Apple Sandwiches With Peanut Butter and Gluten Free Granola
Apple sandwiches are a FAVORITE at my house! We have really cut back on our bread consumption as my health improves with a gluten free diet, but removing the “sandwich” staple makes lunchtime tricky. These apple sandwiches fill the gap perfectly! So, if you are looking for more easy to make, healthy after school snacks this one is for you!
Apple Sandwiches Simple Ingredients
This is a SIMPLE snack made with very easy ingredients you probably already have on hand.
- Apples – we prefer Honeycrisp apples for their firm crunchy texture and they are slower to brown than other varieties
- Peanut butter – or nut butter, SunButter alternatives
- Granola – We typically purchase gluten free granolas but any granola will work
- Sharp Knife & cutting board
The fancy stuff – not necessary but makes it more fun
- Sprinkles are optional but fun for a celebration {I used the sprinkles from our mermaid party, minus the shells}
- Cupcake corer comes in handy for making perfect circles {and for adding something tasty to the center of a cupcake or muffin later}
Cut Slices for Apple Sandwiches
First you'll want to wash your apples. I like using a produce spray from Trader Joes to remove any dirt or potential pesticides before we eat any fresh fruit or veggies.
Once they are clean and ready to cut, you'll want a decent sized knife to cut all the way through the apple for a nice smooth slice. Make sure you are cutting straight across the top of the apple, totally opposite from how you usually cut them. Think equator instead of longitude.
You should be able to get about 6 slices from one large apple and make 3 full apple sandwiches if you use the top and bottom pieces.
As I mentioned before the Cupcake corer is SO not necessary, but really comes in handy when you want to make a nice little circle. I use it on our Apple Donuts, for fresh pineapple slices, and filling actual cupcakes.
Slather on the Peanut Butter
If you are a peanut butter fan, this is your moment! You go ahead and slather on as much peanut butter as your little heart desires. But as you are shopping for peanut butter, look for a variety with less than 3 ingredients and no added sugar like Adams.
Our family safely enjoys peanut butter but I know that's not the case for many. If you need an alternative there are tons! You can try:
- Almond Butter
- Cashew Butter
- Nutella
- SunButter – nut free
- Cookie Butter – nut free, but not healthy at all!
Fancy Apple Sandwiches
If you want to make your apple sandwiches fancy you've got to dress up the outside. Continue spreading peanut butter onto the sides of the apple sandwich once the two halves are together and seal up the seam.
Now is the time to add something fun!
Choose your favorite granola and use the side of a glass or rolling pin to break up any clumps. We especially like using crushed Cashew Clusters from Costco, but if you aren't feeling granola, a little flaked coconut and shaved dark chocolate turns this snack into a yummy dessert.
Good After School Snacks
If you've feeling a little saucy, spread your peanut butter into the hole a bit and use it to hold some sprinkles in the middle. Or you can add sprinkles to the edges just for kicks. Who says healthy after school snacks for kids can't be fun!?
I hope you love these apple sandwiches as much as my family does. They've come in really handy after school and sports more times than I can count. And I enjoyed making them this year for our Back to School Party to celebrate some fun educational milestones.
If you try these I want to see! And if you share, please tag us @partieswithacause on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. We love seeing all your hard work and being able to celebrate with you!
If you try it out, let me know in the comments below. And if you share, I want to see! Please tag @partieswithacause on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. We love showing off all your hard work and are so happy to be part of your celebration.
FollowWhy Gluten Free?
Chances are you know someone who restricts their gluten intake. You don't need to have celiac disease to benefit from reduced gluten consumption.
Ever find yourself bloated, constipated, or with frequent headaches? It might not hurt to try a gluten fast and see if you feel better afterwards. If not, you can go back to eating gluten and try fasting from other food groups like dairy or legumes.
Want to know more about my gluten free journey? I'd love to chat. Drop me a line and let know.
More Back to School Party Ideas
Back to School Party Table
Date Ball “Apple” Cake Pops for Back to School
Pencil Shaped Fruit Tray Design for Back to School
Pin it for Later
Pin it for Later
Apple Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 1 Honeycrisp apple, any firm apple
- 1-1/2 Tb Creamy Peanut butter* or allergen free alternative
- 1/4 cup Gluten free granola
- Optional sprinkles
Instructions
- Clean apples with fruit spray to remove any dirt or pesticides
- Pour granola onto a plate and use a large spoon or rolling pin to smash any clumps
- Cut apples into circle shaped slices across the center, you should get approximately 6 slices per apple
- Using a knife, tiny cookie cutter, or cupcake corer press the center cores out of each slice leaving a nice round hole
- Pat the apple pieces dry with a paper towel and lay your slices out into pairs
- Add peanut butter {or alternative} to every other round and top with remaining apple slices. If you want to add sprinkles or granola to the center, let the peanut butter fill in the center hole a bit.
- Add peanut butter to outside edges of each sandwich and roll in the granola, firmly press granola with fingers if any areas are still left uncovered
- Your sandwiches are ready to eat, if desired, or you can add sprinkles to the center and/or edges for an extra special treat!
Notes
- Almond butter
- Cashew Butter
- SunButter {nut free}
- Nutella
- Cookie Butter {nut free}
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