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Whip up a platter of super easy apple nachos the next time you need a healthy snack or a no-bake dessert. Crispy apple slices drizzled with warm peanut butter and melted chocolate topped with chocolate chips and crushed nuts are meant to be shared, but you’re not going to want to!
I love surprising my kids with apple nachos for an after-school snack. It’s a fun and healthy treat that eats like a dessert!
Crispy, fresh apple slices are arranged on a platter (or not, we’re not that fancy around here), then drizzled with melted peanut butter, and melted chocolate and topped with chocolate chips and crushed peanuts.
You can imagine how fast this plate is finished off at my house!
I do arrange it nicely when I’m serving it to guests. It makes a great appetizer and dessert for all kinds of gatherings.
The only thing to think about is how to keep the apples from turning brown, and that my friends, is easy!
Desserts are my jam and if I can give them a healthy twist then that’s a win-win. Zucchini brownies and slow cooker cinnamon applesauce are two other snacks that eat like a dessert and my family loves each one!
Why you’ll love Apple Nachos 🍏
Favorite Toppings – Don’t stop at just peanuts and chocolate chips! See below for fun ways to add healthy-ish toppings as well as some that are a little more indulgent.
Simple Ingredients – This couldn’t be easier to whip up. Cut apples, drizzle, and sprinkle. That’s it. Make as little or as much as you want.
Perfect Snack – Needless to say, this easy apple nachos recipe is one you’re going to want to keep on hand, the kids love it, adults, love it and anyone who loves chocolate and peanut butter will love it!
Healthy Treat – What a great way to get everyone in your house to eat more fresh fruit. The protein in the peanut butter is a plus too. Talk about a healthy way to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Equipment you’ll need
- Apple Corer
- Peeler – optional, I leave the peels on
- Platter
Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, why you need them, and possible substitutions. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.
- Variety of Apples – Tart apples, sweet apples, use your favorite. Wash and dry them but don’t peel and slice them up until just before arranging them. If you slice them a little early, squirt them with some lemon juice so they don’t brown
- Chocolate Chips – I personally like dark chocolate chips but use your favorite. Mini chocolate chips work well for topping but regular chocolate chips will work fine for melting and creating the chocolate drizzle.
- Peanut Butter – For this apple nachos recipe you can use either regular peanut butter or natural since you’re using it as a drizzle. I do recommend smooth peanut butter since we’re getting the chunks from the chopped nuts.
- Crushed Peanuts – Salty, roasted, raw, whatever you like! They add a nice crunch to every bite.
How to make Apple Nachos
This section shows you how to make this recipe, with process photos showing the steps to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Step One: Grab a large platter and arrange the sliced apples in a spiral pattern. Start with a ring around the outside and work your way into the center making smaller rings as you go. It’s perfectly fine if they overlap.
- Step Two: In a microwave-safe bowl melt the peanut butter in the microwave for 10 seconds until it’s slightly thinned and easy to pour. Use a spoon to drizzle it over the apples.
- Step Three: Use another microwave-safe bowl to melt the chocolate chips using 10-second intervals, stirring between each, until it is melted and smooth. Drizzle it over the apples.
- Step Four: Finally, sprinkle the rest of the chocolate chips and chopped nuts over top and dig in! Best enjoyed right away while the apples are nice and crisp.
Optional Apple Nacho Toppings
Chocolate chips and peanuts are just the start. Here is a list of other fun toppings you can add:
- Mini marshmallows
- Candy bars
- Caramel sauce
- Honey
- Coconut flakes
- Butterscotch chips
- White chocolate chips
- Almond butter
- Pumpkin seed butter
- Pumpkin seeds
- Hemp seeds
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Almonds
- Cinnamon
Tips & Suggestions 🍎
- Don’t serve brown apples! This is why it’s best to serve them right away. To prevent browning, place the apple slices in a bowl of water with 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice for 1 minute. Pat them dry then arrange them. This will help avoid browning for a while.
- Make smaller platters for kids to enjoy their own plate of this tasty dessert snack.
- If you really want to dessert this baby up, then you can even add some colorful sprinkles or candy like M&Ms.
- Set up a DIY Nacho bar! Give everyone a plate of bare apple slices and allow everyone to add their own toppings.
How to store Apple Nachos
How to store leftovers
An arranged platter with all the toppings is best served right away while the apples are the most crisp. You can store leftovers, if needed, in an airtight container in the fridge.
How long will sliced apples last in the fridge?
Not too long without turning brown. The toppings will eventually make them soggy as well. Once brown, they’re still perfectly edible, you just might not want to serve them to anyone but yourself.
Can I freeze apple nachos?
You can freeze sliced apples on their own in a freezer bag. Flash-freeze them first so they don’t stick together once frozen.
But no, don’t try to freeze them once they’ve been topped and assembled.
FAQs
What are the best type of apples to use?
The best types of apples to use to make apple nachos are the ones you like to eat. There’s no right answer.
You can choose anything from tart Granny Smith apples to sweeter Cosmic Crisp, Honey Crisp, Fuji apples, or Gala apples. You can even use a combination of a few.
Are apple nachos healthy?
They certainly can be! Fresh fruit has tons of vitamins and minerals and nuts are a source of protein and healthy fats. It’s when you start adding a ton of sweet dessert toppings that things can get a little on the not-so-healthy side.
Add more nutrients by avoiding sugary toppings.
Stick with dried fruit, nuts, cacao nibs, hemp seeds, granola, chia seeds, coconut, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and apple pie spice if you want to keep these on the healthier side.
Why are they called apple nachos?
The apple slices act as the nachos on a plate then we pile on the toppings just as we would regular nachos. It’s a fun twist on the original!
Apple Nachos with Peanut Butter
Need more no-bake dessert recipes? Try these:
Click here for my entire collection of no-bake dessert recipes.
Super Easy Apple Nachos
Ingredients
- 2 medium apples Cosmic Crisp, Honey Crisp, Gala, Granny Smith, etc.
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips divided
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon crushed peanuts
Instructions
- Prep the apples by washing, drying, coring them and slicing into thin slices.
- Line the sliced apples onto a large platter using a spiral pattern.
- In a microwave safe bowl, add the peanut butter and heat for 10 seconds or until slightly thinned. Drizzle over the apples.
- In another microwave safe bowl, add the chocolate chips, reserving 1 tablespoon for topping. Heat in 10 second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. Drizzle over the apples.
- Sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chips and crushed peanuts.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Caramel sauce
- Honey
- Almond butter
- Cinnamon
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
