All the flavors of fall converge in these easy, real food cinnamon maple nut butter covered apples. Perfect for kids and adults needed a healthy, delicious paleo treat!
Apple everything.
When fall comes around, I’m ready for apple everything. Even though it’s still steaming hot down here in the south, cider and apple pie are calling my name. And I don’t hesitate to give in to their goodness, I just have to enjoy them in shorts and a t-shirt instead of wrapped up in a snuggly blanket on the couch.
It’s not a huge issue for me, though. I’d be up for an apple treat pretty much any time of year! Thankfully, I don’t live south enough that fresh apples are hard to find. While citrus and peaches are more ‘the thing’ down here, we don’t have to go very far to find orchards full of every kind of apple you can think of.
Eating local.
My family and I took off last Friday and went to a local orchard. (Taking off Fridays whenever for field trips is one of those perks of homeschooling, I suppose!) We picked about 50 pounds of fresh, crisp, juicy, sweet Fuji apples! During the ride home my kiddos brain-stormed all the delicious treats that they wanted me to make for them with our loot.
Among their apple goals were apple chips, apple cobbler, and apple crisp, but I was thinking more along the lines of things that didn’t require me to turn on the oven. Like apple pie popsicles, apple pie ice cream, apple pie smoothies… and caramel covered apples.
A fun treat.
Even before going gluten-free I wanted to give caramel covered apples a try. I used to love the sugar-coma-inducing ones found at fairs and fall festivals growing up, but unfortunately I’m pretty lazy, as well as really crunchy, and I couldn’t bring myself to take the time to make homemade caramel sauce just to dip and apple in it.
Of course, caramel isn’t something that’s super easy to make when you can’t eat sugar or dairy, so there’s that, too… but it’s probably mostly just me not wanting to take the time to make it!
I know… it’s sad. But I must be honest. 😉
Cinnamon Maple Nut Butter Covered Apples
In the name of ease and heath, I decided to take some of my fresh Fuji apples and cover them in delicious stuff I had on hand. Like nut butter, honey, and coconut oil. I figure these things are better than all the sugar that even homemade caramel sauce entails. Plus, these are dairy-free, too!
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Cinnamon Maple Nut Butter Covered Apples
Free from grain, gluten, eggs, dairy, and refined sugar.
Ingredients
- 6 apples (I used Fuji)
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil, liquid state
- 1/4 cup honey (local is best!)
- 1/2 cup organic nut butter or peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon maple extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- a handful of chopped walnuts
Instructions
Wash apples and set aside.
In small bowl, mix together remaining ingredient until smooth.
Dip tops of apples in mixture, then set on a cookie sheet and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.
Stick a skewer in the tops of apples, if desired.
Place apples in the fridge to harden (only takes about 15 minutes).
Enjoy.
Note
Makes enough topping to cover 10 apples.
If you love these cinnamon maple nut butter covered apples, I’m sure you’ll also enjoy these delicious fall-flavored recipes…
wow this looks incredible. I love the change up from a typical caramel apple. Great idea!
Thank you so much, Dahn!
I am really impressed by these, and mind blown that by adding the coconut butter they will harden in the fridge. I’ve all sorts of ideas for nut butter bites now!
They are wonderfully easy, Helen! I hope you get to give them a try. I’m excited to see your variations, too. 😉
Love this version of caramel apples! Nut butters make it more wholesome indeed!
They do, Tina! I don’t feel guilty about giving my kids this version! 😉
These look so good! Such a great idea Raia! So fun for this time of year.
Thank you so much, Emily! ?
O goodness! These sound incredible!!! Nut butter is perfect (o and Fuji apples are THE best!)
Agreed, Rebecca! Thank you so much. 🙂
that sounds amazing! I’m totally pinning this for later 🙂
Christina
http://www.ourwoodhome.com
PS: I found you via the link up on Modest Mom!
Thank you so much for stopping by, Christina! I hope you get to enjoy the apples! ?
My kids would love this recipe! So adorable and delicious looking!
Thanks so much, Sharon! My kids sure enjoyed them. ?
These look like such a fun fall treat! I love new ways to enjoy the weath of apples around at this time of year. Thank you!
Thank you, Jennifer! ☺
These nut butter covered apples look great! What a fun alternative to the usual. 🙂
Thank you so much, CJ!
Can I please bite into one right now?! 😉
Haha! 😉 I’m not sure your screen would approve. 😉
Love the sound of these apples, definitely my kind of treat 🙂 #FreeFromFridays
Thank you so much! I hope you get a chance to enjoy them! 🙂
HI Raia,
These apples sure do look tempting. I love the idea of putting the nut or peanut butter on the topping – sounds so tasty. What better way to eat a fresh apple than with this wonderful healthy recipe. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted.
Thanks so much, Marla! I love being able to provide my kids with a healthier alternative to candied apples!
This is so brilliant! I love apple everything in the fall too, but I love that this is a healthier version to the caramel apples. Going to try ASAP!
Thank you so much, Kati! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
My friends and family will love these yummy covered apples. I may make them during the holidays. Thanks for sharing your healthy and delectable Cinnamon Maple Nut Butter Covered Apples recipe with us on the Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I’m pinning and sharing.
I hope you enjoy them, Deborah! 🙂
Oh wow Raia, your apples sound just like the perfect treat, and I love the fact you’ve added a little note about local honey being best. I found our most local honey last year and it’s really helped with my seasonal allergies. #Thanks for joining in with #FreeFromFridays.
Thanks so much, Mel! Isn’t local honey amazing? I love taking it for my allergies and of course it tastes amazing, too. 😉
Holy moly these look good! I definitely like the sound of this over traditional caramel apples!
Thanks, Linda!
Umm drooling! These look insanely better than any I’ve seen at a fair- totally making in September!
Yay! I hope you enjoy them!
These are SO fun! My favorite thing is that you’ve taken the concept of caramel apples and made them so. much. healthier! Of course nut butter!
Yes, nut butter makes all things better. 😉 I wanted my kids to be able to enjoy the tradition of caramel apples, but I couldn’t stand the sugar! These are a good replacement. 🙂
Oh wow these look like a dream! I can’t think of a better way to start early fall!
Thanks, Daniela! They are a perfect fall celebratory treat. 😉
Well isn’t this a fantastic idea! I love the flavor combos – my kids will like this!
Thanks, Renee! My kids sure love them. 🙂
These look delicious! I plan on making them as favors for my wedding as a healthier option to the traditional caramel and candies apples. Do they stay pretty well hardened outside of the fridge? Or do they soften quickly at room temperature?
Thank you!
That’s awesome! I don’t think they would stay super hard over 1/2 hour. I’m not sure if that’s long enough for you. If you could have them sitting in a tray of ice or something like that, they might work. Have a blessed wedding!
These look amazing, if you make them a few days ahead for a party favor how should they be stored ? Chilled in the refrigerator or can they be at room temperature?
How to store leftovers until ready to eat ?
Thanks, Nicole! You will need to store them in the fridge.
I am making them today! When we combine all the ingredients do we need to heat the ingredients? Also, mix by hand or with a mixer?
If your coconut oil is already softened you should be able to mix it well enough by hand. If your coconut oil is hard, then you will need to melt/soften it.