Oats Free Candy Apples
Few treats capture the magic of a fall fair quite like a glossy, jewel-red candy apple — and this version is surprisingly simple to pull off at home. The ingredient list is refreshingly short: fresh apples, sugar, corn syrup, water, and a touch of red gel coloring, with optional cinnamon extract if you want that warm, spiced kick. There's not a grain of oats anywhere in sight, which makes this a genuinely worry-free treat for anyone navigating that particular sensitivity — no label-scanning required. The real key is patience at the stove, letting the sugar syrup climb all the way to the hard-crack stage so the shell sets with that satisfying snap. Once you pull the pan off the heat and dip each apple in a single fluid motion, the coating sets into a brilliant, mirror-like shell within minutes. These are best enjoyed the same day while the candy is at its crispest, so plan to serve them fresh and watch them disappear fast.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 6 medium apples (such as granny smith or fuji), washed and thoroughly dried
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ½ tsp red gel food coloring
- ¼ tsp cinnamon extract or flavoring (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat it with nonstick spray. Push a wooden skewer or lollipop stick firmly into the stem end of each apple, pressing straight down through the core about halfway. Set the prepared apples nearby — once the syrup is ready, you'll need to work quickly.
- 2
Combine the sugar, water, and corn syrup in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir gently just until the sugar is moistened, then clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan, making sure the tip is submerged but not touching the bottom.
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