My healthy caramel apple recipe uses just two simple ingredients– fresh apples and dates! (Plus any yummy toppings you desire).
Nothing beats a sweet and sticky caramel apple in the chilly fall months. Not only do these caramel apples taste absolutely delicious– but they are actually good for you!
They are so simple to make and are a fun fall recipe to get the kids to join in on!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a seasonal recipe. Apple season is from August to November, while dates are harvested from September to December– making this the perfect seasonal recipe to make in the fall.
- They are healthy and delicious. Not only are these caramel apples a yummy sweet treat, but they’re made of simple, whole ingredients. So you can feel good about serving them to the whole family.
- They are simple to make. All you need for this recipe is the ingredients and your hands– that’s it. It’s about as simple as it gets!
- It’s a great reason to go apple picking. Since the ingredients are seasonal, you can get excited about going apple picking with family and friends– which is a super fun fall activity!
- It’s kid-friendly. This is a great recipe to get the kids involved– having them create their own unique caramel apple with their desired toppings!
Using Dates for Caramel
For the caramel in this recipe– you’ll be using dried dates!
Dates are the perfect healthy substitute for caramel in this recipe because their texture is gooey and sticky, and their flavor resembles the dark, rich and sweet flavor of caramel.
If you’ve never tasted dates before– you are in for a sweet treat! Dates are often referred to as “nature’s candy”– because they are naturally so sweet and delicious.
But dates don’t just taste good– they are full of health benefits!
Dates contain gut-healthy fiber and prebiotics, are low-glycemic (which means that they won’t make your blood sugar spike through the roof), and are rich in antioxidants that prevent disease!
Healthy Caramel Apple Ingredients
- 3-4 apples (I love to use Granny Smith apples, but you can choose any kind of apple you’d like!)
- 12-14 dried Medjool dates (Medjool dates are soft, large, and full of moisture– making them the best kind of dates to use for this recipe!)
Optional Toppings:
- Chocolate chips
- Chopped roasted peanuts
- Coconut flakes
- Chocolate sauce
- White chocolate chips
- Cacao nibs
Plus any toppings your heart desires!
If you want to hold the caramel apple on a stick– you’ll need either skewers or cinnamon sticks to pierce into the apple! You can also cut the apple into slices if you don’t have either on hand.
How to Make Healthy Caramel Apples
1. Wash the apples and remove the stems. Then pierce each apple with a skewer or cinnamon stick down the center.
2. Pit the dates and lightly squish each date with your fingers, making them sticky and malleable.
3. Stick one date at a time onto the apple, spreading them across the apple’s surface, eventually covering the entire apple with squished dates. Repeat this process with each apple. Depending on the size of the apple, it should take about 3-4 dates.
4. Once you fully cover all the apples, take a handful of your topping(s) of choice and press it into the dates until the apple is covered. Repeat with each apple.
5. Once finished, you can drizzle with melted chocolate if you prefer! (I love to melt white and dark chocolate and drizzle them both onto the apple!)
6. Eat right off the skewer or cinnamon stick, or cut the apple into slices. Enjoy!
Eat right away or store in the fridge for up to a week for the freshest caramel apples!
Healthy Caramel Apples
Equipment
- Skewers or cinnamon sticks
Ingredients
- 3-4 apples I love to use Granny Smith apples, but you can choose any kind of apple you’d like!
- 12-14 dried medjool dates Medjool dates are soft, large, and full of moisture– making them the best kind of dates to use for this recipe!
Optional toppings:
- Chocolate chips
- Chopped roasted peanuts
- Coconut flakes
- Chocolate sauce
- White chocolate chips
- Cacao nibs
Instructions
- Wash the apples and remove the stems. Then pierce each apple with a skewer or cinnamon stick down the center.
- Pit the dates and lightly squish each date with your fingers, making them sticky and malleable.
- Stick one date at a time onto the apple, spreading them across the apple’s surface. Covering the entire apple with squished dates. Repeat this process with each apple. Depending on the size of the apple, it should take about 3-4 dates.
- Once you fully cover all the apples, take a handful of your topping(s) of choice and press it into the dates until the apple is covered. Repeat with each apple.
- Once finished, you can drizzle with melted chocolate if you prefer! (I love to melt white and dark chocolate and drizzle them both onto the apple!)
- Eat right off the skewer or cinnamon stick, or cut the apple into slices. Enjoy!
Notes
Want to Learn How to Make More Delicious Recipes From Scratch?
Once you start swapping premade food staples for healthier, homemade alternatives– you won’t ever go back! There is nothing better than creating wholesome meals for your family that are nourishing and delicious! Which is why I created a recipe guide full of healthier, from-scratch versions of your favorite kitchen staples that you and your family will love. Grab a copy today, and fill your kitchen with delicious and simple recipes just like this one!
Did you make my healthy caramel apples recipe? Let me know in the comments! To explore the latest recipes on the blog, check out my recent posts: