Apple Pie Bites

By Amanda Hill

On Tuesday, I shared tips for healthy Thanksgiving recipes that are full of flavor. In the post, I linked to recipes from a few of my favorite Texas foodies that provide tasty alternatives to traditional holiday dishes. Sometimes it’s better to bring something completely new than to modify a family favorite. (Some recipes just don’t taste the same with modifications.)

If your family likes apple pie, but you’re looking for a healthier (and quick) alternative, try these Apple Pie Bites. They take 15 minutes to prepare and each bite is less than 150 calories, 7 grams of fat and only 3.5 grams of sugar.

For Apple Pie Bites, you will need…
2 Granny Smith apples
2 refrigerated pie crusts
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tbsp. butter, melted

Before you get started, be sure to preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is warming, peel the skin off your apples. (A potato peeler works really well for this step.) Be sure to remove all of the skin from each apple. Then, core the apples and cut each into eight equal wedges. Set aside.

Next, unroll one of the pie crusts and evenly coat one side with butter. Mix together your ground cinnamon and sugar, and sprinkle the mixture over the butter on the crust. Rub the cinnamon sugar mixture into the pie crust and make sure all of the crust is covered. Use a pizza cutter to cut the crust into eight strips.

Take an apple slice, begin at the end of a pie crust strip and roll it up. Secure the end of the pie crust by gently pinching the dough together. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. (The parchment paper keeps the cinnamon sugar mixture from sticking to the cookie sheet when baking.) Repeat the rolling process with the remaining seven apple slices.

Repeat all of these steps–from buttering and sugaring the pie crust to rolling up the apple slices–for the second crust and apple. Place the rest of the apple pie bites on the lined cookie sheet.

Finally, top each bite with a little bit of the remaining butter and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.

Bake in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-16 minutes. Check the bites periodically and remove from the oven when the tops are golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes and serve.

These Apple Pie Bites would be a great addition to a Thanksgiving meal, and your guests will thank you for a tasty and healthier dessert option. We hope you’re enjoying the start of the holiday season, and from all of us at Texas Table Top, enjoy!

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Apple Pie Bites

Summary: A delicious, healthier alternative to traditional apple pie

Ingredients

• 2 Granny Smith apples
• 2 refrigerated pie crusts
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Peel apples, core and cut each into eight slices. Set aside.
• Unroll one pie crust and evenly coat one side with melted butter.
• Mix together cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle over the melted butter and rub evenly to coat the pie crust.
• Cut crust into eight equal strips.
• Roll each apple slice with a strip of crust, securing the dough by lightly pinching together the edge.
• Set each pie bite onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Repeat steps for the second pie crust and apple.
• Top each bite with a dab of the remaining butter and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
• Bake at 425 degrees for 12-16 minutes, until the pie bites are golden brown.
• Remove from oven, cool for a few minutes and serve.

Prep time (duration): 15 minutes

Cook time (duration): 12-16 minutes

Number of servings (yield): 6-8 servings

This recipe was adapted from A Taste of Home.

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