There’s a new kid in town; an apple that goes by the name of Cosmic Crisp. And if you haven't yet heard about this apple, allow me to introduce you...
A cross between the ‘Enterprise’ and ‘Honeycrisp’, this sweet, large, juicy apple is remarkably firm, crisp and naturally slow to brown. So I've made them into this healthy Cosmic Caramel Apple Pie & Cheddar Bites recipe. They are a quick and healthy apple snack that's both sweet and savoury and makes a great dessert, breakfast or lunch bag snack! They are also Weight Watchers friendly @ 3 WW points on the blue plan.
This post is sponsored by Cosmic Crisp. All opinions are my own (see Disclosure policy)
These are no ordinary apples, my friends! And because Cosmic Crisp® Washington apples are crispier and sweeter than other varieties, as well as naturally slow to brown, they are the most ideal apple for raw apple snacks.
SAMSUNG CSC
And you don't have to fret for even a second about sending them along in the lunch bag because, as I mentioned, they take forever to brown. If I was using any other variety of apple for this recipe, I'd have to prepare a lemon solution to soak it in to prevent browning, just so I could photograph it (trust me, I've been there!) A typical apple starts browning within 10 minutes or less, but not these guys!
Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese
I added cheddar cheese to the healthy snack not only because cheddar cheese is a great source of protein, but also because apple pie with cheddar cheese is such a tasty pairing! It's no surprise this combo has been around for generations. Notice how the good stuff tends to stick around? But this apple pie and cheddar bite is not only a snack, it can be your dessert or breakfast (or even lunch or dinner haha.) Trust me, we ate them for pretty much every meal (and everything in between) at my house!
Health Apple Pie Bites
Do you ever want apple pie, but not the accompanying calories and fat? If you answered "YES!" then you're going to want to make these Healthy Apple Pie Bites! They are an easy sweet and savoury treat that is nutritious, yet tastes like apple pie! Baked mini whole wheat pitas are slathered in butter, cinnamon and sugar, topped with sliced Cosmic Crisp apples and cheddar cheese, drizzled with a caramel sundae sauce, then sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. I cut the apples and cheese into cosmic shapes like stars and moons to make this snack even more fun (if that's even possible.)
However, you don't even have to eat these apples as part of a recipe to enjoy them. If you've been following along with me for a while, you've heard me lament about my struggle with eating fruit. Well, Cosmic Crisps are on an entirely different playing field - I actually want to eat them straight up! However, Cosmic Crisp® apples aren't just for snacking, they are ideal for cooking and baking, due to their sweetness and crispy texture (be sure to check out my apple recipe ideas under the recipe card for more ways to cook with Cosmic Crisps!)
What’s the best way to store Cosmic Crisp apples so they stay fresh?
Cosmic Crisp apples are best stored at 32 °F (0 °C) in your refrigerator’s crisper. Place them in the crisper in a plastic bag with holes in it or cover the apples with a damp paper towel.
Healthy Apple Snacks
And if you're concerned about genetically modified food, you have no reason to worry! The Cosmic Crisp® was classically bred at Washington State University and is non-GMO. So, if you're looking for a healthy apple snack that tastes like apple pie (and who isn't?!) then give this a try! And for even more recipe ideas, be sure to visit Cosmiccrisp.com!
Where can I buy Cosmic Crisp apples in Canada?
Cosmic Crisp Washington State apples can now be found across Canada, at most major retailers
Happy Healthy Snacking!
Cosmic Caramel Apple Pie & Cheddar Bites
Ingredients
Garnish:
- 2 tbsp caramel sundae sauce, drizzled
- additional cinnamon sugar, sprinkled as desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F /175 C and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Poke hole in each mini pita with toothpick and gently press air out. * Don't worry if they crack
- Press fork around rim to look like pie, then flip over and do it on the other side (you need to press firm)
- Spread melted butter on each side of each mini pita with a pastry brush, dividing evenly by all mini pitas.
- Mix cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle about ¼ tsp of cinnamon sugar on each side of the pita bread, reserving remaining cinnamon sugar for garnish.
- Cook for 2 minutes, then flip, cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Wash apples and slice about ¼ inch thick.
- Remove core with end of an apple corer or with a small round cutter.
- Cut each apple slice in half.
- Cut cheese into shapes with small round (cut round pieces in half for moon shapes) and star cutters , if desired. Try to get as many shapes out of one piece of cheese as you can. In most cases, I was able to get 2 shapes out of one small square. * Or you can simply cut in small square pieces.
Assembly
- Place a cooked mini whole wheat pita on a flat surface, such as a cutting board.
- Add 4 pieces of apple, overlapping and slightly twisting each piece, as shown.
- Add 2-3 cheese shapes (or 1-2 squares of cheese).
- Push a long toothpick through the cheese at the top of the apple pie bite, all the way down to through the mini pita.
- Repeat steps for all 12 apple bites.
Garnish
- Fill a small ziplock bag with caramel sundae sauce and cut off a small piece of the corner end (about 1/16 of an inch)
- Drizzle caramel sundae sauce over apple bites in a quick, back and forth motion.
- Sprinkle apple pie bites with additional cinnamon sugar.
- Serve. * If not serving immediately, cover in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store in fridge for up to 24 hours.
- **NOTE: I took this photo (below) with my phone 24 hours after making this recipe! They had been out for 3 hours while I was making them, then photographing, then I put them in the fridge for the remainder of the 24 hour period. The brown you see on the apple pieces is from the cinnamon. There is very small amount of browning around the core part of the apple pieces, but you can't see it because it's covered.
Notes
Nutrition
More Apple Recipes to Make with Cosmic Crisp apples!
Award-Winning Toffee Apple Pie Cookies
Pork Chops with Apple-Sage Sauce
I can't wait to try these apples. I'm going to look for them the next time I go grocery shopping.
You will love them, Edith!
With this frigid weather I am looking for comfort food. A bonus that these look delicious and are low in calories. Will definitely be looking for these crisp, non browning apples in the grocery store.
I agree, Sue! Feb and March are the most challenging months for weight gain (and craving apple pie haha).
I found Cosmic Crisp apples at Loblaws City Market in Calgary a couple of weeks ago, but they should be everywhere this week!
I hope you enjoy them - I LOVE the taste and the fact they are so slow to brown!
What a cute snack! I’m really interested in trying a cosmic crisp apple and the fact that they are slow to brown makes them perfect for pre made snacks.
Thanks, Laura! You're going to love these apples - so tasty!
Thank you! You shouldn't have trouble finding them now, Laura! You're going to love these apples!
So many new varieties of apples popping up and I love try them all! This is the best snack for my kids when they come home from school!
I agree, Wanda - apples are such a healthy after-school snack!
We love Cosmic Crisp apples! They are the only ones we buy now. And this adorable snack is another delicious way to enjoy them.
I know what you mean, Colleen- after I tried these apples, there's no other apple for me!
What a cute little bite, Luna will love these!
Thanks, Kristen - hope she loves them!
what a cute snack for kids!
Thank you - yes, kids love them (and so do adults!)