The benefits of eating apples for children are huge

One way to ensure that your child stays healthy and bug free is to encourage them to eat an apple every day.

Packed with nutrients that are great for both adults and kids, they are rich in carbohydrates, which means your little ones stay fuller for longer and have the energy stores they need.

They also contain many important vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2 and Vitamin C along with iron, iodine, calcium and phosphorous that are vital for the development of skin, muscle tissue, bones and vital organs.

Get your kids in the kitchen with apples and they'll soon be a huge fan of the popular fruit and consuming their daily allowance in no time.

This simple recipe takes just 15 minutes to prep, 25 minutes to cook and no time at all to eat, especially if the little ones are in tow.

It makes 6-8 mini apple pies and you’ll need a muffin tin, saucepan, whisk, wooden spoon and bowl.

Let's start with the apples

For the apple pie filling ask the kids to grab the following and get weighing and measuring:

2 juicy Cripps US Apples

A jug filled with 120ml of cold water

110g of sugar

3 tbsp cornflour

½ tsp cinnamon

1 pinch of salt

For the crumbly pie crust

240g flour

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp baking powder

120ml of vegetable oil

3 tbsp cold water

What do to

We’ve broken down the steps to make them simple enough for even new readers. However, they may need a little supervision for steps involving heat, knives and peelers.

1. Combine the apples, water, sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon in a saucepan.
2. Heat over medium heat until the liquid begins to simmer, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer (this means cook on low) for 10 minutes. The liquid should thicken.
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
4. Now it’s time to make the apple pie cases.
5. Preheat the oven to 220°C.
6. Whisk together the flour, salt and baking soda.
7. Add the oil and water and stir until a dough (like play dough) begins to form.
8. Knead (press with your hands) until the dough is one piece.
9. Remove golf ball sized balls of dough from the bowl and press into the muffin pan bases.
10. Continue until all the cups have been filled.
11. Fill each pie crust cup with apple pie filling.
12. Top with crumbled pieces of pie dough.
13. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pie crust is golden brown.
14. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before removing from pan.

Let’s talk about nutrition

It’s good to chat with your kids about what is good, bad and ok for the body.

Mention calories and sugar intake, as well as the fact it’s also fine to allow yourself treats from time to time, as long as the good stuff is going in too!

Calories: 437kcal; Carbohydrates: 62g; Protein: 4g; Fat: 20g; Saturated Fat: 16g; Fibre: 3g; Sugar: 25g