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Crimson-colored leaves and a light chill in the air are telltale signs that autumn has arrived. And at the supermarket, that means an abundance of apples in the produce department, usually at a lower price point. Year-round favorites like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are joined by mountains of seasonal varieties such as Pink Lady, Gala, Envy, and so much more. Each variety offers its own texture and flavor profile, making them suitable for both sweet and savory dishes.
When filling your cart, look for firm fruit with smooth, unblemished skin. If you’re going to eat them straight away, you can keep them on the counter for a week or two at the most. If you need to keep them longer or your kitchen is on the warmer side, choose the fridge–they’ll last for weeks in your crisper drawer. Just be careful to keep them in a sealed bag. Apples emit a gas that will speed up ripening of other fruit. Wait to wash apples until just before you’re ready to use them.
Whether you’re after a quick and simple recipe for your apples or a next level take on a classic, these apple recipes are sure to start your fall off right.
Easy Apple Galette
A galette is like pie’s low-stress cousin, with pleated folds and a free-form, rustic charm. We like to use a refrigerated pie crust to make this easy enough for any level cook. Reach for your favorite red apple here, as you’ll be keeping the skins on to showcase that gorgeous color. This recipe is super simple with just cinnamon sugar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt, allowing for the apples to truly shine. If you prefer to make your own cinnamon sugar at home, simply add one tablespoon of cinnamon to a half cup of sugar, and store what you don’t use in an airtight container to sprinkle over hot buttered toast later.
One-Bowl Apple Cake with Honey Glaze
Packed with grated apples, walnuts, and a blend of fall spices, this simple yet delicious cake is perfect for a quick dessert, especially since it comes together in just one bowl. The honey in the glaze adds a deeper, more nuanced flavor, making it an ideal dessert for any holiday spread. Shreds of apple help keep the cake moist even if made a day or two in advance, though wait to glaze it until you’re ready to serve.
Classic Apple Crisp
Nothing says fall like a warm apple crisp topped with cool and creamy ice cream—and you’ll want to keep making this rendition all season long. Using a full three pounds of apples at one time, it’s a perfect choice after stocking up on an apple sale or hosting a large crowd. For the best results, use a mixture of firm but sweet apples, like Golden Delicious and Braeburn. Try sprinkling in some cardamom or chai masala for an extra pop of flavor or dress it up for a special occasion by drizzling store-bought salted caramel over a scoop of ice cream when serving.
Dutch Apple Pie with Cinnamon Roll Crust
If apple pie is feeling a little “been there, done that” this year, we promise you haven’t had anything like this! Instead of a traditional pie crust, this recipe uses thinly sliced cinnamon rolls and tops everything off with a decadent crumble and cinnamon roll glaze. Sautéing the apples in a skillet first helps cook out excess liquid, concentrating their flavor and preventing the bottom crust from getting soggy during baking.
Skillet Chicken with Apples and Cider
If you thought apples were only useful in sweet recipes—think again. This savory dish pairs apples and cinnamon with chicken breasts for a saucy, decadent skillet dinner. The apples are softened with spices before you brown the chicken. A splash of apple cider and a smidge of butter help create a mouthwatering sauce where apples truly shine.
