This vegan caramel apple dip is the ultimate way to celebrate Fall! The salty-sweet combo in the easy homemade caramel sauce is the perfect flavor pairing with crispy, fresh apple slices. Best of all, it only takes about half an hour to whip up this delightful snack!
Fall is that time of year when the days shorten, the air becomes cooler, and leaves begin their vibrant change in color. And to me, caramel apples are the epitome of Fall.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, apples of all varieties are in the full swing of their season in the Fall, and we love to go apple picking. There's truly nothing like being able to eat a fresh apple picked off the tree. Especially since most of the apples in the grocery store (at least in the U.S.) have been frozen for months.
If you too find yourself with an abundance of apples, you can also make homemade chunky apple sauce, baked apple oatmeal, a loaf of cinnamon apple streusel bread, an apple frangipane tart, or a delicious apple crisp.
Sometimes caramel apples are made with whole apples on sticks that are dipped in caramel sauce that hardens.
But I prefer dipping apple slices into smooth caramel sauce. You waste less caramel and you don't get any stuck in your teeth! I once chipped a tooth on hard caramel - yikes!
Ingredients Needed
- Vegan butter - If you're not strictly vegan, you can use regular butter. Or you can make your own homemade vegan butter.
- Brown sugar
- Full-fat coconut milk - Don't use low-fat or light coconut milk, otherwise your caramel will be too runny.
- Vanilla
- Salt - Adds the perfect salty balance so the sugar isn't too overpowering.
- Apples - Use any of your favorite apple varieties, or read my guide on choosing the best apples.
How to Make Vegan Caramel Apples
Melt the butter: In a small saucepan on medium-high heat, melt the butter.
Add the sugar: Stir the brown sugar into the melted butter until it is smooth.
Mix in the coconut milk: Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the coconut milk until it is smooth.
Add the remaining ingredients: Remove the sauce pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt.
Let cool: Let the caramel sauce cool and thicken. Store in the fridge in an airtight container like a mason jar if you're not using it right away.
Slice apples and dip: Slice an apple per person and dip into your homemade caramel sauce.
Recipe Tips
- Cool to Thicken: The caramel sauce will thicken as it cools. All it to cool to room temperature so you don't burn your tongue, and so it's thick enough to stick to the apples.
- Variations: While this caramel dip tastes great with apple slices, you can also serve it with graham crackers, carrots, celery, pear slices, or crispy baked apple chips.
- Toppings: Top your vegan caramel apple dip with mini chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, or chopped nuts. It'll add a delicious crunchy texture to each bite.
Hungry for more apple recipes? Check out all my German apple desserts including German apple pie, authentic German apple strudel, easy German baked apples, buttery mini apple strudel, and apple hand pies with puff pastry.
Storing Homemade Caramel Apple Dip
Caramel Sauce
Store the caramel sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
This vegan caramel recipe hardens a bit when it's in the fridge, since the butter and coconut milk both get more solid when refrigerated. You can leave it on the counter to warm and soften, or warm it up in the microwave.
Apples
It's best to leave apples whole until just before you plan to eat them. Slice them after you've made this vegan caramel apple recipe, so they're ready to immediately dip and devour.
Recipe FAQ
What else goes with this caramel dip?
You can also spread your homemade caramel sauce on caramel banana pancakes as an alternative to maple syrup. Or you can drizzle it on popcorn to make homemade caramel popcorn!
How do you cut apples for dipping?
You could leave your apple slices big and chunky, for more apple than caramel in each bite. But I recommend slicing them thinner so you can eat more vegan caramel sauce!
How do you prevent apples from turning brown?
If you want to prepare your caramel apple dip ahead of time, toss the apple slices in a little lemon juice. Since lemon juice contains citric acid which is an anti-oxidant, it'll prevent apple slices from turning brown.
Vegan Caramel Apple Dip
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoon vegan butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup full-fat coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6 apples
Instructions
- In a small saucepan on medium-high heat, melt the butter.Stir the brown sugar into the melted butter until it is smooth.
- Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the coconut milk until it is smooth.Remove the sauce pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt.
- Let the caramel sauce cool and thicken. Store in the fridge in an airtight container like a mason jar if you're not using it right away.
- Slice one apple per person and dip the slices into your homemade caramel sauce. Enjoy!!
Notes
- Cool to Thicken: The caramel sauce will thicken as it cools. All it to cool to room temperature so you don't burn your tongue, and so it's thick enough to stick to the apples.
- Coconut Milk: Don't use light or low-fat coconut milk, which will make your caramel sauce too runny.
- Storing: Store cooled caramel sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Azilde Elizabeth
You take amazing pictures! I will have to attempt caramel sauce. This looks so good that it would make great gifts! I definitely want to make the lotion bars. Maybe for Christmas!
Humbly Homemade
Aww thank you!! 😊 Did you end up making lotion bars for Christmas? 😄💗 I gave some away as gifts and people loved them! It's always the simple homemade gifts that are the most special.