Best Apple Recipes to Make After Apple Picking
If you’ve made your trip to Oak Glen, picked a bag (or bags) of fresh apples, and are now wondering what to do with all those apples, I’ve got you covered!
Apple pie may be the first thing that comes to mind, but there are so many delicious ways to use fresh-picked apples. From homemade applesauce to easy oven-dried apple chips, these recipes are perfect for enjoying your apples long after your apple-picking trip is over.
Here are five of my favorite apple recipes to make during apple season.
The Apple Tool You Absolutely Need
Before you start peeling a mountain of apples, there is one kitchen tool that makes the job so much easier: an apple peeler, corer, and slicer.
I use this style of apple peeler because it peels, cores, and slices an apple all at the same time. Instead of spending several minutes preparing each apple by hand, you end up with perfectly even slices in seconds.
If you plan on making applesauce, apple pie, apple crisp, dried apples, or pretty much anything else involving a lot of apples, this little tool is worth having.
[Shop my favorite apple peeler/corer here on Amazon ]
1. Easy Homemade Applesauce
There is something especially good about homemade applesauce made with fresh apples.
It tastes so much better than store-bought applesauce, and it is surprisingly easy to make. You can cook it on the stovetop in about 30 minutes or let it simmer in a slow cooker for several hours.
Homemade Applesauce Ingredients
- 8 medium apples
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup sweetener, optional
- Pinch of salt
For the sweetener, you can use white sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey. The amount you need will depend on how sweet your apples are, so I recommend starting with less and adding more if needed.
A mix of sweet and tart apples also makes especially flavorful applesauce.
Stovetop Instructions
Peel, core, and slice the apples.
Add the apples, water, lemon juice, cinnamon, salt, and optional sweetener to a large pot.
Cover and cook over medium-low heat for about 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very soft.
For chunky applesauce, mash the cooked apples with a potato masher.
For smooth applesauce, carefully transfer the apples to a blender or food processor and blend until you reach your desired consistency.
Slow Cooker Instructions
Add all of the ingredients to your slow cooker and cook on LOW for approximately 5–6 hours, or until the apples are completely tender.
Mash or blend the apples once they are finished cooking.
How Long Does Homemade Applesauce Last?
Store homemade applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about one week.
You can also freeze applesauce for up to three months, making this one of my favorite ways to save fresh-picked apples for later.
2. Oven-Dried Apple Chips
If you want a simple snack that lets you enjoy your apples for a little longer, try making oven-dried apple chips.
You don’t even need a dehydrator.
These are great for lunchboxes, road trips, hiking snacks, or simply keeping on the counter when you want something sweet.
Oven-Dried Apple Chips Ingredients
- Apples
- Cinnamon, optional
- Lemon juice, optional
That’s it!
How to Make Apple Chips in the Oven
Preheat your oven to its lowest temperature, ideally around 170–200°F.
Core the apples and slice them very thinly, about 1/8-inch thick. This is another recipe where an apple peeler/corer/slicer comes in handy.
For extra flavor, sprinkle the apple slices lightly with cinnamon. You can also toss them with a small amount of lemon juice to help prevent browning.
Arrange the apple slices in a single layer on parchment-lined baking sheets.
Bake for approximately 2–4 hours, flipping the slices halfway through.
The exact drying time will depend on the thickness of your slices and how crisp you want them.
Remove the apples from the oven when they are dry and slightly leathery for dried apples, or continue drying them until they are crisp for apple chips.
Allow them to cool completely before storing. They will often become crispier as they cool.
3. Classic Apple Pie
Of course, we can’t have a list of apple recipes without including apple pie.
I’ve done a lot of baking over the years, and when it comes to reliable baking recipes, one of my favorite resources is Sally’s Baking Addiction.
Her apple pie recipe is a great choice when you want to turn your freshly picked apples into the classic fall dessert everyone expects during apple season.
Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream and you’ve pretty much created the perfect fall dessert.
[Get Sally’s Apple Pie Recipe ]
4. Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins
If you want something you can enjoy for breakfast – or realistically any time of day – apple cinnamon muffins are another fantastic way to use fresh apples.
One recipe I’ve made many times is Sally’s Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins, and they are delicious.
The combination of fresh apples, cinnamon, and buttery crumb topping makes these especially good during fall.
They’re also easy to make ahead for breakfast or work/school lunches.
[Get the Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffin Recipe]
5. Easy Apple Crisp
Apple crisp might be my favorite answer when you want the flavor of apple pie without all the work of making pie.
You still get warm cinnamon-spiced apples and a buttery topping, but the entire dessert is much quicker and easier to put together.
It’s especially good when you come home from apple picking and suddenly realize you have far more apples than you know what to do with and don’t want to spend all day baking.
Sally’s apple crisp is another great recipe to try.
What Are the Best Apples for Baking?
Not every apple behaves the same way when cooked.
For pies, crisps, and other baked desserts, firmer apples generally work best because they hold their shape instead of turning completely soft during baking.
Popular baking apples include:
- Granny Smith
- Pink Lady
- Fuji
- Honeycrisp
- Braeburn
- Jonagold
Don’t be afraid to mix apple varieties. Combining a sweeter apple with a more tart apple can give pies and crisps a much more interesting flavor.
For applesauce, softer apples work wonderfully because they break down easily.
What to Do With Lots of Fresh Apples
If you went a little overboard while apple picking, you’re definitely not alone.
Applesauce and dried apples are two of the easiest options when you have a large quantity of apples because you can make big batches and store them for later.
You can also use extra apples for:
- Apple butter
- Apple bread
- Apple cider
- Baked apples
- Caramel apples
- Apple pancakes
- Apple turnovers
- Apple cobbler
- Apple cake
- Apple muffins
And, of course, you can always slice and freeze apples to use in future baking recipes.
Enjoy Your Oak Glen Apples!
Part of the fun of apple picking is deciding what you’re going to make when you get home.
Whether you turn your apples into homemade applesauce, bake a classic apple pie, dry them into apple chips, or make a warm apple crisp, there are plenty of ways to keep enjoying your Oak Glen apples after your visit.
And if you’re still planning your trip, be sure to check out our Oak Glen Apple Picking Guide for information on orchards, apple varieties, picking seasons, and what to know before you go.
Happy apple season!