These easy candy apples make a delicious Autumn and Halloween treat. I love homemade red candy coated apples. I think a lot of people have fond memories of these from their childhood and still love them later on. I know I do! This recipe makes the BEST candied applies. If you have always wanted to know how to make candy apples on a stick, this is for you!
This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
Halloween candy apples are a delicious treat made with green apples or any kind of fresh apples you want, on popsicle sticks. The Halloween apples boast a sugar syrup which dries to a wonderful crunchy coating. So make this traditional candy apply recipe and you are sure to love it.
It’s easy to learn how to make these Halloween treats. Homemade red candy coated apples are great for trick or treaters.
Absolutely nobody can say no to homemade red candy coated apples. They are deliciously simple to prepare as well. You just need to get some apples and then combine the sugar coating ingredients and dip apples. Super easy and popular choice for the fall season!
What Kind of Apples to Use for Homemade Candy Apples
It’s your choice of course, but there are some types I’d recommend. For my fall candy apples I like to use red Gala because they look better under the candy coating. Other options would include Honeycrisp or Fuji. However, the best apples are whatever your favourite crisp apples or tart apples are. You will be using the whole apple so make sure it’s a variety you like for these coated juicy apples for Halloween.
Whatever apple variety you use, pick out small or medium ones to make perfect candy apples. Also if you know how to get wax off apples for candy apples, that’s helpful. You can simply dip it in hot water and the wax should rub off.
How to Make the Best Candy Apple Recipe
Perhaps you’ve seen the candy apple kits that appear in the store every October. They’re easy to use but honestly it’s just as quick and easy to make your own hard candy coating for this candy apple recipe.
Rub the wax coating off the apples before you begin making this Halloween candy apple treat, else the candy coating won’t stick. After dipping them in boiling hot water you can rub the coating off using a clean towel.
When you have removed the apple stems, push sticks or bamboo skewers into the apples. Combine sugar, corn syrup, red food coloring, and water in a pan and heat it up. Don’t stir it though!
Take the sugar mixture off the heat when it’s hot enough (hard crack stage) and dip the apples in there. A candy thermometer will come in handy. Now just let the candy apples harden on a prepared backing sheet. That’s it! See, it’s easy learning how to make candy apples perfect for a Halloween party.
How to Store Homemade Candy Apples
This easy homemade candy apple recipe doesn’t have to be eaten on the same day, so don’t worry about throwing out leftovers.
Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days. Make sure they aren’t touching in the container because then they might stick together and you could break the lollipop sticks trying to pull them apart. Wax paper or parchment paper between them will help.
Tips for the Best Candied Apples
Now you know how to make candied applies which include the best sweet candy coating, you’re ready to prepare some! These are easy candy apples but it’s still worth knowing some tips and tricks.
One of the most important things to do is wash off the wax off the apples before you begin. This way the candy or caramel coating will stick better and you will get more on there!
I like to chill the apples in the refrigerator for half an hour before making this sweet treat. This also helps the coatings stick. Once you’ve dipped the chilled apples in the coating, let the excess drip off and then chill them on parchment paper for about 15 minutes.
Once you already know how to make candied apples, you might like to change things up. Before the candy sets, add melted chocolate to a Ziploc bag. Cut the corner off and drizzle it over the candy apples.
You could do this with any kind of chocolate, even white chocolate. Another idea is to roll them in sprinkles or another topping while the caramel or candy coating is still sticky.
Add about ¼ teaspoon of shortening before dipping the apples. This helps stop the mixture bubbling up. Also, never pour leftover syrup down the drain because it can splatter and cause burns. For the same reason, never add water to candy syrup over 200 degrees F.
Throw the pans into hot, soapy water as soon as you’ve dipped the apples in the coatings. The longer you leave them the tougher the candy coating will be to get off!
Candy Apple Sticks
When you add the sticks, get them at least ¾-inch into the apples, longer if possible. The further in you push the stick, the sturdier your easy candy apples will be. I used these re-usable candy apple sticks that look like twigs for my autumn candy apples. These are the best candy apples for kids, but the grownups find them hard to resist too.
Easy Candy Apples Recipe
Easy Candy Apples – Autumn and Halloween Treat
Ingredients
- 4 apples any kind, red Gala apples recommend
- 1 1/8 Cup sugar
- 1/3 Cup water
- 1/4 Cup corn syrup light
- 1/2 Tsp. red food coloring
Instructions
- In order for the candy to stick to the apples properly you must prepare them by removing the wax coating. One way to remove the coating is to dip the apples in very hot water and rub away the wax with a dish towel. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil, then turn off the heat. Very carefully as to not burn yourself with the water, take an apple and let it rest in the hot water for 10 to 15 seconds, use a tongs or slotted spoon to remove the apple and place on a dish towel. Use the dish towel to vigorously rub the apple until the wax is removed. Repeat with the remaining apples.
- Twist the stems out of each apple then insert a stick into the center of the apples where the stem used to be – be sure it's stuck in the apple really good.
- Prepare a cookie pan by lining it with parchment paper and spraying with oil. This tray will be used to place your dipped apples on.
- Over medium heat, using a medium-small pot, big enough to let your mixture bubble and boil, combine the water, sugar, corn syrup, and red food coloring.
- Bring the candy mixture to 300 to 310 degrees F. Do not stir at any point
- Remove from heat and immediately begin dipping your apples. It's important to work swiftly but you don't need to rush. If your candy hardens too fast you can always reheat the mixture. Let the excess candy drip off the apples for a few moments before placing on your greased tray.
- Let apples cool/harden before serving.
- These apples are best eaten the same day but can be stored in fridge in an airtight container (not touching each other) for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Notes
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
This easy candy apple recipe treat is so simple to prepare and everyone is going to love them! Once you’ve made these for one Halloween you are definitely going to want to make them every year. Halloween just isn’t the same without making easy homemade candy apples!
Other Recipe You Will Like
I love how you added the drips on the ones that didn’t look as nice. Great idea
These look so good for fall and I am a fan of caramel apples! I so want to try and make my own.
How do you clean your pot after you’re done sipping the apples? Even with extremely hot water it doesn’t seem to be melting off the pot. What do you suggest?
This trick to cleaning a pot after making stove top candy (caramel sauce, candy applies, caramel apples, fudge, toffee, peanut brittle) is to fill the dirty pot with water and bring it to a boil. When the water starts to bubble, it will remove the hardened candy from around the sides of the pot.