Hello my fine folks! It’s apple season, and I am going bananas for apples. Or should I say I’m going apples for apples? Today I have 50+ healthy apple recipes for you to try this fall. Plus information about which varieties are in season during early, mid and late season. What is the best way to store apples and which apples are best for baking and which are best for snacking!
Table of Contents hide
Why We Love Apples
The Best Way To Store Apples
What Are the Best Apples Best For Storing?
Apple Varieties By Season
Best Apple Varieties For Baking or Snacking
Best Breakfast Recipes with Apples
Apple Snack Recipes
Apple Recipes: Healthy Lunches, Salads, Side Dishes and Soups
Healthy Apple Dinner Recipes
Apple Dessert Recipes To Try This Fall
Why We Love Apples
My apple obsession began when I was a kid. My mom tells me I “had” to have one in my lunchbox every day. Always the discerning foodie I was not into the mealy varieties like Red Delicious. I wanted them hard and crisp like a Granny Smith.
In the nineties, my mom ended up moving to Vermont and bought an apple orchard with dozens of varieties I’d never tried. That’s when I had my first Macoun. They are one of those old-fashioned varieties that don’t keep or travel well, so a lot of folks haven’t tried them. [By the way, it’s pronounced either mac-cowan or macoon depending on who you ask.] If you haven’t had one, they are worth seeking out. They are full of juicy flavor and really crisp. I wonder what my college roommate thought about the fact that I used to store a peck of Macouns next to the Saranac Black and Tan in our dorm fridge.
Nowadays I prefer to snack on Honey Crisp apples- I mean c’mon- who doesn’t LOVE Honey Crisp apples?!!! Woot woot! Read on to find out more about different varieties of apples and find 50 plus healthy recipes for apple season!
The Best Way To Store Apples
That expression, one bad apple spoils the whole bunch is based on the fact that apples give off ethylene as they ripen. Ethylene causes fruits to ripen. This is useful if you’re trying to soften an avocado or banana, just put them into a paper bag with an apple or two and seal it shut to hold in the ethylene.
Otherwise, for storing apples it is best to keep them away from other fruits and vegetables so they don’t cause them to rot. Apples should be kept as cold as possible without freezing.
For the longest term storage wrap each apple in a thin sheet of acid free tissue paper in a produce crisper drawer of a fridge.
What Are the Best Apples Best For Storing?
- Honey Crisp
- Mutsu
- Northern Spy
- Ambrosia
- Braeburn
- Fuji
- Honey Crisp
- Jazz
- Pinata
- Pink Lady
- Sweet Tango
Apple Varieties By Season
| Early Season Apples | Mid Season Apples | Late Season Apples |
| Paula Reds | McIntosh | Mutsu (crispn) |
| Jersey Mac | Cortland | Fireside |
| Ginger Gold | Empire | Frostbite |
| Red Delicious | Haralson | |
| Golden Delicious | Keepsake | |
| Honey Crisp | Northern Spy | |
| Liberty | Regent | |
| Honey Gold | Snow Sweet | |
| Macoun | ||
| Fuji | ||
| Gala |
Best Apple Varieties For Baking or Snacking
| Best Baking Apples | Best Snacking Apples |
| McIntosh (*See note below) | Ambrosia |
| Cortland | Braeburn |
| Empire | Fuji |
| Ginger Gold | Honey Crisp |
| Golden Delicious | Jazz |
| Jonagold | Pinata |
| Rome Beauty | Pink Lady |
| Red Rome | Sweet Tango |
*Note: MacIntosh apples are very saucy when cooked and are a great addition to pies when blended with other more firm apples. They may be too soft or juicy to use for cakes and other pastries.
Best Breakfast Recipes with Apples
Let's start the day off with our favorite apple breakfast recipes! Here are some delicious and healthy starts featuring apples
gingerbread apple pancakes
Whole-grain Gingerbread apple pancakes for the holiday season. Perfect for when you have house guests or any leisurely Saturday or Sunday morning. They are plate-licking good.
apple protein pancakes {gluten-free}
apple cheddar and sausage breakfast strata
Apple, Cheddar and Sausage Breakfast Strata is the perfect holiday morning breakfast. It is an unforgettable savory and sweet make-ahead breakfast casserole. You’re going to love it!!
Apple Cinnamon Waffles
Photo Credit:alldayidreamaboutfood.com
Delicious low carb, grain-free waffles with a hint of apple and cinnamon. Pair them with my sugar-free low carb caramel sauce for a special fall breakfast!
Apple Pie Smoothie Bowl | Floating Kitchen
Photo Credit:www.floatingkitchen.net
This easy breakfast is made with apple cider and Greek yogurt smoothie topped with granola, apple and sweet caramel sauce!
green apple smoothie
A simplegreen apple smoothiewith kale and coconut milk. It is a healthy vegan way to start your day or snack.
Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Cookies
Photo Credit:thelemonbowl.com
The perfect portable make-ahead breakfast, these chewy oatmeal apple breakfast cookies are energy packed and lightly sweetened to make them loved by all!
Overnight, No Cook Apple Pie Oatmeal
Photo Credit:thelemonbowl.com
This Overnight No Cook Apple Pie Oatmeal is everything you love about fall turned into a healthy, make-ahead breakfast.
cranberry apple christmas breakfast casserole
If you are looking for a make-ahead breakfast casserole for Christmas morning, look no further. This Cranberry Apple Christmas Casserole will be a huge hit with the whole family and it can be assembled the day before. It’s made with vanilla Greek yogurt, fresh cranberries, sourdough bread, eggs and it’s topped with a crunchy nut streusel topping.
Apple Snack Recipes
Here are some fun, healthy and easy snacks with apples to try this fall!
Greek Yogurt Apple Streusel Muffins
These Greek Yogurt Apple Streusel Muffins are a nutritious back-to-school snack. Each one is filled with natural whole grains and come in at 217 calories and 5 grams of protein!
Low Sugar Apple Upside Down Muffins
These low-sugar upside-down apple muffins have a buttery maple apple topping reminiscent of tarte tatin or pineapple upside down cake. They are much healthier though! They’re made with oats, almond flour and apple sauce. They make a great after school snack because kids love them because they are naturally sweet, they’re 100% whole-grain, and only have 1 1/2 teaspoons added sugar.
Apple Cinnamon Bread
Today I have my Apple Bread recipe with Cinnamon and Maple sugar. It is studded with chunks of fresh apple and with the addition of applesauce it is ultra moist! Pour a cup of coffee and enjoy the taste of fall in each bite!
simple homemade applesauce
This applesauce recipe is a great way to use Macintosh apples!
gluten free applesauce snack cake
An old favorite, this Gluten-free applesauce snack cake is a great fall treat!
Maple Apple Chips
Photo Credit:www.bakedbyrachel.com
With only two ingredients, maple syrup and apples, these wholesome crunchy apple chips are hard to beat!
Apple Almond Cranberry Quick Bread
Photo Credit:www.honeyandbirch.com
The flavors in this quick bread recipe are perfect for fall! Make thisapple almond cranberry quick breadfor chilly autumn mornings or to bring to Thanksgiving dinner!
Paleo Apple Muffins (grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free) - Texanerin Baking
Photo Credit:www.texanerin.com
These paleo apple muffins are fuss-free and completely maple sweetened. They get extra apple flavor from grated and diced apples.
Apple Cinnamon Cookie Bites - A Delicious Fall Snack
Photo Credit:www.runningtothekitchen.com
These apple cinnamon cookie bites are made with oats, cashew butter and real pieces of fresh apples. A great fall snack and delicious with a bowl of yogurt!
{Slow Cooker} Honey Crisp Applesauce Recipe
Photo Credit:selfproclaimedfoodie.com
Honey Crisp applesaucemade with a slow cooker with vanilla beans is an easy recipe! This simple crockpot applesauce recipe is also healthy since there is no sugar added.
Apple Recipes: Healthy Lunches, Salads, Side Dishes and Soups
Here's a catch-all category with lunch ideas, soups, salads and side dishes all featuring apples! From Thanksgiving stuffing to sweet and savory salad combinations here are more than a dozen ideas.
Massaged Kale Salad with Apple
Give me a bunch of kale, and I will find a hundred ways of using it in the kitchen, but making Massaged Kale salad is by far one of my favorites! Rubbing the kale leaves with olive oil before you toss with the apples and other salad toppings makes them tender and delicate. I know it sounds strange, intentionally “roughing up” your produce, but it works wonders! One try and you’ll add this Vegan Kale Salad to your salad rotation!
Brie, Ham and Apple Panini Sandwich - Low Carb and Gluten-Free
Photo Credit:alldayidreamaboutfood.com
Panini sandwichesare typically high carb, but you don’t need miss out on a panini sandwich on your low carb diet. Make thiseasy low carb flatbread recipeand then add your favourite fillings in the middle.
vermont fall salad with cheddar and bacon
A flavorful seasonal salad with chunks of Cabot White Oak Cheddar, sweet Vermont apple, spiced nuts and crumbled smoky bacon for fall. Easy enough to makefor lunch and special enough for Thanksgiving.
Waldorf Chicken Salad
This Waldorf Chicken Salad recipe is an easy and delicious lunch! It has celery, apples, walnuts and poached chicken breast in a creamy Greek yogurt dressing.
Maple Dijon Apple Coleslaw
Photo Credit:cupcakesandkalechips.com
This crisp and creamy apple slaw is aHealthy Coleslaw recipewe can all love because it is sweet and savory and made without mayo! It is lightened up with Greek yogurt, plus the juicy apples, dried cranberries, and maple Dijon dressing give it a delicious flavor. Enjoy this quick and easy side dish any time of the year because when the kiddos gobble it up, you know it has to be the best cole slaw recipe ever.
Carrot Ginger Soup with Apple
This Carrot Ginger Soup with Apple is the perfect vegansoup!And it is only 123 calories per serving. Granny smith apples, fresh ginger and thyme add wonderful layers and depth of flavor and the aromatic and crunchy oregano croutons make it extra special.
Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples and Candied Walnuts
Photo Credit:diethood.com
ThisBrussel Sprouts Salad with Apples and Candied Walnutsis an amazing Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish. Warm brussel sprouts loaded with tart apples and candied walnuts, this easy recipe is healthy and delicious!
chopped winter salad with apples
ThisChopped Winter Saladwith apples, celery, radishes and carrots is colorful, crunchy and clean-eating friendly! I am re-sharing it today and I have a bit of cool stuff to share about thehealth benefits of apple cider vinegar, which I used in the shallot cider vinegar dressing on this salad.
Turkey and Sage Stuffed Apples
Photo Credit:www.runningtothekitchen.com
These turkey and sage stuffed apples are like a little bite of fall.
Herbed Applesauce
Photo Credit:www.nutmegnanny.com
This sweet herbed applesauce is packed full of fresh fall apples, thyme and rosemary. It pairs perfectly with savory dishes and is great for Thanksgiving.
easy holiday slaw with apples and pomegranate
Thiseasy holiday slaw with apples and pomegranateis a bright and cheerful dish that will provide a healthy and fresh contrast to the rest of your meal. The apples, pomegranate and dried apricot make it festive enough for your Christmas feast, yet it is easy enough for a weeknight dinner. Just chop everything up, toss it in a bowl. Drizzle on the dressing and you’re good to go!
Farro Salad
Here is a delicious Farro Salad made with sauteed leeks, apples and walnuts. It has orange and walnut vinaigrette and dried cranberries which gives it a sweet, tart and savory flavor that pairs with a variety of meals. It is so easy to make, vegetarian and can be made ahead.
baby arugula and butternut salad with maple vinaigrette {paleo, vegan and glutenfree}
Baby Arugula and Butternut Salad with Maple Vinaigrette with fresh apples and walnuts. Doesn’t that sound delicious? I love all things sweet and savory, so this kind of salad is for me!
cornbread stuffing with apples and pecans {with a gluten-free option}
This Cornbread Stuffing with Apples and Pecans is so good, you may not want to wait for Thanksgiving! I have complete make-ahead instructions, a short-cut and a gluten-free option and a vegetarian version as well.
Healthy Apple Dinner Recipes
For the main course consider one of these healthy apple dinner recipes!
Mussels with Apple and Bacon
The sweet and smoky combination of bacon, cider and apples cooked with the mussels is a treat!
easy roasted pork tenderloin and apple skillet
This Easy Roasted Pork Tenderloin and Apple Skillet is glazed in maple and whole mustard with thyme and a splash of cider vinegar. There are peeled and quartered shallots in it too! It is fancy enough for company but easy enough for a weeknight!
roasted potatoes with apples, sausage and maple mustard glaze
Friends, I know how busy fall can be, but I’ve got your back! Check out theseRoasted Potatoes with Apples, Sausage and Maple Mustard Glaze. With just 20 minutes of prep and only one pan you’ll be able to put a delicious kid friendly dinner on the table without breaking a sweat.
Roasted Pork Loin with Apple Chutney
This Maple Cider Brined Roasted Pork Loin recipe is all that and then some. This is a pull-out-all-the-stops kind of recipe for a special meal! I have 100% confidence you’re going to love it!
one pan roasted squash, apple, and sausage dinner
Fast family-friendly weeknight meals like this simpleOne PanRoasted Squash, Apple and Sausage Dinnerare so helpful to have on hand!
Maple Apples, Blue Cheese and Bacon Pizza
Photo Credit:www.foodiecrush.com
This delicious savory pizza with roasted garlic, blue cheese, bacon and apples from Foodie Crush is calling our names!
apple and cheddar mini pizzas
These mini apple and cheddar pizzas with caramelized onion are perfect for watching the game because they are small which means you can serve them withother yummy and healthy appetizers. Or you can serve them as an individual pizza for a main course with a nice side salad for a healthy fall meal!
Slow Cooker Apple Cider Beef Stew
Photo Credit:www.bakedbyrachel.com
HEre is a seasonal twist on classic beef stew, made in a slow cooker! It has tender beef, root vegetables and apple cider!
Apple Dessert Recipes To Try This Fall
From apple pie to apple cake this collection of apple dessert recipes to try this fall will keep you baking all season long!
maple cranberry apple pie
I’ve been so excited to share this Maple Cranberry Apple Pie recipe I have been working on for Thanksgiving. It has a deep dish whole-grain crust. It is sweetened with maple syrup and has a crunchy nut crumb topping.
double crust deep dish maple apple pie
This double crust deep dish maple apple pie is a classic fall dessert that is hard to beat. If you love homemade apple pie and you plan to make one for Thanksgiving, then you’ll want to try this one. In this recipe, I have included a step-by-step explanation of how toget great results(even for pie beginners). Plus I am going to tell you my number one top tip to make blue ribbon apple pie.
Apple Cake
I am so excited to hear what you think of this deliciously moist Maple Apple Cake with almonds! It’s one of my favorite apple desserts of all time!
maple apple crisp
This Healthy Apple Crisp is the perfect dessert to bake this fall. It’s made with two varieties of apples to amp up the juicy flavor and then topped with pecans (or walnuts) and rolled oats to really take it to the next level! To make it healthy, it is sweetened naturally with maple syrup, which means it’s made without refined sugar.
Apple Crumb Bars with Maple Coffee Glaze
Photo Credit:withfoodandlove.com
These apple crumb bars taste just like apple pie, but aren’t nearly as complicated or time consuming. The crust is flaky and light, and the apples are lightly sweetened and spiced. Serve them warm or room temperature with a heavy drizzle of maple coffee glaze on top.
Mini Walnut Apple Tart
Photo Credit:www.nourishedsimply.com
Mini desserts are perfect for bridal showers, tea parties, receptions, and just plain portion control! Instead of eating a whole piece of apple pie enjoy a mini walnut apple tart instead.
apple walnut oatmeal cookies
Tighten up your apron strings dear readers, you’re about to meet your new favorite cookie on the planet. It isa healthier oatmeal cookiewith walnuts,appleand white chocolate chips. They have just a touch of cinnamon, sweet butter and they are sweetened withunrefined maple sugar! These cookies are the essence of autumn! I cannot help but swoon when I think of these cookies. They arethe best I have ever made. Period.
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QUESTIONS
- Have you been apple picking yet?
- What varieties have you been seeing at the market?
- What are your favorite varieties?
- Do you like one variety for baking and one for eating?
