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.
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.
Enjoy apples in all their glory! Try my easy apple recipes today.
25 Easy Apple Recipes
Easy Apple Crisp
Apple Blueberry Crisp
Easy Apple Compote
Apple Cider Mocktail (with cocktail option)
Apple Cider Mule
Apple Spice Cake (with optional Bourbon Glaze)
Air Fryer Apple Fritters
Apple Pie Spice Recipe
Instant Pot Applesauce
Crockpot Applesauce
Whole Wheat Apple Bread with Walnuts
Apple Cinnamon No Bake Energy Bites
Easy Apple Dip
Apple Pancakes
Apple Quinoa Pancakes
Sausage Pinwheels with Apple, Sage, and Gruyère
Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry Sauce with Roasted Grapes, Apples, and Shallots
Grilled Pork Kabobs with Apples
Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions
Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples, Cranberries, and Walnuts
Apple Stuffing
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Thanks so much for including me in your round up Rachel! Wish I could mail you a big slice of the apple cake to show my gratitude :) Also, all of these recipes look crazy delicious!
I wish you could too, Erin!
So much awesomeness in this post!!
lots of great ideas
Mmmmmm!! That is a lot of yummy apple recipes! Thanks for including my cookies! :)
Wow Rachel that is one yummy list! Thanks for including my french toast and for all of the awesome apple ideas!
I want to eat everything on this list!! Especially the FAKE tini!! Thanks for including me!
Love everything apple! Thanks for including me!
another drool-worthy roundup! I wish I had the time to make allllll the things! Thanks for including my waffles! <3
What a huge resource you’ve created Rachel! I am so impressed! I can’t wait to share it and try some of these great ideas. Thanks so much for including a few of my recipes too.
So much apple love!! I kind of want to make all of these.
You and me both!