Decadent homemade caramel apples are the best with a gooey caramel coating and fun gourmet toppings! Easy to make for a fall dessert with these step-by-step instructions.

Apples with homemade caramel is a favorite combination. We also love these Disney caramel apples, apple cider caramels and caramel apple cider during fall!

Homemade caramel apples on the counter.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.

Table of Contents

Easy Homemade Caramel Apples

When I think of fall, I immediately think of apple desserts and homemade caramel apples. It’s a must to enjoy at least once during the fall season! When I need a quick alternative, I will make this easy toffee apple dip and serve it with sliced apples.

We usually always go apple picking at the apple orchard and look for fun ways to use them. Making a homemade caramel apple recipe is the perfect solution! They’re simple to make and are a great activity for the family to enjoy together.

Ingredients Needed

Caramel apple toppings on counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Apples: You can’t have caramel apples without the apples. Just make sure they are thoroughly washed before using.
  • Caramel: I love using Peter’s caramel as it melts so easily and makes the perfect caramel apple.
  • Melting wafers: Melt the wafers to go on apples on the outside. Use either white or chocolate wafers. The melted chocolate will help keep the toppings sticking.
  • Sticks: You can use either popsicle sticks, craft sticks, or lollipop sticks for the top of the apples. Remove the stem and place the stick straight up and down into the stem.

How to Make Caramel Apples

Showing how to make caramel apples in a 4 step collage.
  1. Wash apples and let dry. Use Fit fruit cleaner and a scrub brush. Scrub/wash the apples with warm water for about 30 seconds, then place on a towel and let dry completely. When apples are dry, place sticks in the center of the apple.
  2. Melt the caramel. Place Peter’s caramel in a microwavable bowl. Heat for 1 minute, stir, and then cook for an additional minute. Add more time if needed, until it’s totally melted. You can also place it in a slow cooker and allow it to melt that way.
  3. Dip the apples. Dip apples in the caramel, leaving about one inch around the top. Hold up the apples to allow any excess to drip off and then use a spatula to scrape it off the bottom.
  4. Set. If adding toppings, immediately roll dipped apples in the coating of choice. If dipping in chocolate or adding a chocolate drizzle, caramel must set completely first. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet to set. Place in the fridge for 5-10 minutes to set faster, but do not store in the fridge!
Dipping apple into caramel.

Helpful Tips

  • Wash your apples thoroughly. Use FIT cleaner, a scrubber, and warm water to remove the wax. You could also use fine-grit sandpaper to lightly remove the wax from the apple.
  • Dry the apples completely. Any wax or moisture left on the apple will prevent the caramel from sticking.
  • Prepare ingredients beforehand. Get all your ingredients ready before making the caramel, because you’ll want to move quickly once you dip them.
  • Use high-quality caramel. My favorite type to use is Peter’s or Werther’s caramel. I usually use half of the block for 12 apples and wrap the rest for later. You can also use a from scratch homemade caramel recipe.
  • Let caramel cool before dipping. Allow the easy caramel recipe to cool for a few minutes before dipping the apples.
  • Allow excess caramel to drip off. Once you dip your apple, hold it up for about 20 seconds to allow any excess caramel to drip off. Then scrape off the bottom with a spatula.
Caramel apple with chocolate on counter.

Gourmet Caramel Apple Toppings

  • Sea salt: Give these apples a sweet and salty apple surprise! It is a classic flavor and everyone loves how simple it is.
  • Drizzled chocolate: A chocolate lover’s dream! It melts perfectly and always looks so decadent and tastes delicious!
  • Chopped nuts: Pecans, almonds, peanuts, or walnuts are all great ways to add a crunchy, sweet, and salty taste!
  • Candy: Use mini M&M’s, mini chocolate chips, chopped Snickers, crushed Butterfingers, Reese’s pieces, chopped peanut butter cups or candy corn.
  • Crushed Oreos, pretzels or toffee: Add on the warm caramel or coat apples in melted chocolate then add crushed Oreos, pretzels or toffee.
  • Apple pie: Dip in melted white chocolate then dust with cinnamon sugar and graham cracker crumbs.
  • Sprinkles: Every kid to adult loves the bright and cheerful sprinkles attached to the apples.
Caramel apple on baking sheet.

More recipes with caramel to try include salted caramel chocolate chip cookies, salted caramel butter bars and microwave caramels.

More Delicious Apple Recipes

Dipping apple into caramel.

Caramel Apples Recipe

5 from 13 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12
Decadent homemade caramel apples are the best with a gooey caramel coating and fun gourmet toppings! Easy to make for a fall dessert with step-by-step instructions.
Print Pin This! Rate

Equipment

  • Caramel Apple Sticks

Ingredients 

  • 2 pounds Peter's caramel
  • 12-14 medium green apples
  • 1 cup chocolate melting wafers , optional
  • 1 cup white chocolate melting wafers , optional

Instructions

  • Prep. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat and lightly butter the paper. Set aside.
  • Wash and dry apples. Use Fit fruit cleaner and a scrubber. Scrub/wash apples with warm water for about 30 seconds each. Place on a towel and let completely dry. Once the apples have dried, place sticks in the center of each apple.
  • Melt caramel. Place 2 pounds caramel in a microwavable bowl. Heat for 1 minute, stir, and microwave for an additional minute. Add additional time, if needed, until melted. You can also place the caramel in a slow cooker and let melt.
  • Dip apples. Dip 12 -14 apples in the caramel, leaving about one inch around the top. Hold up the apples to let any excess caramel drip off. Use a spatula to scrape the caramel off the bottom and place it on the baking sheet. If you are not dipping in chocolate, coat with any preferred toppings immediately or leave plain. Chill 5 to 10 minutes until set and remove to the counter.
  • Add chocolate if using. If dipping in chocolate, let the caramel set completely before dipping. Melt the chocolate according to package directions. Either dip the caramel apples in the chocolate or drizzle over the top. Add any desired toppings and let set.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Storage: The apples are best eaten within 1 to 3 days. If you live in a warm or humid climate, store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 445kcal, Carbohydrates: 90g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 200mg, Potassium: 388mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 75g, Vitamin A: 130IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 137mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Recipe FAQs

How do you get caramel to stick to apples?

Apples have a waxy coating around them that prevents the caramel from sticking if it is not washed thoroughly and dried. Make sure to have the apples cold to help prevent the caramel from falling off the apples when applied.

How to thin caramel to use on apples?

Caramel is normally a thicker sauce but for dipping caramel apples in you may want to thin the sauce beforehand or drizzle it overtop chocolate-dipped apples. Simply add hot water or cream to the mixture and it will thin out.

What are the best apples to use?

It’s really up to you, but I suggest using a firm apple that is a little tart to cut through the sweetness of the caramel, such as Granny Smith apples, Fuji, or Honeycrisp.

How to store caramel apples?

Apples dipped in caramel are best eaten within one to three days. If you live in a warm or humid climate, store in the refrigerator.