Fresh, crisp, and delicious apple slices topped with your favorite spreads and toppings like granola, sprinkles, chocolate, or fruit, make these no bake apple donuts an irresistible treat.
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Apple donuts are a healthier treat, and one that my kids constantly beg for and fight over. They love the variety of toppings as I'm sure your kids will as well. This kid-friendly no-cook recipe is a perfect snack and one they can make themselves.
These sliced apple donuts are a creative and enjoyable way to savor the flavors and appearance of donuts without the need for baking or frying. Appreciated for their freshness and versatility, you can let your creativity run wild with different toppings and spreads.
Try everything from classic peanut butter and chocolate chips to yogurt and sprinkles. The possibilities are endless, making them ideal for kids and adults alike.
For more kid snacks, check out our S'mores Snack Mix, Earth Day Parfaits, Breakfast Banana Splits, and Dinosaur Cupcakes.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Makes fruit more fun. This no bake snack comes together in minutes and makes fruit exciting for kids, making the prep time well worth it.
- Kids can build their own. Let kids assemble their own apple "donuts" for extra fun. It may get a little messy, but they'll love creating their own versions. They may not be real donuts like Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts, but the fun is just as big.
- Endless combinations. With so many topping options, this treat never gets boring. Every apple slice brings a new combination to try.
🛒 Ingredients
Apples. Use any apple variety you like or have on hand.
Possible toppings. Customize your apple donuts with spreads like peanut butter, cream cheese, frosting, or Nutella. Add fun extras like sprinkles or mini marshmallows, fresh fruit like banana slices or strawberries, chocolate chips, or crunchy toppings like Sourdough Granola for added texture. Mix and match to suit everyone's tastes.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Mix it up. Apple donuts are easy to customize, so feel free to play with different toppings and textures to suit your taste.
Lighten it up. Use lower fat peanut butter or higher protein spreads to better match your dietary preferences.
Try a dip. Our Peanut Butter Yogurt Fruit Dip makes a delicious, flavorful topping that adds extra creaminess to every bite.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use what you already have. This recipe is perfect for using small amounts of leftover toppings like frosting, peanut butter, or chocolate chips.
Choose affordable apples. Crisp, budget-friendly varieties like Gala or Granny Smith work great and are often cheaper in bags.
Keep toppings minimal. A little spread and one or two toppings go a long way, helping stretch ingredients further.
Skip specialty items. Sprinkles and Nutella are optional, basic pantry staples still make these fun and tasty.
🥄 Instructions for No Bake Apple Donuts
Step 1: Wash apples and slice into ¼-1/2 inch thick slices, vertically across the apple.
Step 2: Discard tops and bottom pieces.
Step 3: Use a small round shape to help cut out the center of the apples, making them look more like round donuts.
Step 4: Pat the tops of the donuts with a paper towel to remove moisture.
Step 5: Add your spread of choice over the top of the apple slice.
Step 6: Add your desired toppings over the spread.
Serve and enjoy.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Cutting apples. If you don't have a small round cutter, use a spoon or a clean medicine measuring cup to remove the core and seeds. This creates the donut shape.
- Dry the slices. Pat the apple slices dry before adding any spreads. Removing excess moisture helps toppings spread evenly and prevents them from seizing.
❄️ Storage and Make Ahead
Storage: These are best enjoyed fresh. If needed, store assembled apple donuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Make Ahead: Slice apples up to a few hours in advance and store them in lemon water to prevent browning. Pat dry and add toppings just before serving.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Serve No Bake Apple Donuts with yogurt, granola, or a glass of milk for a balanced snack. They also pair well with lunchboxes, after-school snacks, or a simple fruit platter for sharing.
- Instant Pot YogurtRecipe $3.76 / Serving $0.24
- Sourdough GranolaRecipe $1.83 / Serving $0.37
- Creamy Vanilla Fruit DipRecipe $3.17 / Serving $0.40
- Sour Patch GrapesRecipe $7.85 / Serving $1.31
❓ Recipe FAQs
You can use any apple variety for these apple fruit donuts! We like our apples crisp and usually opt for Granny Smith or Gala apples as they bring the right amount of sweet and tart to the table for pairing with toppings. Red Delicious apples may be a bit softer in texture but they can still work if not overripe.
These apples will only last a few minutes (if that) after being prepped before they begin to brown. If you plan on making them a few hours in advance, dip the donut slices in a lemon water mixture before patting dry and assembling. Then store covered on a plate in the fridge. These apples are best eaten fresh and as soon as possible so don't wait too long to enjoy!
This is a treat best served soon after being made. I recommend serving them within an hour or two for best results as apples will turn brown and the toppings may begin to slide off due to the moisture.
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🐝 If you tried this No Bake Apple Donuts, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
No Bake Apple Donuts
Ingredients
- 2 apples - ($1.78)
Optional Toppings
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese - ($0.10)
- 2 tablespoons frosting - ($0.04)
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter - ($0.04)
- 2 tablespoons chocolate hazelnut spread - ($0.02)
- ¼ cup mini marshmallows - ($0.15)
- 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips - ($0.01)
- ½ banana, sliced - ($0.14)
- 2-3 fresh strawberries, sliced - ($0.15)
- 1 tablespoon granola - ($0.02)
- 1 tablespoon sprinkles - ($0.21)
Instructions
- Slice the apples. Wash the apples and slice them crosswise into rounds about ¼ to ½ inch thick. Discard the top and bottom ends.
- Remove the cores. Use a small round cutter to remove the center from each slice, creating an apple ring. Discard the cores and seeds.
- Dry the slices. Pat the tops of the apple slices dry with a paper towel to help toppings stick.
- Spread the base. Spread cream cheese, frosting, peanut butter, or chocolate hazelnut spread over each apple ring.
- Add toppings. Sprinkle or layer with desired toppings such as marshmallows, chocolate chips, fruit, granola, or sprinkles.
- Serve. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Core removal. A small round cutter, spoon, or measuring cup works well for removing the centers.
- Best apples. Crisp varieties like Granny Smith or Gala hold up best.
- Make ahead. Dip apple slices in lemon water to prevent browning if prepping ahead.
- Serving. Best enjoyed fresh for optimal texture and flavor.
Nutritional Information
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