Apple Nachos

The holidays are fast approaching and with them comes much feasting. Healthy alternatives to party snacks are easy to come by with these apple nachos.

Most people wouldn’t consider nachos to be dessert fare, and it’s also safe to say we wouldn’t call them “healthy” when they’re prepared the traditional way. This raw vegan recipe will turn your concept of nachos upside down. With freshly dried apple chips as the base, a simple chocolate drizzle, and toppings of your choice, these apple nachos combine to form a truly memorable dessert or snack.

Apple Nachos

Yield: 4 servings

Apple Chips Ingredients:

• 4 apples, cored and peeled
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons unrefined salt

Nachos Ingredients:

• 1 batch of apple chips, (above)
• 2 tablespoons almond or cashew butter
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

• 1 tablespoon purified water

Directions:

Using a mandolin slicer or the slicer blade of a food processor, cut the apples into thin slices, approximately 1/8″ thick. Place apple slices in a bowl and toss with cinnamon and salt to combine. Arrange apple slices on a mesh dehydrator sheet and dehydrate at 105° Fahrenheit for 5–6 hours or until crisp. (If you don’t have a dehydrator, arrange slices on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 1 hour at 225°.) Remove slices from heat; slices will seem pliable, but they will crisp up as they cool. Arrange crisp apple chips on a plate or tray.

Mix almond butter, maple syrup, cocoa powder and water together in a cup or in a mini-food processor to form a thin chocolate sauce. Add additional water if needed to thin. Drizzle sauce over apple chips with a spoon or pastry bag. Add optional toppings as desired.

Optional Toppings:

Cacao nibs

Raisins or currants

Chopped walnuts

Coconut flakes*

*Make your coconut flakes more festive by marinating them briefly in beet juice and dehydrating until dry.

Try out another great party dessert with this pear apple crisp!