Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes: No-Sugar-Added Mini Apple Pies

Always leave room for dessert -- especially if it's a healthy one!
Healthy Thanksgiving, BK Reader
Mini Apple Pies. Photo credit: Eating Well

Even after an opulent thanksgiving dinner — there's always room for dessert!

These delectable single-serving tarts are gluten-free and sweetened with dates instead of refined added sugars. Top with a little unsweetened whipped cream to take this special—yet healthy—dessert to the next level.

No-Sugar-Added Mini Apple Pies: Serves 6

Prep time: 1 hour

Bake time: 12-15 minutes 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dates, divided
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1½ cups pecans, toasted and finely ground
  • 1½ cups oat flour (see Tip)
  • ? cup melted butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 3 medium apples, peeled and chopped
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Coat a muffin pan with cooking spray.
  • Place dates in a medium bowl and cover with boiling water. Let soak for 20 minutes. Drain the dates, reserving ¼ cup soaking liquid.
  • Puree the soaked dates and the reserved soaking liquid in a food processor. Add ground pecans, oat flour, butter* and salt; pulse until combined.
  • Firmly press 2 generous tablespoons date mixture into the bottoms and up the sides of each muffin cup. Bake until set, but not browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, place the remaining ½ cup dates and cider in a blender or food processor and blend until mostly smooth.
  • Transfer to a medium saucepan, along with the apples and cinnamon. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring often, until apples are mostly tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and cornstarch. Using about 2 tablespoons filling for each tart, divide the filling among the crusts.
  • Bake until crust is browned on the edges and filling is hot, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool at least 20 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the edges and remove tarts from the muffin pan.

*Feel free to use vegan butter to make this recipe vegan




Comments