When I think about fall, I think about apples. Sure, there’s pumpkin spice everything, and maybe some salted caramel or cranberries popping up. All of those other fall flavors are tasty, too. But I have to admit, the apple reigns supreme for me!
Apples are one of my favorite fruits, so you can find me snacking on them all year long. But like all other produce, apples are most delicious when they are in season. For many varieties, this falls between September and November.
We are smack in the middle of apple season right now!
I am ready for apple everything. Give me all the caramel apples, spiced apple cider, apple pastries, fresh applesauce, and more. Have you ever had an apple on your grilled cheese sandwich? And I can just taste that homemade apple pie already!
Okay, so you don’t have to have apples for breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday for it to be fall – but I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t do that. But there are plenty of recipes to use apples all fall long, and they’re not all desserts.
How To Store All Those Apples
Whether you’re going on an apple picking adventure with the fam or just picking up apples at the farmer’s market, storing your bounty properly is crucial. Especially if you ended up with more than you can eat in a week, proper storage will be the difference between keeping those apples crisp or ending up with a mushy mess.
Related: Tips for Saving Money on Your Grocery Bill
Storing your apples whole is ideal, and preferably with the stem still on. The ideal temperature for storage is around 30 to 35 degrees F. Place them in the crisper drawer of the fridge to keep them good and crisp for longer. Cover them with a damp paper towel or place them in a plastic bag with holes in it. Don’t store other fruits and veggies in the same drawer, though. Apples give off ethylene gas which will speed up ripening and decay of other produce.
You can keep them on the counter, but they probably won’t last longer than a week or so. Keep them out of sunlight to get the most out of their time on the counter.
Storing sliced apples is a little trickier. You can keep them in the refrigerator in an airtight storage container or in a resealable bag. They will keep for three days or so, but then they will start turning a little brown. To combat the browning, I like to give them a little lemon juice, but there are other methods that work well, too.
I’ve never frozen apples for long-term storage before, but it is a possibility. You should only do this if you plan on using your apples to make things like applesauce and apple butter, or using them to bake something like a pie. That’s because storing apples (whole or sliced) will change their texture, and they will lose their crispness.
Recipes To Make Use of All Those Apples
Now that you have your abundance of apples stored correctly for maximum flavor, let’s look at all the ways you can use them! I absolutely eat a ton of apples just as they are, but it’s fun to create new ways to eat ‘em, too.
Many recipes for apples are sweet. I mean, they are a fruit, after all. But apples also work really well in savory dishes, too. They add that balance that kicks your dishes up to the next level. Depending on the variety of apple, it can bring balance with sweet or tart notes.
Alright, let’s move into the good part: the recipes!
Apple, Walnut, and Cranberry Salad
I feel like most people have had apples in a salad at least once. However, I think the balance between apples, walnuts, and cranberries makes for a bit of a sophisticated option. It is savory, sweet, tart, nutty, and salty, all in one bowl! On top of that, it really screams fall. Whip up this easy salad to serve before holiday meals or simply have it for lunch. This particular recipe also lists a few variations to try, like swapping out the variety of apple, using a different kind of cheese, or creating a different dressing.
Check out the recipe here: Apple Walnut Cranberry Salad
Apple Fries
When you hear the word “fries,” I’m sure that something savory is the first thing that comes to mind. Ignore that. These fries made out of Granny Smith apples are like a more convenient way to eat dessert! It tastes like eating an apple pie, but you don’t even have to bother with a fork. The apples are cut into sticks, fried, and then dusted with cinnamon sugar. The recipe says to serve with whipped cream for dipping, but they’re even better with a sugar glaze dip on the side.
Check out the recipe here: Apple Fries
Apple Coleslaw
Coleslaw is already delicious as-is, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make it even better. This dreamy, creamy coleslaw gets a tasty and tangy kick from tart apples. They’re julienned and combined with shredded cabbage and carrots, and then enhanced with a dressing made of mayo, apple cider vinegar, and grainy mustard. This slaw pairs really well with pork, so whip some up as a side for pork chops or as a topping on a pulled pork sandwich. Or, you could just be like me and eat it all by itself!
Check out the recipe here: Creamy Apple Slaw Recipe
Apple Stuffing
With stuffing, you run the risk of having a bland dish. It is stale bread, after all. But when done right, stuffing can be a real Thanksgiving dinner star – or a wonderful addition to any fall meal, to be honest. The key is to choose some really tasty add-ins, and apples deserve a spot! If you have never put apples into your stuffing (or dressing, if we’re getting technical), you need to try this. The apples add an extra pop of flavor.
Check out the recipe here: Easy Apple Stuffing Recipe
Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Apple butter is the kind of stuff that dreams are made of. But once you make it and see just how easy it is, you’ll never buy apple butter ever again. It’s slow cooked just like applesauce, but it’s cooked longer to make it smoother and thicker. Once you put the apples, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in the slow cooker, you just stir it occasionally and let it do its thing. You’ll end up with a delicious spread that goes well on just about everything, from toast to ice cream.
Check out the recipe here: Homemade Apple Butter
Apple Hand Pies
I love a good apple pie, but they aren’t exactly portable. That’s why I like hand pies, especially as a dessert for a casual get-together. People can easily just grab them without having to sit and eat with a fork. They also help me with portion control, because I will absolutely eat an entire pie if you let me! You’ll find all the classic apple pie ingredients packed inside: sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and (of course) apples. And while this recipe calls for homemade pie crust, you can totally get away with store-bought if you don’t have the time.
Check out the recipe here: Apple Hand Pies
Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp
Apple crisp is a classic dessert, and understandably so. It’s just so delicious and comforting. Plop a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and you’ve got a heavenly dessert that will please just about anyone. Apple crisp is also a favorite recipe for me because it’s just so darn easy to make. Like other baked goods, a good tart apple is your best option. It will hold up the best during baking, and the tart flavor plays nicely against the other sweet ingredients.
Check out the recipe here: Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp
Cheddar and Apple Grilled Cheese
Apples on sandwiches? Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it! Tart apples and savory cheddar cheese make a wonderful pair. Hey, I know people who put a slice of cheese on their apple pie. For this sandwich, the apple needs to be thinly sliced so you can layer it across the whole sandwich evenly. It will also work if you julienne or shred the apple before spreading it between slices of cheddar, but the slices bring an extra texture. It’s a sure-fire way to turn a basic grilled cheese into a sophisticated sandwich.
Check out the recipe here: Cheddar and Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Apple Pancakes
Light and fluffy homemade pancakes are a great way to start your morning, but apples add an extra delicious touch to a crisp fall morning. Go ahead and top them with maple syrup like normal, or really amp up the apple flavor with some of that slow-cooker apple butter. These hearty and filling pancakes will help get you going and keep your energy up all morning long.
Check out the recipe here: Easy Apple Pancakes
