Peanut Butter Caramel Apple Nachos Recipe
This Peanut Butter Caramel Apple Nachos Recipe layers sliced apples with a homemade peanut butter caramel sauce and mini chocolate chips!
We’re all about sweet treats around here and believe in enjoying dessert every day. We love indulgent recipes like our one bowl chocolate chip cookies and lemon truffles for special occasions. However, we do our best to make healthy recipes to satisfy our sweet tooths from day to day.
And these nacho apples are one of our favorite options to do just that! Quick and easy to make, they’re ready to eat in minutes and are perfect for everything from after-school snacks to movie nights.
Plus, you can easily mix and match different toppings to make them your own! Get the kids involved, and it turns into a fun family activity, too.
Crunchy, sweet, and full of fiber, this recipe has it all!
Peanut Butter Caramel Apple Nachos Ingredients
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions for this recipe. Please see the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Brown Sugar – This forms the base of the caramel sauce, creating a sweet, rich taste. If preferred, coconut sugar will also work.
Note: You can also use golden monk fruit sweetener instead of brown sugar or coconut sugar. However, you will need to add 1 teaspoon or more water to the sauce as the sauce tends to thicken more than it does with regular sugar.
- Salt – This enhances the flavor of the sauce.
- Powdered Peanut Butter – This melts seamlessly into the caramel mixture, adding a nutty taste. If needed, you can substitute powdered almond butter instead.
- Vanilla Extract – This adds a rich vanilla flavor.
- Fresh Apples – We love to use red apples like Gala or Fuji apples, but any kind of apples you like best will work. You can also use green apples such as Granny Smith apples if you prefer a more tart flavor!
- Mini Chocolate Chips – We prefer to use mini chocolate chips to ensure you get a little bit of chocolate in every bite. If needed, use dairy-free mini chocolate chips.
How to Make This Apples Nachos Recipe
- Create the “caramel” sauce. Add the brown sugar, water, and salt to a small pot over medium heat. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the ingredients are well combined.
- Add the remaining ingredients. Remove the pot from the heat, and stir in the powdered peanut butter and vanilla extract. Set the sauce aside to cool and thicken.
- Prepare the apples. While the sauce cools, slice the apples, and pile them on a plate or in a single layer on a large platter.
- Layer. Drizzle the peanut butter caramel sauce over the apples, and sprinkle the mini chocolate chips on top. Add a few dashes of flakey sea salt, and enjoy!
Flavor Variations
As long as you start with a base of sliced apples, you can mix and match any of your favorite toppings for this apple nachos recipe! Some great additions and variations include:
- Chocolate Sauce
- Hot Fudge Sauce
- Shredded Coconut
- Chopped Nuts (peanuts, almonds, pecans)
- Cinnamon
- Raisins
- Sprinkles
- Whipped Cream
- Toffee Bits
- Candy Pieces
Frequently Asked Questions
Sprinkle fresh lemon juice over the apples before adding the other ingredients. This will help prevent oxidation, which is what turns the apples brown.
This recipe is best served right away. However, if you want to prepare in advance, you can slice the apples, sprinkle them with lemon juice, and store them in an airtight container or sealable bag in the fridge for one to two days.
Then, keep the caramel sauce in a separate airtight container for one to two days. Warm it in the microwave or on the stove when you’re ready to serve. Add a splash of water as needed to loosen the sauce back up.
Layer the ingredients, and enjoy!
Peanut Butter Caramel Apple Nachos Recipe
Equipment
- 1 plate
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar (see notes)
- 2 Tablespoons water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup powdered peanut butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 apples
- 2 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a small soup pot, add the brown sugar, water, and salt. Whisk over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes.1/4 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar, 2 Tablespoons water, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Turn off the burner or remove the pan from the heat and stir in the powdered peanut butter and vanilla extract. Allow the sauce to cool as it will thicken.1/4 cup powdered peanut butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Slice the apples and pile them high on a plate or layer them on a platter.2 apples
- Drizzle the sauce over the apples and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Add a few dashes of flaked sea salt to the nachos, if desired.2 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- Eat immediately.
My favorite nighttime sweet treat or afterschool snack for the kids. Customize as you wish! We always top with mini chocolate chips and sometimes shredded coconut.
I just tried this, and it was very thick right away, so much that it doesn’t pour. Are the proportions correct? 1/4 c sugar and 2 tablespoons water?
Hi Mary, I am sorry it did not turn out well for you. Yes, the proportions are correct. Did you boil the mixture? If so, do not boil the sugar mixture as it will turn into a caramel that is too thick for this recipe. I actually just had this happen with my Eggnog French Toast Bake, so I know that the coconut sugar and water mixture gets thick quickly especially if it is overheated.
Ah! Yes I walked away and found it boiling. Thank you. It was still yummy!
Oh no! Yes, that was the issue then. But on the other hand, congrats! You made real caramel! 😉 Blessings to you, Mary! PS…Your next try will go much better, I just know it!
I can’t believe it took me this long to try these! Why don’t I just trust you blindly, Sammi?! These are SOOO yummy. I think I would take your advice and sprinkle a little extra salt on top next time. I shared the recipe with my sister in law as soon as I ate it, because she’s a big coconut sugar fan. Thanks again!
Hey girl! I totally agree, a little extra salt does these nachos good 😉 You will have to let me know what your sweet s-i-l has to say after trying this apple deliciousness. Thanks for your comment, Johanna, it made my day! HUGS!
This sounds like a yummy snack idea. Going to try it soon.
I think you will love it, April! It is SO delicious as a snack or dessert! 🙂
Finally!!! I have a jar of PB2 that is about half full and I ran out of ideas with the picky eaters I have … this is brilliant 🙂
Yay! Yes, try it and see what your kids think. Mine went crazy over the stuff. Who am I kidding, my husband and I did too! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and good luck!!
This looks SO good! Though, I don’t eat apples. Do you think the recipe would taste okay topped on pears? Trying to think of a diff. fruit alternative! (And this is the first I’ve heard of powdered peanut butter!!! So cool!) Thanks for sharing all your amazing recipes! I’m always curious to see what you will come up with next! =)
Thanks for linking up to ‘Favorite Things Friday’ with Simply Rachel & Hip Homeschooling!
Rachel, I think pears would taste fantastic with it. I think a “just turned ripe” pear would be best, you know you don’t want it too mushy 🙂 You will have to let us know how you liked it!! Thanks for stopping 🙂
Great, thanks for the tip! =)
This looks amazing! I love all the healthy ingredients added in. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty
I have never heard of powdered peanut butter! We have made our own cashew butter before, it is delish, love the vitamix! But powdered peanut butter… I’m intrigued, going to be looking next time I’m out! This looks so amazing! Thanks for sharing and linking up at Favorite things Friday! Hope to see you again this week!
Yes, I love powdered peanut butter! I think ordering off of Amazon may be a great option for you…unless you are too remote for Amazon Prime… 🙂 The cost always seems better than in our local grocery stores! I think your kiddos would love this snack! Remember, you can use a regular nut butter too!
Ooooo, sounds tasty! Thanks for sharing on the Homestead Blog Hop!
Love these kind of healthy snacks! Looks delish! Pinned and visiting from The Pin Junkie Party! 🙂 Happy Friday!
I think I just found my new favorite snack! These look amazing and I’m going to claim I’m eating healthy because it’s apples and peanut butter. 🙂 Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Exactly, Corinne! Minus the chocolate chips it really is super healthy…but a little chocolate never hurt anyone 😉 I can’t wait for you to try them!
These “nachos” look SOOOOOOO delicious! Thank you for sharing them with the Healthy Living Link Party! I’ve pinned this to make later. Can’t wait!
Karen, these are SOOOOO delicious! You will love them 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and happy snacking 😉
Now this would be kid approved! Will seriously have to try this out soon!!
My kiddos LOVE these, Allison! They really are amazing 🙂 Enjoy!
I was interested to read about your Peanut Butter Alternative – it sounds really interesting. Love these Apple Nachos – I adore salted caramel – and mini chocolate chips too! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe with us at the Hearth and Soul hop. Pinning and will tweet 🙂
April, PB2 is such a cool product! For the best pricing, I have ordered it off of Amazon or found it at Sam’s Club. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoy these sweet nachos 🙂