No-Bake Apple Nachos
Looking for an easy no-bake dessert? These apple nachos are such a fun twist on the classic savory snack. With apple slices instead of chips, this creative treat is topped with sweetened cream cheese, saucy strawberries, and creamy peanut butter for kid-favorite PB&J flavors. Dive in!
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: No-bake
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free option
- Skill Level: Easy
Who says nachos are just for savory snacking? Get ready to take this classic favorite to a whole new level with a fun, dessert-inspired twist! Instead of chips and salsa, think crisp apple slices piled high with sweetened cream cheese, juicy strawberries, and a drizzle of creamy peanut butter. It’s everything you love about Classic Nachos. It’s just transformed into a delicious, no-bake treat that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth, especially if you’re a PB&J kid at heart (Smuckers and Jif, anyone?).
I get it. Sweet nachos might sound unconventional, but you’ve got to trust me on this one. I especially love that they’re easy to make and highly customizable. Don’t be surprised if the whole family (even the kiddos!) wants to pitch in and add their own flair. Whether you’re looking for a fun dessert or a creative snack, you’re in for a real treat!
These Apple Nachos Are the Perfect Sweet Snack
Wondering why you need to try this unique sweet treat? Here are just a few reasons they’re a repeat fave in my household:
- A sweet take on a classic fave. With crisp apple slices instead of chips, sweetened cream cheese instead of sour cream, juicy, jammy strawberries in the place of salsa, and creamy peanut butter instead of…guac? These nachos are everything you love about nachos, just in dessert form!
- PB&J vibes, anyone? These apple nachos don’t just channel nachos. They’re also giving serious peanut butter and jelly sandwich vibes! The creamy peanut butter paired with jelly-coated strawberries is a nostalgic nod to the classic PB&J we all know and love.
- A no-bake, kid-friendly winner. No-bake desserts are a lifesaver, and these apple nachos are the ultimate fun, fuss-free recipe. Just slice up some apples, prep a few easy toppings, and let the layering begin! Feel free to let the kiddos get creative with their own toppings, too! See the section below titled “Tips and Topping Ideas” for inspo.
- Naturally gluten free. Yep, as long as you check your labels, all of the ingredients here are gluten free, no substitutions required. You can also use vegan cream cheese or omit that drizzle for a dairy free option. Also, feel free to use sunflower seed butter and skip the chopped nuts if you have peanut allergies!
What You’ll Need
Gather your ingredients and get excited to make these awesome dessert nachos! Here’s a shopping list for you (you’ll find precise measurements in the recipe card below):
- Cream cheese – You can use full-fat or light cream cheese. Let it soften at room temperature before using for the best results.
- Plain Greek yogurt – I prefer full-fat Greek yogurt, but you can use a lighter product.
- Honey – Just a smidge to sweeten the cream cheese topping.
- Vanilla – To add a little depth to the flavor profile. Almond extract would be a fun addition as well.
- Chopped strawberries – Look for smaller, deep red strawberries for the best flavor. If you’d like to use a different fruit, go for it. Blueberries would be nice. So would raspberries or chopped peaches.
- Strawberry jam – Or fruit spread. I like to stick with strawberry jam to go with the fresh fruit, but you can mix it up if you’d like.
- Apples – I tend toward Granny Smiths or Honeycrisp. They have a crisper, sturdier texture that holds the toppings well.
- Pineapple juice – This is optional, but it will help keep your apples from browning. Lemon juice would also work.
- Creamy peanut butter – It MUST be creamy! Otherwise, it won’t pipe (or drizzle) onto the nachos as well. Not a peanut person? Any smooth, creamy nut or seed butter will do.
- Chopped peanuts – I like the roasted salted nuts to break up the sweetness of this dessert. Not a peanut person? Use a different nut!
How to Make Apple Nachos
Now that you’ve got everything you need, it’s time to get to cookin’! Here’s a basic overview of how to make these apple nachos (see the recipe card below for more detailed instructions):
- Make the cream cheese topping. Mix together the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, honey, and vanilla.
- Make the strawberry “salsa”. Stir together strawberries and jam.
- Prep the apples. Wash and dry apples, cut them into wedges, and toss them in pineapple juice. Lay them out on a kitchen towel to dry slightly before arranging them on a large platter.
- Prep to pipe. Transfer the peanut butter to a sandwich bag and cut off the tip. Do the same with the cream cheese mixture.
- Assemble. Pipe the peanut butter and cream cheese mixtures over the apple slices and top with the strawberry mixture and peanuts.
Can I Save Extras For Later?
Totally! It might be a little messy, but you can transfer any leftover apple nachos to an airtight container (or just wrap the serving platter in a double layer of plastic wrap) and store them in the fridge. They’ll keep for ~4 days. Note that your apples will brown over time, but they’ll still be delicious!
I do not recommend freezing these dessert nachos. They don’t thaw well.
Tips and Topping Ideas
Sure, this is a simple recipe, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have some useful tips (and fun topping ideas!) for you. Here they come:
- Room temperature cream cheese. The cream cheese must be at room temperature. Otherwise, your cream cheese topping will turn out lumpy and difficult to pipe onto the nachos.
- Be gentle. When mixing together the strawberries and the jam, be gentle so as not to bruise the fruit.
- Creamy peanut butter. The peanut butter you use must be smooth and creamy. Otherwise, it won’t pipe or drizzle easily over the apples.
- Microwave hack. If your peanut butter is too thick, you can pop it in the microwave for a few seconds (or more, if needed), give it a stir, and then drizzle it over the nachos with a spoon.
- Sweet drizzles. Between the cream cheese topping and the peanut butter, you’ve already got some drizzle action going, but you don’t need to stop there! Feel free to swirl a little chocolate sauce over your apple slices. Caramel sauce would also be amazing! For something a little lighter, consider honey or maple syrup.
- Creamy pizzazz. I don’t know about you, but I think ~90% of desserts can benefit from a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream (or both!). So don’t be afraid to do that here!
- Other fun ideas. Whether it’s chocolate chips, toasted coconut flakes, chopped candy bar, crushed GF Oreos, or crushed pretzels (for a salty kick), there are endless ways to dress these nachos up and make them your own. Go ahead and experiment, and be sure to fill me in on your faves!
More Easy Snack Ideas
Looking for more ways to scratch your snack itch? Here are a few more of my favorites to keep you going:
PB&J Apple Nachos
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons cream cheese ,regular or light, softenend room temperature
- 2 Tablespoons plain Greek Yogurt
- 1/2 Tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
- 1/4 cup strawberry jam or fruit spread
- 4 apples
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice , optional
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup chopped roasted, salted peanuts
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine 2 Tablespoons cream cheese, 2 Tablespoons plain Greek Yogurt, 1/2 Tablespoon honey, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, and stir until smooth.
- In another small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup chopped strawberries, and 1/4 cup strawberry jam or fruit spread.
- Wash and dry 4 apples, and cut each one into about 16 wedges or slices. If desired, toss apple slices in 1/4 cup pineapple juice to prevent browning, then lay out on a kitchen towel to dry slightly. Arrange apples on a large platter, or on individual plates or containers.
- Transfer 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter to a sandwich bag and cut off the tip, or place the peanut butter in a small bowl and microwave for a few seconds to achieve a consistency that you can drizzle it, and drizzle evenly over the apple slices.
- If desired, transfer the cream cheese mixture to a sandwich bag and cut off the tip, then drizzle over the apple slices.
- Spoon the strawberry mixture evenly over the apple slices, then scatter the 1/4 cup chopped roasted, salted peanuts over the top.
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