55 Best Apple Recipes for Fall and Beyond
Whether you’re trying to use up your fall haul after a trip to the orchard or want to get creative with that lone apple in your kitchen—you’ll find that this sweet and delicious fruit is perfect for perking up everything from sandwiches and salads to breakfasts and baked goods.
Related To:
Photo By: Tara Donne
Photo By: Armando Rafael
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Lucy Schaeffer
Photo By: Armando Rafael
Photo By: Armando Rafael
Photo By: Renee Comet
Photo By: Yunhee Kim
Photo By: Armando Rafael
Photo By: Armando Rafael
Photo By: Matt Armendariz
Photo By: Armando Rafael ©2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Renee Comet
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©Copyright 2015
Photo By: KATE MATHIS
Photo By: Armando Rafael
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©Copyright 2015
Photo By: Armando Rafael
Photo By: RYAN DAUSCH
Photo By: Lucy Schaeffer
Photo By: Armando Rafael
Photo By: Renee Comet ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Tara Donne
Photo By: Caitlin Ochs
Photo By: Con Poulos
Photo By: Andrew Purcell
Photo By: Armando Rafael; Armando Rafael ©2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Matt Armedariz ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.
Photo By: Ryan Dausch
Photo By: Renee Comet ©2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Levi Brown
Photo By: Richard Freeda
Photo By: Renee Comet
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Renee Comet ©© 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Matt Armendariz
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.
Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher
Photo By: Armando Rafael
Our Favorite Ideas for Apples
When you imagine a bushel basket brimming with shiny red apples, the next thing that comes to mind is probably a freshly baked apple pie, warm from the oven. Or glass jars filled with homemade cider or applesauce. And, while we certainly love a day in the orchard picking apples for baking, desserts are far from the only use for this hardy fruit. With the right recipes, you’ll find that apples add just the right amount of sweetness to salads, sandwiches and chicken dinners, too. And that’s only the beginning! No matter which of these recipes you choose, we’re sure that these dishes are destined to become the apple of your eye—starting with this beautiful French classic. From-scratch puff pastry is usually out of reach of the home cook, but this technique (made with simply grated butter, flour and water) is an easy cheat. And, its richness is the perfect complement to sweet Golden Delicious apples.
Get the Recipe: Tarte Tatin
Apple-Cheddar Soup
Love the sweet-and-savory combination of apples and cheese fondue? This easy meal is similar — combining both flavors into one, delicious bowl of soup.
Get the Recipe: Apple-Cheddar Soup With Bacon
Apple Crisp
When you've got a bounty of fresh-picked apples on hand, there's no better way to use them than in a classic apple crisp. This recipe keeps it simple, using just a handful of ingredients to turn the fruit into a sweet, oven-baked dessert.
Get the Recipe: Apple Crisp
The Best Homemade Applesauce
After tasting the pure apple flavor of this homemade sauce, you just might never go back to the store-bought kind. Supermarket applesauce can be loaded with added sweeteners and flavorings. We use only a little sugar, plus lemon juice, salt and cinnamon, providing a balanced flavor and the perfect amount of sweetness.
Get the Recipe: The Best Homemade Applesauce
Apple Meringue Cupcakes
Golden meringue crowns moist, apple-packed cupcakes for a stunning fall dessert that's easy enough for anyone to make.
Get the Recipe: Apple Meringue Cupcakes
Cheddar and Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
The classic combination of tart apples and savory Cheddar transform a basic grilled cheese into a sophisticated sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar and Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Shortcut Slow-Cooker Apple Cider
This homemade cider couldn't be easier: Cut a dozen of your favorite apples into wedges (skins, seeds, stems and all) and add to a slow cooker with some spices and water. A bonus: your house will smell delicious too!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Apple Cider
Apple-Bacon Galette
Stuck in an apple pie rut? This rustic galette will change all that. It has all the classic flavors you're craving (apple, cinnamon and a buttery crust) but is much easier to make. Plus, it gets a nice, salty touch from crispy bacon.
Get the Recipe: Apple-Bacon Galette
Caramel Apple Soft Pretzels
Soft pretzels and caramel apples make a delectable pairing in this scratch-made treat. Tart Granny Smith apples are kneaded into sweet yeasted dough, then formed into pretzel shapes and baked to golden-brown perfection. Sprinkle with salt and drizzle with a homemade caramel glaze for the ideal contrast of salty and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Soft Pretzels
Apple-Cinnamon Pancakes
Grated apple is the secret ingredient in these lightly spiced and fluffy pancakes.
Get the Recipe: Apple-Cinnamon Pancakes
Individual Apple Crumbles
Treat your guests with individual ramekins filled with apples and a crunchy streusel topping of oats, brown sugar and walnuts. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Individual Apple Crumbles
Easy Apple Slaw with Apple Jalapeño Dressing
Sunny dresses up bagged slaw mix with julienned apples, herbs and jalapeno — for a fall side that's perfect with pulled pork or barbecue chicken sanwiches.
Get the Recipe: Sunny's Easy Apple Slaw with Apple Jalapeño Dressing
Caramel Apple Grilled Mini Monkey Breads
Monkey bread couldn't be easier with store-bought biscuit dough. We made this recipe so you can take it on the go to your next backyard cookout or tailgate party and then pop it on the grill while everyone is eating. By the time they're ready for a sweet treat, it will be done!
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Grilled Mini Monkey Breads
Pie Baked Apples
If you're looking for a fun way to reinvent classic apple pie, this is it! Hollowed-out apples are stuffed with pie-spiced apples and topped with a lattice crust for a cozy treat everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Pie Baked Apples
Dutch Apple Pie
There may never be an answer to what a true Dutch apple pie is. Some recipes add cream to the filling. Some call for making a deep-dish pie with a lattice top, and others top it with streusel. After a visit to a Pennsylvania Dutch diner, we decided to go with the streusel for a sweet and crunchy topping.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Apple Pie
Apple Ring Pies
These adorable hand-held pies don't require any apple peeling. Each round is cleverly filled with one slice of apple and a bit of caramel candy that melts and turns gooey as the pies are baked. The no-fuss prep makes these perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Apple Ring Pies
Autumn Apple Sangria
The invigorating scent of fall's first apples flavors this bright sangria, sweetened with a lemon-cinnamon syrup and apple brandy.
Get the Recipe: Autumn Apple Sangria
Cider-Glazed Chicken Wings with Apple Salad
Take chicken wings from game day snack to fall dinner by pairing them with in-season apples. We use cider to flavor the wings — and pair them with a refreshing apple salad for a quick and complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Cider-Glazed Chicken Wings with Apple Salad
Cheesecake-Stuffed Apples
Stuffed with cheesecake and topped with caramel sauce, buttered graham cracker crumbs and walnuts — these upgraded baked apples are the ultimate autumn dessert.
Get the Recipe: Cheesecake-Stuffed Apples
Apple Fries
Fries made from fruit? Yes, please! This version uses Granny Smith apple slices that are fried and dusted with cinnamon sugar. The fries taste like apple pie, so dipping them in whipped cream is highly recommended!
Get the Recipe: Apple Fries
Shredded Beet and Apple Salad
Drizzle fresh apple and beets with a shallot vinaigrette and top with candied walnuts for a simple, in-season salad that's perfect alongside pork chops or chicken.
Get the Recipe: Shredded Beet and Apple Salad
Spiced Apple-Pear Sauce
The natural sweetness of fresh apples and pears makes this homemade sauce a standout over the store-bought version. Lemon juice adds brightness and keeps the fruit from browning, and cinnamon and nutmeg lend warm spice notes.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Apple-Pear Sauce
Apple Pie Bars
Ina's pie-inspired bars have all the apple-cinnamon flavor you're craving but skip the step of making pie crust. The apples are baked on top of a buttery cookie crust, instead.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Bars
Turkey-Apple Swedish Meatballs
These savory meatballs have a secret ingredient: apple! They help keep the lean ground turkey nice and juicy.
Get the Recipe: Turkey-Apple Swedish Meatballs
Apple Cobbler for Two
You won't have days and days of leftover cobbler with this perfectly scaled-down recipe. It makes just enough for two!
Get the Recipe: Apple Cobbler for Two
Apple-Pecan-Oat Quick Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze
Mix chopped, toasted pecans into this apple bread, then glaze the whole loaf with a vanilla cream cheese icing for quick bread you'll make all apple season long.
Get the Recipe: Apple-Pecan-Oat Quick Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze
Cornbread-Stuffed Baked Apples
This quick-and-delicious fall side dish is one of our favorite ways to use in-season apples. The sweet-and-savory cornbread stuffing bakes in hollowed-out apple halves for an extra-pretty presentation.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread-Stuffed Baked Apples
The Best Apple Crisp
If you just went apple picking, here's the perfect recipe to enjoy the fruits of your labor. We've included two varieties of fresh apples, plus warm spices and tangy cider. The sweet, buttery crumble topping is flavored with brown sugar and studded with nutty pecans for the ultimate easy apple dessert.
Get the Recipe: The Best Apple Crisp
Braised Chicken Thighs and Apples
Apple cider and a side of sautéed apples give this cozy braised chicken dish a decidedly fall feel.
Get the Recipe: Braised Chicken Thighs and Apples
Spiced Apple-Walnut Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
Food Network fans rave that Giada's easy apple cake is one of the best they've ever made. One reviewer says it's like "having every warm and delicious memory of the holidays" — all wrapped up into one bite.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Apple-Walnut Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
Whole30 Hot Apple Cereal
This grainless porridge relies on sweet and tart Honeycrisp apples to make a chunky sauce enriched with coconut milk, cashews and ground flaxseed. It's packed with fiber and is friendly to the Whole30 program.
Get the Recipe: Whole30 Hot Apple Cereal
The Best Apple Pie
We love using a variety of apples in our pie; it adds both flavor and texture and makes every bite a little different. Vodka in the pie crust makes the dough easier to work with, and since the alcohol burns off during baking, it doesn't impart any flavor. But feel free to use bourbon or apple brandy instead to complement the filling.
Get the Recipe: The Best Apple Pie
Apple-and-Ham Salad
Apple is one of our favorite salad add-ins. It brings a subtle sweetness — and plenty of juicy crunch!
Get the Recipe: Apple-and-Ham Salad
Apple-Oat Cookies
Grated apple makes these quick-and-simple, glazed cookies extra moist and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Apple-Oat Cookies
Apple Pie Cupcakes
We borrowed the filling from a favorite holiday pie and baked it on top of a spiced cupcake for these rustic, all-American bites. The tops spread a bit, so use a spoon or a small offset spatula to help lift the cupcakes out of the pan.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Cupcakes
Apple-Raisin Cinnamon Bun Pie
There's more than meets the eye in this tricky pie. At first glance, it looks like a pan full of cinnamon buns, but cut into it and there's apple pie filling underneath! Big and little kids can help with measuring ingredients and even rolling out the dough (though parents should be nearby in case they need help).
Get the Recipe: Apple-Raisin Cinnamon Bun Pie
Kohlrabi and Apple Salad
Kohlrabi has the slightest hint of peppery punch — making it the perfect complement to sweet, crunchy apples in this simple and satisfying side salad.
Get the Recipe: Kohlrabi and Apple Salad
Fried Apple Hand Pies
The beauty of these pies is that they can be made days, weeks, even months ahead of time and just fried up when you're ready to eat them.
Get the Recipe: Fried Apple Hand Pies
Pork Chops with Baked Apples
Although this easy, weeknight meal features meaty pork chops and hearty root veggies on the side, we think the roasted apples are the real star of this dish! They cook up sweet, caramelized and delicious in no time!
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops with Baked Apples
Apple Bread
For this bread that's chock-full of apples, don't stray too far from the McIntosh variety they soften just enough without completely disappearing.
Get the Recipe: Apple Bread
Apple-Honey Baklava
This baklava was created to honor the delicious combination of apples and honey. The syrup is honey-forward and the filling has less nuts than a classic baklava to allow the apples to shine. Breadcrumbs between the bottom layers of phyllo help absorb any excess moisture from the apples and keep the phyllo crisp, even after being soaked in syrup.
Get the Recipe: Apple-Honey Baklava
Chicken and Apple Salad
With walnuts, cheese, chicken breast and crisp apple, this hearty salad is aything but boring. Packed with flavor, it's the all-in-one meal you'll want to make all fall long.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Apple Salad
Apple-Cranberry Potato Chip Crisps
Update your apple crisp with this fun recipe. The filling boasts a blend of sweet apples and tart cranberries — and the topping incorporates potato chips for saltiness and crunch.
Get the Recipe: Apple-Cranberry Potato Chip Crisps
Spiced Apple Chips
These oh-so-snackable apple chips couldn’t be simpler. Just sprinkle with a blend of fragrant spices and bake in the oven until crispy.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Apple Chips
Bloomin' Apple
Onions don't deserve all the fun: Apples can get the bloomin' treatment, too. A set of three nesting biscuit cutters (or a sharp knife) provide a shortcut to the intricate cuts needed to turn the apples into flowers.
Get the Recipe: Bloomin' Apple
Whole-Grain Caramel Apple Oven Pancake
This high-fiber, low-fat breakfast dish is a crowd pleaser. It's sweet and tender and quicker to make than individual pancakes. We love it with just a dusting of confectioners' sugar, or try it with a drizzle of maple syrup.
Get the Recipe: Whole-Grain Caramel Apple Oven Pancake
Ham, Apple and Cheese Quesadilla
This 30-minute, weeknight dinner takes quesadillas from appetizer to entree. We like to serve them with apple slices for a little extra nutrition — it's a flavorful meal that even the kiddos will love.
Get the Recipe: Ham, Apple and Cheese Quesadilla
Apple Pie Thumbprint Cookies
A spiced apple filling tops these buttery cookies, packing all the flavor of an apple pie into a single bite — for a fraction of the work!
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Thumbprint Cookies
Sausage and Apple Stuffed Pork Roast
This recipe is perfect for a special occasion. It takes a bit of work to stuff and roll the pork roast but the sweet-and-savory, sausage-and-apple stuffing is sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Apple Stuffed Pork Roast
Smoked Apple Cobbler
Who says you need an oven to make a cobbler? This quintessential fall dessert is even better with the touch of smoke you get from baking it on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Apple Cobbler
Apple Fritters
What could be better than battered, deep-fried apple slices? How about Giada's easy version, sprinkled with lemon sugar?
Get the Recipe: Apple Fritters
Kale and Apple Salad
A savory-sweet blend of apple, dates, almonds and cheese makes the perfect topping for this hearty fall salad. A little pecorino goes a long way in giving it a satisfying depth of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Kale and Apple Salad
Caramel Apples
A deep, rich caramel makes for a classic shiny caramel apple — and a treat that we'd be happy to enjoy any time of the year!
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apples
Homemade Apple Butter
This 5-star recipe couldn't be easier. You only need a handful of ingredients and, although the apple butter takes 3 1/2 hours from start to finish, it only requires a few minutes of active cooking.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Apple Butter
Sausage and Apple Stuffing
Apples make a great add-in for stuffing and dressing. They bring just a touch of sweetness. Here, we've combined them with crumbled sweet Italian sausage and dried cranberries for the perfect balance of flavors.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Apple Stuffing
