Sticky, sweet and utterly delicious caramel apple nachos piled high with your favorite ingredients. You will have no idea this easy snack is vegan!
While we like to add things like chocolate chips, sprinkles and all that jazz, this easy vegan snack can definitely be made more on the healthy side. Make the caramel ahead of time and keep it around for quick use any time!
Vegan Caramel Apple Nachos
I still remember drooling at the site of the shiny caramel apples on a stick you see at fairs and sweet shops...this was a little over a month ago. Just kidding! Kind of. But really, those things are a kids dream and a mom's nightmare.
Not only were they messy AF, but ultimately one kid will end up dropping it and defcon 3 tantrums will happen. I needed an alternative. Like these easy caramel apple nachos.
What kind of apples do you use for apple nachos?
This is really a personal preference, but I like to switch it up. Because the caramel and many of the toppings are sweet, even a more sour apple works. Here are some different apple varieties listed in their levels of sweetness, starting from the most sweet:
- Fuji
- Gala
- Honeycrisp- one of my favorite!
- Golden Delicious
- Red Delicious
- Pink Lady
- Granny Smith
How to keep apples from browning
I have seen a variety of techniques out there when it comes to keeping your apples from getting brown, but other than looking a little ugly there isn't anything wrong with the apple. The brown is just the oxygen reacting with the apples flesh once exposed to air.
Other fruit does this as well, so it isn't unique to apples. If you really want some tips on helping your apples stay fresh looking, here are some ideas (I haven't tested most of these so give them a shot and let me know!):
- lemon juice- keep in mind that this will give a lemon flavor to the apples, but this one works the best
- salt water
- leave submerged in water
- Eat Cleaner- a produce cleaning solution I use developed by a dear friend
- cut with a really sharp knife- I heard this somewhere but not sure if it works
How to Make Caramel Apple Nachos
Making caramel apple nachos is as easy as prepping all you need. I like to make the caramel ahead of time, then gather the toppings into bowls and let the kids build their stack taco bar style!
- Make the caramel
- Slice the apples
- Top with all your faves
- Devour
Caramel apple nachos topping suggestions
- Caramel- duh
- chocolate chips
- melted chocolate
- shredded coconut
- chopped nuts
- dried fruit
- peanut butter chips
- crumbled oreos
- crushed candy like heath or snickers
- marshmallows
- crushed pretzels
- sprinkles
- m&m like candies
- whipped cream
Vegan Caramel Apple Nachos
Ingredients
- 2 apples , cored and sliced
- 1 cup Pumpkin Caramel Sauce , use as much as you prefer (you can also use your own caramel or the cinnamon caramel sauce from my site)
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts
- 2 tablespoons shredded coconut
- any other toppings you like
Instructions
- Spread apple slices on a plate.
- Drizzle with caramel sauce.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips, peanuts, coconut and any other toppings over the top.
- Devour.
Notes
- The pumpkin caramel recipe makes about 1 cup so you may have leftovers, but it keeps well in the fridge or you can even freeze it.
- Make pumpkin caramel sauce.
- Prep toppings.
- Cut apple slices small and allow them to dip into the caramel
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Renz
The sauce and the chocolate chips make this a winner for me too. Looks so good!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much!!
lisa | Garlic + Zest
This is such a fun idea! I know the kids would love it!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Lisa!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
I LOVE that you added chocolate chips!
veggiesdontbite
Chocolate is always a good idea! Ha!
Gin
These sound like fall dessert heaven! All that plus dark chocolate chips...no way I'm sharing!
veggiesdontbite
Ha! Thanks Gin! My kids are little vultures, I couldn't keep them away!
Kathy Patalsky
Thank you for the link Sophia! I'm so glad you liked the post. And OMG these look amazing xoxoxooxo
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much Kathy! It was such a great post!
Dianne
I'm going apple picking later this week, and I just might have to make these as soon as I get home!
veggiesdontbite
Oh yay! I love apple picking! How fun. Let me know if you indulge!
Uma
Love how these are simple and healthy! Kids looks cute !
veggiesdontbite
Thank you!
The Vegan 8
Omg, is there anything better than apples dipped in caramel?! Oh yes, there is....your pumpkin caramel, hahaha! Looks like the perfect addition to me. You know apples are my favorite fruit and making it more festive with pumpkin caramel sounds downright delicious. That pic of your boys is absolutely adorable!! Love the sauce dripping down his chin, LOL!
veggiesdontbite
Lol. Thanks so much friend! They are like animals when they eat this. No stopping them. LOL
Cadry
This looks like such a great fall snack! When I was a kid, I loved apple slices dipped in caramel. But of course, your pumpkin caramel is a world away from that mass produced kind sold in tubs!
veggiesdontbite
I so remember that caramel too! Yes, this is much better. Ha.
Nicole Dawson
HUGE fans of apple nachos and I'm loving your pumpkin caramel sauce. Can't wait to try that out.
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Nicole! Let me know if you do. We are loving it right now.
Mel |avirtualvegan.com
I am loving the look of these nachos! I saw your Instagram story of the wild creatures feasting on them in their natural habitat (!!!) and loved it :O)
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Mel! They were definitely like wild animals. LOL
Mandy
With that pumpkin caramel and chocolate chips, I would definitely devour that entire plate! YUM! Love this idea and I can see that your adorable kiddos agree! Gosh, they're growing up fast! ❤️
I just read the post you linked in here and really enjoyed it - I think so many of us can relate and I'm learning that perfectionism can often times steal the joy out of living. I hope everything is ok with you and your family - fingers crossed for the potentially exciting things! Big hugs, mama!! ??
veggiesdontbite
Awe, thanks Mandy. They are growing fast! It's so important to keep things in perspective!
Becky Striepe
Holy moly. That sauce sounds incredible!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you!
Jenn
I remember this pumpkin caramel sauce from last year! So creamy dreamy! Great idea to drizzle it over apple slices with all the fixin's. Yes, I'm sure my kids would think I kick mom butt if I made this for them! Definitely more indulgent than the apple slices with peanut butter I usually give them. 🙂
veggiesdontbite
It's a fall favorite. We make it all the time right now. Thanks so much Jenn!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I spy those smiling faces! Perfect for kids and...older kids...and everyone! Love the pumpkin caramel! All the fall flavors on one glorious plate!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Rebecca!