17 apple recipes to make fall sweeter, cozier, and craveable

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From warm apple pies to skillet dinners that make the whole house smell amazing, these recipes are what fall dreams are made of. You’ll find everything from sweet treats to cozy, savory dishes that put those crisp apples to good use. Whether you’re baking for brunch, dinner, or dessert, these 17 apple recipes are sure to make the season sweeter, cozier, and totally craveable.

A cooked chicken thigh with apple slices on mashed potatoes, served with green beans.
Apple Cider Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Apple Crisp

Apple crisp in a glass dish with apples and a wooden spoon.
Apple Crisp. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Cozy and nostalgic, this old-school apple crisp skips the oats and piles a buttery, cinnamon-kissed crumb over tart apples. It bakes up golden and fragrant, just right for chilly nights. Simple, comforting, and the kind of treat that makes fall sweeter with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Apple Crisp

Mock Apple Pie

Slice of pie with crumb topping on a stack of plates, surrounded by crackers and cinnamon sticks.
Mock Apple Pie. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

No apples on hand? Bake this Ritz Cracker Mock Apple Pie for cozy fall flavor in every bite. It’s easy, homey, and perfect for your next dessert. No one will believe it’s made with crackers. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Mock Apple Pie

Applesauce Bread

A loaf of applesauce bread with three slices cut, two apples, a bowl of applesauce, and a red and white checkered cloth on a wooden cutting board.
Applesauce Bread. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Everything you love about fall, in one loaf. This applesauce bread bakes up tender and moist, warmly spiced, and studded with crunchy nuts. Slice it thick for breakfast or snag a piece for an afternoon snack while your kitchen smells amazing.
Get the Recipe: Applesauce Bread

Cabbage Apple Salad

Red cabbage slaw in a wooden bowl with a spoon.
Cabbage Apple Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Crisp and colorful, this Cabbage Apple Salad tosses shredded red cabbage with sweet Golden Delicious apples in a bright, tangy dressing. It’s fresh, crunchy, and the kind of healthy side you’ll make on repeat all season. Serve it with pork chops, roasted chicken, or pack it for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Apple Salad

Apple Coffee Cake

Slice of apple coffee cake on white plate.
Apple Coffee Cake. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Curl up with a slice of Apple Coffee Cake, where cinnamon, sugar, and tart apples bake into one warm, comforting treat that makes fall cozier. The tender crumb and crackly golden top pair perfectly with your morning coffee or a simple after-dinner dessert. It mixes up fast and fills the kitchen with that unmistakable fall aroma.
Get the Recipe: Apple Coffee Cake

Easy Apple Bars

A piece of apple bar with ice cream and caramel sauce.
Easy Apple Bars. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

These Easy Apple Bars taste like fall in the best way, with tender apples, warm cinnamon, and a buttery crumb crust in every square. Sweet, cozy, and perfectly spiced. Mix the batter, press it into the pan, bake, and watch the whole pan disappear in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Easy Apple Bars

Apple Pancakes

A stack of pancakes with syrup being poured over them.
Apple Pancakes. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Roll out of bed to a stack of fluffy apple pancakes, studded with juicy bites and just-right sweetness in every forkful. Cozy and comforting, they’re perfect with that first cup of coffee. Pour on warm maple syrup and sprinkle cinnamon so each bite tastes like fall.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pancakes

Apple Pie

A slice of crumb-topped pie on a white decorative plate with a fork next to it. A red and white cloth is partially visible in the corner.
Apple Pie. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This apple pie practically makes itself. The crust comes together with simple pantry staples, and the cornflake topping bakes up extra crunchy. Inside are tender apples tossed with warm cinnamon and spice. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla, and you’ll make it on repeat all season.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie

Apple Cider Chicken Thighs

A cooked chicken thigh with apple slices on mashed potatoes, served with green beans.
Apple Cider Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Juicy chicken thighs simmer in apple cider with brown sugar and a whisper of garlic until the pan turns glossy and the flavor screams fall. A quick sear, then an oven finish, gives you shatter-crisp skin, tender meat, and fresh apple slices that add a bright, fruity pop. It’s the kind of easy dinner that tastes slow-cooked, comes together in about 40 minutes, and makes fall downright craveable.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Chicken Thighs

Apple Cider Instant Pot Beef Stew

Bowl of Instant Pot beef stew with carrots and potatoes.
Apple Cider Instant Pot Beef Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Try this: Instant Pot beef stew gets a cozy twist with apple cider, which simmers into a rich, gently sweet gravy around tender beef and hearty vegetables. It’s weeknight easy but tastes like it cooked all afternoon. Serve with crusty bread to soak up every last drop.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Instant Pot Beef Stew

Cinnamon Apple Snacks

A plate of cinnamon apple snacks.
Cinnamon Apple Snacks. Photo credit: The Honour System.

Meet your new go-to Cinnamon Apple Snacks. They come together fast, pack big flavor, and feel good for kids and adults. Light, tasty, and perfect when a craving hits. Tuck them into lunchboxes, serve after school, or enjoy as a cozy afternoon bite.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apple Snacks

Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad

Broccoli and shredded carrots on a mixing spoon.
Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Fresh and creamy, this Broccoli Apple Salad packs crisp broccoli, sweet apples, carrots, tart cranberries, and crunchy walnuts in a tangy yogurt-mayo dressing. It’s the perfect make-ahead side for busy nights or potlucks. Chill it for 30 minutes so the flavors mingle and the textures stay extra snappy.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad

Apple Cider Shortbread Cookies

Cinnamon sugar cookies on a plate.
Apple Cider Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Apple Cider Shortbread Cookies bring a warm, cozy touch to your coffee break. Each buttery slice has a soft cider whisper that pairs perfectly with whatever’s in your mug. The dough mixes quickly, chills neatly, and bakes into pretty rounds that look fussier than they are. Friendly on the budget and truly homemade, they make everyday coffee feel like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Shortbread Cookies

Curly Endive Salad with Celery, Apple and Candied Pecans

A fresh salad with sliced apples, pecans, and mixed greens on a white rectangular plate. The apples have a red peel and are thinly sliced, while the greens provide a leafy background, creating a colorful and healthy dish.
Curly Endive Salad with Celery, Apple and Candied Pecans. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Curly Endive Winter Salad tosses crisp apple slices, sweet, crunchy pecans, and sturdy greens into one refreshing cold-weather bowl. A bright vinaigrette ties it all together with just the right zing. Serve it alongside soup or roast chicken for a simple, satisfying pairing.
Get the Recipe: Curly Endive Salad with Celery, Apple and Candied Pecans

Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake

A close-up of a dessert topped with apple slices, chopped pecans, and caramel sauce.
Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake is a showstopper for any fall get-together. Cozy spices and tender apple weave through every creamy slice for that warm, comforting flavor. Make it ahead, pop it out of the springform, and get ready for the oohs and aahs.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake

Baked Sweet Potatoes With Apples & Cranberries

A spoonful of sweet potato slices with apples and cranberries in a white dish.
Baked Sweet Potatoes With Apples & Cranberries. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Make your side dish lineup shine with baked sweet potato slices layered with sweet apples and tart cranberries for a simple, tasty, and healthy addition to your festive table. The edges caramelize in the oven while the fruit turns soft and jammy for just the right pop of sweetness. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday dinner, yet easy enough for a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sweet Potatoes With Apples & Cranberries

Slow Cooker Applesauce

A bowl of applesauce with a spoon, surrounded by apples and a striped cloth on a gray surface.
Slow Cooker Applesauce. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

Skip the jars because this slow cooker applesauce makes store-bought a distant memory. Let your favorite apples melt down with cinnamon and a touch of sugar until they’re silky, sweet, and full of cozy fall flavor. Serve it warm or chill it in the fridge; either way, it’s a treat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Applesauce

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