Apple picking in a local orchard is a fun outdoor activity to enjoy with friends and family in the fall. But what do you do with all those apples afterward?
If you’re wondering how to use up bountiful bushels of apples before they go bad, here are seven easy and delicious ways to take advantage of the fruits of your apple-picking adventure.
Photo Credit: mashiki
Not an expert baker? No problem. Apple crumble is a fool-proof way to transform an abundance of apples into a mouth-watering dessert. Tart and crisp varieties like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith are the ideal choices for apple crumble, as these apples work best for baking. Peel and dice apples into small chunks, mix with sugar and lemon juice and then spread them evenly into a baking dish and top with a mixture of rolled oats, flour and brown sugar. If you’re up for something a bit more complex, kick your apple crumble up a notch by turning it into a glazed apple tart with a rich buttery crust or try a classic apple pie recipe.
Made with grated apple, fruit, nuts and rolled oats, fruity Bircher muesli is a heart-healthy breakfast that can be prepared in the evening and stored in the fridge overnight to help keep your mornings stress-free. The apple-sweetened muesli is a nutritious alternative to sugary store-bought cereals and can be customized with a variety of fruit, nuts and seeds based on your personal preferences.
Enjoy this year’s apple picking harvest into the winter months by preserving fresh fruit in the form of apple jelly. A tasty spread to serve on toast or as an accompaniment on an artisanal cheese board, this apple ginger jelly recipe is a labour of love. You’ll need time and patience for simmering, straining, canning and setting your apple jelly, but the payoff is worth the wait.
A signature drink for fall, apple cider can be made at home on the stove top or in a slow cooker using apples and autumnal spices like ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Different types of apples have distinct flavours that will change the taste of your cider: Gala, Fuji and Cortland apples will create a sweet sipper, while tart McIntosh, Braeburn and Pink Lady apples will produce a dry cider that’s more acidic. Once ready, your apple cider can be enjoyed hot or iced and can be served alone or as part of a fun and festive cider-based cocktail.
Baked apple chips are a healthy snack to keep on hand at home. To make these crispy, sweet chips, simply slice apples horizontally into thin sections, arrange them on a metal baking sheet and then sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar. Bake your chips on low heat (around 200 °F) until they reach your desired level of crunchiness. Make sure to flip the slices occasionally, so they cook evenly.
Waldorf Salad is a classic American salad named after the iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotel from where it originated. Featuring a mix of apples, greens and nuts tossed in a creamy dressing, this colourful seasonal salad can be enjoyed as a meal or side dish. To prepare a Waldorf salad at home, combine diced red apples, sliced celery, chopped walnuts and seedless grapes (or raisins) with a mayonnaise and lemon juice dressing and serve on a bed of fresh lettuce – you can even include cooked chicken in your Waldorf salad for some added protein.
Homemade apple sauce is an easy-to-make snack that’s incredibly versatile and requires just a few basic ingredients: apples, water and a sweetener of your choice such as honey, maple syrup or sugar. You can also use applesauce as a secret ingredient when baking to add moisture and flavour to your cakes and muffins.
