What to Do with Leftover Apples (Ideas + Recipes)

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Wondering what to do with leftover apples? 🤔🍎

From healthy snacks, simple baked treats, and classic desserts to cold-pressed juice, savory dishes, sandwiches, and easy DIY crafts, this guide has everything you need to make the most of your fall apple harvest!

Ah, fall – the season of crisp air, warm sweaters, and, of course, lots and lots of apples!

If you’ve just returned from the orchard or farmers market with more apples than you know what to do with, you’re not alone.

Sure, biting into a crisp, juicy apple is always a delightful experience, but there’s so much more you can do with this versatile fruit. In this article, I’m sharing a goldmine of creative and delicious ways to ensure no apple goes to waste.

From breakfast ideas, simple snacks, and cozy baked desserts to creative savory uses and even a few fun, festive crafts, this collection of ways to use apples in the fall has you covered!

Simple Things to Make with Apples

Sometimes, the best way to enjoy crispy, juicy apples is to slice and serve simply. Here are a few ways to enjoy pure apple goodness without even turning on the oven:

Snack platter – Sliced apples with dips like peanut butter, almond butter, caramel, or Nutella make a great quick snack. Entertaining? Add grapes, berries, nuts, and cheese like sharp cheddar, brie, or blue cheese to the plate for an easy, elegant hors d’oeuvre.
Sliced apple sandwiches – Spread peanut butter, Nutella, or cream cheese between two apple slices. Add granola, raisins, or chocolate chips for a sweet, healthy handheld treat!
Fruit salad – Select a few of your favorite fruits and berries to toss with diced apples and freshly squeezed lemon to keep everything vibrant and fresh. This Fall and Winter Fruit Salad features apples and goes with just about anything!

Simple Baked Apple Ideas

Baked apples are a good choice when you want something warm and easy to make.

You can include leftover apples in a medley of baked fall and winter fruits. Or try one of these simple baked apple snacks:

Classic baked apples – Core and stuff whole apples with honey, cinnamon, and chopped nuts. Bake until the apples are tender and the filling is caramelized. Or, slice your apples into rounds or wedges, sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar, and bake until soft and slightly caramelized. These make a great snack or topping for oatmeal, yogurt, and ice cream.
Baked apple chips – Thinly slice apples and bake them at a low temperature (or use a dehydrator) until they’re crispy. These fruity crisps are a healthy snack you can munch on all day!
Baked apples with ricotta cheese – These sweet and juicy baked apples are stuffed with honey-sweetened ricotta cheese. It’s the type of insanely delicious, healthy treat you will crave again and again.

Apples for Breakfast

Whether you want something quick and easy or a more indulgent morning dish, here are some ways to incorporate those apples into your morning meal:

Oatmeal – Add diced apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon to your oatmeal. The apples soften as they cook, infusing the oatmeal with sweetness and flavor.
Breakfast bowls – Elevate your favorite breakfast bowl with a handful of diced apples. My Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bowl is a great way to jumpstart your day with a hearty serving of whole grains, fiber, and healthy fats.
Pancakes and waffles – Mix finely grated apples into your pancake or waffle batter for a fruity twist. The apples add moisture and sweetness, making each bite deliciously tender. Or, dice the apples and scatter them over your pancakes and waffles as a topping.
Apple yogurt parfaits – Enjoy a balanced breakfast with a bit of crunch. Layer apple slices with yogurt, granola, and a drizzle of honey to create a simple yet satisfying yogurt parfait.
Chia pudding – Prepare chia pudding the night before and top it with fresh diced apples in the morning. The combination of creamy chia and crisp apples is a satisfying start to the day.
Smoothies – Blend apples with Greek yogurt, a handful of spinach, and a touch of honey for a refreshing and nutritious smoothie. Or, get creative and mix and match your smoothie components to get your apple fix in the morning.

Classic Apple Desserts

With a buttery crust and sweet, spiced filling, it’s no wonder apple pie is a must-make when you have a bunch of apples.

Beyond apple pie, here are more all-time favorite ways to satisfy a sweet tooth with apples:

Apple crisp – If you love the combination of tender apples and a crunchy, oat-filled topping, this is the dessert for you. My Gluten-Free Apple Crisp Recipe is easy to make and even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Apple cobbler – Another cozy fall favorite similar to apple crisp but with a biscuit-like topping. The warm apples bubbling beneath the golden topping are simply irresistible.
Apple turnovers – Always a good idea for a handheld breakfast or sweet snack. What’s not to love about flaky puff pastry filled with a satisfying, spiced apple filling?
Apple dumplings – An old-fashioned apple classic! Picture whole apples wrapped in pastry and baked in sweet syrup. Serve them warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Apple strudel – A wonderful option for a touch of European flair. Thin layers of pastry wrapped around a spiced apple filling make this dessert elegant and delicious.
Apple cake – Moist, tender, full of apple flavor, and perfect for any occasion, my Healthy Apple Cake recipe is always a crowd-pleaser.
Caramel apples – A must-make for fall! Dip whole apples in warm caramel and roll them in nuts, chocolate chips, or sprinkles for a treat everyone will love.
Apple cinnamon bread or muffins – Enjoy an abundance of apples in a convenient and tasty form. Apple bread and muffin recipes are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a light dessert.

Apple Juice and Beverages

Apples aren’t just for slicing and baking –they’re fantastic in drinks, too!

Apples can be the star ingredient whether you’re looking for a cold or warm beverage. Here are some ideas:

Fresh apple juice – A classic and simple choice full of sweet, crisp, natural flavor. Use a juicer to make it from scratch, or check out my tutorial on How to Make Apple Juice with a Blender. Most importantly, make sure you pick the Best Apples for Juicing.
Hot mulled apple cider – Embrace the season with a warm mug of apple cider. Simmer apples with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange zest for a cozy, spiced drink perfect for chilly evenings. For a spiked apple cider, add a splash of rum or bourbon, and garnish with slices of apple and a cinnamon stick!
Apple carrot ginger juice – Blend apples with carrots and fresh ginger to make a vibrant and healthful juice. The sweetness of the apples and the spice of the ginger complement the earthy flavor of the carrots, creating a refreshing drink.

Sauces and Spreads

Transforming lots of apples into homemade sauces, spreads, and compotes can elevate your meals and snacks with a touch of sweetness.

Here’s how to get creative with your apples:

Apple sauce – Homemade applesauce is lovely on its own, as a side dish with roasted salmon or as a natural sweetener for oatmeal, various baked goods, and more. Cook peeled and chopped apples with your preferred sweetener and cinnamon (optional) until tender, then mash or blend to your desired consistency.
Apple butter – A rich, spiced spread that’s wonderful on toast or as a filling for pastries. Simmer apples with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg until thickened, then blend until smooth.
Apple compote or chutney – Make a tasty compote by simmering fresh apples with a splash of lemon juice and sweetener for a sweet and chunky topping. This is delicious over oatmeal, yogurt, pancakes and waffles. Try incorporating onions, vinegar, and spices for a tangy chutney-style sauce to pair with warm naan, pork, or chicken.

Savory Ways to Use Apples

While apples are often associated with sweets and desserts, they also offer an unexpected complement to savory dishes.

Here’s what to do with leftover apples beyond the sweet stuff:

Meat dishes – Apples pair wonderfully with meats like chicken, duck, and pork. Add sliced or diced apples to your next roast or stuffed pork loin or sauté chicken breasts with apples, sage, and a splash of apple cider for a flavorful fall dinner.
Apple slaw – Combine shredded apples with cabbage, carrots, and a tangy vinaigrette. You can also add apples to this Red and Green Cabbage Salad. It’s perfect as a side dish or sandwich topping. Top a pulled pork sandwich with a crunchy apple slaw for a delicious contrast of flavors!
Soups – Blend roasted apples with butternut squash, onions, and curry for a warming, savory soup. You can also incorporate blended roasted apples into this Creamy Cauliflower Carrot Soup.
Sandwiches – Try layering sliced apples with roasted turkey, arugula, avocado, and honey mustard on whole-grain bread, or pair sliced apples with ham and creamy brie cheese on a baguette. I love adding thinly sliced apples to a classic grilled cheese sandwich for a crisp, sweet element.
Toss into a salad – Add some crunch to your favorite salads with thinly sliced or diced apples. They pair wonderfully with greens, nuts, and a tangy vinaigrette. My favorite combo? Mixed greens with roasted vegetables, apples, walnuts, and goat cheese! This Bulgur Salad with Apples and this Raw Beet Salad are also delicious!
Roast with vegetables – Add sweet apples to your savory roasted vegetable medley, including carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes for a delightful side dish. Apples would also be great in this Butternut Squash with Maple Syrup.

What to Do with Old Apples

If your apples are past their prime and on the softer side (but not mushy), don’t toss them! This is the perfect opportunity to reduce food waste and turn those apples into a fun, hands-on activity.

Here are some simple DIY ideas to try:

Apple stamps – Cut apples in half, dip them in paint, and use them to create fun patterns on paper or fabric.
Dried apple garland – Slice apples thinly, dry them in the oven or dehydrator and string them together with other natural elements like cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, and pine cones to create a rustic holiday garden.
Apple potpourri – A simple, natural way to make your home smell warm and inviting. Dry apple slices and other spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange peels to create a homemade potpourri.
Feed the wildlife – Share the apple love by placing your leftover or slightly bruised apples outside for birds, deer, or other local wildlife. You could even hollow out an apple, fill it with birdseed, and hang it outside as a natural bird feeder.

Common Questions About What to Do with Apples

What is the best way to keep apples fresh?

Store your apples in a cool, dark place with good air circulation to keep them fresh and crisp for as long as possible. The crisper drawer of your refrigerator is ideal.

Try to keep them away from other fruits and vegetables that release ethylene gas, which can cause apples to ripen more quickly.

Can I freeze leftover fresh apples?

Yes! To freeze apples, peel, core, and slice them, then spread them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Once frozen, transfer the slices to a freezer-safe bag or container.

Just know frozen apples may lose some crispness upon thawing, so they’re best for baking and smoothies.

Can I dehydrate apples without a dehydrator?

Yes! Preheat your oven to the lowest setting it allows (around 200°F). Meanwhile, slice the apples as thinly as possible and arrange them on a baking sheet or dehydrator tray.

Place the pan in the oven and dry the apples for 4 to 6 hours until crisp. Store your dehydrated apples in an airtight container at room temperature, and they will retain their texture and flavor for several months.

What’s the best way to use apple peels and cores?

Instead of tossing them, consider using the peels and cores to make apple scrap vinegar or apple jelly or adding them to a compost pile. You can also use them to infuse water, tea, and cocktails with apple essence.