Right on the tails of our Crisp Fall Air Fabric Softener launching, we are all itching for some fall apple picking! (Can you taste that sweet-yet-tart flavor?) This quintessential activity is popular for food lovers, bloggers (never miss a chance for a flannel photo op), and families looking to get in touch with seasonal harvesting. Ever wondered what to do with apples after apple picking? One of the best ways to make sure you’re picking in a sustainable way is to ensure you have a plan for using all of the apples that you pick! That might mean making a few recipes right away, baking treats to freeze or share, preserving (future you will be full of gratitude), or getting creative with your friends and family. Here are some of the best things to make with apples after a harvest!
Let’s get fresh
If you’re like us, it’s hard to wait too long after the apple picking fun is over to get into the kitchen. Plan a little party or staycation with your friends and serve some of these recipes for freshly picked apples:
- Vegan apple pie oatmeal
- Brie, fig, and apple grilled cheese
- Hasselback apples
- Apple Dutch baby
- Apple cinnamon pie cups
- Apple cinnamon pancakes
- Butternut squash and apple soup
- Chickpea, sweet potato and apple farro salad
- Apple cider sangria (woohoo!)
- Carrot apple juice (if you're healthy like that!)
- Loaded apple slices (great snack for kids)
Bakers, start your engines
We like to gather baking recipes for two reasons. One, because nothing gets rid of the stinky smell of a bunch of fall hikers in the house like an oven full of apple pie, and two, because baked goods can be frozen and stored for months! Raise your hand if you like the sound of apple muffins in the spring! On your mark, get set, bake:
- Apple pie (uhm, duh!)
- Apple crumble with vanilla ice cream
- Glazed apple crumb muffins (freeze them!)
- Apple cider donuts
- Caramel apple brownies
- Cinnamon apple monkey bread (freeze it!)
- Apple cinnamon rolls (freeze please!)
- Apple turnovers
- Apple cinnamon pancakes (iHop could never)
- Cinnamon baked apples (easy peasy)
- Apple spice mug cake (so quick!)
Preserving the magic
Perhaps the most sustainable and savvy way to enjoy these babies is to choose recipes that preserve your apples. These options are great for reusing in recipes later, or enjoying throughout the course of a long winter:
- Can them! (Either in slices, or as apple pie filling!)
- Apple jam
- Apple butter
- Apple chutney
- Cut and freeze them
- Crockpot applesauce
- Hot apple cider (to enjoy fresh, or store for later)
- Apple juice (you can do it without a juicer!)
- Apple cider vinegar (don't waste scraps!)
- Apple salsa (whaaaaat!)
- Dehydrate them (apple chips)
- Crockpot applesauce
Get crafty!
Lastly, if you’re tired of eating all your apples and want some low-budget fun for yourself or the kiddos, why not try a craft? Here are some fun ideas just to get you started:
- Make and decorate caramel apples (always a classic)
- Give a basket to a friend or neighbor, with a handmade card attached
- Make the birds happy with an apple bird feeder
- Apple printing craft (art for the home!)
- Decorative cinnamon and spice garland
- Do one of these fun apple science experiments!
Feeling inspired? We hope you are! To keep these fall delights as fresh as possible while you make your plans and assemble your various ingredients and tools, make sure to store them in the coldest part of your refrigerator and away from onions and garlic (stinky!) as well as potatoes as they release a gas as they age which causes apples to spoil. You can wrap each apple in paper to delay ripening as well! Now get out there, and make the most of the delightful season.
Sources:
https://appleforthat.stemilt.com/theres-an-apple-for/long-storage/
https://theeverymom.com/recipes-to-make-after-apple-picking/
https://www.growforagecookferment.com/12-ways-to-preserve-apples/
https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/apple-recipes-to-make-after-you-pick-them