5 Easy Apple Snacks

It's the season of Apples once again, and I have been craving apples so much I couldn't wait to pick them myself... so I had to buy a bag of apples at the grocery store to hold myself over until I could get to an apple orchard.

I have been making little snacks and desserts with apples, and I thought I'd share these 5 easy snacks made with apples early on in the season so that you can make them all Autumn long! Great for adults and children and a wonderful after school snack! In fact, you could have these as Breakfasts, Snacks, or Dessert!

All of these snacks are Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free, Vegan, Low Calorie, and Healthy! Can easily be made Nut Free.

1. PB&G Apple Sandwiches

 Peanut Butter & Granola Apple Sandwiches. (Can be made nut free by using Sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter)
What you need:

• 1 Sm-Med Apple
• 1 Tbsp All Natural Peanut Butter (No sugar added/Sub with sunflower butter if allergic to nuts)
• 1/4 Cup Enjoy Life Granola (I used the Cranapple Granola) 

What to do:
Slice the apple into 4-6 rounds. Remove the seeds and stem.
Spread the Peanut Butter onto half of the slices, and top with granola.
Place other half of apple slices on top to make little sandwiches.
Serve right away.

2. Cinnamon Cream Cheese Apples

These Cinnamon Cream Cheese Apples were made dairy free by using Tofutti Cream Cheese. Regular cream cheese would work just as well if you do not have a problem with dairy.
What you need:

• 1 Sm-Med Apple
• 2-3 Tsp Cream Cheese
• 1/4 Tsp Cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp Raisins (I used a mix of Raisins and Golden Raisins)
• 1 Packet Stevia (Optional. I omitted)

What to do:
Slice the apple into 4-6 rounds. Remove the seeds and stem.
In a small bowl mix cinnamon and cream cheese until well combined. If you want the mixture sweeter you can stir in the optional Stevia. (I omitted this step because I thought it was sweet enough.)
Spread cream cheese mixture evenly onto apple slices then top with raisins or other dried fruit.
Serve right away.

3. Microwave Baked Apple

A super simple Baked Apple made in the microwave in minutes!
What you Need:

• 1 Sm-Med Apple
• 1 Packet Stevia
• 1/4-1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
• Dash Nutmeg
• 1/4 Tsp Water
• Dash Vanilla Extract
• 1 Prune (or other dried fruit of choice)

What to do:
Remove core from apple and place apple into a small bowl.
Sprinkle Stevia, cinnamon, and nutmeg into the hole of the apple where the core was.
Stuff the hole with a prune or other dried fruit.
Sprinkle a dash of vanilla and some water over the apple, then cover the whole bowl with plastic wrap.
Microwave for 1-2 minutes or until apple is soft.
This can be eaten right away while it's warm, or can be packed in a container and eaten cool at lunch. This also makes a great dessert when covered with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.

4. Cinnamon Apple Sauce

This apple sauce is sooo easy and quick to make, you'll wonder why you ever spent hours making apple sauce the old way. (That is, if you've ever made homemade applesauce...)
What you need:

• 1 Sm-Med Apple
• 1/4-1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 Tsp Water

What to do:
Cut apple into slices and discard seeds and stem.
Place apple slices into a bowl and sprinkle the cinnamon and water over the top.
Cover with plastic wrap and microwave until soft.
If you left the slices large enough the skin will be easy to remove/pick out of the apple.
Mash the apple with a fork and serve warm. This can also be saved in the refrigerator and served cold, or packed in a container for lunch.

5. Cheesy Apple Slices

If you've never had apples and cheese together, you don't know what you are missing out on. This is a variation of an old sandwich my mom used to make for me all the time.
To make this vegan I used Vegan cheese shreds, but if you don't have a problem with dairy, then you can use whatever kind of cheese you'd like. I suggest making it with a Sharp Cheddar, or a Mild American cheese.
What you need:

• 1 Sm-Med Apple
• 1 Slice Cheese or 1/4 Cup Shredded Cheese

What to do:
Slice apple into medium/thick rounds. Remove seeds and stem.
Microwave Directions:
Top apple with pieces of cheese and microwave until cheese has melted.
Toaster Oven Directions:
Place apple slices on a toaster oven pan or a piece of aluminum foil.
Top apple with pieces of cheese and put in toaster oven toast cycle until cheese has melted.
Oven Directions: (Best if making more then one serving.)
Place apple slices on a cookie sheet.
Top apple with pieces of cheese and put under the broiler until cheese has melted and slightly browned.