9 Healthy Apple Dessert Recipes from Our Test Kitchen

Apple Streusel Muffins
Photo: Andy Lyons

Craving something sweet, but hoping to avoid that overstuffed feeling? We've got just the thing. Our collection of healthy apple desserts includes flavorful muffins, cookies, tartlets, breads, and more. Each serving of these delicious desserts has fewer than 225 calories and nine grams of fat, with an eye on nutrient-rich additions such as whole grains, apples (obviously), nuts, and naturally sweet ingredients so we can use less added sugar.

01 of 09

Apple-Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread

Apple-Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread
Andy Lyons

Yes, you really can have it all: Gooey pull-apart bread that's good for you, too, thanks to the nutritional benefits of ground flaxseeds, walnuts, and fresh apples. A buttery orange and brown sugar sauce enhances the apple flavor as this dessert bakes, and the creamy icing is made with reduced-fat cream cheese and orange juice instead of loads of butter and sugar.

02 of 09

Caramel Apple Cookies

Caramel Apple Cookies
Blaine Moats

Low in fat and calories, these delicious apple cookies get a flavor boost from cinnamon, cloves, and raisins. Topped with creamy caramel frosting and crunchy walnuts, they're the ideal healthy treat to feed a crowd. Or store, unfrosted, in the freezer for later—the recipe makes 72 cookies.

03 of 09

Maple-Glazed Baked Apples

Maple-Glazed Baked Apples
Andy Lyons

Healthy baked apples, like this recipe with just five ingredients, can be a cinchy way to indulge in seasonal fruit. Apple juice, maple syrup, and a small amount of butter come together for an easy sauce that allows the apple flavor to shine. A cinnamon stick "stem" gives each apple a hint of spice.

04 of 09

Pumpkin-Sunflower Apple Bread

Apple Pumpkin Sunflower Bread
Waterbury Publications

Take a healthy apple bread up a level by adding fall's other most-loved flavor—pumpkin. Yes, there are finely chopped apples and a full can of pumpkin in this bread, but we didn't stop there. Even more of those autumnal flavors come in with the addition of pumpkin pie spice and apple cider (or applejack, if you're feeling spirited).

05 of 09

Apple-Toffee Tartlets

Apple-Toffee Tartlets
Andy Lyons

Perfect for entertaining, these easy-to-make tartlets combine chunks of apple and crunchy toffee candy in delicious mini pies. They freeze for up to three months, in case you want to save some for later or make dessert ahead.

06 of 09

Stuffed Apples

Stuffed Apples
Peter Krumhardt

Figs sweetened with brown sugar and apple pie spice are the perfect stuffing for healthy baked apples (with a bit of butter for indulgence). Our favorite part of this six-ingredient healthy apple dessert is that it takes just 20 minutes to prep, and then the slow cooker does the rest.

07 of 09

Apple-Streusel Muffins

Apple Streusel Muffins
Andy Lyons

Muffins can be shockingly high in calories, but these apple-streusel muffins are a nutritious exception. Our secret: We boost the flavor with apple pie spice instead of sugar and top them with a crumbly mix of flaxseed meal, pecans, and brown sugar for irresistible, healthy apple muffins. Each muffin is only 163 calories with two grams of fiber and four grams of protein.

08 of 09

Apple Crème Brûlée

Apple Crème Brulees
Kritsada Panichgul

This special treat for two tastes deceptively indulgent. A custard made of nonfat milk, creamy Greek yogurt, egg yolks, and some finely chopped apple makes a luscious custard base. A drizzle of caramelized sugar forms a golden top layer for that classic brûlée finish.

09 of 09

Apple-Cranberry Crisp

Apple Cranberry Crisp
Peter Krumhardt

With a crumbly sugar and oat topping, this slimmed-down healthy apple crisp is hard to pick out from the full-fat version. Thanks to the six cups of fruit and the rolled oats, each serving of this dessert packs three grams of fiber.

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