Caramel Apple Slices
Enjoy all the flavor of caramel apples without the mess with these easy Caramel Apple Slices. Each slice provides the perfect bite of smooth caramel and tart apple.
I love a good caramel apple. It’s a sticky, sweet and tart treat that gives all the nostalgia and comfort of fall and Halloween (just like these Mummy Pigs in a Blanket do).
The one thing that is not so great about caramel apples is deciding how to bite into one. Do you bite into the apple and cover your face with caramel, or do you attempt to cut your apple into slices but risk chipping away some of the caramel and toppings? Once you bite into it, do you eat it all at once or try to save some for later?
These caramel apple slices are the perfect solution. With this variation, you slice the apples ahead of time, creating round slices that are ideal for easily biting into.
The result is all the smooth caramel and tart apple flavor you love but in a much more approachable snack size.
This recipe only calls for two ingredients so it’s a perfect treat to make when you want something simple and fun!
Why Make This Recipe
- Easy: Caramel Apples are really an easy treat to make, but these caramel apple slices are even easier because they are not as heavy and awkward to hold and dip. Just melt the caramel, dip and cool.
- Fall Favorite: During apple-picking season there really is nothing better than a caramel apple. One bite will remind you of carnivals and cool fall evenings!
- Sweet and Tart: Caramel apple slices are the perfect combination of sweet and tart. What’s not to love?
Ingredients for Caramel Apple Slices
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.
- Granny Smith Apples: Granny Smith Apples are the most tart and offer the perfect balance to the sugary sweetness of the caramel but if you’re not a fan of Granny Smith or don’t have any on hand you can definitely use a different variety of apple. Try Honeycrisp, Fuji or Sugar Bee.
- Chewy Caramel Pieces: Choose any pre-packaged caramels that are soft and chewy.
Variations
You can keep these caramel apple slices simple and classic or dress them up with any toppings you might put on a caramel apple. Here are some good topping choices:
- Melted chocolate drizzle
- Chopped nuts (peanuts, pecans, walnuts, etc)
- Candy (M&Ms, heath pieces)
- Sprinkles
- Crushed cookies (oreos, biscoff cookies)
- Graham crackers and Cinnamon like these Apple Pie Caramel Apples
The possibilities are endless!
Tools
- Kebab Sticks: It works best to choose sticks that have a pointed end to pierce into the apple.
- Small pot for melting the caramels
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Apples
The secret to good caramel apples is making sure you prep your apples carefully. Be sure and wash your apples well before you begin and scrub off the wax on the exterior. You may even want to use some vinegar in your water to make sure everything is washed off.
Next you are going to create the slices for your caramel apple slices. Place the apples on a cutting board, stem side up. Cut a very thin layer off the left and right side, just enough to create a flat edge.
Next, slice the apple as close to the core as possible. Repeat on the other side. You should be left with two thick, round apple slices. You want your slices thick to give your kebab space to go. Too thin and your kebab may poke right out or break your slice. Dispose of the core.
Pat your apple slices dry with paper towels to soak up any juice. You want to soak up as much juice as possible to give your caramel a better chance of sticking.
Skewer each slice with a kebab stick and place them in the freezer while you melt your caramel. You want your apple slices to be nice and cold to harden the caramel on contact.
Step 2: Melt the Caramel
Place all your caramel pieces in a small or medium pot and melt the caramel according to the package instructions. My package instructed me to add 2 Tablespoons of water to the caramel.
Stir gently over medium heat until all the candy has melted.
Step 3: Dip the Apples
Remove your apples from the freezer and dip the slices in the caramel.
Once your slices are covered in caramel you can place them on a lightly greased cookie sheet to cool or stick the kebab sticks into a thick piece of foam.
Step 4: Customize
If you want to add sprinkles, nuts or candy, dip your caramel apple slices into these toppings before the caramel is fully set.
If you want to add a drizzle of chocolate, it’s best to wait until the slices are fully cooled.
Expert Tips
- Do not place your caramel apple slices directly onto wax or parchment paper. The caramel will stick to the paper and be difficult to remove. Instead, lightly grease your pan or you can just place the slices directly on the pan and use a spatula to remove them once fully cool. Another great trick is sticking your kebab sticks into foam to keep your slices upright–but this does take some tricky balancing and there’s a chance your caramel may slide down the kebab stick.
- It’s best to eat this treat within a day or two of making it. The longer the apple slices sit, the greater the chance of them weeping and melting off the caramel. I recommend making them and eating them in the same day. Who wants to wait anyways?
- I like to dip my apple slices fully into the caramel but if you are worried you may not cover the entire slice I recommend taking an extra step to keep your apples from browning. After you slice your apples, throw them in a bit of lemon juice. Be sure and pat off all the moisture before continuing.
Recipe FAQs
You can make these caramel apple slices ahead of time, but they are best enjoyed within a few hours. The apples may release moisture as they sit and cause your caramel to slip off.
If you have a homemade caramel that you love, feel free to use it. I like to use premade caramels to make this recipe failproof!
The best tip to prevent the caramel from slipping is making sure you take the time to dry your apple slices as much as possible. The better you dry them, the better your caramel will stick.
It’s also important to put your apple slices in the freezer for just a few minutes before you dip them. The warm caramel will stick better to the cold surface.
One last tip, if you’re still struggling to get your caramel to stick is there is a chance your caramel is too thick. You may need to heat it a bit longer or you can add a tablespoon of water to try to thin it out. This may help it stick better.
It’s a good idea to store any leftover caramel apple slices in the refrigerator in an airtight container. The caramel may create a protective layer over your apple but any parts that are left uncovered could brown if not refrigerated.
Apples are coated in a very thin wax to keep them fresh longer in the grocery store. You want to be sure and wash that off completely.
Rinse in warm water and scrub gently.
You can also boil water with a ¼ cup of white vinegar and dip your apple in the solution for just a few seconds to help melt the wax away.
I’ve also heard that one teaspoon of baking soda in 4 cups of water makes a great solution for washing apples.
Did you enjoy this recipe for Caramel Apple Slices? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you:
- Homemade Caramel Milk
- Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip
- Applesauce Cookies with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
If you tried this Caramel Apple Slices Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
Candy Apple Slices
Equipment
- Kebab Sticks: It works best to choose sticks that have a pointed end to pierce into the apple.
- Small pot for melting the caramels
Ingredients
- 4 Granny Smith Apples
- ¼ cup white vinegar, optional
- 11 oz Chewy Caramel Pieces
- Toppings like heath bits, crushed peanuts, melted chocolate, sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- Wash the apples to remove the wax on the outside. For best results, you can boil water and ¼ cup of white vinegar in a large pot, then add the apples for 10 seconds at a time. Remove the apples from the water and scrub them with a cloth to remove the wax.
- Put your apple on a cutting board, stem facing up. Cut a small slice off of the left and right sides of the apple (very thin) just to make the edge flat.
- Next, cut the apple as close to the core as possible, to the left of the core, making one large, round, flat apple slice. Repeat on the right side of the core, making another flat apple slice. You should have two large, thick apple rounds.
- Pat dry your apples very thoroughly to remove extra juice. The more you pat down the apple slices, the less likely you apples are to weep. Then place your kebab sticks in each slice.
- Place your apple slices in the freezer while you melt your caramel. The cold exterior will help the caramel stay on for longer.
- In a small/medium pot, melt the caramel pieces according to the package instructions (my package instructed me to add the caramel into the pot alongside 2 Tbsp of water and mix until melted).
- Remove the apple slices from the freezer and dip in the caramel, placing the coated caramel apples on a greased cookie sheet afterwards. Top your apple slices with peanuts, candy, or sprinkles at this point if desired.
- Place the caramel apple slices in the fridge until the caramel is set. If drizzling with chocolate, allow the caramel to set in the fridge, then top with melted chocolate.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Granny Smith Apples: Granny Smith Apples are the most tart and offer the perfect balance to the sugary sweetness of the caramel but if you’re not a fan of Granny Smith or don’t have any on hand you can definitely use a different variety of apple. Try Honeycrisp, Fuji or Sugar Bee.
- Chewy Caramel Pieces: Choose any pre-packaged caramels that are soft and chewy.
- Do not place your caramel apple slices directly onto wax or parchment paper. The caramel will stick to the paper and be difficult to remove. Instead, lightly grease your pan or you can just place the slices directly on the pan and use a spatula to remove them once fully cool. Another great trick is sticking your kebab sticks into foam to keep your slices upright–but this does take some tricky balancing and there’s a chance your caramel may slide down the kebab stick.
- It’s best to eat this treat within a day or two of making it. The longer the apple slices sit, the greater the chance of them weeping and melting off the caramel. I recommend making them and eating them in the same day. Who wants to wait anyways?
- I like to dip my apple slices fully into the caramel but if you are worried you may not cover the entire slice I recommend taking an extra step to keep your apples from browning. After you slice your apples, throw them in a bit of lemon juice. Be sure and pat off all the moisture before continuing.
