21 of Our Best Apple Recipes for Seasonal Flavor in Every Meal (2024)

Apple Fritter Bread

Anyone with a love for those deep-fried donut shop apple fritters will be amazed by the flavor of this quick bread recipe. Use a tart cooking apple such as Granny Smith to contrast the sweet brown-sugar cinnamon flavors of the batter.

Test Kitchen Tip: Quick breads store remarkably well. In fact, they slice even better the next day. Keep the loaf in an airtight container at room temp for up to 3 days.

Pan-Roasted Chicken with Brussels Sprouts and Apples

A five-ingredient chicken dinner? We're so in! Pan roast chicken thighs in a pan and then set them aside under aluminum foil to keep warm. Saute Brussels sprouts and apples in the same pan where you cooked the chicken so they absorb all the yummy chicken drippings. Then drizzle with maple syrup, toss to coat, and add the chicken back to the pan to heat and serve.

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie

When it comes to the best apple recipes, this tried-and-true classic from our Test Kitchen definitely deserves a spot on the list. With 6 cups of fruit tucked away in a buttery crust, this from-scratch apple pie will make Grandma (and the entire family) proud.

So-Easy Apple Butter

Fall calls for all things cozy, and we don't just mean sweaters. A mound of fresh apples (4 pounds, to be exact) and warm spices in the slow cooker will fill the entire house with an irresistible seasonal smell when you make this apple butter recipe. Want your apple butter even quicker? Follow our pressure cooker instructions.

Buy It: Crock-Pot Manual Slow Cooker ($33, Walmart)

Apple-Pecan Pork Chops

We can't hide it—we're nuts about apples. Sauté apple slices in butter, pair them with pork chops, then sprinkle on brown sugar and crunchy pecans for a fantastic apple-based dinner. This is a 20-minute meal you'll make on repeat.

Spiced Applesauce

Applesauce is one of the best things to make with apples before they go bad. Make sure to use fresh cinnamon sticks to infuse the most spice into your finished sauce. Use our water bath canning tips to stock your pantry with jars for up to a year.

Pork Chops with Apples and Greens

Got some about-to-be-stale bread on hand? Save it to blend into the breading for this delicious crispy pork and apple dinner recipe. Sweet apples and spinach in a honey-mustard sauce make an irresistible topping.

Buy It: Hamilton Beach Food Processor ($59, Target)

Stuffed Pork Chops with Apples and Walnuts

Stuff your pork chops with a savory-sweet apple filling for a delicious new fall dinner idea. Top with a creamy sauce infused with apple juice. Round out your meal with one of our favorite side dish casseroles.

Apple Tart with Cheddar Cheese Crust

Cheddar cheese takes this apple recipe to a whole new level. The sharpness from the cheese cuts through the rich, buttery flavor in the crust. It also makes a surprisingly delicious crumble topping when mixed with sugar.

Beet and Apple Soup with Horseradish Cream

Let's get to the root of things: Food is better when colorful. Blend earthy beets and sweet apples in a fall soup so smooth and creamy, you'll be craving leftovers for days.

Buy It: Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender ($50, Bed Bath & Beyond)

Apple-Bourbon Country-Style Pork Ribs

Fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of slow-cooked pork ribs simmering with apples and bourbon. It's an easy, flavorful apple dish that only looks (and tastes) like you spent all day in the kitchen.

Apple-Bacon Burger

Mix ground beef, Italian sausage, and green apples to form burger patties. Top with apple slices and our homemade mayonnaise mixture for a truly unique burger recipe.

Nutty Gorgonzola Apple Rings

For a homemade healthy snack, look no further than this easy apple recipe. Each apple slice is topped with a sweet mix of candied walnuts, gorgonzola cheese, and honey. Use our spiced walnut recipe to keep the sugar count low.

Buy It: Zulay Apple Corer ($9-$13, Walmart)

Spiced Pork and Apples

For a simple, flavorful apple recipe idea, marinate pork in a ginger-packed Asian marinade overnight. The next day, bake your pork with apples and leftover marinade for 20 minutes before digging in.

Apple Scones with Spiced Maple Butter

We love including pretty scones in our brunch spread. This delicious apple recipe includes the seasonal fruit in the batter as well as baking a thinly-sliced apple into the top of each scone. Serve with our simple spiced maple butter.

Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions

Cooked apples and onions provide a mellow, sweet flavor that's perfect for pairing with a lightly seasoned pork tenderloin. This fall family favorite takes only 30 minutes to prepare in a skillet.

Buy It: All-Clad Fry Pan Set ($45, Bed Bath & Beyond)

Apple Cider Chicken

Apple cider, apple brandy, and cinnamon spice up traditional chicken stew with warm fall flavors. Red and green apples add festive color to this hearty one-dish recipe.

Apple-Buttered Sweet Potatoes

Fall flavors such as pumpkin pie spice, apple butter, and dried cranberries liven up this autumn squash and apple side dish. Whipping cream adds richness to every bite. It'll pair perfectly with a juicy pork roast.

Apple-Brown Butter Bars

This fancy-looking apple dish might look complicated, but it only requires 20 minutes of hands-on time. Almond paste serves as the sweet factor in the crust to complement the buttery, slightly spicy apple topping.

Peanut Butter and Apple-Bacon Sandwiches

Elvis' favorite sandwich featured bananas, but we think this fall take might be even better. Crisp-cooked bacon serves as the salty contrast to sweet apples and nutty peanut butter. Served on toasty bread, it's hard to beat this unique sandwich.

Curried Cider Pork Stew

There's a reason our slow cooker apple-and-pork stew recipe gets such rave reviews: It's packed with squash, carrots, and a hint of apple sweetness. Though optional, the sour cream, orange peel, and oregano topping is a worthy addition.