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20 Healthy Apple Recipes For Any Occasion

Liz DellaCroce Avatar

LIZ DELLA CROCE

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20 healthy apple recipes that are easy, delicious, and packed with flavor. From breakfasts to snacks and desserts, these wholesome apple ideas are perfect for fall and beyond.

A healthy apple recipe, peanut butter apple overnight oats.

With the start of school comes the start of apple season! As temperatures start to cool down here in Michigan, I get excited to start making tons of sweet and savory dishes with freshly picked apples. While baked goods are an obvious go-to for apples, I love including them in oatmeal and smoothies. I have quite a few savory dinner recipes for apples as well!

We make it a family outing to go apple picking each year, and my boys are excellent at it by now, bringing me lots of fresh ingredients. If you love apples like I do, but want to switch things up, I’ve got you covered! I’ve compiled 20 Healthy Apple Recipes for every season, including vegan and gluten-free, and from breakfast to dessert!

Gluten free apple crisp, 20 healthy apple recipes.

Choosing the Right Apples for Every Recipe

Not all apples are created equal, and the type you use can make a big difference in flavor and texture. Here’s a quick guide to help you pick the perfect apple for your next healthy recipe!

  • Best for Baking: Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Braeburn hold their shape well in the oven and offer a nice balance of tartness and sweetness. They’re ideal for crisps, muffins, and baked apples.
  • Best for Snacking & Salads: Fuji, Gala, and Pink Lady are naturally sweet and crunchy, making them perfect for fresh salads, snack boards, or dipping in peanut butter.
  • Best for Sauces & Smoothies: McIntosh and Cortland soften quickly when cooked, which makes them perfect for applesauce, soups, or blended into smoothies.
  • Best All-Purpose Apples: Golden Delicious and Jonagold work well in both sweet and savory dishes, so they’re great to keep on hand for versatile cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the healthiest way to eat an apple?

The healthiest way to eat an apple is also the simplest. Grab a fresh apple, wash it, then take a bite skin and all!

Can you freeze apples?

Yes! Use freezer bags, and any apple will be good in the freezer for 3 to 6 months.

When is apple season in the US?

Apple season runs from late summer through fall, but many varieties store beautifully and are available year-round. For the freshest flavor and best prices, shop local orchards or farmers’ markets in the fall when apples are at their peak!

20 healthy apple recipes, apple cinnamon protein pancakes on a plate with cinnamon sticks.
20 Healthy Apple Recipes for Any Occasion

Eat it, Like it, Share it!

Did you try any of these recipes and like it? The next time you make one, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish.

Healthy Apple Recipes for Breakfast

Apple Banana Nut Oatmeal

5 stars average
7 minutes
A simple way to make oatmeal for yourself or your kids that is ready on the stove top in 7 minutes. 
Try: Apple Banana Nut Oatmeal

Pin

Apple Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

4.64 stars average
10 minutes
Creamy, natural peanut butter and crisp, juicy apples are the perfect natural sweetener for overnight steel cut oats.
Try: Apple Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Healthy Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins

4.59 stars average
45 minutes
These pumpkin-packed muffins with apples and walnuts are so light and fluffy your family will have no idea they’re actually good for you!
Try: Healthy Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins

Pin

Apple Cinnamon Protein Pancakes

4.36 stars average
15 minutes
Naturally sweetened with fruit, these apple cinnamon protein pancakes are gluten-free and will fill you up while fulfilling the sweet craving in a healthy way.
Try: Apple Cinnamon Protein Pancakes

Pin

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

4.50 stars average
8 hours 10 minutes
Made with no added sugar, this easy slow cooker apple butter recipe is scented with cinnamon and other warm fall spices.
Try: Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Pin

Healthy Apple Recipes for Dinner

Spelt Salad with Apples, Cheddar and Scallions

5 stars
45 minutes
A hearty and flavor-packed whole grain salad made with chewy spelt, crunchy apples and sharp cheddar cheese.
Try: Spelt Salad with Apples, Cheddar and Scallions

Spelt Salad with Apples, Scallions and Cheese - The Lemon Bowl

Charoset (Apple and Walnut Salad)

5 stars average
5 minutes
Traditionally served on the Passover Seder plate, charoset is an apple and walnut salad made with sweet honey and red wine.
Try: Charoset (Apple and Walnut Salad)

Pin
horizontal charoset bowl

Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Apples, Onions, and Sweet Potatoes

1 stars
40 minutes
The ultimate no-mess sheet pan dinner recipe, pork chops are rubbed with olive oil and herbs then roasted with apples, onions and sweet potatoes. You won't believe how delicious or easy this pork recipe is to make!
Try: Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Apples, Onions, and Sweet Potatoes

Kale Salad with Apples and Walnuts

5 stars average
10 minutes
This hearty massaged kale salad is made with sweet apples and crunchy walnuts. Great for making ahead and packing in lunches!
Try: Kale Salad with Apples and Walnuts

Pin

Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Apples

4.71 stars average
7 minutes
This grilled cheese with apples is the perfect combination of creamy, salty, tart and sweet. Feel free to use your favorite cheeses and any variety of apple works with this delicious elevated grilled cheese sandwich.
Try: Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Apples

Pin

Healthy Apple Sweets

Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Cookies

4.63 stars average
26 minutes
The perfect portable make-ahead breakfast, these chewy oatmeal apple breakfast cookies are energy packed and lightly sweetened to make them loved by all!
Try: Oatmeal Apple Breakfast Cookies

Pin
Chewy Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies - The Lemon Bowl

Baked Apple Cider Donuts

4.67 stars average
25 minutes
These light and fluffy baked donuts are full of apple spice flavor without any of the heavy grease you find in a traditional fried donut.
Try: Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Pin

Gluten Free Apple Crisp

4 stars average
55 minutes
This easy and delicious apple crisp recipe is naturally gluten-free, made with juicy apples, warm cinnamon and a hearty oat topping.
Try: Gluten Free Apple Crisp

Pin

Cinnamon Baked Apples with Walnuts and Spices

3 stars average
1 hour 15 minutes
The ultimate fall dessert, baked apples are stuffed with walnuts and spices then baked in apple cider until soft and sweet. Serve with vanilla ice cream to make a la mode!
Try: Cinnamon Baked Apples with Walnuts and Spices

Jewish Apple Cake

4.25 stars average
1 hour 30 minutes
A traditional Jewish dessert recipe, my Ema Ljuba would frequently make this apple cake on Friday for Shabbat, and it would stay moist all week long. A parev (kosher) dessert, this cake can be eaten with either meat or dairy. A huge family favorite among all of Ljuba’s seven children and many grandchildren.
Try: Jewish Apple Cake

Pin
Jewish apple cake closeup

Healthy Apple Drinks

Carrot Apple Ginger Green Smoothie

5 stars average
5 minutes
This Carrot Apple Ginger Green Smoothie in the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors to start your morning.
Try: Carrot Apple Ginger Green Smoothie

Pin

Best Apple Pie Protein Smoothie

4.38 stars average
5 minutes
This Apple Pie Protein Smoothie Recipe is the ultimate healthy drink recipe for fall – ideal for breakfast, a snack or dessert!
Try: Best Apple Pie Protein Smoothie

apple pie protein smoothie in a glass

Sparkling Apple Cider Punch

4.38 stars average
5 minutes
Made with or without alcohol, your guests will love this Sparkling Apple Cider Punch- perfect for fall entertaining!
Try: Sparkling Apple Cider Punch

Pin
Sparkling Apple Cider

Apple Cinnamon Smoothie

5 stars
5 minutes
This thick and creamy breakfast smoothie recipe is made with ripe bananas, juicy apples and warm cinnamon. It's the ultimate healthy meal or snack for on-the-go!
Try: Apple Cinnamon Smoothie

Pin
apple cinnamon smoothie

Apple Cider Gin Fizz

No ratings yet
8 minutes
This crisp and refreshing cocktail recipe is made with apple cider, gin, fresh lemon juice and sparkling water to top.
Try: Apple Cider Gin Fizz

Pin

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34 responses to “20 Healthy Apple Recipes For Any Occasion”

  1. Charli Avatar
    Charli

    I tried the sparkling apple cider punch. It’s amazing !!!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      So glad you enjoyed it Charli!

  2. Todd @ HonestlyYUM Avatar
    Todd @ HonestlyYUM

    Heck yes! Thank you for the best list EVER!!

  3. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    I am obsessed with your fruit leather!! It’s so dang cute!

  4. Gaby Avatar
    Gaby

    Wonderful roundup! Now I need to make every single one of these!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      You and me both sista!! Happy apple season. :) (PS: Do you have apple season?)

  5. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    I want your pizza now!!

  6. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    Thank you so much Jen!!

  7. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    I KNOW!! I’m dying over those too!!!

  8. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    My pleasure!! Hope you’re doing well friend!

  9. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    Thanks my dear!! Can’t wait to have cider with you!

  10. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    Hopefully you have some great apple options near you!!

  11. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    Thanks so much Carrian!! Hope you had fun on your orchard tour!!

  12. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    Same here!!! I just got another big batch of apples so I can’t wait to get busy in the kitchen!

  13. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    What a great roundup! I love Fall, and I look forward to apple season. There are so many great recipes on here that I want to try! Thanks for putting this together and for including my recipes!!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I love fall too!! Thank you for the wonderful recipes!!

  14. Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes Avatar
    Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes

    I have to stop myself from eating more than one apple a day at this time of year. I tend to overdo it and give myself a belly ache. Lol. I love these recipes. i am so glad to see this flourless apple brownies recipe. My neighbor called me last night asking if I knew of a good apple brownie recipe. I’ll have to ass it on to her.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      lol it’s funny you mention that – I had to cut my 2 year old off at the orchard this morning!!! PS: I’m cracking up at your last sentence… freudian slip? :)

      1. Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes Avatar
        Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes

        Lol! Not at all. Proofreading is not my strong suit.

  15. Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg Avatar
    Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg

    Nice roundup! They all look so good. I like the picture of you little man picking apples. So cute! Pinned!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Thank you – he loves apple picking. :)

  16. Lauren at Keep It Sweet Avatar
    Lauren at Keep It Sweet

    I better go back to the farm for more apples:-) Thanks for including me in this awesome roundup, Liz!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes you better!!! Wish you lived closer – I have about 100 pounds to share.

  17. Maria Tadic Avatar
    Maria Tadic

    Love this list!!! Apples are so delicious and I’m stoked they’re in full swing!!! Definitely wanna try some of those pizzas!!!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I know me too!! I was resisting for a little while but I’m ready for them now!! :)

  18. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    Oh good!!! Enjoy the apple picking!! Can’t wait to see what beautiful recipes you come up with!

  19. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    Thank you!! I’ll be honest, it took about 100 years but hopefully it makes it easier for people to find their favorites. :) Thanks for your awesome recipes!!

  20. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    Me too!!! It makes my heart sing. :) Thanks so much – he loved picking! We will need to go again this year. :)

  21. Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon Avatar
    Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon

    I love Apple season! Can’t wait to try some of these apple recipes out! Thanks for sharing such a great round up!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh good let me know if you try anything!!! PS: Soon it will be lemon season. ;-)

  22. Ali @ Inspiralized Avatar
    Ali @ Inspiralized

    This makes me so excited that it’s October 1st already!!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Me too!!! I woke up so happy today. :)

  23. Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama Avatar
    Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama

    What a great round up! I’ve been dreaming of that pulled pork and apples for days.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      It’s funny I need to make it again because I’ve been dreaming of it too!!! Can’t wait for your pumpkin month!