20 Sweet and Savory Apple Cider Recipes To Make This Fall

A cold glass or steaming mug isn’t the only way to enjoy apple cider. Its concentrated sweet-tart flavor makes it a surprisingly versatile ingredient, equally at home in savory pan sauces and braises as it is in cakes, doughnuts, and other fall desserts. And, of course, cider is a natural starting point for an apple cocktail or festive fall beverage. Whether you’re cooking dinner, baking something sweet or simply looking for a new way to use up a jug from the orchard, these apple cider recipes make the most of one of fall’s signature flavors.

To start, this easy dinner makes apple cider do double duty alongside fresh apples. After the chicken cooks, the cider is reduced right in the skillet with butter and a splash of vinegar to create a glossy pan sauce for serving over the chicken and roasted vegetables.

The classic orchard doughnut gets a major upgrade in this impressive layer cake. Reduced cider gives the tender cake layers concentrated apple flavor, while a spiced sugar coating recalls a freshly fried doughnut. Dulce de leche buttercream between the layers turns it into a bona fide special-occasion dessert.

Apple cider can be used to bring a slight sweetness to side dishes as well as main courses. In this recipe, sautéed onion and apples are folded into basmati rice, which is then simmered with apple cider, chicken stock and butter. A hint of fresh thyme leaves adds a pleasant herby note that makes this the perfect side for roast chicken, turkey or pork.

Butternut squash, apples and sharp cheddar make this creamy soup a celebration of cool-weather flavors. A splash of apple cider adds fruity sweetness to the base, while crispy prosciutto gives each bowl a salty counterpoint. Serve it with plenty of crusty bread for dipping.

These individual cakes channel the flavors of an apple cider doughnut without the fryer. Shredded apple and cider keep the cakes tender while crisp streusel goes on top. Fold some reduced cider into fluffy maple buttercream and serve on the side for decadent spreading.

Apple cider isn’t reserved for apple season. Here, it joins fresh peaches, garlic and sage in a pan sauce for thick pork chops, creating a savory-sweet main that works especially well during the transition from late summer into fall. If you want to keep things more fall-forward, swap in apples for the peaches.

Can’t decide between waffles and an apple cider doughnut? This recipe gives you a little bit of both. Apple cider and warm spices flavor the batter, then each waffle gets brushed with butter and sprinkled with spiced sugar before its final minutes in the waffle iron for an extra-crisp finish.

A long, gentle braise makes sturdy collard greens meltingly tender, while fresh cider and cider vinegar lend a welcome sweet-and-sour edge. Bacon and onions provide plenty of savory depth, making this an especially fitting side dish for a holiday spread or hearty fall dinner.

Apple cider works its way into almost every bite of these portable pies. It helps cook and thicken the cinnamon-spiced apple filling, then returns in a quick powdered sugar glaze drizzled over the golden crusts. Their football shape makes them particularly fun for a fall tailgate.

Few dinners lean into fall quite as enthusiastically as this one. Cider and cider vinegar form a glossy sauce for chicken thighs, while crisp fritters made with butternut squash, grated apple, ginger and sage complete the plate.

If the cooler fall temperatures haven’t quite hit yet, enjoy an icy and refreshing dessert that still brings on the flavors of the season. Apple cider, sugar and lemon creates a light and crisp granita after some time in the freezer. Top it with chopped fresh apples and a dollop of spiced whipped cream.

Let the slow cooker handle dinner while apple cider gently flavors tender chicken thighs and apples. Mustard and fresh herbs balance the creamy sauce punchy flavors. Throw in some egg noodles to cook right alongside everything at the end to make this an especially convenient all-in-one comfort meal.

Two classic desserts collide in this clever fall mash-up. Ladyfingers are dipped in a mixture of apple cider and brandy, then layered with spiced apples and mascarpone cream. An overnight rest makes this an excellent make-ahead option when the oven is already spoken for.

Here’s proof that apple cider can feel just as at home at the grill as it does in a fall dessert. Reduced with vinegar and spices, it becomes a glaze for juicy grilled shrimp, which are served over a crisp salad of apple and kohlrabi for plenty of refreshing crunch.

Sometimes the most simple use for apple cider is still one of the best. Dark rum and cinnamon schnapps turn chilled cider into an easy fall cocktail, while apple skewers make a festive garnish. Keep this one in mind when you need a seasonal drink that can be mixed by the pitcher.

If you get a craving but don’t necessarily feel like whipping up a whole pie from scratch, these cookies may satisfy you. Reduced apple cider beaten into simple shortbread dough adds a concentrated punch of flavor to each bite. Save a bit of the cider to flavor a simple powdered sugar glaze to spoon over the top of each cookie.

Even a pot of grains can benefit from a splash of cider. Cooking farro in equal parts cider and water gives it subtle fruity flavor before it’s tossed with lemon and olive oil and finished with Parmesan. Serve it as a simple side or build it into a grain bowl.

No apple cider roundup would be complete without the farmstead favorite. Bobby Flay reduces cider before incorporating it into the dough, concentrating its flavor so it can hold its own against cinnamon, nutmeg, and a generous coating of sugar. Don’t forget to fry the doughnut holes, too.

A little apple cider can go a long way in savory vegetable dishes. Here it lends gentle sweetness to buttery turnips and leeks, while chestnuts and dried cherries add texture and richness. Better yet, the whole side dish comes together in less than half an hour.