Homemade Vegan Caramel Apples
Vegan caramel apples are a classic fall treat with a sweet twist. Instead of using dairy, this recipe makes a rich, gooey caramel coating from plant-based ingredients. You still get that chewy, golden outside and crisp apple bite that everyone loves. They’re fun to make, easy to decorate, and even better to eat.
These apples aren’t just for Halloween—they’re great for any time you want a simple but special dessert. You can roll them in nuts (like candied walnuts), vegan sprinkles, or even dairy-free chocolate chips for extra flavor. They also make great gifts or party snacks because they look so festive and taste amazing. With just a few steps, you’ll have homemade vegan caramel apples ready to share and enjoy.
We would love to see your vegan caramel apple creations! And, if caramel is a favorite go-to flavor for you, these crackly rice krispie squares with caramel are absolutely delicious!
Why You’ll Love These Caramel Apples
This dairy-free caramel apples recipe gives you all the sweet, gooey goodness without any dairy. It’s easy to make, fun to decorate, and perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying as a cozy fall treat.
- Classic Fall Treat. Vegan caramel apples bring that cozy fall feeling without any dairy. They’re perfect for Halloween, autumn parties, or just enjoying at home.
- Easy to Make. You don’t need fancy tools or tricky steps. A few simple ingredients and you’ll have gooey caramel-covered apples in no time.
- Fun to Decorate. You can roll them in crushed nuts, festive sprinkles, or even mini chocolate chips. Each apple can be unique and personalized.
- Great for Sharing. They make a festive snack for kids and adults alike. You can serve them at gatherings or wrap them up as sweet homemade gifts.
- Sweet and Crunchy Combo. The mix of crisp apples and chewy caramel is unbeatable. Every bite has the perfect balance of fresh fruit and sweet coating.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
The key ingredients in these date caramel apples keep the recipe simple, sweet, and creamy. Here’s what you’ll need, plus some easy swaps so you can make them with what you already have at home:
- Apples – The star of the recipe! Their crisp, juicy bite balances out the rich and sticky caramel. The natural tartness of varieties like Granny Smith pairs especially well with the sweet coating. Pick firm apples so they hold up under the caramel. If Granny Smith is too tart for you, try Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala for a sweeter bite.
- Medjool Dates – Give the caramel its natural sweetness and sticky texture. They blend up smooth and create that chewy, rich base without refined sugar. Always pit your dates before blending and soak them in warm water if they seem dry. If you can’t find Medjool dates (like in these stuffed dates), Deglet Noor dates can work, but they’re less soft and may need extra soaking.
- Canned Coconut Milk – Makes the caramel creamy and rich. The fat content gives it that luscious, smooth texture that clings perfectly to the apples. Use full-fat canned coconut milk for the best results. If you’d rather avoid coconut, cashew cream or oat cream can give a similar creamy effect.
- Vanilla Extract – Brings out the caramel flavor and adds a warm, sweet depth. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. If you’re out, a dash of maple syrup or almond extract can give a nice flavor boost too.
How to Make This Caramel Apple Recipe
Making candy apples with dairy-free caramel is easier than you might think and only takes a few simple steps. With creamy date caramel and crisp apples, you’ll have a fun treat that’s perfect for fall or anytime you’re craving something sweet.
Step 1: Make the Caramel – Pit the dates and soak them if they’re dry. Blend the dates, coconut milk, and vanilla in a food processor until smooth and creamy, like peanut butter. Add a little more coconut milk if it feels too thick.
Step 2: Prep the Apples – Wash the apples well and remove the stems. Carefully insert lollipop sticks into the tops so they’re ready for dipping.
Finally, Step 3: Dip and Decorate – Spoon the caramel over each apple until it’s nicely coated. Roll them in your favorite toppings, then set them aside to firm up. Repeat with all the apples and enjoy!
Sticks or Slices?
Another interesting option is to substitute the whole-apple-on-a-stick variety for slices. Instead of using popsicle sticks, cut the apple into circular or wedge-shaped slices for ease of eating. You’ll get sweet satisfaction in seconds!
Once you slice your apple in the shape you desire (wedges, fries, circles, etc), hold one end and dip the bottom half into the creamy caramel. Tap on some tasty toppings and arrange each gently onto parchment paper.
Tempting Toppings
Endless possibilities, but here are several sassy suggestions:
- Never Enough Nuts – Caramel apples feel naked without nuts. The P’s are the perfect choice—pistachio, candied pecans, and peanuts—but any chopped nuts will be nice.
- Choose Those Chips – Dairy-free chocolate chips, bold butterscotch, or sweetened coconut? Luckily, you can cover with all three if you wish!
- Marshmallow Maniac – Take advantage of your mania for mini marshmallows and add them to your apple. The brand Dandies makes perfect vegan mini-marshmallows. Bonus points for using a mini blow torch and toasting them first!
- Dare to be Dried – Don’t forget the delight of dried fruit! Plump raisins, sweet & tart cranberries, and ambrosial apricots are classic and chewy. Chopped is the best choice.
- Cookie Wookie – Cookie crumbles (like vegan-friendly Oreos) make delightful toppings. Add your favorite vegan cookies to a bag and crush with a rolling pin or pulse in a food processor. If you’re craving vegan cookie dough, add a bit of that, too!
- Spring for Sprinkles – I’m a sucker for rainbow sprinkles, but chocolate jimmies are yummy, too! Surround the surface with a sprinkle sensation! You can find vegan sprinkles from brands like Fancy Sprinkles.
- Munch & Crunch – If you love some crunch to balance out the smooth, consider adding crispy brown rice cereal, homemade granola or even a little bit of crushed pretzels.
- Hazelnut Heaven – Let’s face it, everything tastes better with a chocolate hazelnut spread! Melt a little in the microwave and use a spoon to saucily spill over your apple slices.
FAQs
While vegan caramel apples are best eaten the day you make them, you can always refrigerate any leftovers for a day or two. After that, the caramel might begin to fall apart a little and the apple may become mushy. Keep your festive apples fresh by following these simple steps.
Wrap each apple separately in a piece of wax or parchment paper. Rip off a piece of paper (around 12” square) and place the apple in the center. Lift the 4 points of each side toward the stick so that the apple itself is completely covered. Secure around the stick with a twist tie, tape, piece of string or ribbon. If you have extra wedges or slices, simply place parallel into a paper-lined container and store in the fridge.
In a pinch, you could use any overripe apples for an impromptu vegan caramel apple crumble. Add the leftovers to a small casserole dish, top with a ½ – 1 cup of homemade granola, a tablespoon of vegan butter, and a dash of cinnamon (or even cinnamon sugar!). Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F until golden and bubbly.
Caramel tastes simply delicious on its own, but adding some spice can make it sensational! Try these scented suggestions: cinnamon, pumpkin pie, chai, sea salt, or maple.
Hungry For More Awesome Apple Desserts?
If you make this Vegan Caramel Apples recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know what you think in the comments below! I love reading your comments!
Vegan Caramel Apples
Ingredients
Caramel Sauce
- 1 pound pitted Medjool dates
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup coconut milk, canned
- 1 pinch sea salt
Caramel Apples
- 10 apples, (for this recipe, I used medium-sized Granny Smith apples, but you can use Gala apples.)
- 10 6″ lollipop sticks
- toppings of choice
Instructions
Caramel Sauce
- Remove pits from dates. If dates are dry, rehydrate them in water for ~1 hour.
- Add dates, vanilla extract, and coconut milk to a food processor.
- Process until the mixture is smooth (approx. 5 minutes). The consistency should similar to creamy peanut butter. It should stick to a spoon and spread easily. If the mixture is too dry, add additional coconut milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.
Caramel Apples
- Clean the apples and remove any stickers or labels.
- Remove the stems by using a paring knife to make a small cut at the base of the stem. Make sure your fingers are safe and out of the way! Give the stem a twist, and it should pull right out.
- Insert lollipop sticks where the stem was removed. Push the stick into the apple until it is almost all the way through.
- One at a time, use a spoon to cover the apple with the prepared caramel sauce.
- Press the topping onto the apple until it is covered.
- Place apple on a solid surface, and repeat until all apples are complete.
Notes
- Helpful Substitutions – The coconut milk can be substituted with any non-dairy milk. To give your caramel a festive flavor, try adding ⅛ tsp of pumpkin spice. For salted caramel, add additional sea salt to your liking.
- Topping Tips – I chose to use chocolate chips, coconut chips, and chopped peanuts to cover my apples. There are endless options including sliced almonds, crushed cookies, granola, vegan marshmallows… use your imagination!
- Storing – Wrap each apple separately in a piece of wax or parchment paper. Rip off a piece of paper (around 12” square) and place the apple in the center. Lift the 4 points of each side toward the stick so that the apple itself is completely covered. Secure around the stick with a twist tie, tape, piece of string or ribbon. If you have extra wedges or slices, simply place parallel into a paper-lined container and store in the fridge.
Nutrition
Homemade Vegan Caramel Apples recipe by Julie Massa. We want to thank our amazing recipe testers, J.J Steele and Anne Sparks!
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Leave a Comment
I want to make these caramel apples all the time this fall! I’ve got a ton of apples I need to use up and this is perfect!
aww I used to love caramel apples so I can’t wait to try this will the kids
Amazing recipe!
I love these!! While it’s not the same as traditional caramel apples, it’s a really fun healthier alternative. And you can decorate them which is a great activity for vegan kids and families!
This is a 5/5 for me! How delicious! My husband’s younger brother really wants to try this and says it looks so good!
Ok these are crazy good! A favorite and fun treat veganized!! Brava Julie!!
Writing this article made me so hungry for caramel apples! I love how easy it can be to make a vegan version and even more delicious than the original recipe. The variety of toppings that you can add is incredible. I could eat these all day!
I’ve never had a veganized caramel apple and never would’ve imagined it would be so easy to replicate! What an awesome recipe.