10+ Apple Recipes to Delight Your Taste Buds

Apples are a tasty, healthy fruit you can use in all sorts of recipes. They work well in both sweet and savory dishes, which makes them a solid choice for pretty much any meal or snack.

If you want to enjoy apples in different ways, trying a variety of apple recipes can keep things interesting and delicious. Some of these recipes are super simple, while others are a bit fancier—there’s something for every skill level.

1) 3-Ingredient Apple Crisp

This apple crisp is quick and easy. You only need three ingredients, so it’s perfect for those last-minute dessert cravings.

Just slice up an apple and mix it with a flavored instant oatmeal packet. The oatmeal brings sweetness and texture—no extra sugar or flour needed.

Bake it all in a skillet or dish until the apples soften and the topping gets golden. It’s warm, tasty, and cleanup is a breeze.

Ingredients

• 1 medium apple (Pink Lady, Gala, or Fuji work well)
• 1 flavored instant oatmeal packet (maple and brown sugar is my go-to)
• Butter (totally optional, but adds richness)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Slice the apple thin and spread in a skillet or baking dish.
3. Sprinkle the oatmeal packet over the apple slices.
4. Dot with butter if you want.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until apples are soft and topping is golden.

More details at 3-ingredient air fryer apple crisp.

2) Easy French Apple Cake with Rum

You can make a simple French apple cake with just a handful of ingredients and a splash of rum. The batter is soft and buttery, and the chunks of tart apples keep things interesting.

Rum adds a subtle flavor—nothing overpowering, just a little something extra. The cake turns out moist with a golden crust.

It’s great served warm or at room temperature, maybe with a cup of tea. I like mixing different apple types for a nice balance.

Ingredients

• 3 types of apples, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup dark rum
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• Pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar together.
3. Beat in eggs, one at a time.
4. Stir in rum.
5. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt; fold into wet mixture.
6. Gently mix in the apples.
7. Pour into a greased 9-inch cake pan.
8. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let it cool a bit before digging in.

3) Apple Fritter Bread

Apple fritter bread gives you all the flavor of apple fritters, but without the frying. It’s a quick bread with apple chunks, cinnamon, and sugar swirled through a soft, buttery loaf.

This bread is easy to throw together and bakes up thick and hearty in a loaf pan. The cinnamon and brown sugar blend perfectly with the apples.

Your kitchen will smell amazing while it bakes. You don’t need much time or fancy ingredients.

Ingredients

• Apples, peeled and chopped
• Ground cinnamon
• Unsalted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Dark brown sugar
• Powdered sugar
• Eggs
• Milk
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugars until creamy.
4. Add eggs and milk, then blend.
5. Fold dry ingredients into wet.
6. Stir in chopped apples.
7. Pour half the batter into a greased loaf pan.
8. Sprinkle on brown sugar and cinnamon, then add the rest of the batter.
9. Bake 55-60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
10. Let it cool before removing from the pan.
11. Dust with powdered sugar if you’re feeling fancy.

The bread keeps well for a few days if you wrap it tightly or use an airtight container. Check out this apple fritter bread recipe for more info.

4) Caramel Apple Nachos

Caramel apple nachos are a fun, fast treat. Slice up crisp apples—Granny Smith or Gala are great—and arrange them on a plate.

Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the apples. Add some melted marshmallows, chocolate chips, or crushed candy bars for extra flair.

This snack is perfect for sharing or a quick sweet bite. The combo of tart apples and gooey caramel is hard to resist.

Ingredients

• 2 apples (Granny Smith and Gala work well)
• 1/3 cup caramel sauce, warmed
• 1/4 cup mini marshmallows or chocolate chips
• Optional: crushed candy bars or chopped peanuts

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and core apples, then slice thin.
2. Arrange slices on a plate.
3. Warm caramel sauce and drizzle over apples.
4. Sprinkle on marshmallows, chocolate chips, or whatever toppings you like.
5. Serve right away—don’t wait, they’re best fresh!

Get more details on caramel apple nachos here.

5) Whipped Caramel Apple Cake

If you’re into sweet apple desserts with a caramel twist, this cake hits the spot. Applesauce and apple pie spices give it a cozy flavor.

The whipped caramel frosting is light and creamy, not too heavy. The cake itself is tender, and the frosting just makes it better.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1 tsp apple pie spice
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup melted butter

For Whipped Caramel Frosting:

• 1 cup caramel sauce
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, sugar, baking soda, and spice.
3. Add applesauce, eggs, and melted butter; stir until smooth.
4. Pour into a greased 9×13-inch pan.
5. Bake 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Whip cream and powdered sugar to soft peaks.
7. Gently fold in caramel sauce.
8. Frost the cooled cake and serve.

Find more tips for whipped caramel apple cake at King Arthur Baking.

6) Tiny Apple Tarts for Two

Tiny apple tarts are perfect when you want a sweet treat but not a ton of leftovers. Each tart has a layer of grated apple that turns jammy and soft as it bakes.

You use a basic dough and fresh apples. They bake in about 20–25 minutes, so you don’t have to wait long.

These little tarts look cute and taste great. You don’t need a lot of ingredients or time.

Ingredients

• 1 cup grated apple
• 1 sheet puff pastry or tart dough
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll out dough and cut into two small circles.
3. Mix grated apple with sugar and cinnamon.
4. Spread apple mix on each dough circle, leaving the edges clear.
5. Brush the edges with melted butter.
6. Bake 20-25 minutes, until golden and bubbly.

7) Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Apple cinnamon rolls are warm, fluffy, and packed with sweet cinnamon and tender apple pieces. They make a cozy breakfast or dessert.

Top them with cream cheese frosting or brown butter maple icing for extra flavor. These rolls fill your kitchen with the best smell.

Making them from scratch takes a bit, but you can find quicker versions with fewer ingredients. Either way, they’re worth it.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• ¾ cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 2 apples, peeled and diced
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp brown butter (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix yeast, warm milk, and a pinch of sugar; let sit 5 minutes.
2. Add flour, sugar, salt, and melted butter. Knead into a dough.
3. Let dough rise for 1 hour.
4. Roll out dough and sprinkle with cinnamon and diced apples.
5. Roll up and cut into rolls.
6. Place in a greased pan, let rise 30 minutes.
7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, until golden.
8. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and maple syrup for frosting. Add brown butter if you like.
9. Spread frosting on warm rolls.

More details and variations for apple cinnamon rolls here.

8) Vegan Apple Muffins

Vegan apple muffins are a simple, tasty way to enjoy apples in a baked treat. They’re moist and soft, thanks to applesauce and shredded apple.

Add cinnamon or a crumbly topping to make them extra good. You only need a few basic ingredients, and you can mix everything in one bowl.

They make a great snack or breakfast, especially if you want something plant-based. You can find lots of variations—plain, with crumble, or drizzled with vanilla icing.

Baking them at the right temp keeps them fluffy and light.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup shredded apple
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Toss all the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
3. Add the applesauce and shredded apple, then mix until everything looks combined.
4. Scoop the batter into muffin cups.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes. If a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean, they’re done.
6. Let them cool a bit before you eat them.

More details can be found on Easy Vegan Apple Muffins.

9) Caramelized Baked Apples

Caramelized baked apples are a simple treat, and you can eat them warm or cold. The apples bake in their own juices with sugar and butter, turning soft and sweet.

Some folks like to slice their apples, others just cut them in half. Either way, the sugar melts and caramelizes, making the fruit tender and packed with flavor.

Cinnamon adds something special here. Nutmeg works too, if you’re into that.

This recipe takes anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes, depending on how soft you want your apples. Want a quick fruity boost? Try these apples on pancakes, yogurt, or even cake.

Ingredients

• 4 apples, sliced or halved
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Optional: pinch of nutmeg

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Put the apples in a baking dish.
3. Dot them with butter, then sprinkle on the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg if you’re using it.
4. Bake for 10 to 40 minutes. The apples should be soft and caramelized when they’re ready.
5. Serve them warm or cold, whatever you prefer.

For more details, see caramelized apple recipes here.

10) Healthy Apple Pancakes

Healthy apple pancakes are quick to whip up and honestly, they make breakfast a bit more fun. Oats, apples, and a hint of cinnamon give them a natural sweetness—no need for a ton of extra sugar.

If you want, you can use oat flour or just blend rolled oats into a powder for a gluten-free option. Adding cottage cheese or applesauce keeps them moist and sneaks in some protein, which I love.

A little maple syrup sweetens things, and cinnamon brings out the apple flavor. These pancakes cook fast in a non-stick pan, so you won’t be stuck at the stove for long.

They’re great for breakfast or even as a light snack when you want something a bit special.

Ingredients

• 1 large apple, peeled and grated
• 2/3 cup rolled oats
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. If you’re using rolled oats, go ahead and blend them into oat flour.

2. In a bowl, mix eggs, grated apple, applesauce, baking powder, cinnamon, and maple syrup.

3. Heat up a non-stick pan over medium.

4. Pour the batter in to form pancakes. Let them cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until they’re golden brown.

5. Serve them warm, maybe with some fruit or yogurt if you’re feeling fancy.

For more details, check out this healthy apple pancake recipe.