Healthy Apple Pie Pop Tarts Made with Egg Roll Wrappers
Children in this country consume an estimated 12 percent of their calories from fast food and 20 percent of all American meals are eaten in the car! The consequences are predictably unhealthy. Competing schedules in the day-to-day lives of a busy modern family make it difficult to share a home-cooked meal together, but not impossible. In fact, with a little planning, cooking together can become a fun family event and learning opportunity. This feature will focus on providing a child or a group of children, working together under the supervision of an adult, with one uncomplicated, healthy and delicious side dish recipe. The dishes will be centered on seasonal fresh produce items; the recipes will always contain tasks, allowing even the youngest kitchen helper to contribute to the family meal. Parents should always read through each recipe carefully to judge the division of labor based on age and ability and to identify where adult attention might be needed.
Many of the recipes presented here will seem very basic; this is by design. It is hoped that these simple preparations will provide the culinary foundation and confidence to inspire kids to try more challenging recipes as their experience and confidence in the kitchen develop. Melissa’s encourages parents to find the time to gather as a family unit at least once a week for a dinner that everyone pitches in to prepare. It’s a wonderful way to teach a child basic culinary skills, and, more importantly, cooking with your children will build memories in all of your hearts forever. Enjoy your kids in the kitchen; they will be grown and gone before you know it! “No one is born a great cook; one learns by doing” – Julia Child.
Let’s start where far too many kids start their day— with a couple of apple Pop-Tarts and off to school. Sugar: Pop-Tarts, are 31% sugar, including refined white sugar, corn syrup, and high fructose corn syrup. Eating too much sugar can lead to weight gain, tooth decay, and other health problems. Calories: A single Pop-Tart contains around 190–210 calories, and a two-pack serving contains 380–420 calories. Eating this many calories without balancing them with other foods can lead to overeating and weight gain. Processed ingredients: Pop-Tarts contain refined flour and unhealthy oils like soybean oil. Preservatives: Pop-Tarts contain tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), a preservative that may harm the immune system. Artificial dyes: Some Pop-Tarts contain artificial dyes, such as yellow 5 and red 40, which may have adverse effects on children. And we have not even gotten to the high salt content!
No wonder this country is addicted to sugar and salt being added to everything edible. These additives may add taste but also feed this national addition. Instead, here's a real fruit pop-like tart using Melissa’s Eggroll Wrappers, a combo of both a sweet and tart apple variety of the season plus a couple of simple seasonings—and they really do taste like apple pie!
Though this recipe is simple, it also contains a few lasting culinary lessons for your kitchen helpers. The small dice needed for the apples, for instance, represent a graduation of sorts in expertise if a child has been tasked with only slicing and chopping. This more precise cut is key to the success of each bite, so it should be emphasized. It is best that the supervising adult demo how the small cubes are done and then closely oversee. The other teaching opportunity connected to the apples is the reason for using two varieties of apples, the majority being the tart Granny Smith that is sweetened with a Honeycrisp or Fuji. Look up any traditional apple pie recipe; the two consistent ingredients are Granny Smith apples and a cup (or two) of sugar. Fresh fruit needs no sugar! Still, to replicate the sweetness in the original pie, the very sweet Honeycrisp did the trick. The takeaway is that there is always an alternative when a recipe calls for processed sugar.
This is a very fun and easy recipe to make! Even the youngest helper could seal the tarts with a fork. Increase the measurements for a big batch to store in the freezer or fridge. They are just as convenient as the original, except they are metabolism-friendly, although not toaster-friendly; it is best to use a microwave or toaster oven—regardless, it’s a much healthier way to start a child’s day. I have also heard they go great with a dollop of ice cream as dessert or a late-night nibble. Probably just a rumor. Enjoy!
Healthy Apple Pie Pop Tarts
Yield: 8 tarts
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
4 cups of Granny Smith apples, peeled, diced small
1 cup of Honeycrisp or Fuji apples, peeled, diced small
2 tablespoons lemon juice (in a bowl of water to protect diced apples from browning)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon flour
8 egg roll wrappers
Egg wash for shine (1 whole egg +1 tablespoon water)
What the supervising adult should do:
This is a good recipe for an older child to practice knife skills, as small-cubed apples work best. This is a great opportunity to explain to your helpers how replacing the cup of sugar in most apple pie fillings with a sweeter apple variety is much healthier— a habit that could be applied to other recipes. Oversee the stovetop work closely as well as the flipping of the tarts during the bake.
What the kids can do:
Peel and dice all the apples into small cubes and store in a bowl filled with lemon-water to protect them from browning, as this task will take a little time. 
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat until it just begins to brown. Then add the diced apples, cinnamon and nutmeg. Combine all thoroughly and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples have softened considerably. Then blend in flour, cook for an additional 1 minute, remove from heat. 
Let the apple mixture cool to warm, transfer to a blender, puree into a jam-like texture leaving tiny chunks of fruit to taste. Then transfer mixture to a small bowl for more convenient construction of the tart.
Lay out an egg roll wrapper on a clean cutting board and lightly wet the edges with water. Spoon a portion of the filling onto the upper half the wrapper, spread evenly with a knife leaving a small border around the three side for sealing. 
Now fold the empty side of the sheet over the filling and use a fork to gently seal the edges. Repeat for remaining egg roll wrappers. Place on baking sheet (or air fry basket). Brush with egg wash on upside, bake at 400° F for about 5 minutes or until the edges are slightly browned. Watch VERY CLOSELY, then carefully flip over, brush with egg wash and cook for another few minutes.
