When was the last time you had an amazing Vegan Caramel Apple? I can’t think of anything better to enjoy on Halloween night than these vegan treats! These rich, gooey apples are perfect for any special occasion or just because. They’re so easy too – who has 30 minutes free during their evening celebrations this year?
Which Apple Is Best?
Vegan caramel apples are simple to make, and your choice of apple does play a role in the perfect taste. Choose a crisp tart variety like Granny Smith apples. The tartness of the Granny Smith apple pairs well with the sweetness of the vegan caramel sauce.
Tips:
This recipe for vegan caramel apples can get a little messy, so my best advice is to have everything laid out before you begin. Be sure to pre-wash your apples and lay the parchment paper on your baking sheet. Trust me; once you start cooking with caramel, it can get on everything!
Making caramel from scratch can burn very quickly and turn bitter. You’ll want to oversee it throughout the entire process.
Is Caramel Vegan?
Caramel, when made traditionally, is not vegan. Unfortunately, it contains a high concentration of milk, cream, and dairy, all of which are non-vegan.
However, there are some vegan-friendly caramel syrups that you can substitute for real caramel. Check out Vegan Calm’s article and get a crash course in caramel!
Decorate Your Caramel Apples
Fall desserts are always fun to make, decorate and serve! Check out my Pinterest board for fun ways to decorate your vegan caramel apples.
More Recipes To Enjoy
For more dessert inspiration, check out my recipes for:
Sharing Is Caring!
When you make your first batch of these Vegan Caramel Apples share it with me at @SusanCooksVegan. I’ll feature your beautiful creation on my Instagram and Facebook stories.
You can also find me on my other channels YouTube, Instagram, Facebook , Pinterest and Twitter.
Don’t forget to leave a comment on the recipe below and give this recipe a star rating.
Thanks for the love, my friends!
In gratitude,
Susan
PrintVegan Caramel Apples
This recipe will make for a great dessert if you’re hosting a party and not just for all Hallows Eve. This treat is one of the most classic of all fall desserts.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 caramel apples 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
For the Caramel:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
- 3 tbsp water
- ¼ cup organic coconut oil
- 3 tbsp non-dairy milk
For the Caramel Apples:
- 4 apples (I use granny smith)
- 4 popsicle or candy sticks
- Toppings of choice: candy, sprinkles, nuts, etc.
Instructions
To make the caramel:
- Pre-measure all ingredients and have them close by.
- In a medium-sized saucepan and add the sugar and water and cream of tartar. Stir
- Turn the heat on to medium. The sugar mixture will start to boil. Don’t stir at this point, just pick up the saucepan and swish around the sugar if needed. (Watch the sugar mixture closely! After it boils (about 6-8 minutes), it will start to get slightly darker and smell like caramel. At this point let it boil for about 10-20 seconds to let it turn a medium brown colour. Note: It burns very quickly. When in doubt take it off the heat
- Remove from heat and immediately add coconut oil and stir with a long-handled metal whisk or wooden spoon for a few seconds.
- Add the non-dairy milk (It will bubble up and may spatter, so be careful Sugar burns are the worst)! Continue to stir until smooth and everything is well mixed. Then allow cooling to room temperature.
- Reheat the caramel sauce until it begins to bubble and allow it to bubble on low heat for 45 seconds.
- Allow it to cool for about 10 minutes until it starts to slightly firm up and get sticky.
To coat the apples in the caramel sauce:
- While your caramel is cooling, take out the apple stem, wash them and dry the apples well. It important to remove as much wax off the apple as possible. Place a stick in the top of each apple.
- Cover a baking tray with parchment paper to put the apples on after they are dipped in caramel.
- Once your caramel is a thick sticky consistency, roll the apples in the caramel, coating the whole apple with the caramel. (You can use a spoon to help you coat the apple completely).
- Allow to drip for a few seconds.
- Roll in desired toppings and then place on parchment paper.
- Put the tray of apples in the fridge to cool completely. (They will easily come off the parchment paper once cool).
The caramel tastes great, but sadly it will not stick to the apples. The caramel slides off the apples, leaving behind a greasy film. I used washed apples, vinegar washed apples, scrubbed apples, all with the same results. I even made a second batch of caramel, just in case I missed something, but no go. I’m bummed. Caramel apples are one of hubby’s fave treats and I was so looking forward to making them for him because store-bought vegan version is unheard of in our neck of the woods. DaRn!
Hi Lori!
I’m so sorry to hear that the caramel didn’t stick to the apples. Bummer indeed! I wonder if the apples you used had a wax coating that prevented the caramel from adhering.
If you’re comfortable using a candy thermometer, you could try taking the caramel to a hard crack stage and see if that works better for you, as it would be stickier (this is only a theory).
Thanks for letting me know about your experience. I have an excellent caramel corn recipe if you want to try it. Here’s the link: https://susancooksvegan.com/how-to-make-vegan-caramel-popcorn/
With gratitude,
Susan