Who doesn’t love apples! Did you know apples can be the primary ingredient for preparing delicious and healthy apple snacks? Apples are sweet, juicy, crunchy, and versatile fruits. They taste wonderful on their own or as part of a recipe.
When it comes to cooking, apples can be used in various ways. You can use apples to prepare breakfast, dinner, sweet treats, and healthy snacks. You can choose from a large variety of apples for cooking, baking, and snacking. Some apples react very well to heat, while others have a more apt taste for eating on their own.
Moreover, certain apples also have the right taste and hue to brighten up cheese trays! Cooks also sometimes use a mixture of different kinds of apples to get a more wholesome taste and richer texture.
Do Apples Make Good Snacks?
If you are into eating healthy, you are always looking for good snacks! It’s so easy to tire of eating the same snack every day! Apples are a great item to snack on. They are refreshing, juicy, and low in calories. Apples are also readily available and inexpensive to buy. Apples are also a great source of nutrition as they contain fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Apples are also great at curbing cravings and curtailing appetite. An apple contains a large quantity of water that helps you stay full for longer. Great sweet apple varieties are Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Honeycrisp. You can also use Grannysmith if you’re looking for something slightly tart.
Let’s consider in detail some healthy apple snacks you can easily prepare at home that taste delicious and are also refreshingly nutritious.
How to Store Apples
Using the proper technique to store apples can retain the apples’ freshness and make them last longer. When you bring your apples home, store them in a cool, dry place. Try that the individual apples don’t touch each other as one bad apple can spoil the bunch. If you’re storing the apples in the refrigerator, keep them at a distance from lettuce and other delicate items. This is because apples produce a natural gas called ethylene that can cause nearby vegetables and fruits to ripen or spoil much quicker.
List of Healthy Apple Snacks Discussed
- Apple Muffins
- Apple, Peanut Butter, and Granola Bites
- Apple and Cinnamon Snack Bites
- Apple Sandwiches
- Apple and Cinnamon Energy Ball
Apple Muffins
Healthy apple muffins are easy to make and store. You can easily bake these muffins with whole-wheat flour and replace the sugar with maple syrup or honey. Apple muffins are light and fluffy with just the right amount of sweetness. They are the perfect in-between meal snack or can also be had for breakfast with a steaming cup of coffee. Apple muffins taste better after resting for a few hours. They can also be devoured with peanut butter or any other nut butter for added flavor. Once baked, your apple muffins can last up to 2 days if stored in the refrigerator.
Apple, Peanut Butter, and Granola Bites
Apple, peanut butter, and granola bites are great snacks to enjoy between meals. You can have this in-between breakfast and lunch or between lunch and dinner. These bites are also excellent for kids to snack on. To prepare this quick snack, wash an apple and pat it dry. Cut the apple into thin slices and use a cookie cutter to carve out the core from each slice.
You can layer the apple with peanut butter and top it with granola. If you are not a fan of peanut butter, almond butter is always an alternative. If you’re a chocolate lover, you can also use Nutella. It’s best to make homemade Nutella at home, but use it in moderation if you’re buying the store variety. Other topping options include chocolate chips, coconut flakes, and fresh berries.
Apple and Cinnamon Snack Bites
To prepare apple and cinnamon snack bites, you will need Honeycrisp or Fuji apples, cinnamon, add coconut sugar. Wash the apple and p[at it dry. Once completely dry, cut it into slices. You can opt for thick or thin slices depending on how you like it. Do keep the skin on for added fiber. Place the apples in a zip lock bag and add the coconut sugar. Seal the bag and give it a good shake. This will ensure the apples are nicely coated with sugar. Place the bag in the refrigerator to set for a while.
You can serve this snack with almond or peanut butter, Greek yogurt, cream cheese, or Nutella. You can also more fruits while eating, such as sliced bananas or strawberries. Sprinkling the fruits with raisins is also a good idea. You can also sprinkle with granola, walnuts, or dark chocolate chips for added variety.
Apple Sandwiches
An apple sandwich is the perfect healthy snack for children. It’s easy to make and fun for them to eat. You require one apple, two tablespoons of peanut butter, one-quarter cup of raisins, and one slice of cheese. Cut an apple into thin slices. Using a cookie cutter, carve out chip-like rounds out of these apple slices. Layer the slices with peanut butter and top with raisins or cheese. Cover with another apple slice, and you have two different types of apple sandwiches to choose from.
Our Final Thoughts
Apples are one of the most snackable fruits out there! They are readily available, affordable to purchase, and easy to store. Apples are also packed with nutrients and help you stay full for longer. They can be used in various ways to prepare delightful desserts and snacks.
When preparing healthy apple snacks, the crispy, tart and juicy texture of apples can be paired with several items. This can include almond butter, marmalade, Greek yogurt, honey and cinnamon, cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, and even bacon. So, the next time you’re in the mood for something sweet, omit the chocolate bar and opt for an apple instead!
