Nothing says fall like the crisp cool air, changing color leaves, and APPLE PICKING! I am going at some point within the next week or so, and cannot wait to come home with a big back of delicious crisp apples to cook with and snack on. Fingers crossed that the orchard has tons of Honey Crisp and Zestar, my two favorite varieties.
There are lots of recipes besides your traditional apple pie that you can turn to this fall for using your fresh-picked apples. I reached out to my fellow dietitians and asked for their favorite healthy apple recipes, and they did not disappoint! Keep in mind some of these are “healthified” versions of your favorites – meaning dessert type items that you might not eat everyday, but are certainly better options that some of the traditional recipes out there.
Presenting… The Ultimate Healthy Apple Recipes Roundup!
Cinnamon Apple Quinoa Parfait from Mom to Mom Nutrition
This is a fun take on breakfast (or dessert!) quinoa. I make a cinnamon apple quinoa (the recipe is over on my pre-exercise meals post) but I like the addition of yogurt to this one.
Homemade Applesauce from Healthy Ideas Place
We are big fans of applesauce in this house. Both myself and my hubby turn to it as a snack often. This recipe is great because it’s quick – only takes about 30 minutes.
Braised Red Cabbage with Apples from Nutritioulicious
I would never think to combine red cabbage, apples, and a mustardy dressing, but this recipe looks delicious. A really nice healthy fall side dish! I bet it would also taste really good over pork.
Deconstructed Chocolate Dipped Apple from Nutrition Starring YOU
I am a HUGE fan of chocolate (and caramel) dipped apples, so when I saw this recipe, I knew I’d love it. The combination of sliced apples, coconut, cacao nibs, and more is a perfect dessert that won’t derail your healthy eating plan.
Apple Cinnamon Raisin Sorghum Bake from Nutrition Starring YOU
Calling all gluten free friends! Sorghum is a gluten-free grain that is high in fiber and iron. It works well in this baked apple breakfast dish.
Zucchini Carrot Apple Muffins from the Lean Green Bean
I’m still getting tons of zucchini in my CSA, so I definitely plan to make these as soon as I go apple picking. I love that they include two different veggies (zucchini and carrots) plus fruit (apple). Since I can’t have dairy or eggs right now, I plan to sub coconut oil for the butter and flax for the eggs – I’ll keep you posted on how they turn out!
Apple Cinnamon Blender Waffles from the Lean Green Bean
In this post Lindsay talks about how when we make add-ins for pancakes or waffles, they often end up with a little bit of raw batter around the fruit. Her solution? Mix it all up in a blender so you still get the flavor but everything is cooked evenly. Brilliant! {Oh, and these look amazing, right?}
Slow Cooker Maple Apple Oatmeal from Nourish RDs
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know that I LOVE my crock pot (disclosure: affiliate link) so I’m always on the lookout for good crock pot recipes. I love non-traditional ones, like breakfast crock pot recipes. Pop this oatmeal in before you go to bed and it’ll be ready the next morning. Plus it’ll make the house smell ah-mazing.
Raspberry & Apple Granola Crumble from Nourish RDs
OK, can someone fill me in on the difference between a crumble and a crisp? Because I see this picture and I think crisp – are they the same thing? Chef friends, are you out there? Help me understand! 🙂 Anyway – raspberries and apples work together wonderfully in this yummy dessert recipe from Nourish RDs.
Slow Cooker Baked Apples from The Foodie Dietitian
Yahoo, another awesome crockpot recipe. I love the idea of doing baked apples in the crockpot. You only cook them on low for 2 hours, so you could start these before you begin making dinner, and they’ll be ready shortly after dinner for a delicious dessert.
Apple Pie Energy Bites from The Grateful Grazer
Raw energy balls are one of my favorite healthy snacks because a) you don’t have to spend time baking, and b) they’re easily customizable with the flavors you want to add. Case in point, these apple pie ones are a perfect blend of fall flavors with the apple, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg!
Apple Cheddar Bagel Chips from Caroline Kaufman
Crispy bagel chips? Check. Sweet and tart apples? Check. Rich cheddar cheese? Check, check, check! This recipe combines 3 of my 10 top favorite foods, haha. Perfect for a fall game-day snack.
No Bake Baked Apple from Caroline Kaufman
Caroline makes a two genius moves in this baked apple recipe – 1) using the microwave rather than the oven for when you’re craving a snack NOW, and 2) using greek yogurt (rather than ice cream) for a topping.
Broccoli Apple Soup from My Bottomless (Ex)Boyfriend
I would never think to combine broccoli and apples, but Danielle’s soup looks so yummy I’m going to give it a whirl. I love broccoli soup and I love apples, so I think this one’s going to be a winner.
Open Faced Apple Shallot Sandwich from My Bottomless (Ex)Boyfriend
Think of this like a grown up grilled cheese. You’ll use fresh rye bread as your base, and add crisp apple slices, swiss cheese, and fragrant caramelized shallots to create a yummy sandwich that’s anything but ordinary.
Roasted Squash and Apple Salad from Holly Larson, RD
This recipe combines many tasty seasonal ingredients – your choice of winter squash (think pumpkin, butternut, or acorn), dried cranberries (I want to try my hand at making my own dried ones this year), and fresh picked apples.
And a few more favorites that you can give a whirl…
- Sunday Night Apple Granola from Healthy Bites
- Individual Apple Crumble from No Nonsense Nutritionist
- Baked Apples from Mommyhood Bytes
- Baked Apples from The Nutritious Bite
- Butternut Squash, Apple, & Walnut Salad from Food Pleasure and Health
- Apple and Granola Sandwich from Holly Larson, RD
Great round-up of recipes, Chrissy! You’ve given me a number of apple recipes to peruse and try. And thanks for including my applesauce. Have a great day!
Awesome roundup! Thanks for including my microwave baked apples and cheddar bagel chips 🙂 I’m so ready for apple season!
LOVE IT! Thank you so much for including me!
Great round-up! Al these recipes in one place. Thank you. I need to get up on that Apple Pie Energy Balls!
Perfect time of year for these recipes! They all look so yummy. I would love to find a healthy apple cider doughnut recipe, if there is such a thing. I could eat those all day long.