Sure, apple pie’s a classic, but why stop there? From adding a crisp bite to sandwiches to bringing a sweet-savory twist to soups and sauces, these recipes will have you rethinking this humble fruit. Forget the usual and get ready to serve up some surprising, apple-packed dishes that’ll have everyone talking.
Apple Bacon Scones
These scones are packed with fresh apples and crispy bacon, making them a hearty and satisfying breakfast option for chilly fall mornings. The apple butter adds moisture and a rich apple flavor that makes these scones perfect for the season.
Get the Recipe: Apple Bacon Scones
Roasted Sweet Potato Apple Ham Sandwich
This hot sandwich combines roasted sweet potatoes, apples, and ham, all pressed together with melted cheddar and a honey mustard spread. It’s a savory and filling choice, with the apple adding a hint of sweetness that complements the other flavors.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato Apple Ham Sandwich
Savory Apple Thyme Butter
This easy-to-make butter combines apples with thyme and pairs well with everything from a dinner roast to an appetizer spread. The apple adds a seasonal touch that makes this butter a versatile addition to any fall meal.
Get the Recipe: Savory Apple Thyme Butter
Spiced Orange Beet Apple Chutney
Infused with orange and warming spices, this beet apple chutney is a great spread for crackers, a side for meats, or even a dollop in yogurt. The apple adds a subtle sweetness that enhances the chutney’s rich flavors.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Orange Beet Apple Chutney
Honey Chicken Apple Salad
A refreshing and flavorful salad with honey, chicken, and apples, perfect for lunch. The apples bring a crisp texture and a natural sweetness that makes this salad stand out as a fall favorite.
Get the Recipe: Honey Chicken Apple Salad
Glazed Pork Chops and Apples
Pork chops are coated in a sweet pumpkin tea glaze and served with apple slices poached in the same tea. The apples add a fresh and slightly sweet element to this fall meal, making it a flavorful and healthy dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Pork Chops and Apples
Leek Apple Cheddar Soup
This creamy soup is a comforting fall meal with a hint of sweetness from the apples. The combination of leeks, apples, cheddar, and a topping of chopped walnuts and cranberries makes it a satisfying and warming choice.
Get the Recipe: Leek Apple Cheddar Soup
Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili
This creamy chili is filled with chicken, white beans, cheddar, and a surprising addition of apples. The apples bring a subtle sweetness that complements the savory and cheesy flavors, making it a great fall dish.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili
Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwiches
These sandwiches are slow-cooked to perfection and topped with a sage apple carrot raisin slaw, making them a flavorful choice for fall. The apples add a sweet note that balances the savory pulled pork and BBQ sauce.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Apple
Roasted butternut squash pairs perfectly with apple, ginger, and cream in this cozy soup. The apple adds a layer of sweetness that elevates this soup from ordinary to a fall favorite.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Apple
Celery Apple Soup
A veggie-packed soup with a hint of sweetness from the apples and fragrant herbs, this soup is easy to make and perfect for a warming lunch or light dinner. The apples add a refreshing contrast to the savory celery.
Get the Recipe: Celery Apple Soup
Kale Apple Slaw
This light and flavorful slaw combines traditional ingredients with sweet apples and greens. It’s an easy side dish that pairs well with BBQs, picnics, and summer meals. The apples add a crisp texture that brightens up the dish.
Get the Recipe: Kale Apple Slaw
Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apple and Fennel
A simple and flavorful dish, this pork tenderloin is seared and roasted with apple and fennel wedges. The apples bring a touch of sweetness that enhances the herb and spice rub on the pork, making this a repeat-worthy meal.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apple and Fennel
Saucy Apple Pork Chops
These tender pork chops, ready in under 30 minutes, are perfect for an autumn dinner. The apples add a sweet note that balances the savory flavors, making this dish both easy to prepare and delicious to share.
Get the Recipe: Saucy Apple Pork Chops
Stuffing with Sausage and Apples
This homemade stuffing combines sausage and apples for a flavorful dish that’s sure to please. The apples add a touch of sweetness that complements the savory sausage, making this stuffing a must-try for any holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Stuffing with Sausage and Apples
Instant Pot Pork Chops with Apple Gravy
These pork chops are cooked in a sweet and savory apple gravy that’s made even better with a bit of apple butter. The apples add a rich flavor that complements the cinnamon spice, making this an easy weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Chops with Apple Gravy
Gouda Honeycrisp Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese
A gourmet grilled cheese sandwich featuring smoked gouda, Honeycrisp apples, and crispy bacon on buttery sourdough bread. The apples add a crisp sweetness that elevates this sandwich to a fall favorite.
Get the Recipe: Gouda Honeycrisp Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese
Apple Stuffed Pork Loin
This pork loin stuffed with apples and rosemary is easier to make than you might think and delivers big on flavor. The apples add a sweet and aromatic element that makes this dish perfect for a hearty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Apple Stuffed Pork Loin
Lazy Pierogi Casserole with Egg Noodles
This casserole features egg noodles, sauerkraut, and apples, delivering all the flavors of a pierogi in a quicker and easier format. The apples add a subtle sweetness that balances the tangy sauerkraut, making this dish a comfort food classic.
Get the Recipe: Lazy Pierogi Casserole with Egg Noodles
Simple Apple Sage Stuffing
This stuffing is made with sweet apples and fresh herbs, creating a flavorful addition to any holiday table. The apples bring a natural sweetness that complements the savory stuffing, making it a great side for turkey dinners.
Get the Recipe: Simple Apple Sage Stuffing
Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Rosemary
A simple yet flavorful dish, this pork tenderloin is cooked with apples and rosemary, adding just the right amount of spice. The apples bring a sweetness that makes this dish a hit with the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Rosemary
One-Pan Apple Cider Tofu
A quick and easy vegan dinner, this apple cider tofu is cooked in one pan with shallots, herbs, and apples. The apples add both acidity and sweetness, making this a go-to meal for fall.
Get the Recipe: One-Pan Apple Cider Tofu
Apple Cheddar Scones
These savory scones combine the flavors of apples, sharp cheddar, and sage, making them a perfect accompaniment to a comforting bowl of soup. The apples add a subtle sweetness that balances the savory ingredients beautifully.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cheddar Scones
Bacon, Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese
This grilled cheese sandwich features creamy brie, crispy bacon, and fresh apple slices, making it a simple yet gourmet option for fall. The apples add a crisp texture and a hint of sweetness that pairs perfectly with the rich brie.
Get the Recipe: Bacon, Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.