30 Easy Apple Recipes That Go Beyond Pie

Even if you have a couple of favorite apple desserts, I highly recommend trying some of these apple recipes.

They go way beyond the classics!

From familiar sweets to unique savory dishes, they’re chock full of fruity flavor.

Some apples are sweet while others are sharp. But they’re all delicious in their own way.

And they should be celebrated in all kinds of dishes. 

Have you ever added apple slices to grilled cheese? Get ready to!

This list of 30 amazing apple recipes will give you some fantastic ideas on how to use them. From smoothies to salads to sweet treats, you can’t go wrong.

Apple Recipes For Breakfast

1. Apple Pie Muffins

Enjoy all of the goodness of apple pie baked into grab-and-go muffins!

The sweet apple filling combined with the cinnamon streusel topping makes them to die for.

Make a big batch this weekend to enjoy for breakfast and snacks throughout the week.

2. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

This quick little breakfast is like eating a slice of warm apple pie.

I usually have a batch of baked apples in my fridge already, but this is so fast. Your prep is still just 10 minutes. 

If you like your oats creamier, feel free to use milk instead of water, and play around with the spices until you get it just right. 

3. Apple Cinnamon French Toast

French toast is already pretty sinful for breakfast. It’s thick and sweet, and you just have to cover it with syrup. 

Now imagine it covered with tender, spiced apples! Wait… that makes it healthy, right?!

4. Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp

This is a time-honored apple dessert that’s guaranteed to please. It reminds me of treats my grandma used to make!

It’s filled with fresh apples, warm spices, and an oatmeal crumb topping. Served with vanilla ice cream on top, it’s a treat to remember.

5. Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

If you’re on the lookout for ways to add more fruit into your and your kids’ diets, this one is for you.

There’s grated apple right in the cinnamon batter, so you’ll get a serving of fruit before you even finish your coffee. 

6. Apple Strudel

This delicious treat has been a delicacy in Europe for years. Apples, cinnamon, sugar, and raisins fill a delicious, flaky pastry.

It’s baked until golden brown and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar.

This recipe tastes like it came from a bakery, but it’s so easy to make!

7. Apple Bread

Move over, banana bread! Apple bread is here to steal the spotlight.

Made with apples, cinnamon, sugar, and walnuts, it’s the ultimate combination of flavors and textures.

Enjoy it with a cup of coffee at breakfast, or pack it in your bag for a tasty mid-day snack.

Savory Apple Recipes

8. Apple Butternut Squash Casserole

If you’re looking for a savory apple recipe to grace your holiday table, this is it!

Packed with apples, tender butternut squash, onion, and bacon, it’s a true flavor explosion.

Serve it alongside turkey, ham, or whatever the star of your feast happens to be.

9. Chicken Waldorf Salad

Chicken Waldorf salad got its name after a Maitre D’ at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City made it for a charity function.

From then on, it’s been made the world over, and for a good reason. 

The fruity, crisp, creamy chicken salad is so well balanced and turns a boring old sandwich into something straight out of the Big Apple. 

10. Apple Pecan Feta Spinach Salad with Maple Cider Vinaigrette

If you know me at all, you’ll know that I only eat salad when it’s loaded with extras. I’m talking about chicken, bacon, boiled eggs, corn, peppers, onions, etc. 

This recipe definitely qualifies! I love the use of spinach rather than sad, wilted lettuce leaves.

It’s full of fall flavors no one can possibly resist.

11. Pork Chops and Applesauce

I think we all can agree pork chops and applesauce go together like peanut butter and jelly. This combo works, and it always will.

If you’ve never made your own applesauce before, you’re in for a treat.

Using a slow cooker takes all the guesswork away, and you can adjust the spices to your liking. 

12. Grilled Cheese and Apple Sandwich with Sriracha Butter

This grilled cheese is on another level. Adding apple slices to a strong cheese sandwich is already super extra, but the sriracha butter is exceptional.

I always use mature cheddar in my grilled cheese, or something smoky is always a good choice.

For something creamy to balance out that spice, maybe try adding some thin slices of brie.

Apple Snacks

13. Apple Fritters

Apple fritters are like warm apple donuts. They’re deep-fried, fluffy on the inside, and coated in cinnamon sugar for good measure. 

But unlike donuts, they have no yeast in the dough and can be ready in just 30 minutes.

Fry them in batches, and why not add a drizzle of vanilla glaze, too? 

14. Apple Chips

If you’re trying to cut back on potato chips, these apple chips are the next best thing.

There’s no need for an expensive food dehydrator either. You can bake these right in your oven.

I like to use a mandolin to ensure they’re all the same thickness, and baking them on a Silpat mat makes taking them off much easier.

15. Apple Cider Doughnuts

Fall just isn’t complete without apple cider doughnuts. And with this easy and sweet apple recipe, you can enjoy them any time of year!

Covered in delightful cinnamon sugar, they’re impossible to resist.

Serve them with a hot cup of tea for the perfect afternoon treat.

16. Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Apple butter is absolutely delicious spread on toast, biscuits, or whatever you can think of.

And with this slow cooker recipe, it takes little to know effort! As your Crockpot does the heavy lifting, you can sit back and enjoy the incredible aroma filling your kitchen.

17. Baked Brie with Apples

Every time I go to a party, I always show up with baked brie in tow. It’s always a show-stopper!

This version adds a sweet twist, as the apples are caramelized with brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and honey.

When the brie is topped with them, this appetizer turns into a work of art!

18. Apple Cobbler

Apple cobbler is another beloved classic that’s been enjoyed for generations.

In this recipe, the apples have a topping described as “biscuit and cake-like.” It gets crumbly and golden when baked in the oven.

To level up this incredible dessert, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Mmm!

Easy Apple Dishes

19. Cracker Barrel Fried Apples

These fried apples are served as a side at Cracker Barrel and they’re essentially apple pie filling without the pie. 

They have apple pie spice and apple juice in the mix for flavor, and cornstarch will thicken it up just right.

Make a big batch and use them in your morning granola, or as part of your dinner. 

20. Apple Crumble Bars

Instead of making cookies or brownies for your next gathering, try these irresistible apple crumble bars!

Between the shortbread crust, apple cinnamon filling, and crumb topping, it’s impossible to stop at just one.

These bars are just as good as apple pie, but they’re much easier to make.

21. Apple Dump Cake

This dump cake is the easiest of all the apple desserts!

Like a good dump cake, all you’ll need to do here is dump the ingredients in your baking dish (in the right order) and let the oven do the heavy lifting.

It never ceases to amaze me when these cakes come out perfectly baked and tender. 

22. Homemade Apple Cider

Making apple cider from scratch will not only leave you with a warm and sweet drink, but it will make your house smell unbelievable. 

I’m a huge fan of adding extra citrus to my cider, so usually add extra orange peel, but you can modify that to your taste.

Or, if you want to make it for the grown-ups, try adding some whiskey!

23. Microwave Baked Apples

I know it doesn’t make sense when you read it, but these microwaved apples taste just like oven-baked apples. 

Not only are these baked apples ready in a matter of minutes, but they won’t dry out like they can in the oven.

Plus, the juices will stay in the bowl, keeping the fruit plump and sweet.

24. Homemade Caramel Apples

You’ll never head to a candy shop for caramel apples again once you make them at home.

They’re so much fresher, plus, the caramel in this recipe is smooth and delicious. It sticks to the apples perfectly!

Granny Smith or Gala apples will give you the best results.

Apple Desserts

25. Apple Brown Betty

Apple Brown Betty is essentially apple crisp, just without the oats.

Instead, it has an incredible, spiced crumble topping that will turn golden in the oven.

This would be perfect for a warm and filling breakfast. Although, I like mine with a generous helping of British custard, so maybe I’ll keep it for dessert. 

26. Rustic French Apple Tart

These beautiful dessert looks so fancy but takes little to no effort!

This elegant apple tart puts all the focus on the fruit, and it shows.

You get a mouthful of apple in every bite, and just enough buttery pastry to balance it all out. 

27. Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake

I’ll never say no to a slice of apple upside-down cake, especially when it has the addition of caramel!

This classic is so easy to make at home!

Be sure you cut your apples pretty thick so that they hold up to the bake. For an extra special touch, drizzle it with some Fireball Whiskey caramel.

28. Applesauce Cake

This cake is almost like a quick bread and would be just as good for breakfast as for dessert. It’s full of apple flavor, along with warm spices and raisins.

Because you have so much applesauce in the mix, it’s almost impossible to overbake this baby. Plus, it’s moist enough that you won’t need frosting. 

29. Easy Apple Turnovers

With the bakery-quality frozen puff pastry now available in grocery stores, making breakfast pastries has never been easier. 

Remember those baked apples I said you should make in bulk? This would be the perfect way to use them up!

30. Dutch Apple Pie

This Dutch apple pie is a classic and will always be a welcome sight after dinner. 

It has a golden crust, tasty apple pie filling, and a buttery crumble on top. A traditional apple pie gets finished with another crust layer instead of the crumble.

In my opinion, this one is sweeter and more indulgent!