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.

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

If you’re like me, you’re always looking for healthy snack options for kids. I confess “Halloween candy” has become quite the first phrase from my youngest boy. So, it’s been a huge hit with my kids to have this apple slice donut snack they can make on their own and is healthy!

Grab your favorite nut butters (peanut, almond, cashew, you name it!) and some of your favorite toppings (honey, toasted coconut, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, dried fruit, and more!) and call the kids into the kitchen. You’ll be surprised some of the delicious combinations your kids can come up with. If you’re wanting some suggestions, check out a few combinations I tried in the recipe tips section below.

A sliced apple topped with peanut butter, sliced almonds, toasted coconut, and mini chocolate chips.

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
  • Two red apples against a white background.
  • An apple corer removing the core from a red apple.

How to Make Donut Apples 

  1. Remove the core of the apples. Slice the apples into “donuts.” 
  2. Select your spread of choice and smooth about ½ tablespoon of it over one side of the apple donut. 
  3. Sprinkle your toppings of choice over the “spread.”
An apple sliced into rounds, looking like "donuts".

Tools Used for This Recipe

Apple corer

NatureSeal For Fresh-Cut Produce

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 the 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.

Apples are a great snack for kids because they are naturally sweet. If your kids (or you) have a sweet tooth or frequent sugar craving, eating fruit instead of treats or candy is a great substitute! It’s a healthy option that will bring added nutrition into your diet, but due to the natural sweetness, you’ll find that sugar craving kicked!

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

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. 

7 apple donuts against a white background.

More Healthy Snack Options

If you make this recipe and love it, I would be so grateful if you come back to leave a rating and review. Thank you! ❤️

Slices of apples cut into round "donuts" topped with peanut butter, sprinkles, chocolate chips.
Print Review
5 from 1 vote

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

nutritional information does not include the spread and toppings. 
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

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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