38 Fall AF Recipes To Showcase Basically Every Way You Can Cook Apples This Season
While everyone else is yelling about "spooky season" and pumpkin-spiced-everything, I will be shouting about the start of ~apple season~ from every rooftop I can find.
No shade to spooky season or pumpkins! I, too, love Halloween and pumpkin spice-ing up my life every single fall, but for me, apples are hard to beat. Yes, give me ALL the apple crisps and pies and donuts, but I'll happily indulge in everything savory, too — and in terms of savory apple dishes, there are some serious winners on this list, folks.
If you're reading this, grab that massive bag of apples you've been staring at for the last few weeks, and get ready to bookmark some apple recipes.
1.Homemade Slow Cooker Maple Apple Butter
Be warned: make a batch of this homemade apple butter once and you just might need to keep a jar in the fridge at all times. Use this on anything and everything, from your morning toast to savory sandwiches.
2.Caramelized Onion, Apple, and Sausage Pasta
The brilliant addition of fresh apples to this umami-loaded pasta dish lends a gentle sweetness, which really amplifies the richness caramelized onions and sausage.
3.Bourbon Apple Galette
Just to say it — I will make this galette for every special occasion because it's A) so much easier than pie, B) leftovers are perfect for an "anytime" snack, and C) it's just really, really good.
Recipe: Bourbon Apple Galette
4.Autumn Apple Salad With Maple Vinaigrette
This easy, seasonal salad packs a whole lot of crunch into one bowl, and using really good maple syrup here is crucial for a succulently sweet vinaigrette to drizzle on top.
5.Homemade Apple Cider
The only thing better than homemade apple cider? The unbeatable aroma you'll give your whole house by letting this pot of autumn goodness simmer all day on the stove.
Recipe: Homemade Apple Cider
6.Baked Apple Donuts
If deep-frying gives you intense anxiety (TBH, we've all been there) these baked apple donuts are just as good as their deep-fried cousins. FYI, licking all the spiced cinnamon-sugar off your fingers is highly encouraged.
Recipe: Baked Apple Donuts
7.Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
If I were a kid, I'd request these ultra-fluffy pancakes every single weekend. Actually...I might go ahead and do that anyway as an adult.
Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
8.Apple Pie Overnight Oats
Urgent update: You CAN have apple pie for breakfast with these apple pie overnight oats. They're just as easy to make as they are to devour, so, TY for making my dreams come true!
Recipe: Apple Pie Overnight Oats
9.Grilled Cheese And Apple Sandwich With Sriracha Butter
If you're on the quest for the illustrious "perfect bite," look no further. Perfectly crusty bread + tangy cheese + sweet and spicy sriracha AND crisp apples?! Need this immediately.
Recipe: Grilled Cheese And Apple Sandwich With Sriracha Butter
10.Apple Fritter Casserole
When October hits, I have this deep, insatiable urge to devour any apple fritter I can get my hands on. Unfortunately, apple fritters are few and far between in good ol' NYC, but this casserole version is easy AF to whip up when the fritter craving hits hard.
Recipe: Apple Fritter Casserole
11.Apple, Caramelized Onion And Spinach Quesadilla
These quesadillas are baked in the oven on a sheet pan, which means you — the quesadilla-maker — can clean your kitchen from top to bottom while they crisp up to a perfect golden-brown. Multitasking at its finest.
12.Apple Pie Scones
I feel deep sadness when people think of scones as dry, crumbly hockey pucks. Good scones — like these warmly-spiced apple pie scones — are anything but dry, and perfect to snack on with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Recipe: Apple Pie Scones
13.Perfect Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apples
I've never met a pork tenderloin I didn't like, and this recipe is no exception. Pork and apples are a match made in heaven, and this perfectly-roasted pork tenderloin is indisputable proof.
14.Brown Butter Apple Blondies With Cinnamon Maple Glaze
Anyone else getting a little tired of the same old, traditional brownies? (It can't just be me!) These decadent blondies are loaded with all the apple-y goodness your stomach could ever desire, which means you should absolutely make these ASAP. It's apple season, after all.
Recipe: Brown Butter Apple Blondies With Cinnamon Maple Glaze
15.Last-Minute Caramel Apples
Unsure if I've ever seen anything cuter than these bite-sized caramel apples. Take the kiddos apple-picking, then have everyone take turns building these sweet treats with whatever toppings they desire.
Recipe: Last-Minute Caramel Apples
16.Honeycrisp Apple Cardamom Cake
Quick PSA: Cardamom, a warm spice native to South India, might be even better than cinnamon when it comes to apples. There. I said it, and I have no regrets.
Recipe: Honeycrisp Apple Cardamom Cake
17.Apple-Cardamom Chelsea Buns
Speaking of cardamom, these Chelsea buns with endless layers of flaky dough might just become your new go-to fall bake. And trust me, they're way easier to make than they look!
Recipe: Apple-Cardamom Chelsea Buns
18.Classic Apple Pie
Sometimes, you just can't beat a classic...especially where apple pie is concerned. If you're on the hunt for the perfect, classic apple pie, with a buttery crust and warmly-spiced filling, this one's for you.
Recipe: Classic Apple Pie
19.Baked Sausages With Apples Sheet Pan Dinner
Sheet pan meals are truly the hero of weeknight dinners. This recipe takes a bunch of simple ingredients and turns them into a juicy, all-in-one meal that's perfect for the entire family.
20.Spiced Apple Cupcakes With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Current state: wishing I could time travel to my childhood years and request these deliciously moist cupcakes for each and every birthday I had. Hindsight is 20/20.
Recipe: Spiced Apple Cupcakes With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
21.3-Ingredient Applesauce
Once you've had homemade applesauce, you may never go back to the store-bought kind. Since this version requires only three ingredients, there's no excuse to not make a batch of this applesauce on the reg.
Recipe: 3-Ingredient Applesauce
22.Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad
This perfectly-balanced fall salad combines the best of sweet and savory into a dish that's delicious as a side or on its own for a low-effort weekday lunch.
Recipe: Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad
23.Vegan Apple Crisp
Regardless of dietary restrictions, you will absolutely fall in love with this simple take on an autumn dessert staple.
Recipe: Vegan Apple Crisp
24.Prosciutto Apple and Sage Butter Chicken with Cider Pan Sauce
If the creamy, herbed apples weren't enough for you, I have a feeling this succulent cider pan sauce will do the trick. Serve this skillet dinner over rice or potatoes to soak up all that saucy deliciousness.
Recipe: Prosciutto Apple and Sage Butter Chicken with Cider Pan Sauce
25.Easy Stewed Apples
Stewed apples have always been a holiday staple for me, and this easy recipe streamlines the process beautifully. Go ahead — stew some apples and spoon them over vanilla ice cream for a dessert you'll want to enjoy nightly.
Recipe: Easy Stewed Apples
26.Honeycrisp Crush
How would this list be complete without autumnal apple cocktails?! Answer: it wouldn't. This honeycrisp crush cooks apples down to a homemade "juice" for a fall cocktail that's basically as festive as it gets.
Recipe: Honeycrisp Crush
27.Winter Apple Slaw
Winter food can be admittedly heavy, but this crisp apple slaw is anything but.
Recipe: Winter Apple Slaw
28.Apple Crumb Cake
Cake for breakfast? Sign me up. This apple-y take on a classic crumb cake is ridiculously delicious eaten calmly alongside a cup of coffee...or devoured in an instant as you race out the door. No judgement, either way.
Recipe: Apple Crumb Cake
29.Apple Pecan Stuffing
It's never too early to start bookmarking Thanksgiving recipes, so bookmark away. It'll be hard to go back to the boxed stuff after you make this nutty homemade stuffing with just a touch of sweetness.
Recipe: Apple Pecan Stuffing
30.Pecan Crusted Pork Chops with Apple Chutney
Crushed pecans are the ideal coating for these pork chops, since they keep the insides juicy while lending a pleasant crunch to the exterior. Spoon over the jammy apple compote, and you've got a meal that's worthy of any fall dinner party.
31.Apple Strudel
If you're as obsessed with apple strudel as I am, you'll be thrilled to know that it's way easier to make at home than you might think!
Recipe: Apple Strudel
32.Butternut Squash Apple Soup With Sage Parmesan Croutons
When I think of "fall comfort food," I think of this dish. This soup is absolutely decadent without feeling heavy in the slightest, and the sage parmesan croutons make this soup anything but ordinary.
Recipe: Butternut Squash Apple Soup With Sage Parmesan Croutons
33.Apple & Gin Autumn Cocktail
By cutting your apples into matchsticks (as opposed to leaving them in slices), you'll ensure that every last drop of apple flavor is infused into this cozy cocktail.
Recipe: Apple & Gin Autumn Cocktail
34.Easy Cinnamon Baked Apples
Baked apples for the win, y'all. This dessert is far simpler than a crisp or crumble, but just as good IMHO. Plus: is there a better vehicle for vanilla ice cream out there?
Recipe: Easy Cinnamon Baked Apples
35.Dutch Apple Bread
It's my life's goal to get apple bread into the hearts (and stomachs) of folks everywhere the same way banana bread has. If you make this, do yourself a favor and line your loaf pan with parchment paper. You'll ensure no sticking whatsoever and super quick cleanup when it's time to eat.
Recipe: Dutch Apple Bread
36.Apple Cider Chicken Skillet
As the self-proclaimed president of the one-skillet meal fan club, I'm stoked to add this apple cider chicken skillet to my weekly rotation.
Recipe: Apple Cider Chicken Skillet
37.Pull Apart Apple Fritter Monkey Bread
I challenge you to not have fun as you pull apart pieces of this sticky-sweet monkey bread. I promise you will not win.
38.Apple Dumplings
If you've never had an apple dumpling, do me a quick favor: save this recipe, run to the closest store, gather up these ingredients and get these cooking as soon as humanly possible. You will be very, very glad you did.
Recipe: Apple Dumplings
If you need even more apple everything in your life, we've got you covered:
– Gordon Ramsay's Trick For Making Better Apple Pie Is Legit Genius
– 28 Ways To Eat Apples This Fall
– This French-Style Apple Tart Is Literally The Most Beautiful Dessert Ever
