Snacks

These Healthy Halloween Apples are simply apples rolled in a date caramel and nutty mixture decorated with some edible funny looking eyes. Also, these are a much better option for you. They contain no refined sugar, less sugar than conventional desserts overall. In addition they are packed with vitamins, minerals and some good fats on top.

Yes people! It is that time of the year again. We need to get out of a very dusty cupboard the cheesy and kitsch looking Halloween decorations; at least in my household at my desperate sigh (most of my friends know very well the extensive collection of less than artistic decorations my husband likes to have). Coming back to food, in true style of The Organic Cookery, my contribution comes in the form of some amusing and more artistic looking recipes; you can have some fun with these this Halloween. Most of my recipes are really easy, quick and a much healthier alternative to your conventional recipes. Therefore, these healthy Halloween apples are no exception. The apples coated in delicious date caramel and sprinkled with hazelnuts and chia seeds take less than 15 min to do. They are amazing for kids and adult parties alike…or even as a winter snack/dessert. Plus it’s even easy to do with your kids too at the weekend or half term.

I love the date caramel I used to brush the apples with. It is very easy to make and it is one step closer to natural; you do not need heat application but only a food processor to make it. To create a smooth creamy consistency I added almond yogurt, which is lower in saturated fat.

Why are these healthy Halloween apples better for you?

Yes, of course these healthy Halloween apples are better for you. So let’s quickly look at why this is so.

APPLES – lovely apples, crisp and fresh and in season in the UK. Did you know that 90% of apples sold in the UK are imported? Next time when you do your shopping, check where the apples come from. It’s a good exercise to do with all foods you buy. Here are the ones I used in this recipe, however you can also find organic British cox apples here and a pesticide free variety here. In order to get an organic certification, the land needs to be pesticide free for a minimum of 5 years. So until then you can only claim pesticide free.

DATES – I like to call them natural sugar as dates are high in glucose which will raise your blood sugar very quickly. In the long term the body will store excess glucose as fat deposits. However, I use dates in small quantities so it creates a bit of a balance. Plus the use of good fats (like nuts and seeds) will slow down the release of sugar.

HAZELNUTS – contain the amazingly Omega 3 fats which help in maintaining your heart healthy. Your skin will be healthier due to vitamin E content. The same vitamin is involved in digesting protein. Pregnant ladies benefit from the folic acid hazelnuts contain.

CHIA SEEDS – Just like hazelnuts they contain Omega 3 fatty acids. However, they also have calcium and magnesium which you keep your bones and teeth healthy. The gum-like fibre that activates when you soak the seeds for 1 hour will help keep your bowels in good shape.

ALMOND YOGURT – for this recipe I used almond yogurt. I have made a recent discovery in the form of this wonderful Nush yogurt. Usually you would use coconut milk to make date caramel and while coconut milk is a good alternative I prefer almond yogurt because it has less saturated fat. I had people asking me where you can get in and you can find it in all major supermarkets as well as health shops.

These no bake granola bars are the most indulgent snack and definitely more like a dessert. This is because they contain a high level of dates and raisins which have a high level of glucose available for the body. If this glucose is not used then it will be stored by your body in the form of fat.

So these should definitely be enjoyed in moderation, although I must admit it will be hard because they just so amazing:).

There are few health benefits vs a normal highly refined dessert.

HEALTH BENEFITS

• Oats – Contain gramine, a natural sedative, treating depression, anxiety and insomnia. They are also easy to digest (contain the most soluble fibre than any other grain);
• Buckwheat – Gluten free, contains mucilaginous fibres which lubricates the digestive tract;
• Hemp seeds – contain a perfect balance of omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids which help in brain function and heart health. They contain fibre but also essential amino acids.

Whenever I made these chocolate and orange energy balls people absolutely loved them! The texture of these are slightly more crumbly and that is because I don’t use as many dates as shop bought ones. While dates contain dietary fibre which helps relieve constipation, Wathey are also very high in glucose, which means your blood sugar will sore high and whatever it’s not used by your body for energy it is stored by your body for later in the form of fat. So these energy balls a lot kinder to your waistline:).

However, nuts are in incredible source of good fats which are essential for our health.

HEALTH BENEFITS:

• Almonds – High in monounsaturated fats, have a high content of fibre which regulates blood sugars as well as vitamins and minerals;
• Walnuts – Rich in omega 3 and antioxidants and serotonin which lifts depression;
• Hazelnuts – High in monounsaturated fats, vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant), manganese essential for development and metabolism;
• Sunflower seeds – good source of polyunsaturated fats, magnesium, vitamin B6 and some iron.