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An Apple Sandwich without bread is a fun and healthy lunch idea, especially for kids. A tasty option whether someone took the last slice, you are looking for an easy gluten free sandwich, or want something different. And it’s so easy you don’t even really need a recipe. Just go breadless with a classic combination when you make Turkey, Ham and Cheese Apple Sandwiches.
For a long time, this blog was not just recipes but also a record of what was going on in my life. As the focus of my business has changed, readers’ expectations have changed, and demands of the Google gods have changed, so have my blog posts.
Now I really just focus on the background of the recipe, why I am convinced you should make it, and helpful information to ensure it’s easy and delicious.
But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that, as I write this post, we are in the midst of one of the craziest times the world has ever seen. Let me just say I hope you are all well and leave it at that for now.
And one of the craziest side effects of current circumstances is the lack of, amongst other things, bread on the grocery store shelves.
I have been putting an Apple Sandwich in my kids’ lunches for ages. I’ve actually had these photos on my computer for about two years. Yet I never posted it.
It’s like I was waiting for this exact moment.
How to make a sandwich without bread
Sure, there are plenty of options, like rolls, wraps, and even English muffins. But if you want a wheat-free alternative and aren’t a fan of gluten free bread, then apple slices make perfect little sammies.
They are firm enough to hold in the fillings, but not to hard that you can’t chomp right into it. And the crisp, sweet apple is actually a great flavor and texture contrast to your basic deli meats and cheese, like turkey, ham and cheddar.
Kids love making and eating them. And while I am telling you about one of the most basic combinations, I do share some variations below. Or let your imagination and tastebuds be your guide.
Ingredients
- Apples
- Mustard – I like the contrast of a nice spicy brown mustard, but you can use dijon, yellow, or even honey mustard.
- Deli meat – I used turkey and ham, but you can just use one or the other
- Cheese – slice some sharp cheddar or use deli slices of American or your favorite that you’ve cut into squares
Directions
- Turn an apple on its side and cut it into slices about one-quarter to one-half inch thick.
- Using a knife, apple corer, cupcake corer, or back of a large icing tip, cut out the core of each slice. If you have a corer, you can do this before you cut the slices.
- Spread mustard on one of the slices, top with one folded up piece of turkey, one folded up piece of ham, and a couple of slices of cheddar cheese from a block or a slice of deli cheese cut into quarters.
- Top with another apple slice.
Depending on the size of the apple, you can get two, or possibly three little apple sandwiches out of it, and you can always cut the rest into slices to snack on.
Brianne’s pro recipe tips
Useful tools
The “hardest” (if you will) part of making apple sandwiches is cutting and coring the apples. So here are a few options:
- Apple corer – if you have one of these, you can cut out the entire core before cutting it into slices.
- Paring knife – not the best option because it can be more dangerous and you don’t get a perfectly round hole (though that’s just about appearance, not taste). But you can just cut ut the core after you cut the slices.
- Cupcake corer – this does work for cutting the core out of the individual slices, but it can break the apple rounds.
- Large frosting tip – use the back of one of these decorating tips, because the thin metal will cut right through the apple.
Variations
- Prosciutto and mozzarella with creamy balsamic dressing
- Roast beef and Greek yogurt blue cheese dip
- Leftover rotisserie chicken and maple dijon coleslaw
- Peanut butter and jelly with peanut butter granola
- Waldorf chicken salad with grapes and walnuts and lettuce
Healthy apple snacks
- Healthy Apple Candy Bar Salad
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Apple Nachos
- Baked Apple Chips from Well-Plated
More easy kids lunch ideas besides sandwiches
- Chef Salad Skewers
- Mediterranean Chicken Pinwheels
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Yogurt Parfaits
- Healthy Carrot Zucchini Muffins (or Gluten Free Carrot Zucchini Muffins)
- Cucumber Subs from Wholesome Yum
Turkey, Ham and Cheese Apple Sandwich Recipe
Stack up apple slices with your favorite deli meat and cheese for an easy, healthy, and tasty alternative to sandwiches without bread. A great option when you can’t get your hands on a loaf, or a breadless gluten free lunch idea.
Turkey, Ham and Cheese Apple Sandwiches
Ingredients
- one medium apple
- 2 teaspoons mustard
- 2 slices deli ham
- 2 slices deli turkey
- 2 slices cheddar cheese or American cheese
Instructions
- Turn an apple on its side and cut it into slices about one-quarter to one-half inch thick.
- Using a knife, apple corer, cupcake corer, or back of a large icing tip, cut out the core of each slice. If you have a corer, you can do this before you cut the slices.
- Spread mustard on one of the slices, top with one folded up piece of turkey, one folded up piece of ham, and a couple of slices of cheddar cheese from a block or a slice of deli cheese cut into quarters.
- Top with another apple slice.
- You'll get about two sandwiches from one apple, and can cut the rest of the apple into slices for snacking.
Did you make this?
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How do you keep the apple from browning? Want to pack this in my kids’ lunch boxes or school.
Honestly, my kids don’t care if the apples brown a bit so I usually don’t do anything. You can wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, which will minimize browning. Or brush it with some water with a sqeee of lemon juice added, or some pineapple juice with is less tart.
Loved this as a side to my soup cup! I used an ambrosia and Swiss with yellow mustard, super tasty!!!
So glad you like this easy idea!