Apple Nachos

From our friends at the American Heart Association

Image courtesy of the American Heart Association

Servings: 6 | Serving size: 6 apple slices with toppings

Image courtesy of the American Heart Association

If you do the apple slicing, kids can get in on the action and assemble these nachos themselves. Use your favorite apple variety for this snack or appetizer recipe, or mix it up using a combination, like 2 sweet Red Delicious apples and 1 tart Granny Smith apple.

Ingredients

1/3 cup dried, unsweetened cranberries or raisins

1/4 cup sliced unsalted almonds

2 tablespoons unsalted shelled sunflower seeds

3 medium green or red apples, such as Granny Smith or Red Delicious, cored and thinly sliced into about 12 wedges each

1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons water

1/4 cup smooth low-sodium peanut butter

1 tablespoon honey

Directions

In a small bowl, stir together the cranberries, almonds and sunflower seeds.
Layer half the apples on a large plate or platter. Sprinkle the lemon juice over the apples to keep them from browning
In a small microwaveable bowl, microwave the water on 100% power (high) for 2 minutes, or until boiling (or boil on the stovetop and pour into a small bowl). Add the peanut butter and honey, stirring until the mixture is smooth.
Using a spoon, drizzle half the peanut butter mixture over the apple wedges. Sprinkle with half the cranberry mixture. Layer the remaining apples over the cranberry mixture. Drizzle the remaining peanut butter mixture over all. Sprinkle the remaining cranberry mixture over all.

Quick Tips

Cooking Tip: If you don’t have an apple corer, halve the fruit and use either a melon baller or sturdy, rounded metal 1/2-teaspoon measuring spoon to scoop out and core the seeds.

Keep it Healthy: Always opt for dried unsweetened fruit. The sweetened varieties contain unnecessary added sugar.

Tip: For variety, try other toppings for the apple nachos, such as any type of dried unsweetened fruit, unsalted chopped nuts, unsalted pumpkin seeds, low-fat granola, or unsweetened shredded coconut.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (serves 6)

Calories	167
Total Fat	7.5 g (1.0 g saturated fat, 0.0 g trans fat, 2.5 g polyunsaturated fat, 3.5 g monounsaturated fat)
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	66 mg
Carbohydrate	22 g (15 g sugars, 4 g dietary fiber)
Protein	4 g
Dietary Exchanges	1 fat, 1 1/2 fruit, 1/2 lean meat