Today I’m sharing the best apple recipes for apple season — perfect if you go apple picking and come home with more apples than you know what to do with. What’s your favorite? I’ll always love a crisp, refreshing Honeycrisp.
I live for apple season!
Apple season might even top pumpkin season for me. I prefer cider-forward flavors to pumpkin spice, so when apples arrive I’m all in. If you haven’t gone apple picking yet (we went last week), now is the time — Honeycrisps are ripe, tart, and perfect for every recipe. We’ll likely go again a few times; my kids often eat two or three apples right in the orchard. Bringing home armfuls of apples is pure joy, especially when you get to cook and bake with them.
Below you’ll find a mix of sweet and savory favorites from our kitchen. If I had to pick one absolute favorite it might be the apple fritters… or maybe the homemade apple cider. Which would you choose?
15 of the Best Apple Recipes
Salted apple fritters are a showstopper — basically fried donuts studded with apple and finished with a sprinkle of salt. They take some work and are best eaten soon after frying, but they’re worth every minute when you want an indulgent treat for family and friends.
The honeycrisp harvest salad is the one we wait for all year. Crisp apple, hearty greens, nuts, and a bright vinaigrette that’s almost drinkable — it’s the ultimate fall salad.
Homemade apple cider is a classic when you have a big batch of apples. It’s warming, fragrant, and great for sipping or using in cocktails and recipes.
For a savory option, smoky pulled pork sandwiches topped with crunchy spiralized apple slaw are bright and refreshing. The apple adds a crisp counterpoint to rich meat.
A Honeycrisp galette with a cheddar crust brings sweet-and-savory balance and irresistible texture. It’s rustic and full of flavor — a great centerpiece for a casual gathering.
Oatmeal baked apples with maple brown butter and toasted hazelnuts make a cozy, comforting dessert. They’re satisfying without being overly heavy.
Bourbon baked apples are a fun twist when you want something boozy and warming. Whole baked apples filled with spice and a splash of bourbon make an elegant, simple dessert.
A stuffed pork tenderloin with butternut, apple, and goat cheese makes an impressive Sunday dinner: savory, slightly sweet, and flavorful enough to feel special without a lot of fuss.
Apple cider sangria is a favorite beverage each year. It’s fruity, spiced, and perfect for fall gatherings — an easy way to turn cider into a festive cocktail.
The September salad is tailor-made for this time of year, bridging late summer and early fall with seasonal produce and crisp apple slices.
If you love puff pastry, try a cinnamon sugar apple puff pastry. It’s flaky, sweet, and a hit with kids — best enjoyed fresh from the oven.
A caramelized onion, brie, and apple tart is a perfect sweet-and-savory option. The contrast of soft cheese, sweet apple, and savory onion is exceptional.
Apple orchard punch is a crowd-pleaser — light, fruity, and easy to make in a large pitcher for parties or family get-togethers.
For a decadent treat, chocolate peanut butter fudge stuffed caramel apples are over-the-top delicious — perfect for celebrations or when you want to impress.
And finally, you can’t go wrong with a classic: cider bourbon apple pie topped with an oatmeal cookie crumble. It’s comforting, flavorful, and the ultimate way to use a bounty of apples.