This year, New York Apple Association (NYAA) is celebrating its 25th anniversary the only way it knows how—by sharing 25 great ways to eat apples! If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the apple breakfast and lunch recipes. Now, let’s talk snacks.
When it’s three o’clock and dinner looks far off, an apple is the perfect pick-me-up. You may love eating fresh, energizing apples right out of hand, but there are so many other ways that apples can help you conquer a snack attack. Check out five go-to NY apple snack recipes!
Apple Chips
Simple but irresistible, baked apple chips deliver all the sweetness and flavor of New York apples with a satisfying crunch. Be sure to slice your apples thin for maximum crispness—we recommend using a mandoline for consistency. Your total cooking time may vary based on the type of apple you choose, so your chips may need more or less time than what’s listed here. The finished chips can be stored room temperature in an airtight container for up to one week.
Ingredients:
· 3 large NY apples
· ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
Directions:
1. Place racks in the upper and lower thirds of your oven and preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Wash and core the NY apples. With a mandoline (recommended) or a very sharp knife, slice the apples horizontally into 1/8-inch-thick rounds.
3. Arrange the apples in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for 1 hour.
4. Remove the baking sheets and switch the pans' positions on the upper and lower racks. Continue baking for 1 to 1½ additional hours, until apple chips are crisp when set out at room temperature for 2 to 3 minutes (to test the apple chips, remove a single apple slice but let the others continue baking). Once you are happy with the crispness (the total time will vary based on the thickness of your slice and the type of apple), turn off the oven and let the apples sit in the oven for 1 hour as it cools down to crisp chips further.
Recipe courtesy of Well Plated
Caramel Apple Popcorn
If you have apple chips to spare from the recipe above, why not use them in this fun take on classic caramel corn? Coated in an apple-cider-infused caramel sauce and tossed with crushed apple chips, this salty-sweet popcorn will be an instant fan favorite.
Ingredients:
· 1 TBSP oil
· 1 tsp sea salt
· ½ cup popcorn kernels
· ½ cup honey
· 2 TBSP dark brown sugar
· 1 tsp vanilla extract
· ½ cup NY apple juice or cider
· 2 TBSP unsalted butter
· 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
· 1 cup NY apple chips, crushed
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place the oil and salt in a large pot. Add 3 or 4 kernels of popcorn in a large pot and turn the heat to high. Cover with a lid, leaving it slightly ajar to let the steam release. Shake the pan a few times. Once the kernels have popped, turn off the heat and add the remaining popcorn. Shake the pan to coat the kernels with oil and salt and set a timer for 30 seconds. Once the time is up, turn the heat to medium-high and continue to cook the popcorn on the stove. Shake the pan occasionally, to make sure the heat is evenly distributed. Turn the heat off when the popping slows down to about 2 or 3 seconds between pops. Remove from heat and pour into a large heat-proof bowl. (You can also use regular pre-packaged microwave popcorn if you don’t want to make popcorn over the stove.)
3. Place the honey, dark brown sugar, vanilla extract, NY apple juice and butter in a medium saucepan. Turn the heat to medium-high and cook the liquid, stirring occasionally until the caramel sauce reaches 240˚F on a candy thermometer. Add the cinnamon. Stir and then pour over the popcorn. Add the crushed NY apple chips and toss with a heat-proof spatula until all the popcorn is coated evenly. Spread evenly onto the lined baking sheet and then bake for 15 minutes, or until the popcorn starts to become golden brown. 4. Let cool in the pan if you want the popcorn to clump together into chunks, or use a spatula to loosen and lift the popcorn from the pan to let the kernels cool separately. The caramel popcorn will harden and crisp as it cools. Once cool, store in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.
Recipe courtesy of Eat the Love
Apple Pie Granola Bars
For a healthy, great-tasting snack that’s easy to take on the go, give these apple-pie-inspired granola bars a try. They’re packed with nuts and whole grains and sweetened naturally with dates, apples and a touch of honey. A dash of cinnamon and nutmeg delivers that classic apple-pie flavor.
Ingredients:
· 2 cups rolled oats
· ½ cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
· ½ cup pecans, chopped
· 1/3 cup dates
· ¼ cup coconut oil
· 1 tsp vanilla
· 1/3 cup honey
· 1 TBSP cinnamon
· ½ tsp nutmeg
· 1 cup dried NY apples, chopped
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 2. Place the oats in a blender or food processor and pulse for 5 to 10 seconds.
3. On a baking sheet, combine the oats, shredded coconut and pecans and toast in the oven for approximately 10 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes to ensure mixture does not burn. Once golden in color, remove from the oven.
4. Place the dates in a food processor and blend until they fully combine and form a paste-like consistency.
5. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the coconut oil, honey and vanilla. As the liquid heats up, begin to stir the date paste until it becomes well-combined with the mixture.
6. In a bowl, combine the toasted oat mixture, chopped NY apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and hot liquid from the stove. Stir until completely mixed. 7. Firmly press the mixture into a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or until bars become firm. 8. Remove from the fridge and cut into 20 bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for more crumbly bars or in the fridge for firmer bars.
Recipe courtesy of The Daily Burn
Apple Snack Wedges
Sure, apples and peanut butter is a classic combination, but how about adding some crunch? In this simple but brilliant recipe, the timeless pairing is dressed up with crushed cereal. The recipe calls for Rice Chex, but almost any cereal will do. Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cheerios, granola—the sky’s the limit.
Ingredients:
· 2 medium NY apples
· 1 cup Rice Chex cereal, crushed
· 1 tsp packed brown sugar
· 2 TBSP creamy peanut butter
Directions:
1. Core NY apples and cut each into 6 wedges. Pat dry with paper towels.
2. In a small shallow bowl, combine the cereal and brown sugar. Spread cut sides of apples with peanut butter; roll in cereal mixture. Serve immediately.
Recipe courtesy of Taste of Home
Cream Cheese Apple Dip
Why settle for chips and dip when this creamy apple dip can be whipped up in under five minutes? We recommend using a hand-held electric mixer to combine the ingredients for optimal fluffiness, although a spoon or whisk will work just fine.
Ingredients:
· 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
· ¾ cup brown sugar
· ¼ cup white sugar
· 2 tsp vanilla extract
· Sliced NY apples for serving
Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl using a wooden spoon, whisk, or a hand-held electric mixer.
2. Serve with sliced NY apples for dipping.
Recipe courtesy of The Seasoned Mom