Layers of sweet crisp apple slices garnished with smooth vegan caramel, dark chocolate, walnuts and coconut - Apple Nachos with Vegan Caramel Sauce, it's like eating a delicious candy apple.
If you like caramel or chocolate dipped apples you are going to love these Apple Nachos with Vegan Caramel Sauce.
This recipe is inspired by a decadent candy apple a friend shared with me a few months ago. The candy apple she shared was dipped in caramel, then chocolate and covered with nuts and coconut, it was so sinfully delicious.
In an effort to recreate that experience for a gathering of friends I decided to make Apple Nachos, but I would need a vegan caramel sauce. I remembered making a recipe I found at Blissful Vegan for Homemade Twix Bars which had a layer of vegan caramel sauce. The caramel sauce in this recipe is a variation of that recipe.
This is such an easy recipe, perfect for an after school snack or for a large gathering. This caramel sauce recipe yields about 1 ½ cups of caramel, so you will have plenty for lots of nachos or you can use it as a dip. Kids love this stuff and if they are like my daughter who I can't convince to try dates because of the way they look, just don't tell them there are dates in it.
When picking an apple I chose a crunchy sweet-tart apple, Cripps Pink, also known as Pink Lady. You can get more information about apple varieties at the Washington Apple Commission.
Have fun with this recipe, if you're having a party, add in more topping, set up an Apple Nachos with Vegan Caramel Sauce bar and let your guest add their favorite topping. If you make these, I would love to see your version. Take a picture and share with me on Facebook or Instagram and add the hashtag #thewholeserving.
Apple Nachos with Vegan Caramel Sauce
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 22 mins
Ingredients
- 10 pitted dates
- ¾ cups warm water
- ½ cup maple syrup, grade B
- 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 to 3 medium crisp apples, Cripps Pink also known as Pink Lady
- 1 medium lemon
- ⅔ cups vegan chips or dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or nut of your choice
- ⅓ to ½ cup dried coconut flakes
- 2 plastic sandwich zip bags
Instructions
- Place the pitted dates in the bowl of a blender and add in the water. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding more water if needed. If your dates are nice and moist you may not need to add more water.
- Transfer date mixture to a small saucepan. Add the maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla and salt to the date mixture and whisk to combine.
- Continue to whisk over medium low heat 5 to 7 minutes. Mixture should be completely smooth. Transfer to a glass container, set aside and allow to cool to room temperature. Mixture will thicken as it cools.
- Core the apples and thinly slice them using a mandoline or sharp knife. Place slices on a large platter or plate and squeeze the lemon over the apples to prevent browning.
- Melt the chocolate chips in a small saucepan over medium low heat, stirring as it melts.
- Place a plastic resealable sandwich bag over a small glass, pour the melted chocolate in bag and zip the bag, repeat with the cooled vegan caramel sauce.Cut a very small tip from one of the bottom corners of each bag.
- Arrange apples on serving platter, drizzle caramel and chocolate sauce over the apples and sprinkle with walnuts and coconut.
- Serve and enjoy!!!
Lara says
This looks so yummy! I'm all for a healthier option.
Celeste says
Thanks Lara, I hope you have a chance to try this soon. Enjoy!
mira says
This is such a great snack/dessert! Need to try the caramel ! Pinned!
Celeste says
Yeah, and it's crazy delicious. Hope you like it as much as we do around here.
Kareema says
These look super amazing. I mean you have all of my favorite things in one recipe, and I think I adore you for that. (smile)
Thanks for linking up at The Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Party Blog Hop,
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Celeste says
It is wonderful, I just finished up the leftover caramel as a dip last night with a super big apple.
Thanks Kareema, you have such a pretty name.
Katrin says
Celeste, this would be a great after school snack for my girls, you're right. They will love it and so will I! That caramel sauce sounds great and combined with the apple, I can imagine it being so tasty!
Celeste says
Hi Katrin, this is some good stuff and it makes a good topping for pancakes if you heat it a bit.
Regina L. L. Wells says
This is wonderful! I had not heard of vegan caramel sauce, but I like the way you think! Yum! Oooon and so much easier on the teeth and roof of the mouth than a a caramel apple on a stick. Love it.
Celeste says
Yeah, I wanted to make something that didn't have lots of refined sugar.
Becky, Cuddle Fairy says
Oooooh this looks unbelievably delicious!!! My kids would love this as would I! Thank you for sharing your lovely recipe. #WAYWOW x
Celeste says
This has been my go-to afternoon or after dinner snack lately. SOOO good!!!
Lynn says
Hi Celeste, I will be the world's greatest mom and serve this to my 16 year old son for breakfast tomorrow. I'm always looking for foods to feed him that he'll eat and that are also healthy...BINGO! Thanks!
Hugs, Lynn
Celeste says
I'm so glad, I hope it makes him happy!
Sara at Handy Herbs says
These look delicious! I love fruit based treats like this 🙂 #YumTum
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Celeste says
Hi Sara, I'm glad you like it. I hope you have a chance to try it soon.
Thanks for visiting.
Charlotte says
these look tasty! especially the vegan caramel sauce! I will definitely have to try this! plus I love the idea of healthier snack alternatives! and apple nachos are the way forward I think! Thanks so much for linking up to #YumTum this week
Kim Cunningham says
This looks delicious! Great idea!
Celeste says
Thanks Kim, I hope you get a chance to give it a try.
Nikki says
Celeste, I love apples, I love caramel, and most of all I love hot fudge or chocolate sauce. How did I never think of making nachos with these ingredients? Last year I sliced apples and poured chocolate bark over them and then added some kosher salt to the top. Just a bit. And it was delicious. But as the apples sweat from the salt the chocolate kept falling off. This is the perfect answer, they look incredible!!
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Celeste says
Nikki I must say that it is incredibly delicious and I have been having this for my afternoon snack the past week.
Deborah Davis says
This looks so mouthwatering! I'm ready to chow down! Thank you for sharing your healthy and delicious Apple Nachos recipe with us at the Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Party! I'm pinning and sharing this wonderful post!
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Celeste says
Thanks Deborah,
I hope you are having a great week.
Gema says
Beautiful. Of course. Always is. =)I have some qutosiens I'd love to ask you about your blog design/layout. If you have a minute, can you email me? mme (dot) hanks (at) gmail (dot) comThank you!
Celeste says
Thanks Gema
Karen says
We've got apples ready for picking in the garden and I'm sure the kids would love to do this with them!
Celeste says
Thanks for featuring me in your round-up.
Have fun this weekend!