8 Recipes to Make After Apple Picking (Besides Pie)

One of the most quintessential fall activities is apple picking. It’s the best excuse we know of to indulge in a still-warm apple cider donut and a mug of cider as a reward for picking all those Galas, Gravensteins, and Granny Smiths. But all those apples mean you’re going to need apple recipes. 

It’s safe to say we’ve all come home with a huge basket of all different kinds of apples—but fresh out of a plan. When you find yourself in the post-apple picking shock of what on earth to do with all of these apples, remember we’ve got your back on this one. (And remember, too, that freshly picked apples will keep longer in your cold fridge than store-bought ones because they’ve traveled fewer miles.)

File this article away for your next apple picking adventure. You’ll want to fill your kitchen—and your stomachs —with these delicious and healthy apple recipes.

1. Paleo Apple Cinnamon Galette from Gutsy Baker

Like a pie, a galette has a flaky crust with a delectable filling. The difference? A pie is more structured and often (but not always) has a top and bottom crust. A galette is free-formed and rustic, and is usually open-faced. Basically, a galette is a lazy man’s pie . . . and some days we are all about that. Especially this one, which also happens to be Paleo. 

Photo Credit: Ambitious Kitchen

2. Apple Crisp from Ambitious Kitchen

As we’ve previously mentioned, we are low-key obsessed with summer crisps. We are so thankful for apples for allowing us to continue making crisps into the fall. This recipe uses healthier-for-you ingredients, like whole wheat flour, maple syrup, and coconut sugar, and has a secret ingredient: a splash of bourbon.

Photo Credit: Erin Lives Whole

3. Apple Pie Bars from Erin Lives Whole

These healthy apple pie bars are made using healthier, whole ingredients. While they’re intended for dessert, just skip the confectioners’ sugar glaze and they’d make the most delicious breakfast. 

Photo Credit: Kim’s Cravings

4. Apple Crisp Baked Apple from Kim’s Cravings

These baked apples are an ingenious riff on the classic apple crisp. Because they’re deconstructed, they’re low maintenance and much easier to prep ahead of time. Just core your apples and make your crisp filling. When you’re ready, bake and serve.

Photo Credit: Well Plated by Erin

5. Apple Chips from Well Plated

We’re not sure you’ll find an easier apple recipe to use up any stray apples. Just slice them up and bake at a low temperature until dehydrated and crispy. Apple chips also happen to be kid-friendly — just saying!

Photo Credit: Cookie + Kate

6. Apple Muffins from Cookie + Kate

There’s a reason this apple recipe has almost 500 rave reviews. It’s made with better-for-you ingredients without compromising on taste. This apple muffin recipe is also highly adaptable with recipe notes to accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan diets. 

Photo Credit: Amy’s Healthy Baking

7. Cinnamon Apple Cake from Amy’s Healthy Baking Blog

We spend so much time obsessing about pie in the fall, but let’s be real: A piece of pie just can’t replace a delicious, moist piece of cake. That’s why we’re all about this cinnamon apple cake. Slice your hand-picked apples and fan them atop this spiced cake for a beautiful and healthy autumn treat. 

Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon

8. Homemade Applesauce from the Forked Spoon

Admittedly, this recipe is not as *sexy* as some of the others on the list, but we have our reasons. A lot of store-bought applesauce has added flavoring, sugar, or preservatives. Homemade applesauce ise healthier and tastier. Our advice? Make a huge batch and freeze some applesauce for future use.