20 Apples Recipes that will Change your Life

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20 Apples Recipes that will Change your Life

November 4, 2015
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20 Apples Recipes that will Change your Life

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. 

20 Amazing Apple recipes that will change your life

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 recipe next to maple syrup.

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 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!
Instant Pot applesauce recipe

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!

Click here for this apples recipes!
Toffee Apple Cake with Salted Caramel Glaze recipe

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.

Click here for this apple recipe!
Burnt Caramel Apples

Burnt Caramel Apples

Displaced Housewife smothers cool, crunchy apples in a dreamy, smooth caramel, what could be better?! NOTHING!

Click here for this apples recipes!
Calvados Pink Pearl Apple Tart recipe

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.

Click here for this apples recipes!
A stack of Fried Apple Rings.

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!

Click here for this recipe with apples!
Apple Fig Walnut Crisp recipe

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

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!

Click here for this apple recipe!
Gluten-Free Mini Caramel Apple Cakes

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.

Click here for this apples recipes!
Salted Caramel Crepes with Sauteed Apples

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!!!

Click here for this apple recipe!

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.

Click here for this recipe with apples!

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.

Click here for this apples recipes!
Hidden Rose Apple Hazelnut Frangipane Galette

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.

Click here for this apple recipe!
Gluten Free Apple Brown Butter Blondies recipe

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

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.

Click here for this apples recipes!

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.

Click here for this apples recipes!
Apple Cinnamon Cake_Displaced Houswife

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.

Click here for this apples recipes!

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.

Click here for this apples recipes!
Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

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!

Click here for this apple recipe!
Vegan Gluten Free Caramel Apple Cupcakes

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.

Click here for this apple recipe!

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!
Healthy Cheese Board

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.

Apple, Brie and Pomegranate Flatbread

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!
Baked Camembert with Honey and Apple

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.

Click here for this apple recipe!
Spiralized Apple Salad

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.

Click here for this apple recipe!
Fennel Roasted Pork Belly with Cider Apples

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.

Click here for this recipe with apples!

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? 

Click here for this apple recipe!
Apple, Kale, and Pomegranate Salad

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.

Click here for this apples recipes!
Cheesy Apple Tart with Rosemary

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!

Click here for this apples recipes!
Spiced Apple-Thyme-Gouda Hand Pies

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.

Click here for this apple recipe!
Apple Halloumi and Labneh Flatbreads

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!

Click here for this recipe with apples!

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!
Winter Salad With Radicchio, Apple & Walnut

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 recipe

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

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.

Click here for this apples recipes!
Spiked Apple Cider Cocktail

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 Berry and Rose Sangria

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!
DIY Apple Kong for Dogs

**This blog post was updated 3/22/2022 with new images, nutritional information, and recipes.**

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