Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (2024)

Since apples are ever-present in grocery stores, everyday recipes, and restaurant menus, we sometimes take them for granted. But every time apple season rolls around and we see overflowing bushels of a dozen varieties of apples, and get the first taste of the just-picked new crop, we fall in love all over again.

Apples are so marvelously versatile, we love them equally when starring in sweet or savory dishes, hot or cold, raw or cooked. You can start the day with apple pancakes, French toast, coffee cakes, muffins, or apple-studded breakfast sausage, then move on to lunch and dinner with apples accenting salads, soups, braised and roasted meat dishes—and that's all before we even start on our favorite apple desserts ranging from crisps, crumbles, cobblers, pies, cakes, and fritters. Go ahead and pick some new favorites from our collection of best recipes with apples.

Should You Refrigerate Apples to Keep Them Fresh? Here's What the Experts Say

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Apple Crisp

Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (1)

All the apple dessert glory with none of the pie pastry fuss, you can never go wrong with apple crisp (aka, apple crumble). Tender, cinnamon-scented apple chunks bake under a crunchy, chewy, buttery oat topping for an easy dessert that will win over any crowd.

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Apple-Caramel French Toast

Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (2)

Does it sound like too much work to serve a crowd of morning guests French toast covered in caramel-drizzled apples? We've got great news: this make-ahead breakfast casserole is super easy to assemble the night before. All that's left to do in the morning is preheat the oven and make the coffee!

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03of 20

Sheet-Pan Chicken With Cauliflower and Apples

Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (3)

This sheet-pan dinner is a weeknight hero, turning a few simple ingredients into a succulent, nutritious meal with just 10 minutes of prep time. Use a firm apple variety such as Pink Lady so the apples hold their shape when roasted.

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04of 20

Martha's Cider-Bourbon co*cktail

Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (4)

This picture-perfect fall co*cktail is one of Martha’s favorites. Fresh apple cider gets a big kick from lemon, ginger, and bourbon. Shake these up one at a time or make the big-batch version if you’re entertaining a crowd.

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05of 20

Kale-and-Apple Salad

Give your kale salad some fresh ideas with the addition of apple, celery, and Parmesan cheese. The simple dressing of apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey and garlic comes together in seconds.

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Apple Chips

Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (6)

You don't need a dehydrator to make these crunchy, snack-tastic apple chips. Thin slices of fresh apple are quickly dipped in simple syrup then baked in an extra-low oven for 2 hours.

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Bette's Chicken-Liver Pate with Sauteed Maple Syrup Apples

Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (7)

Maple-glazed tart apple wedges are an exquisite companion to rich, silky chicken liver pate. This appetizer is sure to get oohs and aahs at your next get-together.

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08of 20

Pork Chops With Apples and Onions

Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (8)

This one-pot dinner is almost too easy, and its satisfying savory-sweet flavors will make it an instant family classic. Serve with a simple side dish to soak up the juices —these chops go great with mashed potatoes, noodles, spaetzle, rice, polenta, or your favorite grain.

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Apple Fritters

Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (9)

This version of apple fritters is quicker and easier than you might expect, thanks to our no-yeast recipe. Use a small ice cream scoop to form perfect fritters without even getting your hands messy.

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Apple-Butternut Squash Soup

The sweetness of golden winter squash and fresh apples is balanced by a lively lineup of spices including cumin, coriander, ginger, and cayenne. This fabulous fall soup freezes well so you can enjoy it all year long.

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Apple-Braised Turkey Thighs

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Turkey is not just for Thanksgiving dinner! Give turkey thighs the casual weeknight treatment with this easy, flavorful braise.

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Apple Butter

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Here's Martha's go-to recipe for one of fall's most traditional home-cooking classics. This version of apple butter starts on the stovetop and is finished in the oven.

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Baked Apples (Pommes Bonne Femme)

Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (13)

Apples stuffed with sugar, butter, and orange zest get tender and fragrant in the oven. Top the warm apples with a spoonful of jam and a sprinkling of toasted hazelnuts to end your evening with a symphony of fall flavors.

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Spiced Apple Oatmeal

Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (14)

Apples, cinnamon, maple syrup, and butter will banish the word "boring" from the concept of oatmeal for breakfast. Top each serving with toasted pecans for the perfect element of crunch.

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Chicken Salad With Apples and Walnuts

Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (15)

Chicken salad gets a lighter touch with low-fat mayo and zippy lemon juice, while toasted walnuts and juicy apples add refreshing crunch. Use leftover roast chicken or grab a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store for a super-easy meal.

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Chicken and Apple Sausage Patties

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Onion, fresh sage, sweet-tart Granny Smith apples and a pinch of cinnamon bring a bonanza of flavor to ground chicken. You can make this breakfast sausage a day in advance to make your morning smooth sailing.

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Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (17)

Each bite of our go-to coffee cake is flavored with the perfect amount of brown sugar and cinnamon, and the cake is so moist it practically melts in your mouth. When you add a cup and a half of chopped apples to the batter, this cake just about reaches perfection.

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Roasted Squash, Apple, and Cipollini Onion Salad

Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (18)

The roasted trio of Golden Delicious apples, butternut squash, and cipollini onions makes a sweet and tender fall twist on the typical side salad. A bed of crisp, spicy watercress adds the perfect contrast.

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Pulled Chicken With Apple-Cucumber Slaw

Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (19)

We gave the pulled pork sandwich a lighter, more colorful makeover. Shredded rotisserie chicken is glazed in a quick and easy honey-mustard barbecue sauce and topped with a crunchy, refreshing apple slaw.

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Morning Glory Muffins

Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (20)

Apple, carrot, coconut, raisins, pepitas, and whole wheat flour pile on the goodness. Packed with flavor and fiber, these moist muffins are the ideal grab-and-go breakfast.

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Our Favorite Sweet and Savory Apple Recipes for Every Meal (and Dessert!) (2024)

FAQs

What is a good combination with apple? ›

Apples are also a natural partner for savory ingredients like pork roasts, crispy-skinned chicken, juicy sausages, and even scallops. At breakfast, they shine with bacon or ham, or piled on a bowl of oatmeal or quinoa.

What are the best apples 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 to eat with apples besides peanut butter? ›

9 Things to Pair with an Apple
  1. Sharp Cheddar Cheese.
  2. Almond Butter + Orange Marmalade.
  3. Plain Yogurt + Honey + Cinnamon.
  4. Cream Cheese + Sweet Pickle Relish.
  5. Ricotta + Lemon Zest + Chopped Pistachios.
  6. Balsamic Vinegar + Brown Sugar + Ground Pepper.
  7. Berry Vinaigrette + Walnuts.
  8. Arugula + Bacon.
Sep 10, 2020

What apples are best for apple pie? ›

  • Which kind of apples are best for baking apple pie—and why? Ree Drummond's favorite is Granny Smith for her Caramel Apple Pie. ...
  • Crispin. This sweet, refreshing apple is also called Matsu. ...
  • Honey Crisp. ...
  • Granny Smith. ...
  • Envy. ...
  • Gala. ...
  • Braeburn. ...
  • Pink Lady.
Oct 30, 2023

What savory flavors go with apple? ›

For a savory twist, use apples in a hearty tart along with onions and cheddar. Apples also work well with a variety of meats—try this sausage and apple bake featuring red onions and parsnips.

What fruits pair well with apples? ›

Fruit Pairings:
  • Apricot.
  • Blueberries.
  • Cherries.
  • Figs.
  • Grapes,
  • Citrus.
  • Pears.
  • Plums.
Oct 7, 2022

What are the top 3 best apples? ›

10 Most Popular Apple Types—and Which Ones Are Best for Baking and Snacking
  • 01 of 10. Granny Smith. undefined undefined / GETTY IMAGES. ...
  • 02 of 10. Golden Delicious. liaminou / GETTY IMAGES. ...
  • 03 of 10. Red Delicious. LiveFree / GETTY IMAGES. ...
  • 04 of 10. McIntosh. ...
  • 05 of 10. Honeycrisp. ...
  • 06 of 10. Gala. ...
  • 07 of 10. Pink Lady. ...
  • 08 of 10. Fuji.
Oct 6, 2023

What are the best apples for dessert? ›

Best Sweet Apples for Baking:
  • Jazz.
  • Pazazz.
  • Honeycrisp.
  • Pink Lady.
  • Jonagold.
  • Fuji.
  • Rome.
Sep 6, 2023

What are the best apples for cookies? ›

The best apple to use when making apple cookies is one with a sugary-sweet flavor. Remember that baking is involved as well, so an apple that can hold up in high heat is key. Fuji apples are full of sweetness and taste like fresh apple cider, but if tart is more your style then Granny Smith apples are the way to go.

What is the healthiest way to eat an apple? ›

The best way to keep apples' nutrition intact is to eat them raw since cooking can result in the loss of certain nutrients. Having said that, cooked apples are still a very wholesome food that can contribute to maintaining good overall health.

Can dogs eat apples? ›

Yes, apples are a fantastic addition to your dog's diet. They provide vitamin A, vitamin C and dietary fibre. They also provide a way to keep your dog's teeth clean and can help freshen their breath. But before you feed apples to your dog, always remove the core and the seeds.

What kind of apples does mcdonalds use for their pies? ›

So you can put away your Granny Smiths and Red Delicious if you think you can just whip up McDonald's signature dessert at home. Instead, Mickey D's makes their pies with six different types of apples — Jonagold, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Gala, Rome, and Ida Red, all of which are homegrown in the U.S.

What is the sweetest apple? ›

If you have a sweet tooth, you're going to want to head over to the other end of the scale where you'll find the Fuji, Honeycrisp, Ambrosia™, Gala, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious apples. These sweeter apples contain more natural sugars and can hide any tart flavors even if they are more acidic!

Which apples for applesauce? ›

What you'll need to make homemade applesauce. For the apples, I like to use McIntosh with a few Golden Delicious mixed in for a more nuanced flavor. Feel free to use other varieties, such as Jonathan, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Braeburn, Stayman Winesap, Granny Smith, etc.

What fruit combination is good? ›

Strawberry and watermelon. Mango with orange. Other fruit pairings are also (Rhone, 2020): Pineapple, blueberries, and cherry.

Is apple and Egg a good combination? ›

Yes, this is a quick, healthy breakfast. The eggs provide protein , and the apple provides fiber — both will help you feel full, and take a while to digest. Good choices! Is eating a fruit salad and two boiled eggs for breakfast every day healthy?

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