Caramel apple yogurt clusters are the perfect healthy fall dessert! Date caramel is swirled into creamy yogurt with diced apples, frozen, then covered in a chocolate shell. They are packed with protein and can be made dairy-free/vegan!
I’m not sure how the weather is where you guys live, but it’s been unusually nice here in the Seattle area for October! The weather has been in the upper 60’s and so sunny, which I am NOT complaining about, but it’s usually wet and cold by this point.
Therefore, i’m still kind of into all of the no bake treats and snacks, with a fall feel of course! Yogurt clusters are one of my favorite high protein snacks to prep for the week, so we put a little fun fall spin on them with this caramel apple version! We do make a batch of date caramel to use in the yogurt bites, but leftovers are amazing for oatmeal, chia pudding, on toast, to dip apples in, etc! You will LOVE it!
Caramel apple yogurt clusters recipe video
why you’ll love these caramel apple covered yogurt bites
- They come together in one bowl in just a few minutes!
- Yogurt bites are packed with protein and gut-friendly.
- Can be made vegan/dairy-free and are gluten free and refined sugar free (paleo friendly).
- They are versatile – you can add any mix-in’s you’d like!
- They make a great healthy meal prep snack.
Do you need to use protein powder to make these high protein?
It depends! If you use greek yogurt in this recipe, it’ll naturally be higher in protein and you can omit the protein powder altogether. However, if you’re using coconut yogurt, I recommend adding protein powder to up the intake. You should use a protein powder you enjoy the flavor of, as it will add some flavor to the recipe. I absolutely love using Macro Mike flavors – they taste like dessert while being made with cleaner ingredients. You can use my code “amb-dani” for a discount!
If you don’t like to use protein powder, you can also stir in a few tablespoons of hemp seeds. They won’t change the flavor and will add some protein, healthy fats, and nutrients!
How to make caramel apple yogurt bites
Full recipe and measurements are in the recipe card below!
Ingredients
- Yogurt: Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt work, just be sure to use a THICK yogurt. I like CocoJune or Culina for dairy-free options.
- Almond butter: You can also use any other nut or seed butter. Sunflower butter is a great nut-free option. I use groundup snickerdoodle nut butter. It adds such an incredible flavor to this recipe! You can use my code “DANI10” for a discount!
- Maple syrup or honey
- Medjool dates
- Apple pie spice: or cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Protein powder: See notes above. You can also omit the protein powder or use hemp seeds. I love using a chai flavored protein!
- Chocolate: I like to use Hu Kitchen to keep these refined sugar free. You can use my code “danishealthyeats” for a discount. They make dark chocolate that’s dairy-free and grass-fed milk chocolate.
Easy Date caramel
Date caramel is a delicious caramel-like spread made from blended dates! It’s creamy, refined sugar-free, and made with whole food ingredients. It’s the perfect healthier caramel alternative!
All you do is blend dates, nut butter, a little coconut oil, vanilla, and sea salt in a food processor until caramel-like! Full recipe is in the recipe card below! Leftover date caramel is amazing for oatmeal, chia pudding, on toast, to dip apples in, etc!
steps to make caramel apple yogurt clusters
- In a bowl, mix together all of the ingredients, besides the chocolate. Taste and adjust as you’d like. Stir in any mix-in’s you’d like.
- Use a cookie scoop to scoop the mixture onto a lined baking sheet. Place in the freezer for 2-3 hours until completely solid.
- Once solid, melt the chocolate in a large bowl. Quickly dip each yogurt bite and return to the cookie sheet. Place back in the freezer for an hour or two.
How to store yogurt bites
If you want the inside to be extra creamy, after the bites have been in the freezer for an hour or two, store them in an air-tight container in the fridge. They’ll be good for a few days.
If you want them to last longer, store them in an air-tight container in the freezer. You can let them thaw a few minutes before enjoying for a creamier texture!
more healthy snacks to try
- No bake samoa cookies
- Pumpkin yogurt clusters
- Strawberry yogurt bites
- No bake superfood brownies
- Birthday cake frozen yogurt bites
- Strawberry cheesecake yogurt parfait
- Healthy cookie dough frozen yogurt/ice cream
If you try this recipe and love, it’d mean the world to me if you left a star rating and review below and tag me in your creations on Instagram @danishealthyeats! x
Caramel Apple Yogurt Clusters
Ingredients
Date caramel
- 1 cup medjool dates, pitted *soaked in hot water for 15 minutes
- 1 tbsp melted coconut oil or avocado oil
- 2 tbsp nut butter (I prefer almond or cashew. I used GroundUp snickerdoodle)
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/3 Cup milk, of choice (i used cashew) *I like to warm mine up a little
- 1 tsp vanilla extract & pinch sea salt
- 1 /2-1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Yogurt Bites
- 3/4 cup THICK greek yogurt or coconut yogurt *CocoJune & Culina are the best coconut yogurt brands
- 1 apple of choice, diced SUEPR small
- 2 tbsp protein powder, of choice *optional
- 2 tbsp almond or cashew butter *I used GroundUp Snickerdoodle
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract & pinch of sea salt
- 1 tsp apple pie spice (or cinnamon & 1/4 tsp nutmeg)
Chocolate shell
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1-2 tsp coconut oil * to help thin the chocolate
Instructions
Date caramel
- After soaking the dates in hot water, drain them, then add to your food processor along with the remaining ingredients, starting with just 2 tbsp of milk. After blending for a minute or so, scrape the sides and blend more, adding another tablespoon or two of milk, as needed, until it reaches a creamy consistency. Careful not to thin it out too much!
- Once it's done, store in an air-tight container in the fridge.
Yogurt Clusters
- In a bowl, mix together all of the yogurt bite ingredients, folding in the apples last. Taste and adjust as you'd like (you can add a little extra maple syrup if needed).
- Use a cookie scoop to scoop the mixture onto a lined baking sheet. Then add a dollop of the date caramel to the center of each yogurt bite. Place the sheet in the freezer for 3-4 hours until completely solid.
- Once solid, add the chocolate and coconut oil to a medium bowl. Use the double boiler method or Heat in 30 second increments in the microwave, stirring well between each, until melted. Quickly dip each yogurt bite and return to the cookie sheet.
- Place back in the freezer for an hour or two. Store in an air-tight container. see notes below for how to store!
These were so good. Definitely recommend!
Thank you so much, Wanisha!