Save to Pinterest My youngest daughter came home from school one afternoon declaring she was a vegetarian and needed creative snacks. That same week, I caught her sprinkling cheese over apple slices which was oddly genius in its own way, so I suggested we lean into the sweet & salty territory instead. The first batch we made together on a rainy Tuesday became an instant ritual, her little hands carefully arranging the apples like edible puzzle pieces. Now its the first thing she asks for when friends come over, each person customizing their own corner of the platter.
Last summer at our neighborhood block party, I brought these as the designated healthy option and watched them disappear before the brownies even got touched. My neighbor Sarah, who claims she hates fruit in any form that isnt pie, went back for thirds. The best part was watching all the kids crowd around the platter, debating nut ratios and whether coconut belongs on nachos spoiler: it absolutely does.
Ingredients
- 2 medium apples, cored and thinly sliced: Honeycrisp or Fuji hold up beautifully and stay crisp longer, but honestly whatever you have on hand works
- 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter: Natural peanut butter separates so give it a serious stir first, and warming it makes all the difference for drizzling
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup: Local honey adds depth but pure maple syrup creates this gorgeous golden finish
- 2 tbsp chopped roasted peanuts or mixed nuts: The salt is crucial here, it cuts through the sweet and keeps every bite interesting
- 1 tbsp mini chocolate chips: Totally optional but my daughter insists theyre the most important ingredient
- 1 tbsp shredded coconut: Toasted coconut adds this tropical undertone that somehow works
Instructions
- Build your foundation:
- Arrange the apple slices in a single overlapping layer on a large plate or platter like youre building a fruit based masterpiece
- Warm things up:
- Heat the peanut butter in the microwave for about 15 seconds until it reaches a drizzle consistency, stirring halfway through
- First drizzle:
- Pour the warm peanut butter back and forth over the apples in whatever pattern feels right, some patches thicker than others
- Sweeten the deal:
- Drizzle your honey or maple syrup in the opposite direction so it weaves through the peanut butter rivers
- Make it crunch:
- Scatter the chopped nuts evenly across the top, then go in with chocolate chips and coconut if youre feeling fancy
- Timing matters:
- Serve immediately while the peanut butter is still warm and the apples are at their crispest, because the texture contrast is everything
Save to Pinterest My mom started making these for book club, and now its officially the requested snack every single month. The first time she served them, she forgot to warm the peanut butter and ended up with these thick globs instead of drizzles. We all pretended not to notice, but later that week I found a sticky note on her recipe card with WARM THE PEANUT BUTTER written in all caps, underlined twice. Now she warms it for exactly seventeen seconds, which she swears is the magic number.
Making Ahead Without Ruining Everything
You can prep all the components separately and keep them in the fridge, but do not assemble until youre ready to serve. The apples will brown, the peanut butter will seize up, and that whole beautiful crunch situation turns sad and soggy within twenty minutes. I learned this the hard way when I tried to be efficient for a morning playdate, and my very honest five year old took one bite and asked why the nachos looked tired.
When Fruit Meets Dessert Territory
Sometimes we go full dessert mode and add a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt on the side for dipping. Its completely unnecessary and wildly good, especially on warm summer evenings when the cold everything hits that warm peanut butter. My friend from Georgia serves this with actual ice cream on top and calls it a sundae, and honestly shes not wrong.
Scaling Up or Down
The ratio stays the same whether youre making this for one person or ten. One apple needs about one and a half tablespoons of peanut butter, and the toppings scale accordingly from there. I keep jars of pre chopped nuts in the pantry just for this recipe because chopping nuts at 11pm when someone wants a snack is not the vibe.
- If serving a crowd, set up a nacho bar and let everyone build their own section
- Leftover toppings keep forever in the pantry and are perfect for oatmeal or yogurt
- The platter looks impressive but takes zero actual cooking skill
Save to Pinterest These nachos started as a desperate attempt to get my kids to eat more fruit and somehow became the snack everyone in our house actually requests. Theyre messy and sweet and salty and somehow feel like a treat while being mostly fruit, which is the kind of kitchen magic I can get behind.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use other nut butters instead of peanut butter?
Yes, almond or sunflower seed butter are excellent alternatives for a peanut-free option without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- → What types of apples work best for this dish?
Crunchy and firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji hold up well, providing a crisp texture and balanced tartness.
- → Is it necessary to warm the peanut butter before drizzling?
Warming the peanut butter slightly makes it easier to drizzle evenly over the apple slices, enhancing presentation and flavor distribution.
- → Can I add sweeteners other than honey?
Maple syrup or agave nectar can be used instead of honey for natural sweetness and a slightly different taste profile.
- → Are mini chocolate chips suitable for this snack?
Mini chocolate chips add a subtle sweetness and contrast in texture, but are optional depending on preference and dietary needs.
- → How should I store leftovers if any?
This snack is best enjoyed fresh to preserve texture; however, any leftovers can be covered and refrigerated for up to a few hours.