20 Apples Recipes that will Change your Life
There are literally hundreds of thousands of apples recipes on the internet, so how do you know which ones are actually worth trying?! There is nothing worse than when a recipe fails especially when you’ve invested lots of time and money on groceries. That’s why we’ve teamed up with some of our most trusted California Grown Creators to bring you over 20 no-fail, delicious apple recipes that you will make again and again!
Fun facts about apples from California.
Archeologists have found evidence that humans have been enjoying apples since at least 6500 B.C., so it shouldn’t be any surprise at all that as a human race we are practically enamored with them! Below you will find a few of our favorite fun facts about California apples to share with your apple lovin’ friends.
Why do apples float?
Have you ever bobbed for apples? It is a fun fall activity for people of all ages, but have you ever questioned why they float? 25 percent of an apple’s volume is air which is why they float.
How much does a peck of apples weigh?
According to California Apples, a peck of apples weighs 10.5 pounds.
How many pounds of apples does it take to make an apple pie?
Y’all know we LOVE pie of all sorts, but apple pie is truly a classic. It takes a total of 2 pounds of fresh apples to make one 9-inch round pie or this slab pie.
Click here for this Apple and Prune Slab Pie recipe from Eat the Love!
What is the difference between apple juice and apple cider?
Ever wondered if apple juice and apple cider are the same things? Turns out these two beverages are the same but also very different depending on whether the cider or juice was made with filtered juices and if it was pasteurized. Check out the video below from our friend Jerry James Stone to learn more!
Now that we have sufficiently filled your apple factoid quota, it is time for the recipes, you’ve been scrolling for.
The sweet, the savory, and everything in between. The apple recipes below are sure to be a hit in your house!
Sweet apples recipes
Apples are a welcome treat any time of day from breakfast to dessert and yes, even snack time in between!
Baked French Toast with Apples
We admit, this isn’t a traditional French toast recipe, it’s better! This recipe for baked French toast pairs buttery Brioche bread with cinnamon-laced Granny Smith apples, cream cheese, and toasted walnuts.
Click here for this apple recipe!
Apple Cake with Pistachios
This delicious apple cake with pistachios from Bakes by Brown Sugar is full of Granny Smith and Fuji apples and crunchy pistachios. The cake is moist and dense with a hint of lemon that pairs really well with the sweetness of the cake and the tart apples
Click here for this recipe with apples!
The Easiest Instant Pot Applesauce
Store-bought applesauce doesn’t hold a candle to this richly flavored homemade applesauce recipe from This Mess is Ours. It’s easy to make, cooks up really fast in the Instant Pot, and is endlessly customizable!
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Toffee Apple Cake with Salted Caramel Glaze
This toffee apple cake from Beyond Sweet & Savory has a moist and crumbly interior, tangy cream cheese frosting, and crowned by a delicious salted caramel glaze and toffee apples.
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Burnt Caramel Apples
Displaced Housewife smothers cool, crunchy apples in a dreamy, smooth caramel, what could be better?! NOTHING!
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Calvados Pink Pearl Apple Tart
This apple tart from Beyond Sweet & Savory makes a delectable fall treat with a double dose of apples from the lightly sweetened applesauce and sweet-tart apple slices in contrast to the buttery crust.
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Fried Apple Rings
Fresh California Granny Smith apple slices are dipped in batter and deep-fried before being covered in powdered sugar. The perfect treat for fall!
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Apple, Fig & Walnut Crisp
Becky Sue of Baking the Goods pairs seasonal crisp apples and decadent, honey-sweet figs together with cinnamon and ginger under an irrisistable crumble topping.
Click here for this recipe with apples!
Double Chai Spiced Apple Sheet Cake
Chai and apples are a match made in heaven according to This Mess is Ours and we believe her!
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Gluten-Free Mini Caramel Apple Cakes
The mini apple cakes from A Girl Defloured are moist and full of sweet-tart apple chunks, and drizzle with a caramel sauce that will haunt you in your dreams! Consider yourself warned.
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Salted Caramel Crepes with Sauteed Apples
Beyond Sweet & Savory tops tender crepes with a gooey caramel sauce, cinnamon apples, and tangy creme fraiche. We are all in!!!
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Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Warm, fragrant, and spiced with cinnamon apples, this wonderful quinoa breakfast bowl from Food & Wine is a great way to start the morning.
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Gluten Free Cider Spiced Doughnut
These Gluten-Free Apple Cider Doughnuts from GFree Foodie are loaded with cinnamon-sugar deliciousness and all the flavors of Fall.
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Hidden Rose Apple Hazelnut Frangipane Galette
This galette from Beyond Sweet & Savory has all the delicious elements of a pie: a flaky, crisp crust and tender baked fruit but without the labor.
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Gluten Free Apple Brown Butter Blondies
Silky swirls of apple brown butter and bits of coarsely grated fresh apple literally melt in your mouth with each bite. Plus, the combination of the two keeps these sweet treats from This Mess is Ours perfectly moist and luscious for days!!
Click here for this apple recipe!
Apple Rum Hand Pies
These delectable apple-filled hand pies from Hola Jalapeno are similar to an apple empanada with rum-spiked apples and cinnamon wrapped in pastry.
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Gluten-Free French Apple Cake
This cake recipe from GFree Foodie has a rich custardy bottom, a light cake layer, and a crisp sugary topping.
Serve it warm, or at room temperature-either way with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
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Apple Cinnamon Cake
This cake from Rebecca of Displaced Housewife uses just eight basic ingredients and one bowl to make! It is loaded with fresh apples, cinnamon, and topped with crunchy almonds. This baby will be ready and out of the oven in under an hour! Yes, please!
Click here for this apple recipe!
Power Up Apple Protein Muffins
These delicious muffins from This Mess is Ours are made with a blend of teff, white rice flour, nut flour, and oats. It is naturally sweetened with applesauce and then topped with almonds, pistachios, and pecans which all come together for a protein punch that will keep you going strong until lunchtime.
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Gluten Free Vegan Apple Hand Pies
These hand pies from G Free Foodie are filled with fresh apples, cinnamon nutmeg, and ginger and are perfect for any type of diet.
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Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
This easy to make cake from This Mess is Ours is great served with a casual cup of coffee, but it’s also impressive enough to serve at a holiday celebration!
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Vegan & Gluten Free Caramel Apple Cupcakes
These caramel apple cupcakes from G Free Foodie combine all the best flavors of fresh apple, spices, sugary caramel, and best of all – no gluten.
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Savory apples recipes
While apples are commonplace in sweet recipes they are just as well suited for savory apples recipes too! California apples will be right at home on your cheeseboards, stuffed in grilled cheese sandwiches, or roasted along with your next pork roast.
Healthy Cheese Board
The Delicious never leaves the California apples off of her cheeseboards! They bring lots of color, loads of flavor, and are always a crowd favorite!
Click here for this apple recipe!
Apple, Brie and Pomegranate Flatbread
Get the recipe for this Apple, Brie and Pomegranate Flatbread from our friends at Real CA Milk – it’s best paired with sparkling wine (from California of course!) but you do you.
Bacon & Apple Rounds
Here’s a fabulous idea for fresh California
Apples: top thin rounds with Jack or Toma
cheese, bacon, fresh basil, black pepper
& a bit of honey. It’s a deliciously simple
bite!
Baked Camembert with Honey and Apple
Beyond Sweet & Savory’s cheesy, gooey baked Camembert with honey and apple is the perfect dish to spoil your loved ones for date night or special occasions.
Click here for this apple recipe!
Spiralized Apple Salad
Kids and adults alike will go all in on this delicious apple salad from This Mess is Ours that is as delicious to eat as it is pretty.
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Fennel Roasted Pork Belly with Cider Apples
This fennel roasted pork belly with cider apples from Beyond Sweet & Savory will give you the best flavored fennel crispy crackling and tender meat paired with sweet cider apples.
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Apple-Cheddar Stuffed Chicken with Apple-Dijon Pan Sauce
This apples recipe from Iowa Girl Eats is a delicious, gluten-free dinner recipe that comes together in minutes using fridge and pantry staples.
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Apple, Kale, and Pomegranate Salad
This salad from Jerry James Stone is easy to make, fun to eat, and just pretty to stare at. Who knew so few ingredients could look so elegant?
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Cheesy Apple Tart with Rosemary
This cheesy apple tart from Beyond Sweet & Savory brings a twist to the classic apple tart with gooey blue cheese in contrast to flaky puff pastry, tart apple, and herby rosemary kick.
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Spiced Apple-Thyme-Gouda Hand Pies
This easy recipe from Salt & Wind is a sweet-savory twist on traditional apple pie. Fresh thyme, lemon, cinnamon, cheese, and apples come together for a delicious portable treat that will thrill any type of eater!
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Apple Halloumi and Labneh Flatbreads
These delicious flatbreads from This Mess is Ours are loaded with delicious Middle Eastern flavors like labneh, aleppo pepper, and lots of fried halloumi cheese then piled high with thin slices of apple and pomegarante arils.
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Apple and Cheddar Quiche with Olive Oil and Thyme Crust
This quiche from Hip Foodie Mom is savory and delicious and sure to be a winning dish at any brunch!
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Winter Salad With Radicchio, Apple & Walnut
Winter salads are a beautiful thing, and this one from A Girl Defloured is no exception. Bitter radicchio and endive are pared with sweet-tart apples and oranges, toasty walnuts, and pungent gorgonzola all topped with a mustard maple vinaigrette.
Click here for this recipe with apples!
Cocktail recipes with apples
Have you ever added apples to your cocktail recipes? Whether you use apple juice, cider, sauce, apple-infused liquor, or just straight-up apple slices – some of the best cocktails for fall are apple forward.
Red Apple Sangria Wine Cocktail
Never have I ever seen or tasted a more beautiful sangria, and I bet you won’t either! From the brown sugar rim to the fresh slices of apple and orange that flavor the entire pitcher of sangria, this sipper from California Wines free holiday eBook is NOT to be missed.
Click here for this apple recipe!
California Harvest Fall Sangria
This Fall Sangria from Hola Jalapeno is like the California wine harvest in a glass: Champagne grapes, Mission figs, crisp apples, and blackberries mixed with luscious Merlot.
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Spiked Apple Cider Cocktail
If you happen to have any applesauce laying artound you can put it to use like This Mess is Ours does, in easy sipping cocktails!
Click here for this apple recipe!
Apple and Berry Rosé Sangria
This apple forward sangria from This Mess is Ours is garnished in glasses with fresh edible hibiscus flowers and lots of fruit! Sign us up for this gorgeous summer sip.
Click here for this apple recipe!
Can dogs eat apples?
Turns out our furry friends are into apples too and they are actually really good for them! Apples are a snack that is low in protein and calories, so they provide all their health benefits without filling up your dog’s tummy, leaving plenty of room for a regular diet of healthy food.
DIY Apple Kong for Dogs
Have a dog that needs a treat that will last?! These apple kongs can be frozen for vigorous chewers or at room temperature.
If served frozen the banana transforms into the consistency of ice cream as it warms up – creating a lickable melty center to this frozen treat that literally drives This Mess is Ours’ dogs bananas!
Click here for this apples recipe for dogs!
**This blog post was updated 3/22/2022 with new images, nutritional information, and recipes.**