Halloween Apple PB Marshmallow Bites earn a spot in the rotation because they give you all the fun of a candy apple without the sticky caramel mess, and they come together with three things you probably already have in the kitchen.
Think of these as a playful assembly project: crisp apple wedges get a smear of peanut butter, a marshmallow hat, and a quick pass under the broiler until the tops turn golden and gooey. Kids can help with the spreading, and you handle the hot part.
They look like little monsters on a platter, they travel well to a class party, and they satisfy a sweet tooth with a bit of fruit and protein built in. That is a Halloween win in my book.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
About the Ingredients
4 large crisp apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala), about 2 lb (900g)
Crisp, firm apples hold their shape and texture best here; if Honeycrisp is pricey, Fuji or Pink Lady work beautifully and stay firm after chilling.
1 cup (250g) creamy peanut butter
Creamy spreads evenly and sticks to the apple; swap in sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version that behaves almost identically.
2 tablespoons honey
Honey sweetens the peanut butter and helps it cling; maple syrup is a fine one-for-one substitute if that is what you have.
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
A pinch of salt keeps the sweetness from tasting flat; kosher salt works too, just use a scant 1/4 teaspoon since the crystals are larger.
24 large marshmallows, about 5 oz (140g)
Large marshmallows make tidy hats; mini marshmallows work if you pile three or four per bite, and they toast faster so watch them closely.
1/2 cup (60g) finely chopped roasted peanuts
Toasted peanuts add crunch and a savory edge; crushed pretzels or granola are great swaps if you want a different texture or a nut-free crunch.
2 ounces (55g) dark or milk chocolate, finely chopped
A little melted chocolate makes the eyes and drizzle; white chocolate or candy melts work just as well and set faster.
1 tablespoon lemon juice
A quick toss keeps cut apples from browning; bottled lemon juice is fine, or use a splash of orange juice if that is what is in the fridge.
Tips & Tricks
- Dry the apple wedges well with paper towels before spreading peanut butter, or the topping will slide right off.
- Stir the peanut butter with the honey and salt until it is looser and spreadable, which makes it cling to the apple instead of tearing it.
- Watch the broiler the entire time, because marshmallows go from pale to burnt in under thirty seconds.
- Press the peanuts onto the peanut butter before the marshmallow goes on so they actually stick.
Pro Tips
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the apples
Core the apples and cut each into 6 thick wedges, about 1/2 inch thick at the widest part. Toss them in a bowl with the lemon juice and pat dry with paper towels so the peanut butter has something to grip.
2. Mix the spread
Stir the peanut butter, honey, and salt together in a small bowl until smooth and slightly loosened, about 30 seconds. It should ribbon off the spoon rather than sit in a stiff lump.
3. Assemble the bites
Spread about 1 tablespoon of the peanut butter mixture on one cut side of each apple wedge, leaving a small border so it does not squish out. Sprinkle the chopped peanuts over the peanut butter and press gently.
4. Add the marshmallows
Press one large marshmallow onto the wide end of each wedge, flat side down, so it stands up like a little hat. Chill the tray in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm everything up.
5. Heat the broiler
Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat and heat the broiler to high, roughly 500F (260C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the bites in a single layer with space between them.
6. Broil until golden
Broil for 1 to 2 minutes, until the marshmallow tops are golden brown and beginning to bubble at the edges. Pull them the moment they smell toasty and caramelized, because they go from golden to black fast.
7. Add the chocolate
Melt the chopped chocolate in 15-second microwave bursts, stirring between each, until glossy and pourable, about 45 seconds total. Dot two small eyes onto each marshmallow with a toothpick and drizzle the rest over the tray.
8. Cool and serve
Let the bites sit at room temperature for 5 minutes so the chocolate sets and the marshmallow stops being molten. Serve on a platter or arrange on a board for a party.
Delicious Variations
Monster Mash
Add two candy eyeballs and a few pretzel-stick antennae for a spookier look kids love.
Nut-Free Crunch
Swap sunflower seed butter for the peanut butter and use crushed cereal or toasted oats instead of peanuts.
S'mores Style
Skip the peanuts and press a few mini chocolate chips into the peanut butter before the marshmallow goes on for a campfire flavor.
How to Store Halloween Apple PB Marshmallow Bites
Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; the apples soften slightly after that, so these are best fresh.
Freezer
Not recommended, because the apples release water and turn mushy once thawed.
Reheating
No reheating needed; eat them cold or at room temperature straight from the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make these Halloween apple bites ahead of time?
You can assemble them up to 4 hours ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator, then broil just before serving. Any longer and the apples start to weep and the marshmallows get sticky.
Q: How do I keep the apples from turning brown?
Toss the cut wedges in lemon juice right after slicing and pat them dry before spreading. This buys you several hours, and the peanut butter layer covers most of the exposed surface anyway.
Q: Can I use mini marshmallows instead of large ones?
Yes, pile three or four minis on each wedge and expect them to toast in about half the time. Stay right at the oven, because they brown in 30 to 45 seconds.
Q: Are these healthy enough for a kids' party?
They are a lighter option than candy apples because fresh fruit and peanut butter do most of the work, though the marshmallows and chocolate still make them a treat. Serve them alongside a fruit tray and they balance out nicely.
Q: What apples are best for peanut butter apple bites?
Firm, crisp apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Pink Lady hold up best because they stay snappy under the toppings. Avoid soft varieties like McIntosh, which turn mealy once cut and chilled.
Give these a try at your next Halloween gathering and watch the platter empty before the punch bowl does. Cook it your way, and tell me how it went.
Halloween Apple PB Marshmallow Bites
Halloween Apple PB Marshmallow Bites turn crisp apple slices into fun, healthier party treats with creamy peanut butter and toasted marshmallow tops.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 large crisp apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala), about 2 lb (900g)
- 1 cup (250g) creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 24 large marshmallows, about 5 oz (140g)
- 1/2 cup (60g) finely chopped roasted peanuts
- 2 ounces (55g) dark or milk chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
📋 Instructions
- 1Prep the apples — Core the apples and cut each into 6 thick wedges, about 1/2 inch thick at the widest part. Toss them in a bowl with the lemon juice and pat dry with paper towels so the peanut butter has something to grip.
- 2Mix the spread — Stir the peanut butter, honey, and salt together in a small bowl until smooth and slightly loosened, about 30 seconds. It should ribbon off the spoon rather than sit in a stiff lump.
- 3Assemble the bites — Spread about 1 tablespoon of the peanut butter mixture on one cut side of each apple wedge, leaving a small border so it does not squish out. Sprinkle the chopped peanuts over the peanut butter and press gently.
- 4Add the marshmallows — Press one large marshmallow onto the wide end of each wedge, flat side down, so it stands up like a little hat. Chill the tray in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm everything up.
- 5Heat the broiler — Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat and heat the broiler to high, roughly 500F (260C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the bites in a single layer with space between them.
- 6Broil until golden — Broil for 1 to 2 minutes, until the marshmallow tops are golden brown and beginning to bubble at the edges. Pull them the moment they smell toasty and caramelized, because they go from golden to black fast.
- 7Add the chocolate — Melt the chopped chocolate in 15-second microwave bursts, stirring between each, until glossy and pourable, about 45 seconds total. Dot two small eyes onto each marshmallow with a toothpick and drizzle the rest over the tray.
- 8Cool and serve — Let the bites sit at room temperature for 5 minutes so the chocolate sets and the marshmallow stops being molten. Serve on a platter or arrange on a board for a party.
Mireille writes about weeknight cooking built around what is already in the pantry, with a focus on Haitian and Caribbean home dishes made simpler for busy kitchens. She favors short ingredient lists, honest substitutions, and recipes that forgive a missed step. Her angle is feeding a household well without a second trip to the store.