37 Autumnal Apple Recipes From Salads and Glazes to Pie (2024)

Granny Smith, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Gala, Golden Delicious — there are so many varieties of apples we can't wait to get our hands on each fall. Part of the magic of apple season is getting to pick your own at the orchard, bringing home basketfuls of fresh, crisp fruit. Even if you pick your apples out at the farmers market or grocery store, take home enough to bake and cook with all season. Among our favorite apple recipes, try a non-traditional cumin and jaggery-glazed apple pie, a kielbasa-apple strata, and smoked duck breasts with apple-brandy caramel. We have every sweet and savory category covered. All you have to do is go out and get your favorite types of apples.

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Fennel and Apple Salad with Hazelnuts

37 Autumnal Apple Recipes From Salads and Glazes to Pie (1)

Tucked in among the tender lettuce leaves, fragrant fennel, sweet-tart Granny Smith apple, and toasty hazelnuts add a refreshing crunch to this fall salad.

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Spiced Brown-Butter Apples

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Molly Stevens' butter-roasted apples are seasoned with Chinese five-spice. The clove, cinnamon, star anise, fennel, and Szechuan pepper in the blend add warmth and complexity.

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Cider-Glazed Chicken Breasts with Apple-Kohlrabi Slaw

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Bathed in a schmaltzy pan sauce made from chicken jus and apple cider, this simple chicken dinner is perfect for a weeknight at home. The accompanying slaw, made with mildly sweet and slightly peppery kohlrabi, white turnips, and a mix of sweet-tart raw apples, offers a crunchy contrast to the rich, tender chicken.

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Cardamom-Spiced Apple Fritters

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These apple fritters have crunchy edges that give way to a soft, apple-studded interior that hits somewhere between a cake doughnut and a muffin. The fruit is nicely complemented by the cinnamon and cardamom in the batter.

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Baked Bourbon-Apple Butter

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There's no better way to spend a chilly fall weekend afternoon than by making this nearly effortless apple butter. A bounty of sweet apples bake down into a rich, spreadable treat that's infused with the warming notes of cinnamon, ginger, and bourbon.

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Miso Caramel-Apple Danish

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With filling options more numerous than their flaky layers, Danish have legions of fans across the globe. This upgrade on the classic cream cheese filling stars a sweet and savory tango of buttery miso-enriched caramel brushed over wafer-thin slices of apple.

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Kielbasa, Apple, and Onion Strata with Mornay Sauce

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In this hearty egg and bread casserole, smoky kielbasa, sweet apples, and nutty cheese combine to create a truly unforgettable breakfast dish that's just right for a weekend. Serve it on its own, or go the extra mile and make a luscious cheese sauce to drizzle on top. And don't forget the extra touches of honey and salt — they highlight the flavor of the apples and cheese.

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Smoked Duck Breasts with Apple-Brandy Caramel

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In this recipe from 2017 F&W Best New Chef Angie Mar, the duck fat caramel will be perfectly thick and sweet by the time the apples are tender, providing a rich sauce that pairs perfectly with smoky duck breast.

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Caramelized Apple Bread With Candied Ginger and Almond

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This treat might remind you of a tarte Tatin, since it's also topped with gorgeously caramelized apples. But the similarities end there. Instead of cake, the base is a buttery yeasted bread with a creamy almond-paste filling tucked inside. Even better, the apples sizzle in caramel before they're arranged in a baking pan that's been sprinkled with crystallized ginger, ensuring gently spiced flavor in every bite.

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Apple-Rum Spice Cake

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A tender chiffon cake pairs well with the light and billowy frosting, seasoned with spicy-fresh ginger juice. Warm spices and a shot of rum add a kick to the apple compote that makes this a centerpiece dessert for the adult table.

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Apple Cheddar Rye Pie

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Nutty rye flour and sharp cheddar cheese enrich buttery pie crust in this sweet-and-savory twist on classic apple pie. Tapioca starch thickens the filling, while keeping it clear and glossy.

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Roasted Merguez Sausage with Apples and Onions

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Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples hold their shape well during roasting, and their pleasant sweetness balances the intensely spiced merguez sausage in this 40-minute sheet pan dinner.

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Apple Flambé Pie

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Apple cider joins forces with fresh and dried apples in this stovetop apple pie filling. The pie is topped with flaming apple brandy just before serving.

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Marinated Apple and Cheddar Sandwich

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Wonderfully sweet and punchy apple slices are layered with creamy, rich cheddar and peppery arugula on butter-slathered slices of bread for an extra-flavorful and deeply satisfying fall sandwich.

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Apple-Ham Quiche

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Thin apple and ham slices are rolled together and set in a tender, herby custard sprinkled with sharp white cheddar. For a quicker weeknight dinner, use a frozen 9-inch deep-dish pie shell, blind-baked according to package instructions.

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Babette Friedman's Apple Cake

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Le Coucou chef Daniel Rose stirs apples into the batter of this pound cake–like dessert and then tops it with more of the Calvados-spiked fruit. We could eat this cake pretty much each and every day of the fall and be extremely happy, and we think you would be, too.

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Apple Cake with Cranberries

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For his moist and buttery upside-down cake, Justin Chapple layers apples with cranberries and brown sugar, then tops them with a fantastic sour cream batter. We love this cake because it's super quick (it takes just 20 active minutes) and it's delicious.

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Apple-Caramel Sundaes

37 Autumnal Apple Recipes From Salads and Glazes to Pie (19)

For an easy dessert, F&W Culinary Director at Large Justin Chapple takes apples, chops them up, and mixes them into a buttery brown sugar caramel that's perfect for an autumnal ice cream sundae.

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Anise Pork with Figs and Apples

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The sweet licorice flavor of anise or fennel seeds adds depth to this pork dish. For the sauce, look for dried figs that are soft and moist. If they seem dry, soften them in hot water before cutting.

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Farro with Vinegar-Glazed Sweet Potato and Apples

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This easy weeknight dinner dish practically screams fall. Roasting sweet potatoes and apples with a little sherry vinegar and tossing them with farro, dried cherries, and roasted cashews makes for a hearty cool-weather dish that you'll want to keep making all season long.

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Curried Carrot and Apple Soup

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Warm yourself on a cool fall day with this bright, velvety soup. It has a wonderful balance of sweetness, spice, and tang. The secret ingredient: gingersnap cookies. Plus, it only takes an hour from start to finish, which makes it perfect for a weeknight.

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Beet and Apple Salad

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For the salad at his restaurant, chef George Mendes uses fresh horseradish and Gegenbauer cider vinegar, a rare Austrian import. But this home version calls for jarred horseradish and supermarket apple-cider vinegar. It makes for a bright, refreshing salad with an extra punch.

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Celery, Fennel, and Apple Salad with Pecorino and Walnuts

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"In the winter, I love to have a bright-tasting salad," says designer and blogger Athena Calderone about this side dish. Honeycrisps are her favorite apples, for their sweet-tart flavor and crisp, juicy texture, but you can use the variety you like best.

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Butternut Squash with Fennel and Apple

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Fennel and apple round out this easy oven-roasted butternut squash dish to create a festive medley of fall flavors. We suggest Gala apples, but any mild, sweet variety will do.

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Apple Dumplings

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We like pretty much any kind of dumpling, and that definitely includes these apple dumplings. In this dish, apples baked in flaky pastry with cinnamon sugar are irresistible. They're even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. To save preparation time, we use frozen puff pastry sheets.

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Apple and Pear Galette with Walnut Streusel

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This free-form galette is so much less fussy to make than a traditional apple pie. It has great fall flavor and texture from apples, pears, and the crunchy streusel on top. Using unpeeled apples and pears saves time too, which is an added bonus.

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Braised Chicken with Apples and Calvados

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Chef Matthew Accarrino uses apples, apple cider, and the apple brandy Calvados to add layers of flavor to his braised chicken. If that wasn't enough apple for you, he uses two Granny Smith apples, too. We love this fall chicken dish that's perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

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Gluten-Free Apple-Spice Muffins

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Even if you aren't gluten-free, you'll still enjoy these fall muffins. Applesauce is a wonderful "secret ingredient" for gluten-free baked goods. You can use store-bought sauce or make your own by pureeing chopped apples with a little bit of water and a squeeze of lime or lemon juice.

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Rustic Apple-Rye Bread

37 Autumnal Apple Recipes From Salads and Glazes to Pie (30)

Cracked rye berries soaked in buttermilk, raisins, a dash of cinnamon, and cubes of heirloom apples that release their juices into the crumb while baking all make this loaf extra special. To be successful with this bread, you need to have a healthy sourdough starter. Make sure you're using quality products — splurge on good organic buttermilk and raisins, cinnamon (preferably Sri Lankan), and some fine heirloom apples.

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Apple Crostata with Brown Butter Streusel

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This free-form apple tart is filled with tart apples, topped with streusel, baked until golden brown, and served with vanilla ice cream and maple syrup.

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Stuffed Pork Tenderloins with Bacon and Apple-Riesling Sauce

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Chef Debra Whiting mixes fresh goat cheese with apple, sausage, and greens, then stuffs it inside a bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin.

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Apple Pie à la Mode Ice Cream Sandwiches

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Top Chef winner Kristen Kish designed this dessert to honor both of her grandmothers, one known for her apple pie and the other for her snickerdoodles. Kish folds spiced apple pie filling into vanilla ice cream, then forms sandwiches with chewy snickerdoodle cookies.

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Apple Bread Pudding

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Gail Simmons rescues a failed Top Chef Restaurant Wars recipe by sautéing the apples in brandy and butter, then soaking both the fruit and brioche in lots of vanilla custard before baking.

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Pan-Seared Sausages with Apples

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At Farm Bloomington, chef Daniel Orr sells a number of Midwestern sausages, including bratwurst from Fiedler Family Farms in Rome, Indiana. But sweet Italian sausages will work in this recipe, too. Be sure to use cooking apples that will hold their shape, like Granny Smiths, Winesaps, or Rome Beauties.

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Cumin and Jaggery-Glazed Apple Pie

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Of course, we're going to hit you with an apple pie recipe, but not the classic one you might think. Cookbook author and chef Asha Gomez's striking apple pie gets a glossy finish from melted jaggery, a deep amber sugar, and piquant cumin seeds. Save any extra glaze for a last-minute drizzle before serving.

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Brussels Sprout Slaw with Ginger Gold Apple

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During her tenure at Graft Wine + Cider Bar in the Finger Lakes, chef Christina McKeough used local apples in everything from salads to pie to the tangy mostarda slathered on her smoked Gouda grilled cheese sandwiches. She loves to use a tart-sweet Ginger Gold in this brussels sprout slaw for its crisp texture. We love it, too.

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37 Autumnal Apple Recipes From Salads and Glazes to Pie (2024)

FAQs

What is the best apple mix for pie? ›

The exact ratio is up to you. If you prioritize a more puckery pie, use mostly Granny Smiths and toss in a Honeycrisp and a Jonagold. If you like your apples to slump and soften, use mostly Golden Delicious with a Braeburn thrown in.

Are SweeTango apples good for baking? ›

The SweeTango is perfect for apple crisp, which is super easy to make, easier than pie or even a cobbler. It's the kind of thing that takes only minutes to prepare, then you can pop it in the oven after or even during dinner. The smell of apples, butter and cinnamon might be the best thing about autumn.

Are Cortland apples good for pies? ›

Cortlands are juicy and slightly tart, with bright red skin and snowy white flesh. They are a terrific baking apple: Great apples for pies, cobblers, and crisps. When sliced, Cortlands are a excellent for salads and cheese plates, as the flesh doesn't brown and discolor quickly.

What is the best apple for a salad? ›

For salads, you'll want a nice crunchy apple that doesn't brown too quickly when sliced or chopped ghostwriter referat. The best apples for adding to salads are: Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, Piñata®, Jazz, Envy, and Empire.

What is the number one apple for pie? ›

Granny Smith apples are considered by many to be the "pie apples." They are known for their snappy tartness and ability to maintain their shape and texture when cooked. These are, no doubt, a terrific choice for apple pie — especially when combined with a sweeter, softer apple like Braeberns or Crispins.

What thickens apple pie filling? ›

When thickening a fruit pie filling, there are several options to consider. Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency.

What is the difference between SweeTango and Honeycrisp apples? ›

Honeycrisp has more sweet water, but when you bite into it, it explodes where SweeTango is more of a denser apple.” SweeTango. Photo by Dan Eggert.

What is another name for the SweeTango apple? ›

SweeTango® is the exclusive brand for a premium quality apple fruit. SweeTango® brand Minneiska apples are produced from a Minneiska variety developed by the University of Minnesota.

Are Tango apples good for pies? ›

That's why we're using SweeTango® apples in this recipe. Sweet with a hint of citrus, honey, and spice, these apples are perfect for frying up in personal pies or for snacking out of hand. Bite into one of these juicy, blushing red apples and you'll experience a remarkably loud and satisfying crunch!

What type of apple is most popular for baking pies? ›

Granny Smith.

Firm and very tart, this variety is the go-to for many when it comes to pie because it keeps its shape extremely well. But it isn't exactly known for its flavor, so Granny Smiths are best used in conjunction with sweeter and/or more flavorful apples.

What kind of apples does McDonald's use? ›

“With the current sliced apple products sold at McDonald's, they use a lot of Gala and Empire apples, which we grow a lot of here in New York,” Gregg said. Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission (WAC), said the apples would have to come from U.S. growers.

What is the most delicious apple to eat? ›

Gala: Gala apples are known for their crisp texture, sweet flavor, and relatively thin skin. They are one of the most widely consumed apples globally and are often considered a great choice for eating fresh out of hand. Fuji: Fuji apples are crisp, juicy, and sweet with a hint of tartness.

Which apple is the healthiest to eat? ›

Red Delicious Apples

They've got more polyphenolic compounds than most other apples, with most of the nutrition in the skin – so be sure not to peel them before chowing down. Red Delicious apples contain more anthocyanidins that provide their color and powerful antioxidants.

What 4 apples are best used for baking? ›

For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

What is the best apple combination for sauce? ›

For a basic applesauce, use McIntosh and Golden Delicious apples. Golden Delicious is a soft apple variety with a mellow flavor, so it cooks down easily and provides a great foundation for your applesauce. McIntosh apples are slightly tart and crisp, but soften easily, making them a stellar choice for pies and sauces.

Are Honeycrisp apples good for baking? ›

Honeycrisp. One of the sweetest apples around, this Midwestern favorite is good for anything—including baking. It boasts a distinctive juicy crispness and is firm enough that it won't cook down much. It complements just about any other apple variety to make a stellar pie.

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