Easy Caramel Apple Slices
Whip up this platter of Caramel Apple Slices to enjoy all the fun of caramel apples — and toppings! — without the prep, mess, or heaviness. This is super quick and easy for an after-school treat or party snack to share.
Loving these flavors? Try this caramel apple cheesecake dip next.
Caramel apples but like, really easy.
Do we all like the idea of caramel apples more than the reality? No doubt, the flavor and texture combination is dreamy: crisp and tart apples, creamy and sweet caramel coating, topping choices galore. But the dipping, the setting, the putting on sticks, is just more than I have patience for, at least in my busy Mom era.
Fortunately, you can achieve the same charm with minimal effort via a simple platter of caramel apple slices. Plus, from my perspective these are also easier to snack on and share. Put together a small plate to surprise your kids after school, or a large spread for a party treat. Either way, this has major fall vibes in about 10 minutes.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Apples. If using just one apple for a small snack, my first choice would be Granny Smith. It’s tart, crisp, and the classic choice for pairing with caramel. For a larger plate, it can be pretty to use a mix of red and green apples.
- Caramel sauce. You can use a store-bought product like Trader Joe’s fleur de sel caramel sauce, Smuckers, or Ghirardelli. Those that come in a squeeze bottle are ultra convenient but typically a little thinner in consistency, so just keep that trade-off in mind. You can also make your own, either fully from scratch or by melting down soft candy caramels as in this carmelita recipe.
- Sea salt. While optional, a little flaked sea salt adds a really pretty shimmer and enhances the sweet caramel flavor.
- Toppings! Get creative with this part and have fun.
Pro Tip
There are many tricks to delay apples browning once they are cut and exposed to the air. My favorite, which I learned from The Kitchn, is to dissolve 1 teaspoon of kosher salt per 2 cups of room temperature water and soak cut apple slices in that solution for five minutes, then rinse them in a strainer under cool running water.
The rinsed apple slices should stay crisp and free of brown spots on the counter for a couple of hours, so this is a great solution if you plan to leave this platter of apples out at a gathering for an hour or two. For longer storage, salt solution-soaked apple slices can keep in the refrigerator in a tightly-sealed zip-top container overnight.
Topping Ideas for Caramel Apples
- Chopped pecans, walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, etc.
- Mini chocolate chips.
- Toffee bits. These can be hard to find but I try to keep a stash so I can always make toffee chocolate chip shortbread.
- Sprinkles.
- Miniature M&Ms. Use the rest of the bag to make mini M&M chocolate chip cookies!
- Crushed Oreos, Nilla wafers, or graham crackers.
- Raisins or dried cranberries.
Related Recipes
Craving more sweet apple treats? Try these next:
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip
- Apple Butter Snickerdoodles
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
- Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp
- Homemade Apple Butter (made in the Instant Pot)
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Easy Caramel Apple Slices
Ingredients
- apples see note
- caramel sauce
- kosher or sea salt optional for preserving and sprinkling
- chopped nuts, chocolate chips, sprinkles, toffee bits, etc. for topping
Instructions
- Wash, core, and chop the apples into slices about 1/2-inch thick. If eating right away, arrange them on a plate or platter. If serving at a party or in a little while, soak the apples for 5 minutes in a solution of 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt per cup of room temperature water, then rinse under cool water and set aside.
- Using either a squeeze bottle or a spoon, drizzle the caramel sauce lightly over the apples, leaving about 1 inch of most slices uncoated for picking up. Sprinkle with sea salt, if desired.
- Sprinkle toppings over some or all of the apples. Serve right away.
Notes
- Apples. If using just one apple for a small snack, my first choice of variety would be Granny Smith. For a larger plate, it can be pretty to use a mix of red and green apples.
- Caramel sauce. You can use a store-bought product like Trader Joe’s Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce, Smuckers, or Ghirardelli. Those that come in a squeeze bottle are ultra convenient but typically a little thinner in consistency, so just keep that trade-off in mind. You can also make your own, either fully from scratch or by melting down soft candy caramels as in this carmelita recipe.
