Keto Fried Apples Recipes: A Guide to Guilt-Free Apple Delights

For those following a ketogenic diet, the high sugar content of apples often makes them seem off-limits. However, with a little creativity, you can enjoy the comforting flavors of fried apples without derailing your keto goals. This article explores various keto-friendly fried apple recipes, including traditional methods and innovative substitutes, to satisfy your sweet cravings.

Keto Apple Crisp: A Warm Fall Dessert

Keto apple crisp is the ultimate fall dessert that encapsulates the essence of the season. This recipe features toasted walnuts that create a sweet, irresistible topping. Ready in 40 minutes, it's an easy dessert you can whip up anytime. Every year, come October, I start making this recipe. Even if I didn't like to eat it, I would still make it, just for the amazing aroma that fills my kitchen!

Ingredients

• Apples: Use a dense, crisp variety like Fuji or Cosmic Crisp. Avoid soft apple varieties such as Macintosh, as they become mushy when baked.
• Chopped Raw Walnuts: Pecans also work. Make sure they're unsalted.
• Melted Butter: Use unsalted butter.
• Cinnamon: Make sure it's fresh. It's an important part of this recipe, and a stale spice can ruin a dish.
• Sweetener (optional): To taste.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Peel, core, and slice the apples. Arrange the apple slices in a square 9-inch baking dish (or a baking dish of a similar capacity). You can also use four individual baking dishes.
3. In a medium bowl, using a fork, mix the chopped walnuts, melted butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and (if using) sweetener.
4. Using a rubber spatula, pour the mixture over the apples, spreading it evenly.
5. Bake the coated apples until the walnut topping is golden and the apples are tender, for about 25-30 minutes. You'll know it's ready by the amazing aroma!
6. Divide the apple crisp among four plates. Drizzle with the pan juices and serve.

Sweetener Options

Traditional non-keto recipes contain a lot of sugar, which is unnecessary in this case. Unless you use tart apples like Granny Smith, baked apples are naturally sweet. The combination of their sweetness with the buttery topping is amazing. If you'd like to add a sweetener, 2 tablespoons of any sweetener mixed into the topping are plenty. When I make this recipe, I often divide the mixture into two and make half with a sweetener and half with no sweetener. My husband and I love the unsweetened version, while my kids prefer the lightly sweetened version. They're not keto, so I sweeten theirs with brown sugar.

Tips and Variations

• Apple Coring: If you don't own an apple corer, simply peel the apple, cut it in half, then cut each half into two quarters, cutting around the core.
• Doubling the Recipe: Yes. Simply double the ingredients except the vanilla and use a 9 X 13-inch baking dish. The baking time should be the same.
• Leftovers: You can keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them covered in the microwave at 50% power or enjoy them cold.

Skillet-Fried Apples: Quick, Easy, and Sugar-Free

Looking for quick and easy desserts? This skillet-fried cooked apples recipe will be sure to hit the spot. Grain-free and with no added sugar, a friend of mine described these as, “apple pie without the pie.”I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made these apples, never using measurements or worrying about an exact outcome. They’re always delicious, and they make their own ooey gooey sauce, without any added sugar. That’s the miracle of caramelization!

Ingredients

• Lots of apples
• Butter
• Cinnamon
• Pumpkin pie seasoning mix or other spices you want to include
• Vanilla extract or Vanilla bean paste

Instructions

1. Peel and cut your apples. Sometimes I do slices like this. Other times I cube them. It doesn't matter.
2. Heat your skillet on high.
3. Add your apples and top with butter. Don't touch for a couple of minutes. Wait for the apples to get a little bit crisp on the bottoms.
4. Stir/flip the apples around, and let new parts get a little bit brown/crisp.
5. Stir/flip again and turn the heat down to medium low. Now you're just going to let the caramelization happen.
6. Add cinnamon and other spices at any time. I like to do it a few times while the apples cook, after stirring/flipping.
7. Keep stirring/flipping every 5 minutes or so.
8. When the buttery/caramelized-apple-juice-y sauce thickens and the apples are soft, you'll know your apples are finished.
9. Splash in a little vanilla extract or add a dash of vanilla bean paste toward the end.
10. Don't forget to let them cool a little before you dig in!

Tips

• You can leave the peels on if the apples are organic, but I don't love the texture when the apples shrink but the peels don't as much… so I'd leave them out even then, too.
• They’re great for topping pancakes or waffles, or as a side dish for pork or ribs. And of course they’re amazing on top of some vanilla ice cream.

Keto Classic Southern Fried Apples

Savor the nostalgic charm of "Keto Classic Southern Fried Apples," a low-carb twist on a beloved Southern comfort food that’s keto-friendly and sugar-free! This quick and easy recipe features tender Granny Smith apples sautéed in buttery perfection, sweetened with monk fruit, and warmly spiced with cinnamon. A splash of vanilla and fresh lemon juice adds a vibrant depth of flavor, while a touch of salt balances the sweetness beautifully. Ready in just 25 minutes, these luscious fried apples make a delectable dessert, a cozy side dish, or a decadent topping for keto pancakes or waffles.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Instructions

1. Begin by peeling and coring the Granny Smith apples.
2. In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Sprinkle monk fruit sweetener and ground cinnamon over the apples.

Keto-Friendly Apple Substitutes: Chayote Squash and Jicama

Since apples are generally high in carbs, creative keto cooks have found ways to mimic the flavor and texture of apples using low-carb alternatives like chayote squash and jicama.

Chayote Squash "Apples"

Chayote squash is native to central Mexico, where it's seen as a Mexican version of zucchini. Chayote is quite versatile and can be eaten raw, steamed, baked, or boiled. The flavor of chayote reminds me of a very, very mild pear with the mouthfeel of an apple once cooked. One of the main advantages of using chayote squash in keto recipes is its low-carb content.

Instructions

1. Boil the whole chayote with enough water to cover them.
2. Cook the chayote squash for about 25 to 30 minutes. They should still be firm but cooked through.
3. Allow the chayote squash to cool for about 10-15 minutes.
4. Using gloves, peel and slice the cooled chayote into ¼-inch slices.
5. Place the chayote slices into a medium-sized bowl.
6. To the chayote, add the cinnamon powder, ginger powder, nutmeg powder, spices, granulated sugar substitute, cream of tartar, and lemon juice.
7. In a medium-sized non-stick pan, melt the butter over medium heat and add the prepared chayote.
8. Cook until it starts caramelizing.

Tips for Handling Chayote Squash

Chayote squash secretes a sap that can cause skin irritation in some people. To avoid this, wear gloves when handling the squash and wash your hands thoroughly.

Freezing Chayote Squash Apples

Yes, it is safe to freeze the keto cinnamon apples made with chayote squash. To freeze, place the cooled apples in an airtight container or freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 weeks.

Alternative to Chayote Squash

If you cannot easily source chayote squash, you can use peeled zucchini, which has a mild, slightly sweet flavor. When cooked, it has a mushier texture, but it works well in this recipe.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Jicama "Apples"

Jicama is a mildly sweet root vegetable with the flavor and texture of a chestnut. It’s also very difficult to peel, so if your vegetable peeler isn’t sharp it might take some time.

Instructions

1. Peel the jicama bulb(s) and cut them into crescent shapes to look like apple slices.
2. Place the jicama into an Instant Pot steamer insert or stovetop steamer pot. Put water on the bottom of the pot and steam, either in the Instant Pot for 40 minutes on the steam setting or on the stovepot for 60 minutes, making sure that the water doesn't run out.
3. Heat the butter in a deep skillet over medium heat until melted.
4. Add the steamed jicama and saute for five minutes.
5. Add the vinegar, sweetener, and spices, and stir to coat the apples.
6. Add the cider and bring to a simmer.
7. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20-30 minutes, or until the liquid is almost entirely reduced to a syrup.

Air Fryer Fried Apples: A Healthier Twist

For a healthier approach to fried apples, consider using an air fryer. This method gives you the results of fried apples without actually frying, reducing the amount of added fats.

The Easiest (and Healthiest) Fried Apples Recipe

This recipe utilizes an air fryer (just 15 minutes to cook) and a natural sugar replacement, Brown Swerve, which makes it better for you!

Benefits of This Recipe

• Fiber-Rich: Apples are rich in fiber, which slows digestion and prevents rapid blood sugar spikes.
• Air Fryer Method: Limiting fried foods with added fats helps prevent type 2 diabetes.
• Swerve Sweetener: Swerve is low-glycemic and safe for people with diabetes. It measures cup-for-cup like regular sugar and caramelizes well.

Personal Anecdotes and Variations

Fried Apples is nothing new, but when you’re on the keto diet, being able to get something sweet from time to time really keeps me going. I slathered it with some cinnamon butter sauce (so much butter with the keto diet, I love it!) and voila! I’m about halfway through my Operation Dad Bod Month 1. Eating on the keto diet can make you a little crazy from time to time if you’re a carbs sugar lover. It’s all the more reason to get creative from time to time.

Creative Twists

• Grind down your almonds until they're a fine powder, It's okay if they're chunks left, just get about half down to a powder consistency.
• Top with the almonds and flip the apples, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until there's a nice brown on the apples.

Fried Apples and Diabetes

That’s right-having type 2 diabetes doesn’t mean you have to give up your joy of food or deny yourself of your favorite culturally-influenced dishes. There are some actionable steps you can take to help you manage this condition.

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

In addition to monitoring your blood sugar levels and being mindful of your carbohydrate intake, it’s important to consume a variety of nutrient-rich foods to support your cellular health and help keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range.

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