These Healthier Apple "Doughnuts" From TikTok Look So Good, I Could Eat a Dozen

Doughnuts are a beloved breakfast pastry. But lately, people have gone on TikTok to promote a doughnut-adjacent midday (or nighttime) snack as an alternative to the doughy, sugary treats. Enter apple "doughnuts," which are exactly what they sound like — snacks made from fresh apple rings. Of course, there's nothing wrong with eating an actual doughnut, but this apple variety is a great option if you're in search for something on the healthier side.

The key is cutting thick slices horizontally through the fruit to create circles, then coring out the center so they look like doughnuts. You top them with a spread; add chocolate chips, sprinkles, nuts, or other toppings of your choice; and put them in the fridge to harden and set. I made my first batch with peanut butter, granola, and cinnamon, and they were a nutty, crunchy, and sweet side dish during lunch.

They're easy to assemble, and you can choose your favorite kind of apple to act as a blank canvas for trying new flavor combinations. Plus, some people make them into more of a dessert by coating the slices with frosting or chocolate — yum! Take a look ahead for a few creation ideas.