Apple and Peanut Butter Granola Snacks

This 3-ingredient snack is popular with both kids and adults! Apple and Peanut Butter Granola Snacks help to curb those afternoon munchies.

These Apple and Peanut Butter Granola Snacks are far from rocket science cooking. But sometimes we all need a little snack inspiration to help us bust out of ruts. Are you with me? I'm a veggies and hummus, carrot oatmeal cookies, olive oil popcorn or banana blueberry muffin kind of snacker most of the time. These apple and peanut butter snacks were a very welcome change from the usual.

But I haven't relegated these to just my regular munchies times. I often make a half or full batch of these, eating one for an afternoon snack, then another two for breakfast the next morning, particularly if it's a busy morning and there's no time for my favorite avocado toast.

If you get the craving for something sweet before bedtime, munch on one of these snacks to take the edge off. Plus, they work equally well as pre- and post-workout snacks - a quick hit of protein, fat and healthy carbs. It's better than eating peanut butter by the spoonful.

For other post-workout snacks, try my Carrot Cake No Bake Energy Bites or Prune Almond Protein Balls. They're both favorites around here!

Ingredients and substitutions

Three ingredients is all it takes, my friends, assuming you have some healthy granola hand…

• Apples: Choose whichever apples you prefer, but I recommend steering away from tart apples if you are using a low sugar granola like the homemade one I used. I chose medium sized Gala apples, but there are many other varieties that would work equally well.
• Peanut butter: Not all peanut butters are created equal. Checking labels is the best way to ensure that you're choosing one that's good for you. Peanut butter should include 1 to 2 ingredients - peanuts and maybe salt, depending on whether you prefer salted or unsalted versions. I opt for salted versions myself. Steer clear of peanut butters that contain sugar, oil and additives. This one is my family's favorite. Feel free to substitute with other nut butters, such as cashew or almond butter.
• Granola: Many store-bought granolas are chockfull of sugar and fat. It takes very little time to make homemade granola, which is what I used for these snacks - this Maple Pistachio Granola. If buying store bought granola, my recommendation is to head to a health food store. Look for granolas with minimal added sweeteners and plenty of whole grains, nuts and seeds.

How to make apples with peanut butter

This snack is easy to make, making it a great option for a last-minute breakfast (see more Quick & Healthy Breakfast Ideas) or a snack to curb those insatiable afternoon munchies.

• For the apple slices, there are two options. The first option is to use an apple corer. Cut off the ends of the apples, core them, then cut into slices that are about ¾-inch thick.
• If you don't have an apple corer, no problem! Cut the stems and root ends off of each apple, cut them into ¾-inch thick slices, then use a small, sharp paring knife to cut the core out of each slice.
• Top each slice with a couple of teaspoons of peanut butter, then sprinkle the granola over the peanut butter. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to gentle press the granola into the peanut butter so that it doesn't fall off.

Is apple with peanut butter a healthy snack?

If you choose a good peanut butter (see above for more discussion on this), apples and peanut butter can be a great combo for a healthy snack. In fact, this snack contains plenty of nutrients.

To start, apples are naturally sweet and high in fiber. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, apples are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, as well as phytochemicals and Vitamin C. Check out the Harvard article for more benefits related to heart disease, diabetes and inflammation.

Peanut butter offers both protein and satisfying fats (most of which are heart healthy monounsaturated fats). Harvard Health has more to say about peanut butter. While one serving of peanut (2 tablespoons) typically rings in at about 15 grams of total fat, about 3 grams are saturated fat and the other 12 grams are unsaturated fat. That works out to about 80% unsaturated fat.

Peanut butter also contributes about 8 grams of protein per serving, along with some potassium, fiber and vitamins. The sodium varies depending on whether you use salted or unsalted peanut butter.

When healthy granola is added (again, see above for additional details), you get the benefit of whole grains and additional nuts, seeds, vitamins and minerals.

As with any snack, portion control is key. One or two servings of these loaded apple slices keeps you within a good range for both calories and heart health. See the full nutrition facts for each serving of apple slices in the recipe card below.

Printable Recipe

This post was first published on January 16, 2020 and updated with new information and tips on October 13, 2021.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.