Halloween apples

15 min
Halloween apples

Turn apples into spooky snacks with our Halloween apple monster bites! The crunchy apple wedges are stacked with creamy cottage cheese and topped with a set of googly marshmallow candy eyes. Perfect for a frightfully fun family afternoon, and luckily, they are so quick and easy to make. So, bring the whole family along and get to work!

Ingredients

2 Apples
100 g Cottage cheese
24 Mini marshmallows
Toothpicks

Instructions

  • Core the apples. Cut each apple into 12 wedges.
  • Stack the apple slices in pairs with cottage cheese.
  • Connect the mouths with two toothpicks.
  • Place a piece of marshmallow candy on top of each toothpick for eyes.

Recipe tips

It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes

Choose apples that are firm, crisp, and hold their shape well when sliced. Our top picks are Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Braeburn, and Gala, depending on the taste you prefer. Granny Smith apples add a nice tartness that goes very well with the sweetness of the marshmallows. Honeycrisp and Fuji apples are sweet and crisp, while Braeburn apples have a sweet-tart flavour and firm texture. Finally, Gala apples are also sweet but have a slightly softer texture, which is great if you prefer a gentler bite.

Make stable apple mouths by first cutting the apples into even wedges. Pat the slices dry before stacking them to make sure the cottage cheese sticks better. Use only a small amount of cottage cheese to prevent it from slipping. Arrange the curved sides of the apple outward to mimic a mouth shape. Insert two toothpicks horizontally near each end for support and press gently. Lastly, stick a mini marshmallow onto each toothpick, making sure they are secure but not pushed down too far.

FAQ: Questions about Halloween apples

Want to make the perfect Halloween apples? We are here to help you on your way. Below, you will find answers to some of the questions typically asked about the recipe.

How do I prevent the apple slices from browning?

You prevent the apple slices from browning by soaking them in a saltwater solution. Core and slice each apple into 12 wedges, then immerse them immediately in a mixture of ¼ to ½ teaspoon of salt per 250 ml of water for about 5 minutes. This reduces oxidation, which causes browning. After soaking, rinse the slices well under fresh water to remove any salty taste and pat them dry before continuing with the recipe. Alternatively, you can also use lemon juice. Just bear in mind that it can result in a very tart and sour taste, especially if you are using a tart apple variety.

Can I make Halloween apples ahead of time?

Yes, you can make these Halloween apples ahead of time, but to keep them fresh and tasty-looking, you need to consider a few things. Apples brown quickly when exposed to air, so it is a good idea to treat the slices with a saltwater solution or some lemon juice after cutting. This helps slow down the browning. After assembling the apples with cottage cheese and marshmallow candy eyes, store them in an airtight container or tightly cover them with cling film to limit air exposure and keep them fresh. While these steps help preserve the apples, they taste best when eaten soon after being made. If you make them a few hours ahead, they should still look good with minimal browning by the next day. However, making them more than 24 hours in advance is not recommended.

How to store leftover Halloween apples?

Store your Halloween apple leftovers in an airtight container or covered with cling film in the fridge. To further protect against browning, brush the cut surfaces of the apples with lemon juice before storing. Since the recipe includes cottage cheese, which is perishable, try to eat the leftovers within one day for the best taste.

Nutritional values

Nutritional value, per

187 Kcal

Fibre - 5.8 gram fibers
Protein 26 12 gram
Fat 8 1.7 gram
Carbohydrates 66 30.4 gram

Recommended information

Serving suggestion

Ghost cake
1 h
Ghost cake
(1)

Try our wicked Halloween apple monster bites

Beware, the monsters are coming! But do not worry, they are harmless and tasty. With barely any prep and three ingredients, you can quickly assemble these playful and wicked Halloween apple monster bites. All you need are crisp apple wedges, creamy cottage cheese, and mini marshmallows, which are all easy to find at most grocery stores. And you can always get creative and add more detail if you like, but more about those fantastic upgrades later.

With creamy cottage cheese and mini marshmallows

A Halloween treat with cottage cheese might come as a bit of a surprise to some, but it is such a great way to add a refreshing and creamy taste. What is more, it provides a delicious contrast to the sweet, chewy mini marshmallows. And as a plus, it allows the natural tartness of the apples to shine through.

We have used red, strawberry-flavoured mini marshmallows, but you are welcome to choose any flavour or colour you like. For instance, orange for a pumpkin twist, green for a ghastly glow, or even rainbow for a festive touch – it is pure Halloween theatre.

Involve the whole family in the fun

A Halloween treat doubling as a fun activity to do with the kids? This Halloween apple recipe is just it. You can involve them in all parts of the preparation, from choosing the apples and stacking them with cottage cheese to adding the marshmallows for eyes. Just keep a close watch on young children, especially when they are using toothpicks.

It is a hands-on activity that encourages creativity, so allow them to go off script and decorate with edible glitter, use different coloured cottage cheese dyes, or let everyone name their own monster. Working together not only makes assembly a breeze but also creates memorable Halloween moments. Family fun has never tasted so frightfully good!

The perfect Halloween party treat

These Halloween apples might not be the centrepieces of the party, but they sure do belong on a scary snack table. They are delightfully crunchy and just the right size for nibbling between rounds of bobbing for apples or pumpkin bowling.

Lay them out on a spooky platter alongside caramel popcorn, chocolate-dipped pretzels, crackers, and gummy worms for an epic party buffet that caters to both little monsters and grown-up ghouls. And best of all, their fresh apple taste offers a refreshing option amidst all the sweet treats, cleansing the palate before your next candy raid.

Need more additions for your Halloween party? Try our recipes for Halloween cupcakes, Halloween mini pizza, and meringue ghosts. They are all ready to invade your snack table!

Get creative with your apple monsters

Time to explore some creative ways to experiment with your apple monsters. For the eyes, try blueberries, raisins, or small chocolate chips to create all kinds of expressions. Dip the edges of the apples in coloured sugar sprinkles to add a bit of colour. Add fruit leather tongues or pretzel stick horns to give each monster a distinctive personality, making your platter a fun monster collection.

You can replace cottage cheese with a few different options. Cream cheese is the best alternative, as it has a similar creamy texture and mild taste, perfect for spreading on apple slices. If you are after a different texture, try ricotta cheese, though it is a bit grainier. For a more pronounced flavour, nut butters like peanut or almond butter are great. They add stickiness and sweetness that go well with apples.

https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/halloween-apples/