peanut butter apple chips

If I had to eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would probably be cold, sliced apples dipped in peanut butter. It's simple, it's nutritious, and it always tastes good--always. Luckily, I'll never actually have to eat just one thing for the rest of my life. So, I'm free to explore culinary possibilities!

Culinary possibilities of things like...baked apple chips? Even better, baked apple chips with a vanilla-scented, peanut butter glaze? It's snacking perfection. I like the apples to stay a little soft, but the peanut butter gets just slightly crunchy as it bakes. And oh. It is good.

A word of warning, this is quite a messy recipe. You'll get very peanut-butter-y. But don't fear! Delve into the messiness. Wholeheartedly enjoy the process of apple chipping (yes, I just created a new verb.) And no, these chips aren't exactly pretty. But you'll get over it, because you can make sacrifices for snack perfection.

PEANUT BUTTER APPLE CHIPS

1 granny smith (or any tart) apple

1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbs agave nectar or honey

1/4 tsp salt

2 tbs milk or soy milk

2 tbs sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Peel, core, and slice the apple as thinly as possible.

3. In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter, agave, and salt. Microwave for about 10 seconds, until the peanut butter is just warmed and loosened up. Add the vanilla and milk and stir gently until combined into a paste. Don't overmix, or the mixture will gum up. If it is too thick, add a little more milk.

4. Add the apple slices to the bowl. With your hands, stir everything together until the apple slices are all coated with the peanut butter mixture.

5. Lay the apples out in one layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the sugar over the apples.

6. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges of the apples and the peanut butter are crisp. Let the apples cool for a few minutes before you remove them with a spatula.