Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. There’s just something magical about the crisp air, the colorful leaves, and the excuse to wear cozy sweaters 24/7. But the real highlight? Our annual family apple picking adventure. Yes, I know, if you’ve been here for a while, you know I planted apple trees a few years ago, but they’re not exactly fruitful yet – darn the bare root plantings—I have hope that next year is our year.
So every year, we pile into the car, armed with more enthusiasm than sense, and head to the nearest orchard. It’s a day filled with laughter, the occasional squabble over who found the “perfect” apple, and inevitably, someone (usually me) climbing too high in a tree and needing a rescue.
The problem? We always come home with way more apples than any reasonable family could eat. I swear those bags are enchanted – they seem normal-sized at the orchard, but by the time we get home, they’ve multiplied like rabbits.
So, there I am, staring at a small mountain of apples, wondering how on earth we’re going to use them all before they turn into compost. That’s when I roll up my sleeves and get creative in the kitchen.
Over the years, I’ve come up with a bunch of recipes that have become family favorites. Some are classics with a twist, others are happy accidents that turned into delicious traditions. From sweet to savory, simple to slightly more adventurous, these recipes have saved many an apple from a sad, forgotten fate in the back of the fridge.
It’s clear that this humble fruit is capable of so much more than just keeping the doctor away. From sweet to savory, breakfast to dessert, and classic to innovative, apples have proven their incredible versatility in the kitchen. The world of apple recipes is vast and varied. Here are a few more from our Apples Gardening Guide:
If you want to grow apples at home, our Apples Gardening Guide is available now! Apples are the perfect portable snack. They’re delicious, nutritious, and packed with antioxidants! You can grow soaring, full-sized trees in your yard, grow smaller trees in raised beds or containers, or even train an apple tree to grow along a fence or a wall! No matter how small your garden space, there’s an apple variety for you! Learn about it all in our Apples Gardening Guide right now!
So, if you find yourself in a similar apple abundance situation, or just want to inject some fall flavors into your meals, stick around. I’m about to share five of my favorite apple recipes that’ll make you the apple of everyone’s eye. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun – mom jokes come free with all my recipes!)
If you try these recipes, let me know what you think in the comments below!
