The weather is still mild and gorgeous here in Ohio, so I’m far from giving up on grilling and fresh tomato bruschetta pasta. I don’t like to be rushed into the next season, but I’ll admit the cooler mornings have been giving me quite the craving for flannel shirts and cinnamon apple baked goods.
If you’ve also found yourself opening windows and gazing wistfully at the just-barely-starting-to turn tree leaves, these recipes might be for you. If you took your family to the apple orchard and came home with 20 lbs. of apples, these recipes are definitely for you. They’ll make your house smell better than a Yankee candle ever could, guaranteed.
Apples for Breakfast
Morning Glory Muffins- These muffins had a cult following at the bakery where I used to work. Loaded with carrots, apples, coconut, and raisins they’re sneakily healthy and ridiculously delicious. If you want a muffin that’s not sharing flavor space with anything else, try these Apple Oatmeal Muffins.
Apple Cinnamon Pancakes- Ah, what could possibly be better than a big stack of fluffy pancakes topped with sauteed apples? What is they were also drizzled with apple cider syrup?
Apple Crumb Cake- A classic coffee cake studded with apples and layered with brown sugar streusel. This cake can shape-shift all the way from breakfast to dessert.
Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake- Store bought cinnamon rolls make this one of the easiest recipes to throw together.
Apple, Pear, and Almond Baked Oatmeal-This is what you want when you wake up and feel a chill in the air. It’s cozy, hearty comfort food..
Apple Butter Overnight Oats- I love making these overnight oats in early fall when it’s still warm-ish but I’m craving all the fall flavors.
Apples for Lunch or Dinner
Apple and Brie Grilled Cheese- Gooey brie and crisp apple make a dynamite grilled cheese. Adding bacon is optional but very much recommended.
Apple Fennel Salad- I love this fresh Autumn inspired salad with goat cheese, marcona almonds, and a mustard vinaigrette.
Chicken Salad with Apples and Pecans- Tart crisp apples bring a boring chicken salad to life. I love to serve it on croissants or on sturdy honey oat bread.
Apple Bulgur Salad with Orange Vinaigrette- You can make this grain salad with bulgur, farro, or quinoa. It’s excellent for meal prepping. Make a big batch and enjoy it for easy lunches all week!
Ham and Apple Butter Grilled Cheese- Listen, I just believe apples belong on grilled cheese.
Fall Sangria Ok, maybe this doesn’t exactly count as dinner, but it is absolutely my drink of choice any time I’m hosting a fall gathering. This cider spiked punch is filled with apples, pears, and plums, and lightly sweetened with a touch of maple syrup.
Apples for Dessert
Ohhhhh, here’s where it gets really good. You’ll notice that many of these desserts involve pairing apples with caramel, and nearly all of them are best served warm with a scoop of ice cream. I love this homemade salted caramel sauce recipe for dipping apple slices or drizzling over almost any apple-adjacent dessert.
Apple Dapple Cake- This moist spiced cake is loaded apples and pecans and finished with a brown sugar caramel drizzle. Incredible with ice cream.
Baked Cinnamon Apples- One of the easiest recipes to throw together, these baked apples can function as a dessert in their own right or be used as a topping for ice cream, pancakes, or oatmeal. I also sometimes make this as a side dish with dinner. It’s especially great with pork chops!
Apple Blueberry Crumble- Apples and blueberries make for an unexpcted but welcome pairing in this buttery crumble. It is (of course) great with ice cream.
Caramelized Apple Pie- Sauteeing the apples until they’re golden and caramelized is the key to this classic double crust apple pie.
Amish Apple Fry Pies- If you’ve ever been to Amish country or a small town farmer’s market, you’ve probably seen fry pies. These irresistible little hand pies are deep fried and then covered in a sweet icing.
Apple Cider Cake- Ok this one doesn’t actually have apples in it, but I couldn’t resist including it here. This cake tastes just like apple cider donuts with a cinnamon sugar coating. I love to serve it warm dipped in warm apple cider for the full the orchard experience at home.
Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings- This poor dessert didn’t get a picture, but it deserves a mention! These crescent roll dumplings are so easy to make. A surprising ingredient creates a delicious caramel sauce while they bake!
Here’s hoping you find something to love (and use all those apples) in today’s collection!
Grateful to share a table with you,
Courtney