A recipe shared with us, courtesy of Jerran Boyer, Owner and Executive Chef at Health Nut Chef

What do you do when you crave apple pie, but you want something healthy and/or have food allergies? Make “Apple Pie” Bites! Grain-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and full of those comforting apple pie flavors, these are great for a healthy snack or dessert.

This easy, no-bake (except for toasting the nuts) recipe has all the flavors of apple pie and is made with a handful of real, whole ingredients. What’s more, the recipe is easily adaptable to your favorite ingredients or substitutions if needed.

All you need is a food processor (I use a Cuisinart mini-prep food processor), medjool dates, dried apples, nuts or seeds, and a few baking spices. Everything goes into the food processor, then the “dough” is rolled into bite-sized balls.

Although the recipe calls for walnuts and cashews, you can substitute equal parts sunflower seed kernels (or other seed/nut substitute), according to your allergen needs. Either way, for the best flavor, toast the nuts or seeds by baking them at 350 for about 10 minutes first.

For recipes where I like to add vanilla flavor, I use powdered organic vanilla. Vanilla extract typically has alcohol added and I prefer clean, healthy ingredients. The vanilla I like is linked below, as is the food processor I use for small-batch recipes like this. I hope you enjoy these healthy treats as much as I do!

A Note from The FPIES Foundation: The mention of any specific products or brands in this article does not in any way represent an endorsement of or recommendation for said products by The FPIES Foundation or by the author of this post. No compensation was received by any of the involved parties as a result of the product(s) referenced.

Apple Pie Bites

Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 10 minutes (opt. step)
Servings: 6 bites

Ingredients:
4 medjool dates, with pits for maximum freshness
½ cup soft dried apples
½ cup raw walnuts, divided (or other nut or seed of choice)
¼ cup raw cashews (or other nut or seed of choice)
1 tablespoon flaxseed
1 generous pinch each: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ground vanilla
1 pinch salt


Instructions:

  1. Optional step: bake nuts or seeds at 350° for 10 minutes, cool before using
  2. Pit dates; if dates are not very fresh soak them 5 minutes in filtered water before using, then remove pits
  3. Grind walnuts in food processor until almost a fine texture, set aside and reserve ¼ cup (half of them) for rolling “dough” after bites are assembled
  4. Add cashews and flaxseed to food processor and grind until fine, then add remaining ingredients (dates, apples, spices, and a pinch of salt)
  5. Roll into six balls between hands, then roll each bite in reserved walnuts

Substitutions notes: you can substitute sunflower seeds for all or one of the nuts, or you can use pecans, almonds, Brazil nuts, or another nut of choice. Rolling bites in coconut in place of crushed walnuts is a great substitution as well.

Chef Jerran Boyer

This post is written and contributed by Jerran Boyer. Jerran began her career as a private chef in 2003 after completing a culinary arts and pastry degree program. Since then, working with a wide range of clientele in New York, California, Palm Beach and Jupiter Island. Over the years, working with individuals with dietary restrictions and/or health issues has helped Jerran cultivate a deeper understanding of and appreciation for how the foods we choose directly impact our health and wellness. Jerran is also an FPIES Foundation volunteer.