Peak apple season is here and there are so many ways to get in an apple a day. Our Best Apple Recipes showcase everything from savory to sweet, and even warm beverages to make you feel as cozy on the inside as you do on the outside. Find a new apple classic today!
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I think we can all agree that donning a sweater and biting into a crisp apple while a cool breeze tickles your face is peak fall feels. But we can also agree there is so much more you can do with a peck of apples than, well, peck at them.
From salads to soups, and of course desserts, it’s darn near criminal not to enjoy at least an apple a day. Get yourself to the orchard, farmer’s market, or local farm stand and enjoy the sweet-sour bounty of fall’s favorite fruit. While you’re at it, grab a jug of cider and indulge in one our sweet or savory cider recipes too!
Buy Local! Not sure where to go locally for the freshest, crispest apples? Scope out your town on Local Harvest – our favorite source for finding local farm-fresh produce (and more).
How to Store Fresh Apples
Apples like it cold (but not freezing) with relatively high humidity.
For small quantities of fresh apples, store them in your crisper drawer in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
For longer term storage, identify a place in your home that’s cooler and protected from the weather. An unheated garage, enclosed porch, and basement crawl space are ideal locations for fall and winter storage. We store apples in a cooler under our back porch once the daytime temperatures are consistently below 60°F.
Wrap the apples individually in newspaper or packing paper, gently pack them into a box or cooler, then store.
For everything you’d ever want to know about how to store apples, read this guide from Wholefully.
Best Apples for Baking
While some might argue that this comes down to personal preference, the science of baking says otherwise – for the best baked apple texture in pies, galettes, crisps and crumbles, you want an apple that doesn’t completely fall apart under heat. Flavor matters too – an apple on the tarter side will still taste apple-y after your choice of sweetener has been added to the recipe.
Our favorite apples for baking meet all these conditions:
- Honeycrisp
- Pink Lady
- Granny Smith
- Jonagold
- Braeburn
Useful Tools for Preparing Apples
- Y-Peeler: this handheld peeler is ergonomic and easy to use for peeling small portions of apples.
- Peeler/Corer Combo: I’m generally not a fan of single-use kitchen gadgets, but there are exceptions to every rule. If you process loads of apples every fall, this is worth the investment.
- Mandoline Slicer: I have a well-loved mandoline that I’ve used in my kitchen on weekly basis for years. Quickly julienne apples, or create impossibly thin slices for pie.
- Paring Knife: I use a paring knife to core and dice small portions of apples.
- Chef’s Knife: for thinly slicing larger quantities of apples.
Apple Recipes Worth Trying
Our favorite sweet and savory apple recipes to use up your most recent orchard haul! Toss diced apples into a sweet potato breakfast hash, simmer slices with crispy chicken in a savory cider sauce, or make decadent blueberry applesauce.
Sweet Potato Hash with Bacon and Apples
Chicken Salad with Apples and Greek Yogurt
Apple Sage Breakfast Sausage
Cinnamon Apple Bread Pudding
Apple Chicken with Cider Mustard Sauce
Blueberry Vanilla Applesauce
Carrot Apple Soup
Pork Chops with Apple Jicama Slaw
Gluten Free Apple Crisp
Kale Salad with Pomegranates and Apples
Our Favorite Apple Cider Recipes
While you’re at the orchard, don’t forget to grab a jug of fresh apple cider. Then check back here for all the delicious ways you can use it, from cocktails and mocktails to braising and marinating.
Mulled Apple Cider
Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Apple Cider Hot Toddy
Grilled Apple Cider Chicken
Apple Cider Sangria
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