More often than I’d like to admit to myself or to you, when my kids
were young, I often relied on the "kid’s meal" for an easy, inexpensive
lunch option. I don’t know if they THRILLED to these happy meals because they tasted good or because a prize awaited them when they were done, but they always managed to eat every bite. In my convoluted way of thinking, I’d order a kid’s meal, too, and because the portions were smaller and I’d get a Diet Coke or Pepsi, it was "diet food" for me.
Talk about self-delusion.
Either way, with over 200,000 restaurants and a $120 billion industry, fast food IS a way of life for many…but rarely is it healthy.
In steps Burger King to try to change all that.
Last week, my kids and I received samples of Burger King’s new apple fries. Apple fries? I knew in advance this was supposed to be a healthy alternative to French fries in their kids meals, but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out how FRIED FRUIT was healthy.
Duh…THEY’RE NOT FRIED! The apples are sliced to look like fries.
We were skeptical–how could packaged apples taste fresh?
Remarkably, they were DELICIOUS. They were accompanied by low-fat caramel dipping sauce, but all of us preferred them sans sauce. The slices were firm, sweet…and exceeded our collective expectation.
If my kids were pre-schoolers again, this is a choice I’d make FOR them when ordering–they wouldn’t have the option of French fries. Mama could have her fried potato fix, and they’d be none the wiser ’cause they resemble each other. If I was having an intellectual debate on this, I might argue this Great Deception, but for the sake of a simple product review? They’re good…the apple fries are a better choice when you need to get kids’ meals on the run.
If you’d like to win a $10 Burger King gift card so you can sample them on your own? Subscribe to or bookmark PENSIEVE, then visit next week during Bloggy Giveaways and you might just be able to try them for free (I already awarded one giftcard during last week’s BlogHop ’08)!
They sound yummy! You’re bookmarked sista
i’m intrigued. how do they keep fresh cut apples from turning brown?
i’ve been subscribed and you have been bookmarked for a loooooooooooooong time.
and i TOTALLY would have faked my kids out with apple fries if those had been around when they were littler.
hugs
Fascinating….the teens may still want the fries..but the todd learned fry-fries way too early. Sigh. And I called myself strict with my hypoglycemic diet.
The teens tend to wear you down throughout the years causing much compromise….can’t wait to try these!
That was helpful. I never go there, but I might now. Thanks for letting my know that they really are fries.
That was helpful. I never go there, but I might now. Thanks for letting my know that they really are fries.
I just saw the apple fries the last time I went through the drive thru at BK. Thanks for telling me about them and I hope to win the gift card to try them out!
That’s GENIUS. I have somehow missed all the commercials for this that The Man just informed me are all OVER television. So you’re the first to tell me.
Guess I was too busy doing the dishes or something. 😉
oooo! what a great idea!
I would say this is definitely an idea whose time has come! Fresh fruit at the old grease pit – what’s next? Thank you for sharing this information and for the review.
I’ve been bestowing bling on some of my favorite blogs this morning. Please stop by Adams Wife’s and pick up your award. 😀
I added you to my blogroll during your Bloggy Party! Would so love to try these strange, new things out!!! My FIL used to make his kids “Chips” by cutting apples very thinly to look like round potato chips.
I haven’t even heard of these. (Well, until now of course.) 🙂
I will have to check them out!
Ummm… McDonald’s has offered apple slices as a French fry alternative for a couple or few years now in its Happy Meal. Our son never liked French fries, so the apples were great. We just throw out the caramel dipping sauce that comes with it. So, basically, BK just found a better way to market the same thing. Funny. I think McDonald’s calls theirs apple dippers.
I think the apple slices are a good idea if the parent is buying, but I can’t see myself actually giving up the fries for them. Even though I should 🙂
P.S. Found you through the business card I got at BlogHer.
Love this! What a great alternative to fries. I knew about McDonald’s apples so this is another option now!
Hooray for BK!
I remember reading about a study in which the researches wrapped healthy food like veggies and fruit in fast food wrappers. Even the picky kids gladly ate all of it because they thought it was junk food. I imagine this idea came directly from there!
We were just at Burger King today and I was soo disappointed. They were out of there apple fries. I really wanted to try and get something better than fries.
Also I have to mention Jack in the Box has the option for grilled chicken for their salads and sandwiches. The other day we asked if we could have grilled chicken for the kids meal and they said why not. I thought that was great!!
I went to BK last week (the loaded steakhouse burger is so sinfully delicious–it is all I think about now) and ordered the apples just to try them out, but they were sold out. I guess that’s a good sign!
I went to BK last week (the loaded steakhouse burger is so sinfully delicious–it is all I think about now) and ordered the apples just to try them out, but they were sold out. I guess that’s a good sign!
My kids love apples with caramel dipping. We buy fat-free caramel. It works as a dessert, a power snack, even an emergency breakfast.
I love the idea of having the apples look like fries. I’ll bet that gimmick is one that kids will eat up…(Notice the pun. Completely unintentional. I’m just that good.)
They look very cute, it’s a clever way to package them!
I’m glad to know about this — I had no idea BK had added apple fries. I have three kids five and under, so I’m always looking for healthier fast food! Thanks for the tip!
Clever. I guess that’s why he’s the King! 🙂
You know, BK was my fave until last night when they closed their playground two hours before closing time and refused to reopen it for my two friends and I and our combined 13 children – even knowing we weren’t going to stay and spend money their if there was no playground. Now I feel jilted by my fave fast food place. 🙁
I was wondering about these fries too! Thanks for the post! =) YUMMY!!! I will have to go out and try them!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wonder if you gave your small children ketchup instead of the carmel dipping sauce they’d really think they were french fries. heehee! Well, I may just try Burger King next time around.
Yum!!
I’ve been on an anti-fast food rant this week, and unfortunately most of it’s been directed at BK. That’s because a study was released that showed they STILL haven’t eliminated trans fats from their fries. As a result, their conventional fries have orders of magnitude more artery-clogging doodads in ’em than fries from competing chains.
They’ve steadfastly refused to change their ways, and that leaves a kinda bad taste in my mouth.
Kudos on ’em for the apples. But two journalist-cynical thoughts come to mind:
1 – They’ll be priced beyond regular fries. As a result, most people won’t buy ’em. If they’re REALLY serious about this, they’ll make them available as a same-cost substitute across their freestanding and combo menu. Watch, though: they won’t.
2 – They’re probably laced with enough preservatives to kill Mr. Potatohead. That’s the only way to keep ’em fresh on their journey through the supply chain.
I’m trying to wean the little ones off of fast food entirely. Son the younger’s addicted to apples. We’ll start with that and work our way through the menu.
I bet my kids would love these.
We are subscribers!
Its great BK is going more nutritious!
phillipsonlygirl at gmail dot com
I like a healthy alternative.
gkstratos@yahoo.com
The BK near me is torn down and it is being rebuilt.It was over 30 so time for a change. I think the apple fries are a great idea,haven’t tried but when the new BK opens I will . Anytime you can get fruits and veggies into kids ,do it.Great idea and I hope they keep comming up with more fun food.