Donut apples are a cored and sliced apple snack with a variety of nut spreads and toppings for a healthy snack option fit for kids and adults.

Apples are such a great and healthy snack for kids, but sometimes it’s fun to make these apple donut snacks to add more flavor and protein for your kids. However, if you’re looking for more apple recipes, my favorite apple desserts are my apple cider bundt cake, cinnamon baked apples, and apple cinnamon scones!

Slices of apples cut into round "donuts" topped with peanut butter, sprinkles, chocolate chips.

Why This Recipe Works

  • I confess “Halloween candy” has become quite the first phrase from my youngest boy. So, this recipe has been a huge hit with my kids to have this apple slice donut snack they can make on their own and is healthy!
  • This is such a quick and easy healthy snack recipe for your kids. It tastes mere minutes to make and doesn’t make a mess either.
  • It’s easily customizable for differing taste preferences and food allergies (if you have those among your family members).

Ingredients

Apples: Pick a variety that you like. I prefer honeycrisp or gala.

Spread:

  • Peanut Butter: Crunchy or smooth
  • Almond Butter: This is one of my favorite spreads to use on the sliced apples
  • Cashew Butter: Having a variety of nut butters makes the combinations fun and delicious! 
  • Apple Butter: Seems cliche, but apple butter on apples really is a match made in heaven!
  • Pumpkin Butter: This one is a fun spread to use in the fall to satisfy your pumpkin cravings!
Glass bowls full of toppings such as sprinkles, toasted coconut, mini chocolate chips, dried fruit, and nuts.

Toppings:

  • Sliced Almonds: Or your preferred nut of choice.
  • Chopped Pecans: Or your preferred nut of choice.
  • Sprinkles: My kids love the sprinkles on top!
  • Mini Chocolate Chips: Milk, semisweet, white or butterscotch! The combinations are endless.
  • Toasted Coconut: Check out my recipe on how to make toasted coconut!
  • Honey: Or agave
  • Dried fruit: Chopped
  • Ground Cinnamon: For additional flavor if wanted.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Remove the core of the apples using an apple corer.
  • Two red apples against a white background.
  • An apple corer removing the core from a red apple.
  1. Slice the apples into “donuts.”
An apple sliced into rounds, looking like "donuts".
  1. Select your spread of choice and smooth about ½ tablespoon of it over one side of the apple donut. 
  2. Sprinkle your toppings of choice over the “spread.”
7 apple donuts against a white background.

Recipe Tips

A few combination ideas: 

  • Almond joy apple donuts = almond butter, toasted coconut, mini chocolate chips. 
  • Peanut butter/almond butter/cashew butter + honey
  • Peanut butter/almond butter/cashew butter + sprinkles
  • Peanut butter/almond butter/cashew butter + mini chocolate chips
  • Peanut butter/almond butter/cashew butter + toasted coconut
  • Peanut butter/almond butter/cashew butter + nuts

If you’re wanting to pre-cut the apples, use NatureSeal to keep them from browning, or cut a lemon in half and rub both sides of the apple to keep them from browning until you are ready to use them.

FAQs

How do I keep apple slices from turning brown?

The easiest way is to cut a lemon in half and rub each side of the apple slice with the open face of the lemon. You can also use NatureSeal to keep them from browning. (See my recipe tip above)

What are the nutrition benefits for apples?

The great thing about apples is that they are pretty filling considering one medium-sized apple has about 95 calories. Apples are good for you because they are high in fiber and vitamin C. They also are a source of antioxidants. 

Donut Apples against a white background, with an array of toppings: sprinkles, nuts, chocolate.

More Healthy Snack Options

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Slices of apples cut into round "donuts" topped with peanut butter, sprinkles, chocolate chips.
Print Review
5 from 2 votes

Donut Apples

Donut Apples are sliced apples topped with a nut butter (can choose any variety) and your choice of toppings. This is a great snack idea for kids! (They're easy to make too!)
Prep Time: 5 mins
Assembly Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 2 apples - choose your favorite variety

Spread Ideas

Topping Ideas

  • sliced almonds - or any nut variety
  • chopped pecans
  • sprinkles
  • mini chocolate chips
  • toasted coconut
  • dried fruit - chopped
  • ground cinnamon
  • honey

Instructions
 

  • Remove the core of the apples. Slice the apples into “donuts.” 
  • Select your spread of choice and smooth about ½ tablespoon of it over one side of the apple donut. 
  • Sprinkle your toppings of choice over the “spread.” 

Notes

A few combination ideas:
Almond joy apple donuts – almond butter, toasted coconut, mini chocolate chips.
Peanut butter/almond butter/cashew butter + honey + nuts + chocolate chips
Peanut butter/almond butter/cashew butter + sprinkles
Peanut butter/almond butter/cashew butter + mini chocolate chips
Peanut butter/almond butter/cashew butter + toasted coconut
Peanut butter/almond butter/cashew butter + nuts
If you’re wanting to pre-cut the apples, use NatureSeal to keep them from browning, or cut a lemon in half and rub both sides of the apple to keep them from browning until you are ready to use them.
nutritional information does not include the spread and toppings. 

Nutrition

Calories: 95kcal (5%)Carbohydrates: 25g (8%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 1g (2%)Saturated Fat: 1g (5%)Sodium: 2mgPotassium: 195mg (6%)Fiber: 4g (16%)Sugar: 19g (21%)Vitamin A: 98IU (2%)Vitamin C: 8mg (10%)Calcium: 11mg (1%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
author: Whitney Wright
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
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