Healthy apple recipes are all the rage nowadays. After all, there's only so many times that you can have apple without getting bored of them, right?
As we consume roughly ten pounds of apples annually, it's easy to take them for granted. However, there are many reasons why apples are so well-liked, the first of which is that nothing beats the crisp, juicy flavor of a freshly picked apple on a cool autumn day.
Apples are not only tasty, but also convenient, as they can be carried anywhere and last much longer than other fruits. Moreover, there are many healthy apple recipes you can easily make at home. Apples can be consumed straight from the tree, made into pies, juiced, dried, baked, and many other ways.
Healthy Apple Recipes You Can Easily Make
Notwithstanding the number of calories in an apple, apples are healthy, and not just because they're the famous "apple a day" fruit. The soluble and insoluble fiber, vitamin C, and phytochemical content of apples likely contribute to the fruit's anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering effects.
According to USDA data, a medium-sized apple has about 95 calories and four grams of total fiber, making it a relatively low-calorie but satisfying sweet treat on its own. If you're not in the mood to have an apple by itself, or if you have a lot of apples lying around, you can easily make the healthy apple recipes mentioned below.
It's normal for you to get bored of eating apples just like that. There are many healthy apple recipes to choose from, with some of them being extremely easy to make. Make your pick from the ones mentioned below.
1) Healthy Apple Muffins
By replacing other fats and oils in a recipe with apple sauce, you can reduce the amount of calories and fat without sacrificing the texture or flavor. The apple flavor is amplified here, thanks to its addition. Muffins are one of the best healthy apple recipes you can make.
Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup low-fat milk or milk of your choice
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 ¼ cups unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ cup canola or vegetable oil
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 2 apples chopped
Method:
- Make sure your oven is at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a muffin tin by either lining it with paper liners or spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.
- Pour the oats, applesauce, milk, egg, vanilla extract, oil, and honey into a mixing bowl and stir until well combined. To combine ingredients, mix thoroughly.
- Separately, combine the dry ingredients (flour, flax, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt) in a large bowl.
- To incorporate the applesauce mixture, a well should be made in the center of the dry ingredients. Be careful not to overmix; you want the ingredients to be evenly moistened. Blend in the chopped apples and walnuts.
- Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tins and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.
2) Healthy Pecan Baked Apples
If you're craving healthy baked apples, this is one of the best healthy apple recipes to try.
In many ways, baked apples can be thought of as a no-fuss alternative to pie filling. Using nuts (pecans are specified, but walnuts or slivered almonds would work well, too) increases the plant-based protein, fiber, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fat content of this dessert.
Ingredients:
- 4 medium apples (washed and cored)
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
Method:
- Make sure your oven is preheated to 400 degrees F. Prepare apples by placing them on individual squares of aluminum foil.
- The remaining ingredients should be combined in a small bowl and stirred in until the pecans are evenly coated.
- Place some of the pecan mixture in the cavity of each apple. Place the apples, wrapped in aluminum foil, into the baking dish.
- Put apples in oven and bake at 350 degrees for 30–35 minutes, or until they are soft and can be easily pierced with a fork.
3) Healthy Apple Mug Cake
Craving for a healthy apple dessert? Mug cake to the rescue. If you're in the mood for a quick and simple dessert, this is one of the best healthy apple recipes to try.
The apple sauce and maple syrup combination makes for a super moist cake (with a consistency similar to bread pudding). The best part, though, is that everything is prepared in the same mug, so there's no need to wash any additional equipment.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp whole-wheat flour
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup diced apples
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
Method:
- Put everything in a mug that can go in the microwave and stir until evenly moistened.
- Cook in microwave for 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 minutes on high. You should let it cool down a little bit before eating it.
There are many health benefits of apples, for which you should include them in your diet regularly.
If you're craving for something crispy and salty or sweet, even dehydrated apple chips can be a good option as an evening snack. Try out the aforementioned healthy apple recipes for a fun, healthy, and filling snack option.