Celebrate fall’s golden girl, the apple, with over 30 easy apple recipes! Enjoy this accommodating fruit in everything from exciting cocktails to delicious main dishes.
This week we are talking apples. I don’t know about you but we go through apples like crazy this time of year. Michigan is apple country and we love ’em!
There are so many varieties to choose from. It’s almost like wine tasting. We visit a farm market with many heirloom varieties on display. The farmers encourage you to carefully taste each one, looking for unique characteristics that each apple may present. You’ll hear phrases like “crisp and tart, with a lot of acidity”, ” strong fragrance with pleasant floral notes”, “interesting, Asian pear-like taste”, and so on.
While you may not have the opportunity to try all of the more unique apple varieties, there are certainly plenty of great apples available in markets today. Be sure to enjoy apples while they’re fresh and stock up!
I’ve rounded up a whole bunch of recipes that have apples as a main ingredient. I love the variety in this collection. Not just apple desserts here! We have salads, cocktails, kebobs, dips, breads, cakes, and more.
These recipes are all tried and true. They’re favorites of my family and I just know your family will enjoy them, too.
Which Apples Work Best for Recipes?
This is a question I am frequently asked. There’s no right answer. Different recipes call for different types of apples. I try to specify on the recipe card what type of apple would work best for that particular recipe.
Not all apples are created the same. Some apples have firm, crisp flesh; others are softer and break down more easily. Apples can be tart or super sweet. The peel can be green, red, golden, or a blend. Some varieties keep well; others are more perishable. Here’s a brief and definitely not comprehensive list of common varieties.
Snacking Apples
If you’re looking for a sweet crisp apple to snack on, or to dip into my delicious apple dip, you can’t go wrong with Honeycrisp, SweeTango, Piñata (my personal favorite), or Pink Lady. These varieties are excellent in salads, too.
Baking Apples
Apples that are popular for baking pies or crisps have a firm texture that doesn’t turn to mush when cooked. Try Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Jonathan, or Northern Spy. I usually choose Honeycrisp to make my popular apple crisp.
Sauce Apples
To make a great applesauce, you want an apple that does break down when cooked. Choose Mutsu (Crispin), Cortland (my favorite), McIntosh, Ida Red, or Rome. Try Instant Pot applesauce to make the easiest applesauce ever. It’s infinitely better than store-bought applesauce!
How To Store Apples
Refrigerating Apples
Store unwashed apples in a cool dry location. It’s important to not wash them until you’re ready to eat them. The crisper drawer of your refrigerator is a perfect place to store apples. It’s best to store apples separately from other produce because apples naturally emit ethylene which promotes ripening and spoilage. If you put the apples in a plastic bag, be sure there are holes in the bag for good air circulation.
Apples will keep for several weeks if they are in good condition (no soft or rotten spots) and stored properly.
Freezing Apples
If you happen to have an abundance of fresh apples, you can freeze them to use later in pies, crisps, cakes, muffins, and compotes (in recipes where the apples are cooked). They’ll keep for at least 3 months. Don’t worry if you notice a bit of browning. That’s natural and will disappear completely when you cook the apples.
Peel the apples, and either slice them or cut them into chunks, depending on how you want to use them. Arrange them in a single layer on a tray that will fit into your freezer and freeze until firm. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. If you’re not interested in having the frozen apples stay separate, you can skip the first step.
The apples can be used directly from the freezer or thawed overnight in the fridge.
Are Apples Good For You?
We’ve all heard the old adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, but are apples really good for you or is that merely an old wives’ tale? I’m happy to say that apples are a nutritious food with many health benefits. Apples are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. They promote good heart health, support weight loss, and help prevent cancer. Apples contain pectic which is good for your gut health (Healthline).
And be sure to eat the peelings, too! Many of the nutrients, especially vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and calcium are found in the apple skin, not to mention much of the fiber.
Not fond of the apple peeling? I’ve found that when apples are cooked, the skin becomes very soft and is barely detectable in apple recipes like crisps, breads, or muffins. Try it once and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Enjoy apples in all their glory! Try my easy apple recipes today.
31+ Easy Apple Recipes
One of my favorite desserts, apple crisp is easy to make with layers of tender juicy apples and a sweet crunchy topping. It’s the best!
Apples and blueberries join together to make this apple blueberry crisp outstanding. Just the right balance of berries and apples make this easy dessert the best.
This easy smoothie bowl will remind you of your favorite apple dessert, with lots of good-for-you ingredients. The best way to start your day!
This easy apple recipe turns juicy apples into a delicious cinnamon-laced compote. Serve it as is, or as a topping for ice cream, pancakes, waffles, and more.
Shake up a perfectly chilled spiced apple cider mocktail at your next fall party! Take plain cider up a notch with this easy recipe.
If you like a Moscow mule, you’ll want to try this variation made with apple cider. Copper mug optional!
Make this deliciously moist apple cake from scratch. It’s so easy and turns out well every time. No fancy ingredients!
A healthier version of a bakery favorite, air fryer apple fritters are fun to make and will disappear quickly.
Apple pie spice plus apples equals amazing desserts and snacks. An easy-to-make spice blend that you’ll want to have in your pantry.
Totally hands off, Instant Pot applesauce is an easy apple recipe you don’t want to miss. Turn six pounds of apples into warm homemade applesauce!
Whole wheat applesauce bread is a hearty and healthy bread – great for brunch, breakfast, or snacking!
Apple cinnamon no bake energy bites are fun, filling, and easy to make, with dried apples, oats, and dates.
Serve your favorite sliced apples with creamy apple dip featuring cream cheese and peanut butter. So good!
Apple quinoa pancakes are a healthy and delicious way to start your day. This apple recipe will quickly become a breakfast favorite.
Apple bran muffins are easy to make, low in fat and high in fiber. This apple muffin recipe is a winner!
Apple cider muffins are packed full of tender chunks of apple, with apple cider in the batter and spiced with cinnamon and cloves.
Apple cinnamon muffins are easy to make and perfect for busy mornings! An easy apple recipe that everyone loves.
Apple granola that tastes like apple crisp is a breakfast win no matter how you look at it!
Filled with chunky apples and lots of cinnamon and spice, hearty whole grain apple spice pancakes make a nutritious and delicious breakfast.
Baked apple French toast cups combine two favorites: baked apples and French toast. Easy to make and kids love them!
Apple crisp breakfast cookies incorporate all the flavors of apple crisp in one tasty, portable, healthy little package.This apple recipe will get your day off to a great start!
Soft and sweet broiled apples make this salad perfect for fall. Easy to prepare and a very impressive presentation.
A fresh light salad with apples and cucumbers is easy to make and perfect for eating alongside a bowl of soup or a sandwich.
Apple cheesecake shortbread cookies with the fantastic flavors of apple cheesecake in an easy to make slice and bake shortbread cookie!
Apple chips are a healthy inexpensive snack for the entire family to enjoy. Easy to make with only a few ingredients!
Apples and cranberries pair perfectly in this cinnamon apple cranberry sauce. So much better than canned cranberry sauce and it’s easy to make.
Cranberry sauce with roasted grapes, apples, and shallots provides a burst of flavor, both sweet and savory, that is unforgettable.
Smoky grilled apples, tender pork chunks, and sweet red onions, with a lemony apricot glaze, make grilled pork kabobs are a delicious way to incorporate apples into your menu.
With crisp tart apples, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, this Brussels sprouts salad is a great fall salad, easy to make and healthy, too.
Stuffed acorn squash, with a delightful blend of farro, sausage, apples, and cheese, is a fall favorite!
Kale salad with tart apples, crisp shredded cabbage, and golden raisins is tangy, tart, sweet, and full of flavorful nutrition.It’s similar to bagged salads but so much better!
