Apple picking always sends you home with more apples than you planned for. These apple recipes use them up, from breakfast to dessert, with a few apple dishes to enjoy as a side dish, too.
The first 15 are my recipes, made and tested in my own kitchen. After those come recipes from food bloggers I know personally. I’ve made plenty of their recipes and trust what they share.
Short on time? Start with the Granola Apple Crisp. It’s the most popular apple recipe on the site, and it has so little sugar that I don’t feel guilty when I eat leftovers for breakfast.
Granola Apple Crisp
Tender baked apples sit under a crunchy granola topping, and the recipe divides everything into six ramekins so everyone gets their own. It has so little sugar that I don’t feel guilty when I eat leftovers for breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Granola Apple Crisp
Apple Puff Pancake
It puffs up tall and golden around the apples in one pan, and it’s ready in about 30 minutes. That makes it our go-to quick apple dinner as often as it’s breakfast, and a scoop of ice cream on top turns it into dessert.
Get the Recipe: Apple Puff Pancake
Cinnamon Apples
These soft cinnamon apples remind me of the ones I order at Cracker Barrel. They cook in the Instant Pot fast enough for a weeknight, and you don’t even need to peel them. Serve them as a side dish, or spoon them over ice cream, pancakes, or waffles.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apples
Apple Pie Bread Pudding
It has all the flavor of apple pie without a crust, and it’s less sweet. You make it ahead, top it with caramel sauce and whipped cream, and I won’t judge if you eat the leftovers for breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Bread Pudding
Apple Crisp
This is the traditional version, with a topping of flour, both sugars, butter, and warm spices, so there are no oats to buy. You leave the skins on the apples, and it bakes in one 13×9 dish.
Get the Recipe: Apple Crisp Without Oats
Double Caramel Apple Pie Parfait
Apple pie filling, caramel, and crust get layered in a glass. You can make every component ahead and assemble at the last minute, so you’re with your guests instead of in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Double Caramel Apple Pie Parfait
Crockpot Applesauce
Put the apples and a little spice in the crockpot, and walk away. Serve it warm as a side dish or cold as a snack. I love my applesauce chunky, and this is the ideal balance without being too sweet.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Applesauce
Apple Scones
These apple scones get coated with a maple glaze, and they use everyday ingredients you probably have. They’re ready faster than you’d think, so you can make them more than just on weekends.
Get the Recipe: Apple Scones
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
These bake up with the tall, domed tops you get at a bakery, and the post shows you how to get them every time. They freeze for up to two months, so bake a double batch.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Mini Apple Pancakes
This is the apple puff pancake in a mini size, so enjoy them as you grab and go. Prep them the night before and breakfast is mostly done. I love to bring these to gatherings, both for brunch and a cute little dessert.
Get the Recipe: Mini Apple Pancakes
Caramelized Apple Oatmeal
This oatmeal cooks in the rice cooker, so nothing scorches on the stove while you’re getting everyone out the door. The caramelized apples make a plain bowl of oats feel like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Apple Oatmeal
Cinnamon Apple Crepes
Save these for a weekend, since each crepe cooks one at a time. My kids beg me for these, and the cinnamon apple filling is quick to prep while the batter rests. Crepes with this filling make the extra time worth it.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apple Crepes
Apple Pie
This classic apple pie has a crumb topping instead of a top crust (that’s my kind of pie). Bake tender apples in a flaky crust with a golden, crumbly topping for a dessert that never goes out of style.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie
Air Fryer Apple Fritters
These apple fritters cook in the air fryer, so there’s no pot of oil involved. Coat tender apple chunks in a light batter and air fry until crisp on the outside and soft inside. The sweet apples mix with a delicate, airy cake for a flavorful treat.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Fritters
Apple Fritter Bread
Swirl chunks of apples and cinnamon into a soft loaf for a treat that tastes like a classic fritter. The apples keep the bread moist while the spiced topping adds a sweet crunch.
Get the Recipe: Apple Fritter Bread
Apple Danish with Crumble Topping
These pastry squares hold an apple filling under a crumble topping and a drizzle of icing. They look like they came from a bakery case. Each bite has soft fruit and buttery crust that uses premade pastry to make this a simple treat to bake at home.
Get the Recipe: Apple Danish with Crumble Topping
Iced Apple Cookies
Bake soft cookies packed with apple and cinnamon, then drizzle them with a sweet icing. The cookies have a chewy texture and a warm, fruity flavor.
Get the Recipe: Iced Apple Cookies
Cabbage Apple Salad
Mix crisp cabbage with sweet apple slices and a tangy dressing for a side that adds flavor and texture to any meal. The apples bring a natural sweetness that balances the crunch of the vegetables. It’s a fresh side to put next to a heavy fall dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Apple Salad
Broccoli Apple Salad
Toss crisp broccoli with apple slices, carrots, walnuts, and a creamy dressing for a colorful side. The sweet apples balance the crunch of the vegetables. This salad is colorful and crunchy, and it’s an easy one to bring to a potluck.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Apple Salad
Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
Soak oats overnight with crisp apple pieces, cinnamon, and a drizzle of maple syrup for a ready-to-eat breakfast. The apples stay soft while the oats turn creamy and filling. This simple apple dish is a convenient and tasty option for a morning shared with company.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
Apple and Pear Chutney
Simmer apples and pears with gentle spices to make a tangy, flavorful spread. It pairs beautifully with cheese, meats, or bread, adding a little sweetness to the table. This apple chutney is a creative dish that brings friends and family together around flavors everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Apple and Pear Chutney
Apple Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream
Bake soft cupcakes infused with apples and warm spices, then top them with smooth maple frosting. Each bite offers a sweet, fruity, and creamy combination that feels indulgent without fuss. These apple treats are a perfect dessert to serve at gatherings and share around the table.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream
Apple Mug Cake
Make a quick single-serve cake in a mug with apples, coconut milk, and a touch of sweet spice. The result is soft, moist, and satisfying in every bite. This small apple dessert is a fast and tasty way to enjoy a cozy treat with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Apple Mug Cake
Apple Cake with Cinnamon
Bake a simple skillet cake topped with fresh apple slices and a touch of cinnamon. The soft texture and gentle sweetness make it a comforting dessert to share. This apple cake brings warmth and flavor to a table of friends or family.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cake with Cinnamon
Air Fryer Apple Pie Bites
Wrap spiced apple filling in biscuit dough and air fry until golden brown for bite-sized treats. The crust turns flaky and crisp while the fruit inside stays soft, warm, and sweet. These little apple bites are fun to make, quick to cook, and always a hit when passed around at fall gatherings with friends and family.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Pie Bites
Apple Galette
Layer thinly sliced apples inside a rustic pastry and bake until the crust is golden and flaky. The soft, sweet fruit pairs beautifully with the tender crust in each slice. This apple galette is a simple yet elegant dessert that fits perfectly on a shared table.
Get the Recipe: Apple Galette
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Layer apples with cake mix and caramel sauce, then bake until golden and bubbly. The apples soften into a sweet base while the topping turns rich and crisp. This simple apple dessert is perfect for sharing and adds a sweet touch to any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Apple French Toast Casserole
Layer bread and apples in a rich custard and bake until soft and flavorful. A drizzle of maple syrup adds sweetness that highlights the fruit in each bite. This apple casserole is a hearty dish that works beautifully for brunch with friends and family.
Get the Recipe: Apple French Toast Casserole
Cranberry Apple Smoothie
Blend apples with cranberries, yogurt, and just enough sweetness for a smooth, refreshing drink. The combination balances tart and sweet flavors in every sip. This apple smoothie is a simple and filling option to enjoy with friends or family.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Apple Smoothie
Single-Serve Apple Pie
Bake a small apple pie with spiced filling and a flaky crust for a dessert made just for one. The warm apples turn tender as they bake, while the crisp topping adds the same comfort and flavor you’d expect from a full pie. This individual apple dessert feels special, and it’s the perfect little treat to enjoy at a fall gathering with good company.
Get the Recipe: Single-Serve Apple Pie
Fruit Salad with Pecans and Honey Dressing
Toss apples with pears, grapes, oranges, and pecans, then coat them in a light honey-spice dressing. The crisp fruit and crunchy nuts create a refreshing alternative to your typical fruit salad. This apple-filled salad is a bright and easy dish to offer at a shared meal.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Salad with Pecans and Honey Dressing
What Goes Well With Apples?
My favorite is a Granny Smith apple with thin slices of Manchego cheese and a handful of dried cherries. I eat it for lunch when I don’t feel like cooking.
For a treat, I make apple nachos with all the sweet fixings, or I just dip slices straight into Salted Caramel Sauce for a simple dessert. My kids are all about scooping up any kind of nut butter with their slices.
In baking, apples match warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, along with maple, brown sugar, and caramel. On the savory side, they pair well with pork, sage, onions, and cabbage, which is why so many fall side dishes have apple in them.
What to Make With a Lot of Apples
Cook them down first. Crockpot Applesauce and Instant Pot Cinnamon Apples use up a pile of apples faster than anything you bake, and both keep for five to ten days in the fridge in a tightly sealed container.
I ladle mine into mason jars while they’re hot, let them cool on the counter, and move them to the fridge as soon as they reach room temperature. They stay good a little longer that way.
After that, start baking. Homemade Apple Cake is a great way to showcase your fall apples, and Apple Pie Bread Pudding is a make-ahead dessert you can finish the day before.