52 Apple Recipes That Celebrate Sweet and Savory Fall Flavors

After a trip to the orchard and a little time in the kitchen, savor your harvest with these apple recipes.

It happens to all of us after a trip to the U-Pick orchard: We’re left lugging home a bag of apples that’s almost tearing at the seams, wondering, What am I going to do with all these apples? This is what I like to call a good problem, and our collection of both sweet and savory fall apple recipes offers assistance.

In the mood for something sweet? We have the classics, like apple crisp, cobbler, pie and muffins (with five-star reviews to match). Want to try something new? Apple cheesecake bars, apple pie egg rolls and apple pizza (hello, dessert pizza!) are modern desserts anyone would love. Here’s a helpful tip when baking apple dessert ideas: Always use tart, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp and avoid mealy ones like McIntosh or Red Delicious.

Savory apple dishes are often overlooked, but apples add a pleasant touch of sweetness and crispy texture to entrees, especially ones with pork. We’ve included a few recipes that cook apples with pork chops and sausage, like our stuffing muffins, apple and sausage pancake bake, apple-stuffed pork, and kielbasa and sauerkraut. They’re just as good as the vegetarian savory apple recipes in here, like our jackfruit tacos with apple salsa and German red cabbage. And, surprise! We’ve even included a few apple-centric fall drinks throughout.

1/52

Apple Crisp

Contest Winner
Total Time:1 hour 20 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I live in apple country, and making a delicious apple crisp is one way to use the fruit. This treat doesn't take a lot of time to assemble. —Gertrude Bartnick, Portage, Wisconsin

Apple crisps are one of the most popular and easy apple recipes. The soft apple base and streusel-like topping create a lovely texture juxtaposition, with plenty of cinnamon and brown sugar to deepen the cozy fall flavor.

2/52

Apple Crostata

Contest Winner
Total Time:45 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Like an apple pie without the pan, this scrumptious tart has a crispy crust that cuts nicely and a yummy caramel topping. —Betty Fulks, Onia, Arkansas

If you love a summery galette, you’ll love this autumnal apple crostata. Finished with caramel sauce, it’s basically impossible to resist.

3/52

Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars

Total Time:55 min
Servings:3 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: The streusel topping that comes with this recipe for apple cream cheese bars is absolutely irresistible. If you can’t resist a taste test before the party, just arrange each apple bar on a serving platter and no one will know a piece is missing from the pan! —Katherine White, Henderson, Nevada

Picture this: a five-layer bar filled with autumn flavor, from the brown sugar crust to the creamy cheesecake filling, fall-spiced apples, cinnamon streusel crumble and caramel sauce topping. “Decadent” feels like an understatement.

4/52

Apple Nachos

Total Time:20 min
Servings:24
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: It doesn't get much easier than whipping together these colorful, crisp apple nachos. These nacho look-alikes will delight any guest with a sweet tooth! —RaeAnn Gnatkowski, Carrollton, Michigan

I love these apple nachos because they’re basically deconstructed caramel apples, with a quarter of the work. They’re perfect when you want an apple dessert, like now.

5/52

Sauteed Apples

Total Time:30 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a sweet side dish my family loves. You can use it to top pancakes or French toast, but it’s wonderful with pork or chicken too. —Shirley Heston, Pickerington, Ohio

This side dish quickly dresses up everything from pancakes to a roast chicken. The apples look as if they’d need an hour to break down, but they’re ready in just about 10 minutes.

6/52

Waldorf Salad

Total Time:20 min
Servings:12
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I found this recipe in a local cookbook. The whipping cream makes it a little different than the usual Waldorf salad, but it’s always good with any meal. —Romaine Wetzel, Ronks, Pennsylvania

This sweet salad became famous at the opening celebrations of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City in 1893 and has been on menus ever since. With crunchy apples, celery and walnuts coated in a mayo-based dressing, it’s easy to see why.

7/52

Easy Apple Cake

Total Time:1 hour
Servings:20
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: After testing many apple cake recipes with fresh apples, I found this old-fashioned easy apple cake that is moist, dense and down-home delicious. Even better, it's quick to fix, and when it's served warm with whipped cream or a dollop of frozen custard, it's one of my family’s very favorites. —Sherry Ashenfelter, Waterville, Ohio

The addition of apples makes this cake moist and tender, and cinnamon and walnuts complete the cozy fall flavor. Serve with a dollop of homemade whipped cream, and enjoy this cake for breakfast or dessert, or as an afternoon treat.

8/52

Apple Muffins

Contest Winner
Total Time:35 min
Servings:1 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: These apple streusel muffins remind us of coffee cake, and my husband and kids love them as a quick breakfast or snack on the run. The drizzle of glaze makes them pretty enough for company. —Dulcy Grace, Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania

I can’t decide what I love most about these muffins. Is it the crumbly streusel topping, the gorgeous vanilla glaze or the tender apples studded throughout? Honestly, it’s probably the fact that the muffins are incredibly easy, so I get to eat one as soon as possible.

9/52

German Apple Pancake

Total Time:35 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: If you're looking for a pretty dish to make when having guests for brunch, try this. Everyone I've served it to has enjoyed it—except for one time, that is, when my husband tried to make it following my recipe, which I'd written down incorrectly! If you don't leave out the flour as I did, it'll turn out terrific! —Judi Van Beek, Lynden, Washington

Here’s a fun one for brunch. If you’ve never made German pancakes before, the batter is so thin that you think it couldn’t possibly measure up to anything worthwhile. But the magic happens in the oven, which bakes a shareable pancake with tall, crispy edges and a shallow valley—the perfect place to put a mound of apples sauteed with butter.

10/52

Maple Apple Pie

Total Time:1 hour 30 min
Servings:8 slices
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Each spring we tap maple trees and make our own syrup at our home in northeastern Vermont. Then we spend the rest of the year inventing delicious ways to use it all up—this maple apple pie included! Maple and apples are a winning combination, and snacking on well-aged cheddar while eating apple pie is a Vermont tradition. —Suzanne Podhaizer, St. Johnsbury, Vermont

Two key ingredients turn classic apple pie into a Vermont specialty: maple syrup and extra-sharp cheddar cheese. This salty-sweet combo is a knockout, and real maple syrup, not pancake syrup, is a must.

11/52

Apple Fritters

Total Time:25 min
Servings:1 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: These are just like the ones Gramm used to make on Saturday mornings! You can sprinkle the glaze with chopped pecans before it dries or add chopped pecans into the batter along with the apples—the possibilities are endless. —Teri Schloessmann, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Chopped apples and applesauce are the stars of the show in these apple fritters. Warmed up with a little cinnamon and coated in a glaze, they’re the perfect dish for an autumn breakfast.

12/52

Pork Roast with Apples and Onions

Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: The sweetness of the apples and onions nicely complements the roast pork. With its crisp, golden exterior and melt-in-your-mouth flavor, this pork is my family's favorite weekend dinner. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

During autumn, I’m cooking all the pork recipes for dinner. Why? Pork and apples pair exceptionally well, so pork entrees tend to lean toward fall. This one is perfect: Pork, apples, onions and rosemary all cook together for a mostly savory and very cozy fall dinner.

13/52

Caramel Apples

Total Time:40 min
Servings:16 (8 apples)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Who doesn’t love a good gooey caramel apple? Make a double batch because these treats always go fast! —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas

Nothing beats a classic. Here’s the secret to the perfect caramel apples: Resist the urge to double-dip the apples in the caramel to keep the smooth, even coating. Go classic with caramel and peanuts, or try one of our favorite creative variations.

14/52

Apple Bread

Total Time:1 hour 10 min
Servings:2 loaves (12 slices each)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I got this apple quick bread recipe a long time ago, and with a few changes, it's become one of our favorites. Everyone who's ever tasted this apple bread has asked for the recipe! —Phyllis Herlocker, Farlington, Kansas

This recipe bakes a truly perfect loaf of apple bread. Apples and walnuts are studded throughout, adding texture and plenty of flavor. I love toasting the nuts first to bring out their sweet nuttiness.

15/52

Apple Butter

Total Time:11 hours 20 min
Servings:4 pints
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I make several batches of this simple and delicious homemade apple butter recipe to freeze in jars. Depending on the sweetness of the apples used, you can adjust the sugar to taste. —Betty Ruenholl, Syracuse, Nebraska

Apple butter is an all-day, albeit easy, project. But once you have jars of this liquid gold, you’ll want to put it on everything, from turkey sandwiches to homemade biscuits.

16/52

Apple Salad

Total Time:15 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This yummy fruit salad was a favorite of my great-grandmother. My family always enjoys it, and I’m happy knowing it’s good for them too. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Apple salad is ready in just 15 minutes and is the perfect side for a fall potluck. For the best results, make it a few hours ahead of time so the flavors have a chance to meld and the ingredients can chill thoroughly.

17/52

Caramel Apple Dip

Total Time:10 min
Servings:2 cups
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I first tasted this quick and easy cream cheese apple dip at a friend's Christmas party. I kept going back for more. —Karen Wydrinski, Woodstock, Georgia

Caramel apple dip presents all the favorite flavors of caramel apples in half the time. It’s perfect as-is, but the cream cheese-based dip can be doctored up with all sorts of extra ingredients, just like gourmet caramel apples.

18/52

Apple Cider Sangria Recipe

Total Time:15 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This simple apple cider sangria is infused with fall-inspired flavors. Apple cider, cinnamon and brandy bring warmth, while pomegranates, orange juice and apple chunks bring a tinge of sweetness. Top it off with ginger beer for a light, bubbly taste. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

You didn’t think we’d put together a list of apple recipes without a few apple cocktails, did you? This fall sangria combines apple cider with white wine, brandy and ginger beer, plus apples and pomegranates for the quintessential floating fruit.

19/52

Apple Tart

Contest Winner
Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:12
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Similar to a pizza, this tart is easy to pick up and eat with your hands. Kids love it. And like most of my best recipes, it came from my mom. Since it's so pretty, I fix it for fancy gatherings, such as ladies get-togethers, but I make it to serve at informal barbecues as well. —Leslie DuPerron, Edmonton, Alberta

An apple tart is like the cool, sophisticated cousin of an apple pie. The gorgeous apple spiral is very chic, and it’s finished with apricot jam for gloss and shine. Bonus? It’s easier to make than apple pie!

20/52

Apple Dumplings with Crescent Rolls

Total Time:50 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana

I love any recipes that use crescent dough. They take away all the fuss of making yeasted dough from scratch. These apple dumplings benefit from that trick and get only more perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

21/52

Apple Pie Cupcakes

Total Time:40 min
Servings:2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: These apple pie cupcakes are always a hit! They are so easy to make and the flavor just screams fall. Of course, they're equally delicious any other time of year. —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa

A box of yellow cake mix keeps these cupcakes easy, but the homemade apple pie filling and cinnamon buttercream make them feel bakery-case-worthy.

22/52

Kuchen

Contest Winner
Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:4 coffee cakes (8 each)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This German classic is such a part of our reunions that we designate a special place to serve it. Five generations flock to the “Kuchen Room” for this coffee cake. —Stephanie Schentzel, Northville, South Dakota

This German dessert is unlike anything we have in America. It starts with a thin, yeasted dough crust, which is filled with homemade custard and topped with fruit (in this case, apples) and a homemade streusel.

23/52

Apple Pie Jam

Total Time:40 min
Servings:7 half-pints
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Although I've been canning for years, I never found a good apple pie jam recipe, so I created this one. My husband and I love this jam so much because it tastes just like apple pie ... without the crust! —Audrey Godell, Stanton, Michigan

All the warming flavors of apple pie have found their way into this sticky jam. It’s perfect when an apple pie feels like too much to bake or eat. Spread on toast, this jam is a satisfying alternative.

24/52

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Total Time:20 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Add extra nutrition to fiber-rich oatmeal by adding chopped apple (with the peel) and chopped almonds. My two boys demand seconds! At 1-1/2 cups per serving, it's hearty and filling. And at zero cholesterol, what's not to love? —Danielle Pepa, Elgin, Illinois

I can’t think of a cozier way to enjoy a chilly fall morning than with a bowl of this nourishing apple cinnamon oatmeal. Besides the chunks of apples, the fall flavors come from brown sugar, almonds and a good pinch of cinnamon.

25/52

Apple Brown Betty Recipe

Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This apple brown betty can be whipped up in hardly any time. It costs little to prepare, but it's big on flavor. —Florence Palmer, Marshall, Illinois

If you’ve never liked the oats and nuts that come standard on crisps, you’ll love a brown betty. Its key ingredient is bread crumbs, which bake with butter, sugar and fruit to make an excellent topping for baked apples.

26/52

Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

Contest Winner
Total Time:4 hours 10 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My family loves this hearty meal on cold winter nights. The tender apples, kraut and smoked sausage give it a heartwarming old-world flavor. I like making it because the prep time is very short. —Caren Markee, Cary, Illinois

This slow-cooker supper is all about apples, kielbasa and sauerkraut, warmed with woodsy caraway for a truly flavorful dinner. By the time it’s done cooking, the apples will be soft as custard.

27/52

Apple Danish

Contest Winner
Total Time:1 hour 5 min
Servings:24
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: A friend gave me this recipe that makes good use of our bountiful apple harvest. It's a delightful addition to breakfast or brunch. —Sandy Lynch, Decatur, Illinois

I love baking this recipe for low-key fall gatherings, where there isn’t any pressure to produce the perfect apple pie. Once cut up, these apple Danishes are the ideal hand-held squares, meant for mingling or casual eating.

28/52

Apple Pandowdy

Total Time:1 hour 20 min
Servings:9
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This apple pandowdy, which comes from a very old cookbook, is tangy and delicious. —Doreen Lindquist, Thompson, Manitoba

Apple pandowdy might be a vintage dessert today, but it was a home-cooking classic in the early to mid-1900s. It’s as if an apple cobbler baked its apples in a homemade caramel sauce. Yum.

29/52

Apple-Stuffed Pork Chops

Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I've been making these delicious extra-thick chops for over 30 years. It is a wonderful entree to serve company and is also savored by our family on special occasions. —Paula Disterhaupt, Bakersfield, California

These stuffed pork chops are such a fun dinner to make and eat during the fall. Apples, onions, herbs and bread cubes cook together, then the mixture is stuffed into the pork chops and baked. The flavors permeate through the meat for something so flavorful and succulent that you’ll think about seconds before you’re finished with the first helping.

30/52

Apple Pizza

Contest Winner
Total Time:1 hour
Servings:12
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Pizza is a favorite at our house, so when I had some apples to use up, I started searching for an apple pizza recipe. I tailored this one to fit my family’s tastes. —Brenda Mowrey, Taylors, South Carolina

If you’ve never had a dessert pizza, you’re in for such a treat, and this apple pizza is the perfect introduction to the idea. With a homemade pizza crust, a brown sugar and cream cheese “sauce,” and apple, streusel and caramel “toppings,” this is a fun recipe for a fall movie night or game night.

31/52

Apple Pie Egg Rolls

Contest Winner
Total Time:35 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: These easy apple pie egg rolls can be prepared as needed, using egg roll wrappers as vessels for the fruit rather than traditional pie crust. The air-fryer method of cooking results in a crispy, crunchy crust with a tender, juicy filling. Flavored cream cheese spread may be used instead of plain, depending on availability. —Sheila Suhan, Scottdale, Pennsylvania

In these apple pie egg rolls, all the great flavors of classic apple pie get wrapped up in wonton wrappers, crisped in the air fryer and coated in cinnamon sugar. They’re just as much fun to make as they are to eat!

32/52

Easy Apple Cobbler

Total Time:50 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This is a common dish from where I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. It's a classic Dutch-style apple cobbler recipe—easy, quick and delicious. Who wouldn't love this golden brown delight? —Andrea Robson, York, Pennsylvania

There are about three steps standing between you and enjoying this easy apple cobbler. Since it’s so easy to make, take the extra time and effort to peel the apples first for a more enjoyable eating experience.

33/52

Apple Stuffing

Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:16
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I found this stuffing recipe in a magazine years ago and made a few tweaks. I took out the pork sausage, and everyone likes the simpler version that features fruit and veggies. —Jeanne Horn, Duluth, Minnesota

Apples and dried apricots replace heavy sausage for a lighter, brighter version of classic Thanksgiving stuffing. Plus it up with fresh herbs, toasted nuts and cooked vegetables like mushrooms, squash or kale.

34/52

Pickled Apples

Total Time:15 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: These easy pickled apples are perfect alongside a pork entree or salad, or with a charcuterie cheese board. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pickled apples are like a time capsule, capturing the flavor of fall for enjoyment any time of year. A few slices add a wonderful pop of brightness and fall spice to meals like pulled pork sandwiches, wintery salads, grilled cheese, oatmeal, or a fruit and cheese board.

35/52

Apple Turnovers

Total Time:40 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I mentioned to a friend that I’d like to make puff pastry apple turnovers after I found a package of the shortcut ingredient in my freezer. She shared a recipe that I adapted for the puff pastry. These turnovers were a big hit on my first try! —Coleen Cavallaro, Oak Hill, New York

These apple turnovers use store-bought puff pastry, so they’re achievable for bakers of any skill level. The apple filling is made from scratch, though, because that’s where the flavor really shines.

36/52

Apple Kolaches

Contest Winner
Total Time:40 min
Servings:2-1/2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: A fellow home cook shared this recipe for a sweet, fruit-filled pastry. My son, who isn’t a dessert fan, was disappointed when he came home to find his dad had polished off the last kolache in the batch. —Ann Johnson, Evansville, Indiana

There are a few traditional ways to make kolaches, but my favorite has to be this cookie form with cream cheese dough. The cookie melts in your mouth, and there’s a lot of emphasis on the filling, which in this case is cinnamon-coated apples!

37/52

Granny’s Apple Scalloped Potatoes

Contest Winner
Total Time:1 hour 20 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I created this dish because I love scalloped potatoes and apples. It is delicious with baked breaded pork chops, which you could cook at the same time in another cast-iron pan. My spouse and I are retired, so it's just the two of us, but you could easily double the recipe to serve more. —Shirley Rickis, The Villages, Florida

I love this creative fall side that arranges thinly sliced apples and potatoes into a beautiful spiral, baking them with bacon, heavy cream, Parmesan and thyme. Pair it with pork for a winning dinner.

38/52

Croissant Bread Pudding

Total Time:1 hour 10 min
Servings:12
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This is one of my mother's best recipes! I'm sure your family will be delighted with it too. Serve it as a dessert or a very special breakfast treat. —Jerri Gradert, Lincoln, Nebraska

This croissant bread pudding is a genius way to put leftover croissants and apple butter to good use. Every croissant is sliced open and gets a healthy smear of apple butter and a sprinkle of raisins. The croissants are then arranged in a 13×9-inch baking dish, covered in custard, sprinkled with streusel and baked until golden brown. Perfection.

39/52

Apfelkuchen

Contest Winner
Total Time:1 hour 5 min
Servings:10
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My husband’s German family calls this Oma’s apfelkuchen, which translates to “Grandma’s apple cake.” They’ve been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years. I use Granny Smith apples, but any variety works. —Amy Kirchen, Loveland, Ohio

This apfelkuchen is dense, rich and buttery. Fanned apples are baked on top for flavor and presentation. Dust it with confectioners’ sugar for a final touch of sweetness.

40/52

Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Contest Winner
Total Time:30 min
Servings:4 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My family has always loved oatmeal raisin cookies, but I wanted to try something new with the classic recipe. We enjoy apples, and I thought oatmeal apple cookies would make a great twist. —Jan Marshall, Fenton, Missouri

Wholesome oats and tender apples give these cookies a lot of nice texture. I always love to chill my cookie dough for 24 hours before baking. This helps the butter resolidify for chewier cookies and hydrates the flour and oats to maximize flavor.

41/52

Baked Apple

Total Time:55 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Nothing beats these tender baked apple slices over ice cream for satisfying harvest flavor. This old-fashioned treat gives a new twist to traditional baked apples. They are also excellent served over waffles or with ham. I make sure to save room for dessert! —Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania

“Easy” is the name of the game for this apple dessert. These baked apples soften in the oven with a generous amount of apple cider, fall spices, brown sugar, raisins and just a little bit of butter. Serve scoops with the best vanilla ice cream or dollops of whipped cream.

42/52

Cider Wassail

Total Time:30 min
Servings:12 (2-1/2 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This traditional wassail recipe came from a dear friend in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where we lived for many years. Because it's warm, wonderful and nonalcoholic, we've even served it at church. This wassail drink is also perfect for a holiday open house. —Maryellen Hays, Wolcottville, Indiana

For those unfamiliar with this drink, cider wassail is a traditional alcoholic English beverage for the Christmas season. It’s so easy: Simmer apple cider, orange juice, pineapple juice, brown sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon sticks together for 20 to 30 minutes, then serve!

43/52

Jackfruit Tacos with Green Apple Salsa

Contest Winner
Total Time:35 min
Servings:2
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: These easy jackfruit tacos are flavored with taco seasoning and topped with fresh green apple salsa. Make them vegan by omitting the dairy sour cream sauce or substituting vegan sour cream mixed with plant-based milk. —Henrie Marie, Marlboro, New York

The apple salsa makes these vegetarian jackfruit tacos. Green apples are tossed with avocados, green peppers, green onions, cucumbers, jalapenos, cilantro and a bit of lime juice so every bite is crunchy and tangy.

44/52

Apple Strudel

Total Time:1 hour 45 min
Servings:2 strudels (8 pieces each)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This gorgeous strudel has just what you crave this time of year: thin layers of flaky crust and lots of juicy apples. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Apple strudel is the most classic vintage apple dessert. We even make the strudel dough from scratch, which means you can try the traditional process of stretching it out super thin on the table. Be gentle!

45/52

Apple Pie Filling

Total Time:55 min
Servings:5-1/2 quarts (enough for about five 9-inch pies)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My family is always delighted to see an oven-fresh pie cooling on the counter. What a convenience it is to have jars of homemade freezer apple pie filling on hand so I can treat them to pies year-round. —Laurie Mace, Los Osos, California

Take the time to make this glorious apple pie filling so you can make apple pie or apple crisp at any time. You can also save it to top ice cream and oatmeal or fill crepes and thumbprint cookies.

46/52

Pancake Casserole

Total Time:45 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Trial and error have made this recipe one that my family asks for time and time again. It's so easy and incredibly good. —Ethel Sanders, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

This brunch casserole is like an all-in-one. Here, sausages and apples bake in a pancake batter. Serve it with maple syrup, and it’ll become a classic in your home.

47/52

German Red Cabbage

Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:10
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Sunday afternoons were a time for family gatherings when I was a kid. While the uncles played cards, the aunts made treats such as this traditional German red cabbage recipe. —Jeannette Heim, Dunlap, Tennessee

This German cabbage recipe includes apples and onions for brightness and pungency. Serve it traditionally with sauerbraten, or save it for sandwiches, hot dogs, pot roast, schnitzel or a roast chicken for a little extra zing and zip.

48/52

Stuffing Muffins

Total Time:1 hour 5 min
Servings:1-1/2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This recipe puts stuffing into muffin form for a special presentation. I made these when I cooked my first Thanksgiving dinner. You can also bake the stuffing in a greased baking dish. —Tricia Bibb, Hartselle, Alabama

Traditional Thanksgiving stuffing gets portioned into muffin cups for this individual-serving stuffing. Green apples and dried cranberries make the stuffing bright and a bit sweet, complementing the salty sausage and intoxicating spice and herb mix.

49/52

Snickers Salad

Total Time:15 min
Servings:12
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This creamy, sweet salad with crisp apple crunch is a real people-pleaser. It makes a lot, which is good, because it will go fast! —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa

Any Midwesterner knows this “salad.” Green apples and chopped Snickers mix into a base of vanilla pudding and whipped cream. It’s ready in 15 minutes and is the perfect side dish to take to a potluck.

50/52

Apple Coffee Cake

Total Time:50 min
Servings:9
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I wish I could give credit where it's due, but I don't remember where this recipe originated. It seems as soon as this coffee cake is out of the oven, my family has it eaten. —Beverly Williams, Woodland, Michigan

While apples are a main component, sour cream is the secret ingredient for the most tender, tangy coffee cake. The brown sugar-pecan topping adds a nice texture, playing with the chopped apples studded throughout the cake. It’s an unyeasted coffee cake, so there’s no crazy prep, but you can still make the batter the night before and bake it in the morning.

51/52

Chunky Applesauce

Total Time:45 min
Servings:about 3-1/2 cups
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: There's just something extra-special about a homemade applesauce recipe like this one. This simple dish is tart and not too sweet. It makes the perfect side, especially with pork chops or a pork roast. —Deborah Amrine, Grand Haven, Michigan

This chunky applesauce recipe requires only four ingredients—apples, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla—and about 15 minutes of hands-on time. One bite and you’ll feel as if you’ve captured the exact flavor of fall.

52/52

Apple Chips

Total Time:25 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: If you’ve never indulged in air-fryer apple chips, you’re in for a treat. They’re essentially dehydrated apple crisps that can be enjoyed as a healthy, crispy and crunchy alternative to potato chips. The best part? They crisp up in just 15 minutes. —Jenna Urben, McKinney, Texas

Apple chips make a wholesome, quick and economical snack. All you have to do is dehydrate apple slices (dusted with cinnamon) in the air fryer until they’re browned and crispy. That’s it, seriously! And, yes, you can totally use an oven instead.

Apple Recipes FAQ

What can I make with a lot of apples?

Apple butter, applesauce and apple pie filling are recipes that can be made with a lot of apples. These fall apple recipes can include anywhere between 12 to 18 apples! Dishes like apple chips, caramel apples, apple nachos, sauteed apples and pickled apples can also use a lot of apples since they’re easy recipes to double or triple. For fewer apples, our apple danish, Snickers salad and apple strudel recipes each use 6 cups of sliced or chopped apples.

Should I peel apples before making sweet or savory dishes?

Whether or not you should peel apples before making sweet or savory apple dishes depends on the recipe. Most sweet or savory apple recipes suggest peeling the apples beforehand. However, some recipes, like apple roses and apple nachos, encourage leaving the skin on. If you’re unsure, check the ingredients section. The apple measurement will usually indicate if the apples must be peeled beforehand. If not, leave the skin on.

What are the best apple dessert ideas?

The best apple dessert ideas completely depend on your preferences. However, most people enjoy apple crisps, pies, cobblers, coffee cakes and muffins. If you want to try something more out-of-the-box but also safe enough that probably anyone would enjoy the recipe, bake our apple Danish, apple turnovers, German apple pancake, apple fritters, or roast pork with apples and onions.