Delish Caramel Apple Nachos Recipe

If a caramel apple and a nacho platter had a slightly chaotic baby, it would be this: crisp apple “chips” fanned out like you know what you’re doing, drizzled with warm caramel, sprinkled with crunchy bits, and inhaled in five minutes by people who swore they “weren’t hungry.” It’s the fairground treat without the stick, the dentist bill, or the awkward moment where caramel glues your lips together. We’re talking fast, flashy, and scandalously easy—aka my three favorite food groups.

Last weekend I made these for “a light snack” and my husband called it a salad. Because fruit. Meanwhile, the kids turned the drizzle into a full-body workout. The caramel bottle cap shot across the kitchen, the dog licked an apple slice like it was his part-time job, and yes, the platter was too small. Did I transfer it to a bigger one? Absolutely not. We built a second tier like apple Jenga and called it modern architecture. Ten out of ten, would stage a sticky snack heist again.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Microwave caramel right in the squeeze bottle by parking it in a mug of hot water. Feels wrong, works perfectly.
– Buy pre-sliced apple bags. I said what I said. Toss with a splash of lemon or lemon-lime soda so they don’t go emo and brown.
– Slice around the core instead of coring. Rustic? Sure. Fast? Absolutely.
– Build on parchment on a sheet pan. Slide to the table like a magician and toss the parchment. Dishes avoided: at least one.
– Warm peanut butter 10–15 seconds to drizzle like a pro. No whisk, no judgment.
– Put toppings in mason jars so you can pretend this is a “bar.” Also so you can cap them and pretend you planned leftovers.

Serving Ideas

– Drizzle routes: caramel + peanut butter + mini chocolate chips = the trifecta. Add flaky salt and claim “balance.”
– Add crushed pretzels for that salty pop. Or don’t, and live a slightly sadder life.
– Whipped cream on the side if you like chaos. Vanilla ice cream if you like sticky chaos.
– Hot apple cider for fall vibes; iced coffee for year-round gremlin hours; wine if the kids drove you nuts.
– Keep it simple: apples + caramel + one crunchy thing. Minimal effort, maximal applause.

What to Serve It With

– A salty snack board: sharp cheddar, cured meats, and pickles. Sweet + salty = you’re a genius now.
– Popcorn (kettle or buttered) for movie night. Bonus points for cinnamon sugar.
– A bowl of salted nuts to balance the sugar rush.
– Drinks: hot cider, black coffee, chai, or a little bourbon if the evening requires “grown-up apple juice.”
– Extra apple slices on the side for people who want a lighter drizzle situation. I don’t know them either.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Use tart, crisp apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp). Mealy apples are a betrayal.
– Pat slices dry before drizzling so the caramel actually sticks.
– Don’t drown it. Too much caramel turns into syrup puddles and sad, slippery apples.
– Hit it with lemon juice to slow browning. A quick toss, not a lemon bath.
– Add flaky salt. It’s the tiny crown that makes the whole thing feel intentional.
– Assemble right before serving for peak crunch. This is not a make-it-in-the-morning situation.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
– If you must store, toss apple slices lightly in lemon juice first and keep toppings mostly dry.
– Best within 4–6 hours. After that, apples brown and the vibe gets… nostalgic.
– Want it to last? Keep apple slices and toppings separate, assemble on demand like a dessert diva.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
– Peanut-free: use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini with honey for a nutty-but-not nut vibe.
– Gluten-free: use GF pretzels or skip them and add toasted coconut or rice crisps.
– Dairy-free/vegan: coconut milk caramel or date caramel. Still sticky, still joyful.
– S’mores version: mini marshmallows + graham crumbs + chocolate drizzle. Hello, campfire without the mosquitoes.
– Apple pie moment: cinnamon, nutmeg, crushed pie crust cookies. It’s a whole season on a plate.
– Fancy pants: candied pecans, chopped dates, and a little espresso salt because you’re insufferable and we love that for you.
– Kid zone vs. adult zone: split the pan—sprinkles on one side, salted nuts on the other. Peace in our time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Delish Caramel Apple Nachos Recipe

Thinly sliced crisp apples layered on a platter and drizzled with warm caramel and peanut butter, then showered with chocolate chips, pretzels, marshmallows, and peanuts for the ultimate sweet-salty snack.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes

Total Time: 17 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 4 medium Granny Smith apples cored and thinly sliced
• ▢ 2 tablespoons lemon juice to prevent browning
• ▢ 0.75 cup caramel sauce warmed until pourable
• ▢ 0.25 cup creamy peanut butter warmed until drizzleable
• ▢ 0.33 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
• ▢ 0.5 cup mini marshmallows optional
• ▢ 0.5 cup crushed pretzels
• ▢ 0.33 cup chopped roasted peanuts salted or unsalted
• ▢ 0.25 teaspoon flaky sea salt for finishing

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Wash, core, and thinly slice the apples. Toss slices with lemon juice in a large bowl to prevent browning.
• Spread the apple slices in overlapping layers on a large serving platter.
• Warm the caramel sauce and peanut butter separately in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds each, stirring until smooth and pourable.
• Drizzle half of the caramel and half of the peanut butter over the apples. Repeat with the remaining caramel and peanut butter for even coverage.
• Sprinkle the chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, crushed pretzels, and chopped peanuts evenly over the top.
• Finish with flaky sea salt. Serve immediately for best texture.

Notes

For make-ahead, slice apples up to 2 hours early and store in cold water with lemon juice, then drain and pat dry before assembling. Try swapping peanut butter with almond butter and adding a drizzle of melted white chocolate for variation.