Healthy Apple Recipes - Crisps, Cakes & Desserts | Cooking Light

Photo: Kiyoshi Togashi

If you think apples are only meant for apple pies, let us introduce you to the idea of savory apple dishes (okay, we've got a pie recipe or two as well).

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Fresh Fall Apples

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It happens every fall, as sure as pumpkin spice and sweaters: Apple season. And for many people, that means an abundance of pies. But apples make great additions to a wide variety of dishes, and they're equally at home in the salad course, on the dinner plate, or even in a breakfast bowl.

And there are so many great varieties to choose from! You may find eight varieties of apples for sale in a good grocery store these days, and a dozen or more in a big farmers' market. There are more than 2,500 kinds of apples grown in the United States alone, with rare, old heirloom varieties on a welcome rebound.

All this means you have a bumper crop of fruit to cook with—and apples are a great cooking fruit. We matched some favorite varieties to recipes designed to unlock the unique charm of each fruit.

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Sweet and Spicy Apple Chips

Caitlin Bensel

View Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Apple Chips

These apple crisps are the perfect sweet treat to enjoy after dinner—or as a healthy snack during the day. Long, low-heat baking dehydrates the apple slices so they become wonderfully crunchy once they cool. Ancho chile powder and cayenne pepper lend moderate heat—adjust the amount to suit your taste.

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Skillet Apple Chicken Thighs

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Skillet Apple Chicken Thighs

This dish is perfect for easing into fall and comes together in one pan to boot. Vastly underrated thighs are rich and moist, perfect for stewing, grilling, or searing. This dish also works beautifully with pork chops—a twist that's weeknight-fast yet fit for company and makes us simply giddy for fall. Sub 4 (6-ounce) bone-in pork chops for the chicken thighs, searing 5 minutes on each side. Like the thighs, the chops will finish cooking in the apple mixture.

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Curried Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Greg DuPree

View Recipe: Curried Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Madras curry powder adds warmth and earthiness to the otherwise sweet butternut squash, apple, and maple syrup in the soup. It has a bit more heat than regular curry powder, though either can be used here. Frozen, precooked squash will save time; you can also roast 1 (1 1/2-lb.) peeled, diced butternut squash ahead and refrigerate for later in the week. We opt for a sweet, Golden Delicious apple to contrast the tangy Greek yogurt; you can also use a Fuji or Braeburn apple.

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Grapefruit, Apple, and Pomegranate Salad

Photo: Greg DuPree

View Recipe: Grapefruit, Apple, and Pomegranate Salad

Pucker, punch, and crunch abound in this gorgeous salad. Grapefruit and green apple are high in vitamin C, which lowers stress-inducing cortisol.

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Apple Quinoa Bowl With Cinnamon Ricotta

Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Apple Quinoa Bowl With Cinnamon Ricotta

Make this bowl with a batch of our Perfect Quinoa. It captures the essence of a warm slice of apple pie but won’t send you into midmorning nap mode. Feel free to swap the ricotta for Greek yogurt, if desired.

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Pb-Pretzel-Apple Bars

Caitlin Bensel

View Recipe: Pb-Pretzel-Apple Bars

Sweet, salty, fruity, and crunchy, these bars truly pack a little bit of everything! Whip up a batch for your next picnic or hike, and stay fueled all day.

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Cinnamon-Apple Cake

View Recipe: Cinnamon-Apple Cake

Originally appearing in an issue from 1997, this Cinnamon-Apple Cake is one of our most loved recipes and can be served as dessert or a breakfast coffee cake. The cream cheese in the batter gives the cake lots of moisture. We recommend using mild-tasting Rome apples.

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Double-Crust Apple Pie

Photo: Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: Double-Crust Apple Pie

A double crust seals in the apples' natural juices as the pie bakes for full-on apple flavor. Tossing the apples with apple juice keeps them from browning as you peel and slice them, and it adds a boost of apple flavor.

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Kohlrabi and Apple Quick Pickles

Aaron Kirk

View Recipe: Kohlrabi and Apple Quick Pickles

Upgrade your pickle game with these crunchy and zesty fast-fix pickles. Great for topping tacos, stir fries, salads, or snazzing up an appetizer board, these crunchy pickles deliver a pop of flavor to everyday dishes. Don’t be alarmed by the amount of sugar in this recipe—just a small amount gets absorbed by the pickles. If you have a mandolin, use it to slice the kohlrabi—it gets the job done much faster than a sharp knife.

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Kale, Apple, and Almond Chicken Salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Kale, Apple, and Almond Chicken Salad

A simple lemon vinaigrette doubles as a marinade. Make sure to pat the chicken dry before searing, or the excess liquid will keep the meat from browning. Crisp, sweet-tart varieties (Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady) add freshness and crunch—or a juicy, sweet contrast to seared or roasted meats.

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Apple Sangria

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

View Recipe: Apple Sangria

Sugary-sweet Honeycrisp apples balance the spiced wine in this festive drink. Pink Lady or Ambrosia apples—which are slow to oxidize—would make good substitutes.

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Fall Salad With Apples, Walnuts, and Stilton

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Fall Salad With Apples, Walnuts, and Stilton

This salad is a world of flavors and textures. It’s perfect if you're looking for both bites of sweetness from the apples, and textural crunchiness from the nuts. Shallots, champagne vinegar, and honey blend together for an equally sweet and tangy dressing that makes every bite delicious. Use crumbled goat cheese in place of Stilton, if you prefer a milder flavored cheese.

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Spiralized Cinnamon Apples With Greek Yogurt

Photo: Rachel Johnson

View Recipe: Spiralized Cinnamon Apples With Greek Yogurt

You already put your family's favorite vegetables into a spiralizer, but the result with apples? A perfectly twirlable treat. Top with Greek yogurt and homemade granola, and you have a sweet little snack for less than 150 calories per serving.

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Cinnamon-Apple Stuffed French Toast

View Recipe: Cinnamon-Apple Stuffed French Toast

Stuffed with our favorite cinnamon-apple filling, these slices of French bread encase an autumn-inspired breakfast that will put your morning bowl of oatmeal to shame. The butter and brown sugar cook with the apples to create a delicious syrup for drizzling over the French toast. Sub French bread for ciabatta, challah, or whatever loaf of bread you have on hand. Get the family together for a lazy weekend brunch, and start the day off sweet and satisfied.

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Apple-Sunchoke Salad With Smoked Trout and Cider Vinaigrette

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

View Recipe: Apple-Sunchoke Salad With Smoked Trout and Cider Vinaigrette

Sunchokes, the knobby, thin-skinned tubers also misleadingly referred to as Jerusalem artichokes (they're not artichokes and have nothing to do with Jerusalem), offer beguilingly nutty, sweet flavor. North Carolina chef Scott Crawford (of Standard Foods in Raleigh, NC) makes these root veggies shine in this elegant salad featuring 2 apple varieties—one sweet and one tart—and salty smoked trout.

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Hasselback Apples

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Hasselback Apples

Simple and easy to make ahead—this twist on the apple crumble is unbelievably good. With cinnamon-sugar butter between the layers, a crispy streusel sprinkle, and a dollop of ice cream on top, there’s no doubt this will be a hit. For a gluten-free version, omit the flour and substitute with certified gluten-free oats.

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Overnight Apple Butter

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Overnight Apple Butter

A mixture of apple varieties, rather than just one type, will produce apple butter with rich, complex flavor in this slow cooker recipe. Good choices include Esopus Spitzenburg, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Northern Spy, Rome, Stayman, Winesap, and York.

Enjoy the apple butter over toast or English muffins, or serve it with pork chops or chicken.

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Serrano, Manchego, and Apple Sandwiches

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Serrano, Manchego, and Apple Sandwiches

Ashmead's Kernel, a very old English apple, is smallish and lumpy with a russet exterior that blankets the green skin. We like its crisp flavor here, though any apple would work.

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Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Crisp

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Crisp

The tart and tangy cranberries complement the sweet apples and pears in this warm, streusel-topped delight. Try serving it à la mode as the grand finale of a holiday dinner.

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Apple Upside-Down Cake

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

View Recipe: Apple Upside-Down Cake

Mild Rome apples are great for baking this scrumptious upside-down cake however you can also use Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or Jonagold apples. Dollop the cake with a bit of whipped cream, if desired.

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French Toast With Maple-Apple Compote

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

View Recipe: French Toast With Maple-Apple Compote

Sweet Pink Lady apples hold up well to being sautéed for the compote. Liberty, Fuji, or Jonagold apples would also work. Substitute Hawaiian bread if challah isn't available.

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Spiced Apple Chips

Photo: Grace Elkus

View Recipe: Spiced Apple Chips

These delicious apple chips really satisfy your sweet tooth at snack time. Stick to cinnamon, or enjoy them alone. Feeling more adventurous? Try our pumpkin and chai spice variations.

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Kale Salad With Apple and Cheddar

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Kale Salad With Apple and Cheddar

The classic delight of sweet apples and extra-sharp white cheddar cheese meet in this kale salad to give the vitamin-enriched green an extra boost of flavor.

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Brie, Apple, and Arugula Quesadillas

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

View Recipe: Brie, Apple, and Arugula Quesadillas

Fuji apples offer a crisp counterpoint to the rich, creamy cheese. Substitute Honeycrisp or Ambrosia apples, if you prefer.

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Fresh Apple Salsa

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

View Recipe: Fresh Apple Salsa

This sweet-tart condiment features crisp, slightly acidic Spartan apples, though Fuji, Jonagold, and Liberty apples would also work nicely. Serve with pork or roast chicken.

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Cran-Apple Smoked Turkey Sliders

Photo: Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: Cran-Apple Smoked Turkey Sliders

Let's face it: You have to have a killer leftover turkey sandwich the day after the feast. If you start with our robust Applewood-Smoked Turkey, you need only a few embellishments—namely the juicy snap of tart apple and the extra layer of smoke from the cheddar—to reach to-die-for status.

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Apple-Parsnip Soup

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

View Recipe: Apple-Parsnip Soup

Apple Pick: Pink Lady apples

Pink Lady apples are wonderful for applesauce, and so work very well in this pureed appetizer soup. Sweet Fuji or all-purpose Spartan apples would also lend themselves nicely to the dish.

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Squash-Apple Turnovers

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

View Recipe: Squash-Apple Turnovers

Jonagold apples bring some tartness to the lightly sweet squash-based filling. You can also use other good baking apples like Honeycrisp or Rome. Serve as a side dish or appetizer.

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Maple-Walnut Apple Crisp

View Recipe: Maple-Walnut Apple Crisp

A crispy crust and gooey, sweet center make this wholesome treat something to write home about.

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Spiced Pork Tenderloin With Sautéed Apples

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Spiced Pork Tenderloin With Sautéed Apples

Sweet spices coat lean pork tenderloin, while apples get a savory treatment with shallots and thyme. Serve with a spinach salad.

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Graham Cracker-Apple Crisp

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Graham Cracker-Apple Crisp

This crisp is just as delicious for breakfast as it is when served for dessert. The combination of gluten-free oats and graham crackers gives the topping a unique texture that complements the soft apple filling.

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Apple-Buttermilk Custard Pie

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Apple-Buttermilk Custard Pie

Warm, cinnamon apples combine with a creamy custard for a fun twist on apple pie. Tip: The key to both a flaky piecrust and crisp streusel topping is to keep them as cold as possible before putting them into the oven.

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French Onion and Apple Soup

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: French Onion and Apple Soup

Apples are a tasty welcomed addition to this traditional comforting classic of stringy melted Swiss, sweet onions, and sourdough bread.

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Amaretto Apple Streusel Cupcakes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Amaretto Apple Streusel Cupcakes

Top tender apple cupcakes with a sweet and crunchy topping of brown sugar and almonds, then drizzle with a powdered sugar glaze. The amaretto adds an even more distinct almond flavor to the cupcakes, but if you don't have it, you can use almond extract instead.

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Chicken, Apple, and Butternut Stew

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Chicken, Apple, and Butternut Stew

Cider, chopped apple, butternut squash, and parsnips lend appealingly forward sweetness to this fall harvest stew. Unfiltered apple cider has pectins that help thicken the stew. If you use filtered, clear cider, add another tablespoon of flour.

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Pistachio-Apple Bars With Chia Seeds

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Pistachio-Apple Bars With Chia Seeds

This flavorful snack bar is loaded with cashew butter, roasted pistachios, dried apples, and dried cranberries.

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Spiced Pork Chops With Apple Chutney

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Spiced Pork Chops With Apple Chutney

Apple chutney is a heart-warming topping for pork in this family-friendly dinner of spicy, boneless chops.

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50 of Our Favorite Apple Recipes

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Fresh Fall Apples

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Sweet and Spicy Apple Chips

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Skillet Apple Chicken Thighs

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Curried Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

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Grapefruit, Apple, and Pomegranate Salad

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Apple Quinoa Bowl With Cinnamon Ricotta

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Pb-Pretzel-Apple Bars

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Cinnamon-Apple Cake

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Double-Crust Apple Pie

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Kohlrabi and Apple Quick Pickles

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Kale, Apple, and Almond Chicken Salad

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Apple Sangria

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Fall Salad With Apples, Walnuts, and Stilton

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Spiralized Cinnamon Apples With Greek Yogurt

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Cinnamon-Apple Stuffed French Toast

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Apple-Sunchoke Salad With Smoked Trout and Cider Vinaigrette

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Hasselback Apples

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Overnight Apple Butter

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Serrano, Manchego, and Apple Sandwiches

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Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Crisp

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Apple Upside-Down Cake

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French Toast With Maple-Apple Compote

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Spiced Apple Chips

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Kale Salad With Apple and Cheddar

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Brie, Apple, and Arugula Quesadillas

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Fresh Apple Salsa

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