Caramel Apple Nachos are easily made by topping sliced apples with caramel, melted marshmallows, chocolate chips and sprinkles! This fun variation of a traditional caramel apple recipe is easier to share and easier to eat too!
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Caramel Apple Nachos are the perfect fall treat! I love fall and I LOVE caramel apples. I recently saw this idea for making caramel apples “nacho style” and I couldn’t wait to try it. It’s simple, delicious, and you can add as many (or as few) toppings as you’d like. I kept this version pretty plain, but I think they would be delicious with chopped nuts, crushed candy bars, hot fudge – the possibilities are endless! The end result is a lot easier to eat than a traditional caramel apple too…although still a little messy! My kids love having these Caramel Apple Nachos as a snack or dessert, but this is also the perfect recipe to take to a party!!
How do you keep the apples from getting brown when making caramel apple slices?
The best way to prevent the apple slices from browning is to toss them in a bowl filled with a little bit of cold water mixed with 1-2 Tbsp of lemon juice. This will prevent the apples from getting brown and will keep them looking pretty and fresh!
You can also sprinkle a little bit of lemon juice directly on top of the apples, but I have found that submerging the apple slices in the cold water mixed with lemon juice seems to work even better, and it also dilutes the lemon flavor quite a bit which I prefer! You can also brush them with a little bit of soda (Sprite or Ginger Ale) or you can sprinkle Fruit-Fresh on top of them.
Store the apples in the refrigerator in an airtight container until you are ready to add the toppings.
How do you melt the caramels for caramel apples?
To melt the caramels, microwave them in a glass bowl in 30-45 second intervals, stirring in between each interval until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. I prefer to use the microwave because it is so fast and easy, but you can also melt caramels over the stove. Melt over medium-low heat in a heavy saucepan, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
What kinds of toppings are used for caramel apples?
Caramel apples (and caramel apple nachos) are fun because the possibilities for toppings are endless. Some of my favorite ideas include: chopped nuts, crushed Oreos, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, and crushed candy bars (Kit Kats, Snickers, Milky Way, etc).
Ingredients in Caramel Apple Nachos
- 30 large marshmallows
- 5 Tbsp butter
- 35 caramels OR 1 bag of caramel bits
- 1 Tbsp water
- 4-5 apples, sliced
- toppings (peanuts, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, crushed candy bars, etc)
How to make Caramel Apple Nachos
- Melt the marshmallows and butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir periodically until completely melted and smooth.
- Combine the caramels and water in a bowl and microwave until melted. I microwaved mine in 45 second intervals, stirring in between until the caramel was smooth.
- Arrange the sliced apples on a plate and pour the caramel and marshmallow mixtures over them. Add any additional toppings and serve immediately! Enjoy!
CARAMEL APPLE NACHOS
Ingredients
- 30 large marshmallows
- 5 Tbsp butter
- 35 caramels (or 1 bag of caramel bits)
- 1 Tbsp water
- 4-5 apples sliced
- toppings peanuts, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, crushed candy bars, etc
Instructions
- Melt the marshmallows and butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir periodically until completely melted and smooth.
- Combine the caramels and water in a bowl and microwave until melted. I microwaved mine in 45 second intervals, stirring in between until the caramel was smooth.
- Arrange the sliced apples on a plate and pour the caramel and marshmallow mixtures over them.
- Add any additional toppings and serve immediately! Enjoy!
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What kind of apples do you use for caramel apples?
My favorite variety of apple to use for caramel apples, or caramel apple nachos is a firm, slightly tart apple like Granny Smith. These tart green apples not only provide a great pop of color to the dish, but they balance out the sweet toppings perfectly.You can also use Honey Crisp and Fuji apples too! If you are planning to make a tray of these for a party and you want them to look fancy, use both red and green apples and alternate the slices for a beautiful presentation.
Are caramel apples healthy?
Caramel apples are definitely a treat, but can be made a bit healthier, especially when made in nacho form! You only need a little bit of the caramel drizzle to add the perfect amount of sweetness to the apples, so your apple to caramel ratio is a lot higher than it is in traditional caramel apples. You can also leave off some of the sweeter toppings, like chocolate chips and sprinkles. For a little bit of extra flavor without adding sugar, you can sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon on top.
Can you use marshmallow topping instead of melted marshmallows in this caramel apple recipe?
You can use marshmallow topping to save time, but the consistency will be a little bit different than melting marshmallows and butter together. When you melt the marshmallows and butter together, you get a very easily pourable mixture that will set up a little bit as it starts to cool. Marshmallow topping tends to be a little bit more runny, so it tastes yummy but can be a little bit messier to eat.
Can you use caramel topping instead of melted caramels in this caramel apple recipe?
You can use caramel topping but the consistency will be a bit different than melted caramels. I have used caramel topping before to save time, but similar to the marshmallow topping, it is quite a bit runnier than melted caramels. The taste is very similar but the melted caramels set up a little bit better which makes it stick to the apples better and also makes a little bit less of a runny, sticky mess while you are trying to eat your caramel apple nachos!
If you don’t want to spend the time unwrapping all of the individual caramels, use a package of Caramel Bits instead! These are the same as caramels, but you don’t have to unwrap them and they are a bit smaller so they melt even faster too!
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Renee Goerger says
Time to go apple picking this year so I can make these caramel apple nachos!!
Taylor says
How far in advance can you make these? The night before?
Nellie says
You will have better luck if you make this immediately prior to serving. The apples will stay fresher and the caramel won’t harden up. If you leave this in the refrigerator over night, the caramel will solidify and won’t be quite as fun to eat! Warm caramel is always best!
P.R. says
I made this to take to a party and I was so disappointed with it! Between the time I made it and took it across the street to the party it went all watery and I had to pour off the water before it could be served. I followed the recipe too. I was embarrassed to serve it but had nothing else to bring. Would definitely not be making this again.
Nellie says
Not sure where the extra liquid would be coming from? There is a little bit of water added to the caramel, but once it is mixed together, it shouldn’t separate out. So sorry it didn’t work out for you!
Alicia Marie Phillips says
It was good and looked exactly like the picture but the caramel was so super hard it couldn’t be eaten
Nellie says
Sounds like it may have gotten a little too warm and seized up a bit!
Lilibet says
What a shame that there are so many advertisements on this page that it makes it difficult to even read and enjoy the post or get to the recipe without having to “x” out a bunch of videos and ads.
Nicole says
Sorry for the inconvenience but those ads helps us to put food on the table and new recipes on the blog for people like you to enjoy 🙂