This easy healthy candy apple is a viral recipe that's gluten free, vegan, refined sugar free, plant based, no added sugar, paleo friendly. On a cutting board lined with light brown parchment paper is a freshly made candy apple that's round with a popsicle stick in the center as a handle. Coated in a thick layer of rich dark chocolate and rolled in crushed peanuts. The inside shows a thin caramel date layer and crispy white apple.

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This Healthy Candy Apple is gluten free, vegan, and can easily be made refined sugar free. You only need three ingredients to replicate this nostalgic Fall classic that has all the flavors and textures we know and love. This takes less than ten minutes to make so next time your sweet tooth kicks in, you have a quick fix!

Traditional candy apples are usually loaded with refined sugar and artificial ingredients. But this recipe gives you a healthier, equally satisfying version in just a few minutes and using only THREE simple ingredients! I don’t know about you, but that’s a win in my book 😆 Using dates as caramel is one of my favorite healthier cooking hacks, they’re delicious on their own and in both baked or no bake treats. They also create the exact sticky texture of caramel with a salty sweet taste. I use them in place of caramel in other recipes like my Salted Caramel Ice Cream, Date Bark, and Salted Caramel Apple Baked Oatmeal. Date caramel just makes everything better!

So when I saw this viral recipe by Bella (@avocado_bella) going around, I knew it was going to be delicious. I mean, three of some of my favorite things, apple, date, chocolate, all coming together to replicate a favorite fall dessert?? Sign me up 👏 It did NOT disappoint and I’ve been making this candy apple on repeat ever since! I added my own twist by rolling the candy apple in crushed peanuts (because that’s my go-to) but you can eat this plain or add anything else that sounds good.

I think it would be so fun and festive to have friends over, watch some Fall romcoms, and each make some candy apples. It’s the perfect, quick, no bake, Fall sweet treat!

Watch the full video tutorial HERE.

Why You’ll Love This

No-bake and easy – Everything comes together in minutes and requires minimal kitchen appliances so you don’t have to worry about a big clean up! Once you get the hang of it, you can have a fresh candy apple ready in less than ten minutes 💁‍♀️
Naturally sweetened – This doesn’t include any added sweeteners because we get enough natural sweetness from the apple and the dates. Both will satisfy that sweet tooth while also giving you a boost a fiber.
Family favorite – Not only are these fun to make for yourself and so nostalgic but they would be great to make with friends, family, and even kids!
Dietary friendly – This is gluten free, vegan, and can easily be refined sugar free, paleo-friendly depending on what chocolate you use.

What You’ll Need

Apple – Any color and size will work, it just depends on what your preference is! If you want a sweet apple, choose a vibrant red one. If you want a little sour treat, use a green apple.
Dates – I usually get regular organic medjool dates with the pits inside and take the pits out myself but you can always buy them pitted too!
Chocolate – I used almost a whole dark chocolate bar. If you need this to be dairy free/vegan, I like these bars or if you want a refined sugar free option this one’s great.
Optional toppings – I’ve seen so many toppings for traditional candy apples so feel free to add whatever you like! I like a classic candy apple rolled in chopped peanuts. Other ideas could be sliced almonds, sprinkles, chocolate chips, granola, etc.

How To Make

Lay out a piece of plastic wrap and place pitted dates on top in the shape of a square.
Place a piece of parchment paper or more plastic wrap on top and roll out until it’s nice and thin. (Tip: I used a rolling pin but you can use anything that’s a similar shape and allows you to apply pressure. You want the dates to be flat and mushed together!)
Carefully remove the top layer of the parchment paper.
Place an apple in the center on top of the flattened dates. If you want to add a popsicle stick, do this now and place it where the stem would be!
Use the plastic wrap to help lift the date layer on all sides and press into the apple – as if you’re wrapping the apple up.
Make the chocolate coating by microwaving the chocolate in a glass bowl for thirty seconds, stir, and repeat until completely smooth. (Tip: I used almost an entire dark chocolate bar. How much chocolate you use depends on the size of the apple and your preference!)
Remove the remaining plastic wrap from the apple so the date layer is showing and dip into the melted chocolate or use a spoon to cover it.
If adding toppings like chopped peanuts or almonds, add those to a separate bowl and carefully dip the freshly coated apple into the mix.
Set the apple in the fridge until the chocolate has hardened, slice, and enjoy!

Recommended Tools

Rolling pin – You can also use anything that’s a cylinder shape like a round bottle.
Parchment paper
Plastic wrap
Popsicle stick – Optional but it makes eating this more fun!
Glass mixing bowls

Other Viral No Bake Recipes

Two Ingredient Sweet Potato Cake (Gluten Free, Vegan)

Viral Berry Chocolate Clusters (Gluten Free, Vegan)

Healthy Cookie Dough Bark (Gluten Free, Vegan)

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