My Favorite After Apple Picking Recipes (Not Pies)
Despite PSL’s early arrival, the pumpkins themselves are still waiting on deck. Now is the time for a healthy apple. Although this sweet fruit is available any time of year, it is the unofficial ambassador of fall in my book. Whether you recently came home from the orchard with 16 pounds of Jonagolds or picked up your harvest at the grocery store, now is the time to dust off those apple recipes. Here are 12 of my favorite apple recipes (other than apple pie) that can be made any time of year, from indulgent desserts to everyday staples.
Although there are a few recipes in this group that do not require peeling or coring, most do. An apple corer like this can save lives (or even hands) when it comes to cooking a dozen apples, or even four, frankly. When it comes to cleaning, I suggest a speed knife , which angles the blade more naturally and reduces fatigue. Then you will be ready to collect a mountain of apples for any of the following purposes.
Silky Apple Butter
Apple butter is a simple spread that tastes amazing. It is made by slowly cooking large quantities of peeled apples, leaving them short of applesauce. The flesh of the fruit is browned and the flavor is concentrated until you have a pan full of apple porridge. Add a generous amount of warming spices and run through an immersion blender until you have the most luxurious topping for your morning toast.
Delicate filling for ice cream
You’ve probably topped your apple pie with ice cream, but have you ever thought that you could add a scoop of apple pie filling to your ice cream? Cook the apple cubes with a little water, a couple of tablespoons of brown sugar and a little lemon juice until they soften and release some of their juice. Add a small amount of cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce and add a tablespoon of butter. Cool the filling and spread it on ice cream (or pancakes, or yogurt, or toast).
Apple as an assistant
Sure, you can make an entire dessert or condiment that focuses on apples, but apples are also a great supporting ingredient. Sliced apples are the perfect ingredient to add sweetness, tartness, or crunch to another dish. Add apple slices to a deli sandwich or dice the fruit and add it to a salad. Add apples to the casserole along with onions and carrots to give them a pleasant aroma and sweetness.
Make a batch of cider
Cider is a great way to use up those 10 or 12 apples left over from a trip to the orchard. While you should avoid the core, you don’t need to peel the apples because things get intense towards the end. Boil the apples with a little water, sugar and seasonings until you get a flavorful puree. Then strain it thoroughly using a layer of cheesecloth or a nut milk bag. Serve it warm or cold from the refrigerator. Try this step-by-step recipe with helpful pictures.
Top up the apple pie
Homemade apple pie is the quintessential everyday cake on your kitchen table. Make it in the morning and snack on it as you pass by. Top it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream at night to get ready for bed. Here’s an old-fashioned recipe for apple pie from King Arthur flour that’s loaded with apples. The glaze is a little thick for my taste. You can simply dust the cake with powdered sugar to make your life easier.
Cozy apple pie
When it comes to classic apple desserts, I’d say the first thing that comes to mind is pie, but in many ways I prefer apple crisp. It’s quicker to prepare, less fussy, and the texture of the crunchy oat filling with soft apple slices is truly comforting. It’s also easier to double or triple the recipe. You can simply use a larger baking pan (as opposed to making multiple pies). Here’s Ina Garten’s recipe because I trust her most for comfort food.
Turning apples in an air fryer
Speaking of air fryer apple desserts, these rolls combine all the sweet flavors of fall in a convenient, crunchy pocket. Simply fry the apple slices with butter and spices, then spoon the plump fruit onto a square of puff pastry. Air fry them for about 15 minutes at 300°F and cool. I love this breakfast bake if you’re staying with family or have guests in town.
Rising apple, Dutch baby.
If you like the drama of a towering popover, try making a Dutch baby out of a cast iron skillet. A simple egg-based batter rises up the sides of the hot pan to form a voluminous vortex of custard-filled pancakes. An edible fresh fruit bowl, if I may be so bold. Add sliced apples and whipped cream or even sautéed apples for a cozy option. This recipe uses strong beer as the liquid, but you can substitute milk for a classic Dutch baby.
Snack apple chips
If you’re not in the mood for dessert, try apple crisps. Simply slice them into thin rounds about one-eighth of an inch thick. Season them, if desired, with a little cinnamon and place in the oven at 225°F on a rack for about two hours or in the air fryer at 300°F for 10 to 15 minutes. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before snacking.
One-bite apple puffs
I love puff pastry desserts. They’re gorgeous and delicious, and frozen packaged puff pastry gives you an excuse to indulge in that easy richness with a lot less effort. These apple puffs are great for Rosh Hashanah or any weekday when you want something sweet and simple. To begin, cut the apples into slices and fry them in butter. Place softened apples on puff pastry rounds and bake until puffed and lightly browned. Drizzle with honey and enjoy. (You can use other fruits too. Last summer I used up peaches in a similar way.)
Magnificent galette
A galette is something like a single-layer fruit pie without a pie pan. You can make tempting summer biscuits with stone fruit or berries, so why not swap them out for a bunch of sliced apples? Roll out a circle of puff pastry, unceremoniously spoon the pre-prepared apple filling onto it ( this technique will prevent the crust from getting soggy ) and fold the edges with the egg mixture before baking. Soon after, you’ll have a rustic apple dessert.
Classic tarte tatin
In case I haven’t made it clear, apples and puff pastry make great partners. The combination of sweet, soft apples against the crispy, buttery batter is extremely satisfying. It doesn’t have to be complicated with spices and seasonings, but the combination can certainly be dressed up. Tarte Tatin is just that dessert, which can be made with apples, butter, sugar and puff pastry or chewed with vanilla beans and fresh ginger. This recipe uses apples cut into quarters (without the core), so you can use five or six of them to make this tasty treat.
I hope these ideas will help you significantly increase your apple supply. Luckily, apples keep well in the refrigerator, so you can keep cooking as the days creep into winter.