Looking for the best way to eat apples? Here are our best apple recipes with something for everyone, from applesauce to apple pie.
What’s better than the crunch of biting into a crisp tart apple? We eat them all year long since they’re easy to find at the grocery. But once the weather gets cooler, we start craving those classic apple recipes: apple pie, apple crisp, and applesauce! And of course, no fall is complete without a trip to the orchard.
Got apples? Here’s a collection of best apple recipes for using this super fruit! There’s all the standards, but you can also get creative. Throw them into salads, eat them sauteed with cabbage, or roasted with cauliflower. Or, blend them into a glowing green smoothie as a healthy breakfast. The sky is the limit with apples, so…why don’t we get started?
And now…our top apple recipes!
At the top of our apple recipes: apple crumble! This is the best classic apple crumble (or apple crisp, because they’re pretty darn similar). It’s a big 9 x 13 pan to feed a crowd, and fresh ginger accentuates the gooey filling perfectly. It's so good, we've also got at vegan & gluten free version. Top with melty vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream for the full experience.
These incredible apple muffins have a a crunchy streusel topping made of glittery turbinado sugar and a little butter and oats. The nice thing about a streusel topping is that it adds just the right sweetness and crunch to each bite. The muffin is flavored with cinnamon, ginger and allspice, and features both applesauce in the batter and chunks of diced apple throughout. They're so, so good. (And here's a vegan apple muffin variation!)
Next up in our apple recipes: the very best apple pie. Really. This one has the perfect buttery crust, woven into a rustic lattice and painted with a sparkly maple glaze. The interior is gooey, sweet apples, spiced with cinnamon, cloves and fresh ginger. It's so, so flavorful and looks positively stunning. Head to the post for tutorials on how to cut apples fast and how to weave a lattice crust.
Also try: Classic Vegan Apple Pie (quite possibly even better!)
The best apple recipe? Applesauce cake! This is the most drop dead delicious applesauce cake you’ll eat. It’s moist and scented with cinnamon, perfectly fluffy and even a little gooey. It’s got a healthy spin with olive oil and Greek yogurt, and instead of calorie-rich icing there’s a sprinkle of powdered sugar. And the best part? It’s legitimately easy: you simply mix all the ingredients together in the baking pan. No mixing bowls required!
This spinach apple salad is as easy as it is tasty! No one will believe it took minutes to put together. Start with a bed of greens and add crisp apple and pear. Our best balsamic vinaigrette covers it in tangy sweet goodness, and the best part? Maple-glazed walnuts or pecans! Just a few minutes in a hot skillet with maple syrup makes the nuts come out shiny and lightly sweet.
Here’s an apple recipe for cozy mornings that’s got a secret…it’s a healthy breakfast idea, too. Meet these apple cinnamon pancakes! They’re fluffy, cinnamon-spiced, and guess what? They’re made of 100% oats, no flour! Using oats lends a warm, homey flavor and makes them more filling and nutrient-dense than the traditional pancake.
Here’s an apple recipe that’s full of cozy spiced, naturally sweet flavor: the perfect apple smoothie! This one works anytime and in any season. But of course it’s perfect for fall when you’ve got mounds of apples to use up. In fact, it’s a healthy way to enjoy the flavors of apple pie or apple crumble! Cinnamon and vanilla are just the right compliment to the sweet tart fruit. It’s also loaded with protein from Greek yogurt, which gives it just the right creamy texture. You’ll almost feel like you’re drinking an apple pie milkshake…but a wholesome version!
Here’s our very favorite way to eat apple recipes for breakfast: this baked apple oatmeal! When the mornings start to get cooler, this is the best morning treat to break out. It’s easy to make with ingredients you might already have on hand. And the flavor of tender, sweet apples paired with maple syrup, cinnamon and allspice…well, you’ll want to make it every day! It works as a brunch recipe for entertaining, or you can make a big pan and eat off of it for breakfasts all week.
Want an easy apple recipe that's a sweet treat? Look no further than these sauteed apples! There’s no baking necessary, and no advanced preparation. Just slice up some apples, saute them in butter and spices, and bam! Eat it warm topped with vanilla ice cream, and there’s really not much better. In fact, why even make apple crisp or apple pie at all?
And now for one of the most classic of all apple recipes: applesauce! Making applesauce at home is easier than you think. This recipe skips the extra sugars of the store bought kind! If you'd like, add cinnamon and a splash of maple syrup: or leave it unsweetened! Here’s how to make applesauce at home: on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot.
Here's another project in our apple recipes: dried apples! If you’re looking for a little recipe that’s a fun kitchen DIY, fairly easy, and makes your house smell divine, look no further than apple chips! A tip before you start: a mandoline is helpful for this recipe to cut the apple paper thin. Douse with cinnamon and bake in a low oven for a few hours. They come out crisp and sweet.
Got apple cider? You'll need it for this apple recipe, and it's well worth the jug! This one's a stunning drink for entertaining, made with pure apple cider, cinnamon and cloves. Freeze it in an ice cream maker or in ice cube trays and blend. It's so refreshing: and looks beautiful garnished with apple slices!
Also try: Mulled Cider
This apple galette recipe is an easy version of apple pie! Apples and pomegranate seeds are beautifully arranged onto a free-form flaky pie crust. It’s sweetened only with a bit of honey and the natural sweetness of the fruit. The cinnamon and ginger-spiced apples and pomegranate seeds are sweet and slightly tart, a perfect contrast to the flaky and salty crust.
Want the easiest apple crisp recipe out there? This one is cooked in an Instant Pot (pressure cooker), which makes for seriously quick prep! The crisp comes out with a chewy granola topping, brightened with a little lemon zest, and tangy tender apples. Top with vanilla ice cream or Homemade Whipped Cream.
Take it from one of our recipe testers: “It was easy and quick and even though it was made in the Instant Pot rather than the oven it made my kitchen smell amazing. The apples came out perfectly tender. My 10 year old girls helped me put it together and asked for seconds!”
This big pot of oats is apple cinnamon flavored and oh so delicious! Why make steel cut oats? Both steel cut and rolled oats have the same benefits: lots of fiber and plant-based protein to start your day. But steel cut oats are less processed, which may help you to feel fuller and have less of a “spike” of energy after eating! Top this apple recipe with sliced apples and cashew butter.
What’s more fun than apple pie? Mini apple pies! Am I right? There’s something about miniaturizing anything that attracts attention. And this mini apple pies recipes is the cutest thing to grace your table. Even better, they’ve got a splash of bourbon. Yep, these are the apple pies of your dreams! (And don’t worry, they’re safe for the kiddos because the alcohol cooks out when baking.)
This refreshing apple manchego salad recipe features apples and Spanish Manchego cheese cut into matchsticks, dressed simply with a bit of olive oil and chives. The way these ingredients are combined in such a simple way makes each shine! Manchego cheese has a unique flavor: it's available at most mainstream grocery stores. The way the apples and cheese are cut makes it hard to distinguish between the two – making it all the more fun to guess what will be part of each bite!
This tasty apple oatmeal muffin recipe has a secret: these muffins are made mostly of oats! Oat flour and rolled oats make the base for the muffin, but with a few tricks so they turn out moist and beautifully fluffy. They're sweetened with maple syrup and tender apple chunks. Slather them with peanut butter or almond butter for a fantastic healthy breakfast idea. (Another great choice: Apple Zucchini Muffins.)
This apple recipe combines biscuits and cinnamon-y baked apples for a fall treat! It's baked up in a cast iron skillet until the apples are tender and the biscuits are golden on top and doughy on the inside. Serve this skillet apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, yogurt whipped cream, or coconut whipped cream
This cabbage and apple salad recipe features Savory cabbage, a variety with a mild, sweeter flavor than standard green cabbage. The leaves are crinkled and when thinly sliced, they look like beautiful frizzy confetti. Here it's combined with crisp apples and crunchy walnuts, then topped with sliced Parmesan. It's got just the right refreshing vibe!
Last up in our apple recipes: one that will blow you away with its flavor and beautiful colors! These roasted apples with cauliflower are a unique pairing that everyone will be talking about. The sweetness of the apple works perfectly with the savory cauliflower: and topping with fresh dill brings an herbaceous note. The best part? The bright purple of the roasted onion against the bright pink of the apple is stunning.
Other apple recipe ideas
Did see something you liked? Here are some other ideas for serving apples:
- Compote, jelly, jam or chutney
- Strudel or dumplings
- With chicken or pork
- Waldorf salad
Apple nutrition facts
Apples are full of nutrients! Here’s a quick breakdown of apple nutrition info and facts (Source: Healthline):
- Apples are full of fiber and water: 1 apple has 4 grams of fiber or about 15% of your daily needs
- They are a good source of vitamin C: 1 apple has about 14% of your daily needs
- Apples contain pectin, a type of fiber that acts as a prebiotic and helps with gut health
- Raw apples clean your teeth and massage your gums!
- Most of the nutrients in apples are in the skin, so you should eat the skin as much as possible.
How to store apples
Here’s what to know about storing apples to make in these apple recipes!
- Store at room temperature for ripening.
- Store ripe apples in the refrigerator for several weeks in the fruit drawer. To slow down the dehydration, cover with a loosely closed or perforated plastic bag.
Classic Apple Crumble
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
What’s better than a big pan of apple crumble? This one makes a 9 x 13 pan of classic crunchy topping and a gooey cinnamon and ginger apple filling.
Ingredients
For the filling
- 6 medium to large cooking apples
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Zest of 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
For the crumble
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 8 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (or coconut oil for vegan)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Core, peel and thinly slice the apples. Peel the ginger and grate it.
- Combine the apple slices and filling ingredients in large bowl and toss with your hands until well coated.
- In separate bowl, make the crumble topping: stir together the flour, brown sugar, oats, walnuts and kosher salt. Add the vanilla and stir. Cut the butter into small pieces and add to bowl. Use pastry cutter or fork to fully incorporate the butter (or room temperature coconut oil).
- Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Place the apple filling in the bottom, then evenly distribute the crumble over the top.
- Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until browned and bubbly. Allow to cool slightly, then serve with Greek yogurt or creme fraiche sweetened with a drizzle of maple syrup, whipped cream (classic, vegan or bourbon infused), or ice cream.
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Apple Recipes, Apple Crumble, Apple Crumble Recipe, Apple Crisp
More seasonal fall recipes
While apples are easy to find all year round, they’re a signature of the fall season! Here are a few more fall recipes or recipes with seasonal fall produce:
- 10 Fall Dinner Recipes or 13 Must-Make Fall Recipes
- Best Butternut Squash Recipes or Acorn Squash Recipes
- Vegan Pumpkin Bread
- Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
- Fall Sangria, Apple Cider Sangria or Apple Sangria
- Apple Cider Cocktail
- Roasted Butternut Squash
- 3-Bean Healthy Chili Recipe
Last updated: August 2020
1 Comment
Reena Bansal
September 7, 2020 at 8:24 amThis was a great comfort food during quarantine. I had less flavorful apples so I added 1/2 tsp of ginger and some lemon zest and it tasted terrific!