If you’ve got apples, you’ve got the basic ingredient for dozens of delicious foods, from condiments to desserts. Discover endless possibilities for this versatile fruit with our guide to what to do with lots of apples. Whether you’re caring for yourself or loved ones, learn how to turn your apple harvest into delicious and sustaining meals and desserts.
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Things to Do with Apples
Here is what to make with a lot of apples, along with recipe links!
- Apple butter
- Pies
- Home-canned apple pie filling
- Fruit leather
- Apple sauce
- Apple jelly
- Fried apples
- Apple pancakes
- Dehydrated apple slices
- Apple chutney
- Baked apples
- Cheesecake
- Apple juice
- Apple pectin
- Plant apple trees (Learn about planning an edible landscape here.)
- Apple cider vinegar
- Apple crisp or Cobbler
- Apple turnovers
- Apple cider
- Apple strudel
- Plain apple slices, canned
- Caramel apple jam
- Apple cake
- Spiced apple bread
- Apple fritters
- Indian Relish
Tips for Cooking with Apples
- Choose the right apple: Different apple varieties have different qualities. For baking, tart apples like Granny Smith hold their shape well. For sauces and desserts, sweeter apples like Honeycrisp are delicious.
- Prevent browning: To keep apple slices from browning, toss them in lemon juice or water before cooking.
- Enhance flavor: Add a pinch of cinnamon to your apple dishes for a classic warm flavor. Other spices like nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom can also be used. Read this post for a list of spices and oils that minimize tastebud fatigue.
- Don’t discard peels: Apple peels are packed with nutrients. For some recipes, you can cook with the peels for extra flavor and nutrition. Just be sure to wash them thoroughly first. Learn the process to make pectin from apple peels here.
- Freeze apple cores: Don’t throw away apple cores! You can freeze them to make apple stock or apple cider vinegar later.
- Use a shortcut. If you feel too lazy to peel, core, and slice those apples, or you just plain don’t want to, take a look at these freeze-dried Granny Smith apple slices. All the work is done for you!
Got apples? If you’ve got apples, you’ve got the basic ingredient for hundreds of delicious treats. Share on X
Printable Recipe: No-Brainer Apple Crisp
One of my mom’s best dessert recipes, the kind you take to a church potluck, started with a yellow cake mix. All the other ingredients were commonplace and we always had them on hand, thus her affinity for this super easy, “Mom’s Apple Kuchen.”
Since then, I also discovered the magical combination of sliced apples and yellow cake mix! No-Brainer Apple Crisp. My kids learned to make this at an early age, and it’s a hit at potlucks, family dinners, and even camping. Bake it in a cast-iron Dutch oven over hot coals and you’ll really learn the meaning of “hot deliciousness”!
For something quick and worthy of serving to family and friends, you really can’t beat this. Admittedly, it’s not much to look at, but if you serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, no one will complain. I promise.
No-Brainer Apple Crisp
You probably have these 5 ingredients in your kitchen right now! This recipe is super easy and very frugal.
- 5-6 Granny Smith Apples
- 1 box Yellow Cake Mix
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
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Peel, core, and thinly slice 5-6 Granny Smith apples and spread them evenly in the bottom of the baking dish.
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Pour box of yellow cake mix evenly over the top of the apples. Do not mix.
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Drizzle 1/3 cup melted butter over the top of the cake mix, and sprinkle with 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tbsp cinnamon. Do not mix.
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Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes, until apples are tender but not mushy. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, dehydrating apples is a great way to preserve them. Apple chips are a popular snack, but you can also use dehydrated apples in baking or as a topping for yogurt or cereal. Here are more great reasons for dehydrating food.
Proper storage can extend the life of apples. Store them in a cool, dark place, such as a refrigerator. Unripe apples can be stored at room temperature to ripen.
Yes, apples can be frozen. To freeze apple slices, toss them in lemon juice to prevent browning before freezing. For whole apples, you can core them and freeze them for later use in baking.
Related Content About Using Fruit
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Final Thoughts
With so many delicious and practical uses, apples truly are a treasure trove. From sweet treats to hearty meals, and even potential health benefits, this versatile fruit should be a staple in every home. By understanding the various ways to enjoy apples, you can enhance your daily life and build a more resilient pantry.
