Introduction

This High-Protein Caramel Apple Bark is a delightful treat that combines the crispness of apples with rich dark chocolate, crunchy pretzels, and creamy caramel. It’s a perfect snack for those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth while getting an extra boost of protein. Easy to prepare and elegantly delicious, this bark is sure to become a favorite.

A rectangular flat dessert bar sits on a white marbled surface, cut into eight long pieces. The base layer is a thin pale crust. On top of it, there is a thick spread of melted dark brown chocolate covering the whole surface. Scattered on this are small, uneven chunks of green apple. Pretzels are placed all over, adding a crunchy texture with a shiny golden brown color. A zigzag drizzle of light brown caramel sauce covers the entire top, pulling all the layers together visually. A woman's hand holding a knife is about to cut the dessert from the bottom left corner. Nearby, there are loose pretzels and a whole green apple on the white marbled background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 Granny Smith apple, chopped into small pieces
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 tbsp coconut oil
15 caramel chews
3 tbsp coconut cream
35 mini pretzels
1 scoop Epic Protein Vanilla Lucuma
Flaky sea salt, for topping

Instructions

Step 1: Peel the apple if desired, then wash and chop into small pieces.
Step 2: Place the apple pieces in a bowl filled with 1 cup of room temperature water and a pinch of salt. Let them soak for 5–10 minutes, then rinse under cold water and pat dry.
Step 3: In a small bowl, combine the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. Stir in the scoop of Epic Protein until fully incorporated.
Step 4: Reserve about ¼ cup of the melted chocolate. Pour the remaining chocolate into an 8×8 inch baking dish lined with parchment paper and spread evenly with the back of a spoon.
Step 5: Arrange the mini pretzels in a single layer over the chocolate, then sprinkle the apple pieces on top. Set aside.
Step 6: To make the caramel, heat the caramel chews and coconut cream together in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the caramel melts and becomes creamy.
Step 7: Drizzle the warm caramel over the apple and pretzel layer. Then drizzle the reserved chocolate over the top.
Step 8: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the bark and place the dish in the freezer for 30 minutes to set.
Step 9: Once firm, chop the bark into large chunks and enjoy your protein-packed treat!

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, lightly toast the pretzels before adding them to the bark.
Substitute the Granny Smith apple with any firm apple variety you prefer.
Use almond or peanut butter swirls in place of caramel for a nutty twist.
If you don’t have Epic Protein, plain vanilla protein powder can be used as a substitute.

Storage

Store the caramel apple bark in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To enjoy, let it come to room temperature for a few minutes or enjoy chilled. Avoid leaving it out for too long to prevent the caramel from becoming sticky.

How to Serve

A rectangular flatbread pizza on a white plate with thin crust and slightly crispy edges forms the base. The first layer is a rich, dark chocolate spread covering the crust evenly. On top, there are small chunks of green apples scattered across with some spaces showing the chocolate underneath. A drizzle of caramel syrup runs in thin lines horizontally across the entire pizza, adding a glossy texture. A white woman's hand reaches from the left side, holding a slice that nearly separates the pizza into two halves. Around the pizza, there are scattered small pretzels and whole green apples on a white marbled surface. A glass of amber-colored drink sits at the top edge of the frame. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?

Yes, you can substitute milk chocolate if you prefer a sweeter bark, but keep in mind it will reduce the protein content slightly.

Is it necessary to soak the apple pieces in salted water?

Soaking helps remove some of the apple’s bitterness and prevents browning, keeping the fruit fresh and vibrant in color.

High-Protein Caramel Apple Bark Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 332 reviews

This High-Protein Caramel Apple Bark is a delicious and nutritious treat that combines tart granny smith apples, rich dark chocolate, creamy caramel, crunchy mini pretzels, and a boost of vanilla lucuma protein. It’s a perfect snack or dessert that balances sweetness and saltiness with a satisfying texture, all while packing a good protein punch.

Author: Dana
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Fruit

1 granny smith apple, chopped into small pieces (peeled if desired)

Chocolate Mixture

1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 scoop Epic Protein Vanilla Lucuma

Caramel Sauce

15 caramel chews
3 tbsp coconut cream

Toppings

35 mini pretzels
Flaky sea salt, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Apple: Peel the granny smith apple if you prefer, then wash thoroughly. Chop the apple into small pieces to ensure easy layering and even distribution in the bark.
Soak the Apple Pieces: Fill a bowl with 1 cup of room temperature water and add a pinch of salt. Submerge the chopped apple pieces in the bowl and let them soak for 5-10 minutes. This step helps to soften the apple pieces slightly and remove excess starch. Afterwards, rinse the apples under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
Melt the Chocolate and Mix Protein: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Stir in one scoop of Epic Protein Vanilla Lucuma until the mixture is well incorporated.
Form the Chocolate Base: Reserve about ¼ cup of the melted chocolate mixture for drizzling later. Pour the remaining chocolate into an 8×8 inch baking dish lined with parchment paper. Use the back of a spoon to smooth out an even layer of chocolate across the dish.
Add Pretzels and Apple: Arrange the mini pretzels in a single layer on top of the chocolate base. Then scatter the drained apple pieces evenly over the pretzels, pressing lightly to set them in place.
Make the Caramel Sauce: Place the caramel chews and coconut cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the caramel has melted completely and the mixture turns creamy and smooth.
Assemble the Bark: Drizzle the warm caramel sauce evenly over the apple and pretzel layer. Next, drizzle the reserved melted chocolate over the caramel to create decorative swirls. Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top to enhance the flavor profile.
Set the Bark: Transfer the baking dish to the freezer and chill for 30 minutes until the bark is firm enough to cut.
Serve and Store: Cut the bark into large chunks. Enjoy immediately or store the bark in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days to maintain texture and freshness.

Notes

Peeling the apple is optional but can reduce bitterness and provide a smoother texture.
Soaking the apple pieces in salted water prevents browning and slightly softens them for better texture in the bark.
Use a high-quality dark chocolate for better flavor and richer texture.
The coconut cream in caramel adds a dairy-free creamy texture; do not substitute with regular cream if avoiding dairy.
Store bark chilled to prevent melting and keep pretzels crunchy.
Adjust flaky sea salt amount according to your taste preference for sweet-salty balance.

Keywords: high-protein, caramel apple bark, protein dessert, paleo friendly, gluten free, healthy snack, chocolate bark, caramel sauce, apple dessert