Cosmic Caramel Apple Pie & Cheddar Bites: The Ultimate Healthy & Easy Snack

Prepare to meet your new favorite apple: the magnificent Cosmic Crisp. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of tasting this extraordinary fruit, allow us to introduce you to an apple that’s truly out of this world. Combining the best qualities of its parent varieties, ‘Enterprise’ and ‘Honeycrisp’, the Cosmic Crisp apple delivers an unparalleled eating experience. It’s wonderfully sweet, impressively large, incredibly juicy, and boasts a remarkably firm, crisp texture that holds up exceptionally well. But perhaps its most celebrated characteristic is its natural resistance to browning – a game-changer for apple lovers and meal preppers alike.

Inspired by the exceptional qualities of these apples, we’ve crafted a healthy and delectable recipe: Cosmic Caramel Apple Pie & Cheddar Bites. These quick and easy apple snacks offer a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, making them an ideal choice for a light dessert, a wholesome breakfast, or a convenient lunch bag treat. And for those mindful of their diet, these bites are Weight Watchers friendly, coming in at just 3 WW points on the blue plan. This innovative recipe showcases the Cosmic Crisp’s natural attributes, transforming them into a snack that tastes like a slice of homemade apple pie without the guilt.

This post is proudly sponsored by Cosmic Crisp. All opinions expressed are genuinely my own and reflect my positive experience with these exceptional apples. For more details, please refer to our Disclosure policy.

Why Cosmic Crisp® Apples Are Your New Go-To

These aren’t just any apples, my friends; they are a culinary revelation! Cosmic Crisp® Washington apples stand apart from other varieties due to their superior crispness, enhanced sweetness, and, most notably, their extraordinary natural resistance to browning. These inherent qualities make them the absolute ideal choice for raw apple snacks and any recipe where fresh, vibrant apple slices are key. You’ll notice the difference immediately in their texture and flavor.

Forget the common worry of packing sliced apples for lunch only to find them unappetizingly brown a short while later. With Cosmic Crisp apples, that’s a concern of the past! As we mentioned, these apples take an impressively long time to brown. If I were preparing this recipe with any other apple variety, I’d undoubtedly be reaching for a lemon solution to soak the slices, just to preserve their appearance long enough for a photograph (and trust me, I’ve had many browning-related photo shoots!). A typical apple can begin to brown within 10 minutes or less once cut, but Cosmic Crisps defy this norm. This incredible feature makes them the perfect apple for preparing snacks in advance, ensuring they stay fresh and appealing for hours, whether for a school lunch, a picnic, or an office treat.

Crafting Your Healthy Cosmic Caramel Apple Pie & Cheddar Bites

These Healthy Apple Pie Bites are a truly simple yet satisfying sweet and savory treat. They are surprisingly nutritious while delivering all the comforting flavors of a classic apple pie. To make them, mini whole wheat pitas are lightly coated in melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar, then baked until just crisp. They’re then topped with fresh slices of Cosmic Crisp apples and delicious cheddar cheese, finished with a luscious drizzle of caramel sundae sauce and a final sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. For an extra touch of fun, consider cutting the apples and cheese into whimsical shapes like stars and moons – it makes snacking even more enjoyable!

The Sweet & Savory Magic of Apple and Cheddar

The addition of cheddar cheese to this healthy snack isn’t just for a boost of protein, though it certainly provides that. It’s a nod to a time-honored culinary tradition: apple pie with cheddar cheese. This delightful pairing has charmed palates for generations, proving that certain combinations are simply meant to be. The sharp, creamy notes of cheddar perfectly complement the sweet, crisp apple, creating a complex flavor profile that elevates these bites beyond a simple snack. In fact, these apple pie and cheddar bites are so versatile and delicious, they can easily transition from a quick snack to a satisfying dessert, a wholesome breakfast, or even a light lunch. At our house, they quickly became a go-to for nearly every meal (and all the moments in between)!

Essential Ingredients for Your Cosmic Bites

To create these irresistible Cosmic Caramel Apple Pie & Cheddar Bites, you’ll need a handful of readily available ingredients. Opting for low-fat sharp cheddar cheese adds a tangy kick while keeping the snack lighter, and whole wheat mini pitas provide a wholesome base.

• Mini pita bread (whole wheat recommended for added fiber and nutrition)
• Butter (unsalted, melted)
• Ground cinnamon
• White granulated sugar
• Cheddar cheese (low-fat sharp cheddar offers great flavor with fewer calories)
• Cosmic Crisp apple (the star of the show!)
• Caramel sundae sauce (for that perfect drizzle of sweetness)

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Cosmic Caramel Apple Pie & Cheddar Bites

Making these healthy apple snacks is surprisingly simple and quick, perfect for when you need a delicious treat without a lot of fuss. Follow these easy steps to assemble your Cosmic Caramel Apple Pie & Cheddar Bites:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or lightly spray it with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Take each mini pita bread and gently poke several holes in it with a toothpick. Then, lightly press the air out of the pita. Don’t worry if small cracks appear; they won’t affect the final product.
3. Using a fork, press firmly around the rim of each pita to create a decorative “pie crust” edge. Flip the pita over and repeat on the other side. This step adds a charming, homemade pie-like appearance.
4. Using a pastry brush, spread an even layer of melted butter on both sides of each mini pita. Ensure all pitas are coated evenly.
5. In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle about ¼ teaspoon of this cinnamon sugar mixture on each side of the buttered pita bread. Reserve any remaining cinnamon sugar for later garnish.
6. Place the seasoned pitas on your prepared cookie sheet and bake for 2 minutes. Flip them over and bake for an additional 2 minutes until lightly toasted and fragrant. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
7. While the pitas are baking or cooling, wash your Cosmic Crisp apples thoroughly. Slice them into uniform ¼-inch thick rounds.
8. Using the end of an apple corer or a small round cutter, carefully remove the core from each apple slice. Then, cut each cored apple slice in half.
9. (Optional fun step!) For a truly “cosmic” touch, cut your cheddar cheese into fun shapes like stars and moons using small cookie cutters. If making moon shapes, simply cut small round pieces in half. Aim to get as many shapes as possible from each piece of cheese. Alternatively, you can simply cut the cheese into small square pieces.

Assembly

10. To assemble, place a cooked mini whole wheat pita on a flat surface, such as a cutting board. Arrange 4 apple pieces on top, overlapping and slightly twisting each piece, as shown.
11. Add 2-3 cheese shapes (or 1-2 small squares of cheese) on top of the apple slices.
12. Carefully push a long toothpick through the cheese at the top of the apple pie bite, continuing all the way down through the apple layers and the mini pita to secure all components. Repeat this assembly process for all 12 apple bites.

Garnish

13. For the caramel garnish, fill a small Ziplock bag with caramel sundae sauce. Snip off a tiny piece from one corner of the bag (about 1/16 of an inch) to create a makeshift piping bag.
14. Drizzle the caramel sundae sauce over the assembled apple bites in a quick, back-and-forth motion. Finish by sprinkling the reserved cinnamon sugar over the top for extra flavor and sparkle.
15. Serve immediately or prepare for storage. Enjoy your delicious, healthy Cosmic Caramel Apple Pie & Cheddar Bites!
16. **NOTE: I took this photo (below) with my phone 24 hours after making this recipe! They had been out for 3 hours while I was making them, then photographing, then I put them in the fridge for the remainder of the 24 hour period. The brown you see on the apple pieces is from the cinnamon. There is very small amount of browning around the core part of the apple pieces, but you can’t see it because it’s covered.

Beyond the Bites: Enjoying Cosmic Crisp Apples in Many Ways

While these Caramel Apple Pie & Cheddar Bites are absolutely delightful, the beauty of Cosmic Crisp apples extends far beyond this single recipe. Their exceptional qualities mean you don’t even need a recipe to enjoy them – they are fantastic simply eaten fresh, straight from hand! As someone who has long struggled with making fruit a consistent part of my diet, I can attest that Cosmic Crisps are on an entirely different playing field. Their irresistible sweetness and satisfying crunch make me genuinely want to eat them raw.

However, Cosmic Crisp® apples are incredibly versatile and not just for snacking. Their inherent sweetness, firm texture, and ability to resist browning also make them ideal for a wide range of culinary applications, including cooking and baking. Whether you’re making a classic apple pie, a savory apple chutney to pair with pork, or adding a sweet crunch to a salad, Cosmic Crisps maintain their integrity and flavor beautifully. Be sure to explore other apple recipe ideas listed below the recipe card for even more delicious ways to incorporate these remarkable apples into your meals!

🌡️ Storage Tips for Cosmic Crisp Apples & Prepared Bites

What’s the best way to store Cosmic Crisp apples so they stay fresh?

To maximize the freshness and prolong the crispness of your Cosmic Crisp apples, it’s best to store them at a cool temperature. The ideal condition is 32°F (0°C) in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer. For optimal storage, place the apples in a plastic bag that has a few holes for ventilation, or simply cover them with a slightly damp paper towel. This helps maintain their moisture content and keeps them firm and juicy for weeks.

Storing prepared Cosmic Caramel Apple Pie & Cheddar Bites

One of the fantastic benefits of using Cosmic Crisp apples in this recipe is their resistance to browning. This means you can prepare these bites in advance! If you’re not serving them immediately, simply cover them tightly with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They will remain fresh, delicious, and visually appealing for up to 24 hours. This makes them an excellent option for meal prepping healthy snacks or packing lunches the night before.

Non-GMO and Naturally Bred: The Story of Cosmic Crisp®

For those who are conscious about genetically modified foods, you can rest easy knowing that the Cosmic Crisp® apple is a result of classical breeding methods. Developed at Washington State University through traditional cross-pollination techniques, this apple is certified non-GMO. You can enjoy its incredible flavor and unique qualities with complete confidence, knowing you’re savoring a naturally perfected fruit.

👪 Serving Size & Recipe Adjustments

This delightful recipe for Cosmic Caramel Apple Pie & Cheddar Bites yields 12 individual bites, making it perfect for sharing or enjoying throughout the week. If you need to cater to a smaller gathering or a larger crowd, adjusting the recipe is incredibly simple. You can easily half, double, or even triple the recipe. In the interactive recipe card below, simply click on the blue number indicating the servings, and then select your desired number of servings. The ingredient amounts will automatically adjust to match your selection, taking all the guesswork out of scaling the recipe.

💭 Where Can I Buy Cosmic Crisp® Apples?

Good news for apple enthusiasts! Cosmic Crisp® Washington State apples are now widely available across Canada and the United States. You can typically find them at most major retailers and grocery stores. Keep an eye out for their distinctive dark red skin speckled with tiny white “lenticels” (pores) that resemble distant stars, giving them their celestial name.

If you’ve been craving the classic taste of caramel apple slices but desire a healthier, guilt-free option, then these Caramel Apple Pie and Cheddar Bites are exactly what you’ve been searching for! They deliver all the flavor without compromise.

Happy Healthy Snacking!

⭐ Reviews & Engagement

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🍎 More Delicious Recipes to Make with Cosmic Crisp® Apples!

Beyond these delightful bites, Cosmic Crisp apples shine in a variety of other recipes, from comforting desserts to savory main courses. Their firm texture and balanced sweetness make them a perfect ingredient for many culinary creations. Here are some more inspiring ideas:

• Award-Winning Toffee Apple Pie Cookies
• Pork Chops with Apple-Sage Sauce
• Weight Watchers Apple Crisp
• Apple Cinnamon Topping
• Deluxe Apple Pie
• Caramel Apple Betty Dessert Shooters
• Turnip and Apple Casserole