30+ Easy Apple Recipes

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!

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 apple recipes are all tried and true. They’re favorites of my family and I just know your family will enjoy them, too. Be sure to stock up on apples and try a few easy apple recipes.

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 pectin 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