Easy Apple Pie Nachos - it's apple pie meets nacho night. Imagine all the cozy warm-spiced flavors of your favorite apple pie with none of the crust drama. Piled high like a nacho platter that you can shamelessly dig into, trust me - it's absolutely delicious and SO FUN to eat.
Think crispy cinnamon-sugar dusted tortilla chips, piled with buttery and saucy autumn-spiced apple filling, a generous dollop of whipped cream (or let's be honest - live your best life and go à la mode with vanilla ice cream), drizzle of salted caramel , and chopped candied pecans sprinkled to finish it off. It's what I imagine I'd devour at a carnival during apple season! It's shareable, no one else will make anything like it, and 100% guaranteed to disappear in minutes.
Save time and use store-bought, or learn how to make your own homemade caramel. You can also make my Quick and Candied Pecans recipe just in time for the holidays!
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Ingredients
- Apples: I like to use Granny Smith, but feel free to use your favorite variety. Honeycrisp also works great! I would avoid the softer apples such as Red Delicious or McIntosh due to their high water content.
- Sugar: Granulated and brown sugar - you can use one or the other, but I find using both creates a great balance of caramel color and flavor.
- Butter: I always default to unsalted butter. If you decide to use salted butter, adjust the salt accordingly.
- Apple pie spice: A pre-blend mix of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger all in one. Just use cinnamon if you don't see this sold at your grocery store.
- Salt: Reduce if you use salted butter.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the apples and spices.
- Cornstarch: Mixed with water to make a slurry to thicken the apple filling. You can also use rice flour.
- Flour tortillas: Regular or Carb Balance.
- Oil: For frying.
- Whipped cream or ice cream: Optional.
- Salted caramel: Homemade or store-bought.
- Candied pecans or any nuts: Optional.
How To Make Easy Apple Pie Nachos
Peel apple skin, core, chop into ¼-inch cubes, and set aside.
Melt butter and mix in apple pie spice. You can simply use cinnamon and/or a blend of your own using adding nutmeg, allspice, and ginger.
Add cubed apples and both sugars.
Pour in water and sprinkle salt.
Cook apples on medium heat until apples are slightly softened.
Mix cornstarch and water in a small ramekin or bowl to make a slurry.
Pour in slurry and stir until filling thickens. Remove from heat, add in the vanilla, and set aside.
Mix apple pie spice and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Again, you can also just use cinnamon.
Slice flour tortillas into chip-size triangles.
Heat oil and fry tortilla on both sides until lightly golden and crispy. You'll know they are done when the bubbling subsides. Avoid over-crowding the pan.
Transfer tortilla chips to drain on a wire rack.
Toss and coat the chips evenly in your apple pie spice/sugar bowl while they are still warm.
Stack dusted tortilla chips and layer with the apple pie filling.
Dollop whipped cream (or better yet - vanilla ice cream!)
Drizzle on salted caramel...
...and finish with candied pecans or any chopped nuts. Grab a chip and dig it!
Suzy's Tips For Success
- Cut apples into uniform pieces: This way, they will cook at the same rate. I like to slice them into ¼-inch cubes, but feel free to dice ½-inch pieces if you like it chunky.
- Avoid over-cooking the apples: We don't want a mushy filling, so a great way to check is to pierce the apple with a fork periodically. Once they are tender yet still crisp, remove pan from the heat. Remember: cooking times will vary depending on the type of apples you use.
Best Way To Store/Reheat Apple Pie Nachos
Apple Pie Nachos are best enjoyed warm. You can store them separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days in the fridge until ready to serve. The fried tortilla chips can be stored at room temperature in a ziplock bag for up to 5 days, however, the crispness may last for only a few days.
To warm the apple pie filling, you can microwave in short increments or heat in a saucepan on the stovetop with a few tbsps of water. Stir until you reach the right consistency and assemble nachos when ready.
FAQ
Just use cinnamon! Or you can make your own blend by mixing cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger together.
Absolutely! To air-fry: spray tortilla triangles with cooking spray and place in lined air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook at 350ºF for 3 minutes, flip the chips, spray oil once more, and cook for additional 2-3 minutes until golden. To bake: spray oil and place sliced tortillas on foil-lined tray. Bake for 7 minutes, flip, spray again, and baking for another 5 minutes or until crispy.
Sure!
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Equipment
- large skillet pan w/ lid
- Rubber Spatula
- Shallow pan for frying
- Strainer/slotted spoon
- wire rack/baking sheet
Ingredients
Apple Pie Filling
- 4 medium apples
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoon apple pie spice or cinnamon
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Slurry
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or rice flour
- 2 tablespoon water
Nachos
- 4-5 round flour tortillas cut into triangles
- oil for frying
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple pie spice or cinnamon
Instructions
Apple Pie Filling
- Peel, core, and dice the apples into ¼-inch cubes. Set aside.4 medium apples
- In a large skillet pan, melt the butter on medium heat. Sprinkle in apple pie spice. Stir in the apple cubes and both sugars. Add in salt and water. Cover with lid and allow apples to cook until slightly softened, approx 4-5 minutes. Avoid over-cooking. To check if apples are done, pierce with a fork. It should be tender yet still crisp.3 tablespoon butter, 2 teaspoon apple pie spice, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, 3 tablespoon water, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- In a small ramekin or bowl, mix the cornstarch and water. Add this slurry to the pan and stir as the filling starts to thicken. Once you like the consistency, remove from heat, add the vanilla, and stir. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoon water
Nachos
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a saucepan on the stove - you want it to reach around 350-375℉ (175-190℃). Test the temperature by dropping a small piece of tortilla. It should start to fry immediately without burning.oil
- Slice your flour tortillas into chip-size triangles. In a large mixing bowl, combine apple pie spice and sugar for dusting.4-5 round flour tortillas, ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon apple pie spice
- Drop the cut tortilla into the oil to fry. Avoid over-crowding the pot. Flip as needed until chips are crispy. The best way to tell they are done: the bubbles along the edges will start to subside and disappear.
- Remove the chips from the oil to a wire rack and allow excess it to drain. Quickly transfer them to your apple pie/sugar bowl and coat evenly while they are still warm. Repeat until all the chips are fried and dusted.
Assembly
- Create a base layer of chips, then scatter half of the cooled apple pie filling on top. Stack more chips and repeat. You can also plate one nacho layer on a large platter. Dollop whipped cream (or ice cream), drizzle on salted caramel, sprinkle candied pecans or any chopped nuts, and enjoy!
Nutrition
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