Tastier than McDonald's and half the calories! Fitness coach reveals her secret apple pie 'fakeaway' recipe (2024)

Everyone is prone to having a sweet tooth every once in a while. It's why desserts like McDonald's apple pies are popular – they're tasty and surprisingly cheap. But just because something is cheap and convenient to buy, doesn't mean that it's particularly good for us.

And unfortunately, a lot of our favourite desserts come with a hefty dose of calories.

Luckily, this Aussie fitness coach has come to the rescue with an easy, healthy recipe for a famous dessert that won’t harm our health. Plus, you can make it in the comfort of your own home!

Fitness coach Lauren Simpson recently shared her secret recipe for an alternative to the famous McDonald’s apple pie – and it’s an absolute lifesaver (for our tastebuds).

Not only is the homemade version just as delicious, but it’s also much healthier, packing only 160 calories compared to the chain’s original version with 260 calories.

Following in the footsteps of Aussie foodie Eliya Eats, Lauren used just a handful of simple ingredients including cinnamon, eggs, and apples to make a batch of four identical pies.

‘Obsessed! I had to make it right away as you all know apple pie desserts are my ultimate!’ Coach Simpson wrote in the caption.

‘It’s not the most aesthetically pleasing video, but they sure tasted amazing!’ She continued.

The recipe calls for a sheet of puff pastry, a Granny Smith apple, butter, low-calorie sweetener, cinnamon, lemon juice, corn flour and an egg.

Coach Simpson simply cut the pastry into eight, mixed the apples, seasoning and corn starch in a pan, added the filling to the pastry sections, and then topped the filling with another section of pastry.

Her recipe makes four pies and they can be cooked in as little as eight minutes (when you use an air fryer) or 20 minutes if you use an oven set to 180°C!

This is a much healthier version of McDonald’s apple pie since it only has 25 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of protein, and 5.5 grams of fat.

Her followers were impressed with the simple recipe.

‘OMG yum,’ one shared.

‘I will definitely try this one too,’ someone else wrote.

Another woman was thrilled at having stumbled upon Coach Simpson’s video. ‘Yum! My teen sons LOVE McDonald’s apple pies, unfortunately. So, I will definitely make this for them! Thank you for this recipe!’ She commented.

‘Great idea! Never buying anything at McDonald’s,’ a fourth added.

While someone suggested using rice paper, rolling the filling inside, and popping them in the air fryer to make the paper crispy. ‘Low calorie and delicious,’ they added to which Coach Simpson replied: ‘Yum! Okay, thank you!’

To make the ‘fakeaway’ apple pie, Aussie foodie and certified nutritionist Eliya from Eliya Eats shared the entire recipe on her Instagram account. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 sheet of light puff pastry (thawed out on the counter for 15 minutes) or you can use normal puff pastry
• 1 egg beaten (for egg wash) or you can substitute milk
• 1 Granny Smith apple
• 5g butter
• 1-2 tablespoons of zero-calorie brown sugar (whatever brand you prefer)
• Cinnamon & nutmeg to taste
• Half a lemon (juiced)
• 50 ml water
• 1 tsp. corn starch

For the procedure, first, prepare the apple pie filling by peeling and dicing the apple.

Next, heat the butter on medium heat, add the diced apples, brown sugar alternative, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Afterwards, mix the lemon juice, water, and cornstarch before adding it to the cooked apples. Let it cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened.

Set the apple pie filling aside to cool down. Then, take the sheet of puff pastry and cut it into 8 equal rectangles.

Scoop about a tablespoon (or be as generous as you want) of apple pie filling in the middle of one cut puff pastry sheet, brush the edges with the egg wash (or milk substitute), and add another cut-up sheet on top. Press on the edges to make sure it’s closed well.

Now, with a fork, pinch the sides together, and then create 3 slits in the middle of the pie (this allows the inside to cook).

Lightly brush each piece of ‘fakeaway’ apple pie with the egg wash or milk substitute again, sprinkle with zero-calorie granulated sweetener or normal white sugar, and repeat the process until you have 4 apple pies.

Air fry for 8 mins or pop it into the oven for about 20 minutes at 180°C, and enjoy! It’s easy, right?

I don’t know about you, members, but I’m a bit excited to try this at home! Do you have healthy recipes you want to share? Write them in the comments below!