12 Amazing Apple Recipes for Everyone

Apple recipes are a sure sign that fall is in the air. Whether you just picked some fresh apples at the orchard or couldn’t resist the granny smith apples at the farmer’s market, these easy apple recipes are unbeatable. From breakfast to dessert, apples are delicious all day long.

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Apple Recipes for Breakfast

Fresh apples on a crisp autumn morning? Nothing like fall flavors to start your day off right.

Apple Spice Waffles

These apple waffles are cozy and comforting anytime. The smell of toasty waffles with apples will warm you up on even the most blustery of fall days. You’ll need 2 cups of pancake/biscuit mix, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground nutmeg, 6 tbsp melted butter, two large eggs, 1-1/2 cups milk, and 1 cup of chopped, peeled apples. Follow the pancake mix directions, then add all the other ingredients. Pour into a waffle maker and cook until golden brown and crispy on the outside. Top with whipped cream and a little bit of caramel sauce drizzle.

Apple Muffins

Although we put these in the breakfast section, we argue that muffins are equally acceptable as snacks anytime. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pan with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, cream together 2 cups sugar, two eggs, 1 cup of vegetable oil, and 1 Tbsp vanilla. Sift 3 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined. The batter will be very thick. Add the diced apples. Fill the prepared muffin pan cups about 3/4 of the way full. Sprinkle with brown sugar crumb topping. Bake at 350°F for 20-24 minutes. 

Apple Pancakes

Topped with butter and maple syrup, these pancakes will put you in a good mood for the rest of the day. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 4 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp cinnamon. In a small bowl, whisk together the two eggs, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 2 cups milk. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and mix gently until just combined. Gently fold in the one medium, grated apple.

Preheat a frying pan over medium heat. Pour the batter by ¼ cup scoops onto the hot griddle and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until there are bubbles across the surface of the pancake. Flip and cook an additional 1-2 minutes, or until cooked through. Serve warm!

Apple Recipes for Dessert

Apple dessert recipes are one of the best parts of September, October, and November (sorry, pumpkin). Whether you’re looking for an after-school treat or a new recipe for the holiday table, you can’t go wrong with the classic flavors of sweet apple desserts.

Mini Apple Pies

This was my mom’s go-to recipe whenever I needed to bring an item to a get-together as a kid. Whether it was a youth group snack or a party dessert, this twist on classic apple pie was always a hit. Heat your oven to 425°F. Unroll a pre-made pie crust on a work surface. Using a large, round cookie cutter, cut out rounds. Gather up any scraps; re-roll with a rolling pin and cut out more rounds to make 10. Press each crust round into an ungreased muffin cup.

In a medium bowl, stir together 2 apples (cored, chopped), 2 tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 1 tsp vanilla. Divide the pie filling evenly among crust-lined muffin cups. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until crusts are golden brown and the mixture is bubbly. Cool completely in the pan for about 30 minutes. With a knife, loosen edges; remove mini pies from muffin cups.

Apple Fritters

These are even better than the ones from your local bakery. Whisk together 1-1/2 cups flour, 1/34 cup of sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1-1/2 tsp cinnamon in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center and add 1/3 cup milk, 2 eggs, and 3 tbsp applesauce. Stir just to combine. Fold in 2 large, peeled, chopped, tart granny smith apples.

Heat 1 1/2 inches of oil in a heavy skillet, dutch oven at 375 degrees F.  Drop about 1/4 cup of batter per fritter into hot oil; spreading it out as you drop. Cook each side until golden brown; about 2 minutes per side.  Use a slotted spoon to remove to paper towels to drain. Whisk together 1/4 cup milk, 2 cups powdered sugar, and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Dunk each fritters in the glaze turning over to make sure both sides coated.  Place on wire racks to air dry and drip.

Apple Crisp

It’s like a dessert casserole, and we can’t get enough. Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Butter an 8×8 baking dish, or spray with non-stick cooking spray.  Set aside. In a mixing bowl, add 6 golden delicious chopped apples, 2 Tbsp granulated sugar, 3/4 tsp of cinnamon, and 1-1/2 tsp lemon juice.  Stir to combine, then transfer to prepared baking dish.

In a separate mixing bowl, add 1 cup of light brown sugar, 3/4 cups old-fashioned oats, 3/4 cup of flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and 1/2 cup of diced cold butter.  Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the oat mixture, using a slight downward twisting motion, until the mixture resembled pea-sized crumbs. Spread topping over apples in a baking dish, and gently pat to even it out.  Bake for 40-50 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly. Serve warm and enjoy! For a more in-depth recipe be sure to check out this blackberry apple crisp recipe from @celebrationgenerationca. You can also find a simple delicious apple crisp recipe with caramel drizzle from @nceatandplay here.

Apple Butter Bread Pudding

Bread pudding is one of my favorite desserts, but I never make it enough. This recipe is first on my list of “things I want to make” this fall. Place 1/3 cup of raisins in a small bowl. Cover with boiling water; let stand for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside. Combine 1 cup of apple butter and raisins. Spread over 6 croissant bottoms; replace tops. Cut each croissant into 3 pieces; place in a greased 13×9-in. baking dish. In a large bowl, combine 8 eggs, 3 cups of 2% milk, 1-1/2 cups sugar, 2 tsp vanilla, and 1/4 tsp salt. Pour over croissants; let stand for 30 minutes or until bread is softened. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt. Cut in 1/4 cup cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Baked Apples

A warm dessert with yummy fall spices never fails to be a hit, especially simple apple recipes like this. And not many recipes are easier than this. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Peel, core, and slice 5-6 apples and transfer them to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add 1 tbsp lemon juice, ¼ cup light brown sugar, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, and 2 tsp cornstarch, and mix everything together. Spread evenly and top with sliced 2 tbsp butter. Cover with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes. When done, take it out of the oven and let sit on the counter for 10 minutes before serving.

Apple Recipes: Sides

Sweet and tart apple flavor doesn’t have to be the main attraction. It can easily make the transition to savory dishes!

Cranberry Apple Stuffing

Maybe the regular stuffing will be retired from the Thanksgiving table in favor of this sweet and savory side. Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a Dutch oven, cook 3/4 lb Italian sausage, 2 chopped celery ribs, 1 small chopped onion, and 6 minced garlic cloves over medium heat until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Add 14.5 oz chicken broth, stirring to loosen browned bits from the pan. Add 1/2 cup cubed butter; cook and stir until butter is melted. Remove from the heat.

Stir in 12 oz seasoned stuffing cubes, 1 1/2 cups of chopped apples, 1 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 cup slivered almonds, 1-1/2 tsp dried sage, 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/8 tsp pepper, 1/8 tsp salt, and enough cider to reach desired moistness (1 to 1-1/2 cups). Transfer to a greased 13×9-in. baking dish. Cover and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover; bake until lightly browned, 5-10 minutes.

Apple Walnut Salad

Apples and walnuts are the perfect pair. And this salad with apple slices perfectly does it. Start by preparing the vinaigrette. In a small bowl, combine the 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 Tbsp dijon mustard, and 2 tsp honey. Whisk until blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Now assemble the salad. In a large bowl, combine 8 cups of spinach, 1 medium apple (thinly sliced), 1/4 cup of thinly sliced red onions, 3/4 cups walnuts, and 1/3 cup feta. Drizzle with the desired amount of vinaigrette and serve immediately.

Apple Slaw

This twist on regular coleslaw is a game-changer for any backyard BBQ or tailgate. Combine 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp grainy mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp celery seed, and 1/2 tsp of black pepper. Toss with 4 cups of shredded cabbage, 2 tart apples (cored and julienned), and 1 cup of shredded carrots. Add cranberries if desired!

Jump Into Autumn With Apple Recipes

Okay, it may not keep the doctor away. But in the fall, I try to eat an apple a day because you can’t get the same flavors year round (seasonal produce always reigns supreme). Whether you have too leftover apples from apple picking or you’re looking for ways to incorporate more apples into your menu, we hope you take advantage. Share your best apple recipes and creations on Instagram and tag us @getfamilyapp.