great way to use up the many apples we have on hand. I’ve always dipped them in peanut butter, but I love the addition of drizzled chocolate and hemp hearts! These were gone the second I put the plate down. Perfect after school healthy snack!
My teen grandkids loved this. I used sugar-free chocolate chips, some oreo thins crushed and almond butter. I cut 6 apples and it was gone in minutes!