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You won’t believe this caramel apple dip recipe until you taste it! Stir just 4 ingredients into a glossy peanut butter caramel that’s vegan and gluten-free. It’s so simple and the best healthy snack!
Why we love this recipe
Hello and welcome to our current obsession: this no-cook caramel apple dip recipe! Just 4 ingredients come together into a glossy caramel texture that tastes like peanut butter, but it’s completely no cook and dairy free. It’s like some kind of kitchen sorcery!
Our kids go crazy over this stuff, and it couldn’t be simpler to mix together with ingredients you probably already have on hand. It’s the perfect healthy snack and it’s also perfect as a fall appetizer. As cookbook authors each fall we create some apple recipes with apples we pick at an orchard: this is the #1 favorite of the season!
Featured reader comments
“This dip was a huge hit! I love dipping apple slices in plain natural PB, so this was a real special upgrade! Tastes like a candy apple without the mess and stickiness!” -Tanvee
Ingredient notes for apple dip
This caramel apple dip has just 4 ingredients that stir together into a quick caramel texture—it’s like magic! A standard caramel recipe has heavy cream and sugar that make the sweet, sticky texture. This recipe uses peanut butter (yes!) and maple syrup to mimic this common ingredient, making it a healthier alternative using a natural sweetener. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Creamy peanut butter: We used no sugar added peanut butter. A quality peanut butter makes a nicer tasting apple dip. For peanut allergies, try a high quality creamy almond butter or cashew butter. (Feel free to experiment with sunflower butter for nut free.)
- Pure maple syrup: For all of our recipes with maple syrup, we prefer using Grade A: Dark Color and Robust Flavor. We find it tastes better than bottles labeled Amber or Golden.
- Neutral oil: The oil in this recipe makes the glossy texture; we do not recommend leaving it out. We used organic grapeseed oil; you can also substitute melted coconut oil.
- Vanilla extract: The vanilla brings the classic flavor to the caramel.
- Salt (optional): Depending on the saltiness of the peanut butter brand you use, you may want to use a pinch of salt. Don’t go overboard, because all you need is a little!
Oil alternatives
While olive oil is a healthier oil, it does bring quite a strong flavor to the caramel (we tested it and liked the flavor better with neutral oil). You can also use melted coconut oil, but keep in mind it does become solid when refrigerated, whereas grapeseed or vegetable oil stay soft.
Ways to serve apple dip
This apple dip is the perfect fall appetizer for a party or great as a healthy snack anytime! It’s kid friendly and adult friendly, and everyone we’ve served it too gobbles it right up. Other than sliced apples, here are a few more ways to serve this healthy caramel dip:
- Pear slices
- Fresh strawberries
- Graham crackers
- Vanilla cookies or ginger cookies
- Pretzels
- With chopped peanuts on top
Storing leftovers
This caramel apple dip stores very well refrigerated. Enjoy it immediately, or refrigerate it for up to 2 weeks.
More dip recipes
When it comes to parties and snacks, we love dip recipes, from fruit dips to veggie dips to chip dips and more! Here are some of our favorites:
- Fruit dips like our easy fruit dip or chocolate hummus
- Veggie dips like veggie dip, dill dip or hummus
- Chip dips like ranch dip, taco dip, spinach dip, bean dip, dill pickle dip or spinach artichoke dip
Dietary notes
This apple dip recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Frequently asked questions
Tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady work well with this sweet dip as they provide a nice balance of flavors.
Yes, you can make this dip ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. We recommend serving within a few days, but leftovers last up to 2 weeks.
If the dip is too thin, add a little more peanut butter. If it’s too thick, add a little more maple syrup or even water to thin it out.
Apple Dip (4 Ingredients)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
Description
You won’t believe this caramel apple dip recipe until you taste it! Stir just four ingredients into a glossy peanut butter caramel that’s vegan and gluten-free. It’s so simple and the best healthy snack!
Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter (no sugar added)
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil (like grapeseed or vegetable, or melted coconut oil; see Notes)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt (optional)
- Sliced apples, for serving (we like Pink Lady or Granny Smith)
Instructions
- Mix the peanut butter, maple syrup, oil, vanilla extract, and salt in a small bowl. Enjoy immediately with apple slices, or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
For the oil, a neutral oil is best. While olive oil is a healthier oil, it does bring quite a strong flavor to the caramel (we tested it and liked the flavor better with neutral oil). You can also use melted coconut oil, but keep in mind it does become solid when refrigerated, whereas grapeseed or vegetable oil stay soft.
For the maple syrup, we prefer using Grade A: Dark Color and Robust Flavor.
For the nut butter, you can substitute a creamy almond butter or cashew butter. You can experiment with sunflower butter for nut-free (we have not tested).
- Category: Dip
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Soooo delicious! A hit with adults and kids!
Made this dip for/with the kids for snack time and to plop a dollop into my older daughter’s lunchbox – a huge hit!
I love dipping apple slices in plain natural PB, so this was a real special upgrade! Tastes like a candy apple without the mess and stickiness (and the urge to pull out my teeth because of the sweetness)!