Easy Vegan Caramel Apples
These vegan caramel apples are incredibly delicious and healthy because the natural sweetness of dates creates a rich, caramel-like coating without the need for refined sugars. With only a few simple ingredients, you can have a deliciously healthy treat in a matter of minutes!
Nothing says fall fun like sweet and sticky caramel apples. They remind me of the apple picking, country fair, and fall festival days of my childhood. But, these days, I’m more careful about what I eat and want to make sure that the food I’m putting into my body is not only delicious but also good for me.
That’s why I came up with these festive vegan caramel apples that are made using a thicker version of my easy vegan caramel sauce. They are perfect for fall, fun, and even healthy Halloween treats! These Homemade Vegan Tootsie Rolls are another easy-to-make treat for kids (and adults).
Reasons you will love date caramel apples
- Wholesome & Nutritious– These vegan caramel apples are a delectable treat made with wholesome ingredients, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without compromising your diet.
- Low in Fat and Calories: This recipe is made with healthier ingredients, offering a deliciously indulgent dessert that’s lower in fat and calories, making it a guilt-free treat for any occasion.
- Plant-Based and Dairy-Free: Made with plant-based ingredients, these caramel apples are perfect for those following a vegan diet or anyone with dairy allergies, allowing more people to enjoy a delicious treat.
How to make vegan caramel apples
The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.
STEP #1: Wash and thoroughly dry the apples you plan to use, then poke a popsicle stick or wooden skewer that has been trimmed into the center of each one.
STEP #2: Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set the apples with sticks on it while you make the caramel sauce.
STEP #3: Remove the pits from each of the dates. Add the dates, vanilla, sea salt, and plant milk to your high-power blender.
STEP #4: Blend the ingredients until nice and smooth. Add more plant milk 1-2 tablespoons at a time if needed to help the blending process. My personal favorite and the only brand I use is Vitamix because it can blend anything I throw in it to perfection.
STEP #5: It will be a nice thick consistency to make sure it sticks to the apples well. To make a more saucy texture for Homemade Date Paste to use in other recipes, try adding more plant milk as done in my Vegan Caramel Sauce recipe.
STEP #6: Use a spoon or spatula to smear the caramel onto each apple. I also like to roll them in crushed nuts such as walnuts, peanuts, pecans, or cashews, but that is completely optional. To really kick it up a notch, sprinkle each one with a few dairy-free chocolate chips.
Pro tips & Suggestions
- Apples- Traditionally, many recipes call for using tart apples such as Granny Smith’s for making caramel apples because the tartness helps to balance out the sweet caramel flavor. However, in my opinion, any apple that is firm and has a sweet or tart taste will work just fine. My favorites are Gala, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, and Red Delicious.
- Temperature- I found that room-temperature apples work best. Mine had been stored in the refrigerator, and when I brought them out, they began to sweat. You’ll want completely dry apples, so make sure they are at room temperature.
- Sticks- Popsicle sticks are probably the most commonly used, but I happened to have some wooden veggie skewers on hand and trimmed them down to size using my garden clippers. It worked out perfectly because the skewers had a pointed end that went right into the apples easily.
- Date Texture- If you are using fresh dates that are nice and soft, they should blend up pretty easily. However, if your dates are a bit dry, try soaking them in warm water for about 20 minutes to soften them up before using them. It will make the blending process much smoother.
- Storing- A shallow bowl lined with wax paper or paper muffin cups and then covered with a sheet of plastic food wrap works well for storage. Place them in the refrigerator, and they keep for about a week.
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Easy Caramel Apples {Vegan & Oil-Free}
Ingredients
- 6 medium apples
- 6 popsicle sticks or skewers
- 20 medjool dates pitted
- 2-3 tablespoons plant-milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- crushed walnuts pecans, peanuts (optional topping)
- dairy-free chocolate chips optional topping
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the apples you plan to use, then poke a popsicle stick or skewer that has been trimmed into the center of each one.
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set the apples with sticks on it while you make the caramel sauce.
- Remove the pits from each of the dates. Then, add the dates, vanilla, sea salt, and plant milk to your high-power blender. My personal favorite and the only brand I use is Vitamix because it can blend anything I throw in it to perfection.
- Blend the ingredients until nice and smooth. Add more plant milk 1-2 tablespoons at a time if needed to help the blending process.
- Use a spoon or spatula to smear the caramel onto each apple. I also like to roll them in crushed nuts such as walnuts, peanuts, pecans, or cashews, but that is completely optional. To really kick it up a notch, sprinkle each one with a few dairy-free chocolate chips.
Video
Notes
- Apples- Traditionally, many recipes call for using tart apples such as Granny Smith’s for making caramel apples because the tartness helps to balance out the sweet caramel flavor. However, in my opinion, any apple that is firm and has a sweet or tart taste will work just fine. My favorites are Gala, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, and Red Delicious.
- Temperature- I found that room-temperature apples work best. Mine had been stored in the refrigerator, and when I brought them out, they began to sweat. You’ll want completely dry apples, so make sure they are at room temperature.
- Sticks- Popsicle sticks are probably the most commonly used, but I happened to have some wooden veggie skewers on hand and trimmed them down to size using my garden clippers. It worked out perfectly because the skewers had a pointed end that went right into the apples easily.
- Date Texture- If you are using fresh dates that are nice and soft, they should blend up pretty easily. However, if your dates are a bit dry, try soaking them in warm water for about 20 minutes to soften them up a little before using them. It will make the blending process much smoother.
- Storing- A shallow bowl lined with wax paper or paper muffin cups and then covered with a sheet of plastic food wrap works well for storage. Place them in the refrigerator, and they keep for about a week.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
I made these — what a delicious, fun treat for my husband and me! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Patience- That’s awesome! Thank you for the great feedback. 🙂