15 Apple Recipes for Fall

Apple season is the best season. These apple recipes turn the orchard’s bounty into pies, crisps, butters, and ciders.

From classic pie to sippable cider, these 15 apple recipes capture everything we love about fall.

1. Classic Apple Pie

Flaky crust, cinnamon-spiced apples, golden top. The apple recipe all others are measured against.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, obviously.

Brush the top crust with cream instead of egg wash for a softer, more golden finish. If the edges brown too fast, shield them with strips of foil for the last twenty minutes. Let the pie cool at least four hours; cutting too soon is the number one cause of runny slices.

2. Apple Crisp

Jammy cinnamon apples under a buttery oat crumble. All the pie flavor, half the work.

Tip: Slice apples thin so they cook through evenly.

Easy baking? See our easy baking recipes.

Add a handful of cranberries to the apples for tart pops of color and flavor. For a gluten-free version, use almond flour and certified gluten-free oats in the topping. If the topping browns before the apples soften, cover loosely with foil and keep baking.

3. Caramel Apples

Glossy caramel-coated apples rolled in nuts or drizzled with chocolate. Fall festival at home.

Tip: Chill the apples first. Cold apples help the caramel set fast.

Dip in white chocolate after the caramel sets, then drizzle with dark chocolate for a tuxedo look. If the caramel slides off, the apples were not dry enough; scrub off the waxy coating with hot water first. These keep three days wrapped in the fridge, but the caramel softens over time.

4. Apple Butter

Slow-cooked apples reduced to a spreadable, deeply caramelized butter. No dairy, all apple.

Tip: The slow cooker does the work. Cook low 10 hours, then blend.

Homemade spreads? Browse our homemade pantry recipes.

Add a vanilla bean split lengthwise during cooking for incredible depth; remove it before blending. For a spicier version, add a whole cinnamon stick and three cloves, fishing them out at the end. Process jars in a water bath for ten minutes and they keep a full year in the pantry.

5. Apple Cider Donuts

Cakey donuts with concentrated cider flavor, rolled in cinnamon sugar. Orchard stand magic at home.

Cider secret

• Reduce 2 cups cider to 1/2 cup
• Use the reduction in the batter
• Brush warm donuts with butter
• Roll in cinnamon sugar

Toss the warm donuts in cinnamon sugar twice for an extra-thick coating. For a filled version, pipe apple butter into the centers with a pastry tip. These are best the day they are made, but a ten-second microwave refresh brings back the just-baked softness.

6. Apple Turnovers

Flaky puff pastry around cinnamon apples, finished with glaze. Bakery case at home.

Tip: Cut a small vent on top so steam escapes and the pastry stays crisp.

Pastry mornings? See our pastry recipes.

Brush the tops with apricot jam thinned with water instead of glaze for a professional bakery shine. For a savory twist, fill with brie and the same spiced apples; it is an incredible appetizer. Freeze unbaked turnovers on a tray, then bake straight from frozen, adding five minutes.

7. Baked Apples

Whole apples stuffed with oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon, baked until tender.

Serve with a pour of cold cream.

Fill the centers with a mixture of oats, brown sugar, and chopped pecans for a crisp-like topping baked right in. For an adult version, add a tablespoon of bourbon to the filling; the alcohol bakes off and leaves amazing flavor. Serve over vanilla ice cream while still warm.

8. Homemade Applesauce

Chunky or smooth, sweetened or not, homemade applesauce beats the jar every time.

Tip: No need to peel if you blend. The peels add color and fiber.

Simple staples? Explore our homemade basics.

Cook it down longer for a thicker sauce that works as a pork chop topping. For a pink applesauce kids love, leave the red peels on and blend; the color is gorgeous. Freeze in ice cube trays for perfect single servings that thaw in minutes.

9. Apple Fritters

Craggy, glazed, apple-studded fritters with crispy edges. Donut shop royalty.

Fry at 350°F for deep golden color.

Add diced pear along with the apple for a more complex fruit flavor. For extra crunch, stir a handful of chopped toasted pecans into the batter. If the oil temperature drops, the fritters absorb grease; fry in small batches and let the oil recover between each.

10. Apple Galette

The freeform tart for pie crust cowards. Rustic folds are the whole point.

Tip: Overlap apple slices in circles for a stunning look.

Rustic desserts? See our rustic baking recipes.

Brush the folded crust with cream and sprinkle coarse sugar for a bakery-style finish. For a savory version, swap the sugar for thyme and top with sharp cheddar. If juice leaks onto the pan, it will caramelize; line the baking sheet with parchment for easy cleanup.

11. Apple Muffins

Moist muffins studded with apple chunks and crowned with streusel. Perfect lunchbox treat.

Fold the apples in last to keep them chunky.

Add a cream cheese cube to the center of each muffin before baking for a surprise filling. For a streusel that stays crunchy, add the topping in the last ten minutes instead of at the start. These freeze well for a month; thaw overnight or microwave twenty seconds.

12. Apple Pancakes

Fluffy pancakes with grated apple in the batter and caramelized apple topping.

Tip: Grate the apple on the large holes so the pieces stay distinct.

Weekend breakfast? Browse our weekend breakfast recipes.

Keep finished pancakes warm in a 200°F oven on a rack, not a plate, so they stay crisp. For fluffier pancakes, separate the egg and whip the white; fold it in last. Leftover batter keeps one day in the fridge; stir gently before using because the apple releases juice.

13. Waldorf Salad

Crisp apples, celery, walnuts, and grapes in a creamy dressing. The retro salad that still works.

Tip: Toss cut apples in lemon juice immediately to prevent browning.

Add diced chicken or turkey to turn this side salad into a satisfying lunch. For a lighter dressing, use half Greek yogurt and half mayo; no one will notice the swap. If making ahead, keep the dressing separate and toss just before serving so the apples stay crisp.

14. Apple Dumplings

Whole apples wrapped in pastry, baked in cinnamon sauce until tender and golden.

The sauce soaks into the pastry as it bakes. Magic.

Old-fashioned? See our latest recipes on Spoon and Sizzle.

Brush the pastry with cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar before baking for a golden, crunchy top. For a caramel sauce upgrade, add a splash of bourbon to the cinnamon syrup. These reheat beautifully; warm at 350°F for ten minutes and the pastry crisps right back up.

15. Hot Apple Cider

Spiced apple cider simmered with cinnamon, cloves, and orange. Fall in a mug.

Serving idea: Keep it warm in a slow cooker for parties.

Tip: Add the spices in a tea bag or cheesecloth for easy removal.

Add a sliced pear along with the orange for a more complex fruit flavor. For a big batch, keep it warm in a slow cooker on low for up to four hours; the flavors deepen over time. If it tastes too sweet, a splash of lemon juice balances it without watering it down.

Final Thought

Crisp, sweet, and endlessly bakeable, apples are fall’s greatest gift. These apple recipes celebrate them in every delicious form.