Apple and Cheddar Cheese Snack

Apple slices covered with this cheddar cheese mixture make a delicious snack, cold appetizer or tailgate party food.  The sweet and savory flavors are SO good it’s hard to stop eating these Apple and Cheddar Cheese Snacks!

This post is sponsored by the Glass Barn and brought to you by Indiana Soybean Farmers, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Apple and Cheese Snack

School starts in a couple days which means the kids need to change up the summertime routine of grazing on snacks all day long whenever they feel hungry.  We need more substantial snacks and meals since grazing doesn’t work on the school and childcare schedule.  I try to keep produce on hand for easy snacks, but it’s nice to have other options.  Apple and cheddar cheese snacks have a great combination of sweet fruit and a creamy, cheesy spread which is also filling and nutritious.

Pecans add a great nutty flavor and of course protein to the snack, but they can be left out too.  Placing extra pecans along the edge of the cheese spread makes the apples look more dressed up for a party or appetizer.

Living in Ohio we have at least a two month stretch in the fall when fresh apples are very plentiful and available at orchards, roadside stands and grocery stores everywhere.  Experiment with different varieties of apples and find the combination you like best for this snack.

This apple and cheese snack is a perfect addition to a Simple Charcuterie Board that is fall themed or served at a party anytime throughout the year.

Cold Appetizer – Cheese Spread for Fruit

This cheese spread can be placed in plastic wrap and shaped however you please.  I enjoy a classic ball to put in the center of a plate of apples and crackers.  The first time I made this recipe I put the cheese in between the apple slices and put the apples back together.  Rebuilding the apples and placing them on a bed of crackers makes a great presentation.

I made this recipe in 1992 and won the junior division of Appetizers and Beverages in the county 4-H Dairy Foods Contest.  All recipes must contain at least one cup of dairy products.  The contest was created and continues to be hosted by the county’s dairy farmers.  Since I grew up on a dairy and pig farm, promoting what we produce is part of the fabric of my life.

My son loves cooking and watching cooking competitions on the Food Network.  The annual Dairy Foods Contest is as close as he comes to a cooking competition, although it is pretty calm and laid back in my eyes.  This year Henry made Smores Dessert Cake and Chicken and Berries Salad.

Why Do Apples & Cheese Go Together?

Cheddar cheese pairs well with a sweet apple like a Gala apple.  Sweet and savory flavor combinations complement each other well and create craveable pairings.

I prefer a medium or sharp cheddar cheese over mild to create more flavor and contrast to the fruit flavors.  A glass of wine would be great with this recipe as an adult appetizer.

Ingredients Needed to Make Apple & Cheese Snacks

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Cream cheese
• Chopped pecans
• Nutmeg
• Milk
• Apples, I prefer gala
• Pineapple juice
• Crackers

How to Make Cheddar Apple Snacks

1. Mix cheeses together in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy
2. Stir in nuts, milk and nutmeg
3. Shape in a ball or log using plastic wrap if desired
4. Chill, covered 3-4 hours to allow flavors to blend
5. Core unpeeled apples and cut into half-inch thick slices
6. Dip apple slices in pineapple juice to prevent darkening
7. Spread each slice with cheese mixture
8. Put back together to reshape half or whole apples
9. Serve with crackers on the side

Other Delicious Apple Recipes

• Caramel Apple Bars
• Fresh Apple Bundt Cake
• Farmhouse Apple Flip
• Caramel Apple Pie
• Easy Apple Dapple Cake
• Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Apple Sauce
• Instant Pot Pork Chops with Sauerkraut, Apples and Bacon
• Easy Caramel Apple Pork Chops

Printable Recipe for Apple and Cheddar Cheese Snacks