When was the last time an apple recipe interrupted your usual seasonal cooking routine? Here are 19 ways apples step up and give pumpkin a run for its money, covering everything from cozy breakfasts to crowd-pleasing desserts. Apples show off their range in unexpected ways, no pie spice required. Suddenly, pumpkin looks like it’s on vacation while apples handle the work.

A chunk of oozing brie with apple chutney on a board. — Baked Brie with Apple-Ginger Chutney. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins

Fans of breakfast treats will appreciate how Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins combine comforting fruit and a spiced crumb topping for a quick homemade option. Warm apple chunks blend with cinnamon, creating a familiar pairing in each bite that pairs with coffee or tea. You can easily prep these muffins in advance for a grab-and-go breakfast or snack.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins

Turkey & Apple Grilled Cheese

Bringing together unique flavors, Turkey & Apple Grilled Cheese lets melty cheese and crisp apples layer between hearty bread and sliced turkey. Apples give a light crunch that complements the tasty qualities of turkey in every bite. The combination offers a fulfilling hot sandwich you can enjoy for lunch with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Turkey & Apple Grilled Cheese

31 of Chef Jenn's FAVE Casseroles!

Recipes for Comfort-Filled Family Meals

⭐

I've gathered 31 of my favorite casseroles for you and your family to love! I've created and tested each recipe many times, and you can be sure of no AI. Just dependable, scratch-made dishes to dig into!

You'll get ad-free recipes like:

✅ Spaghetti Casserole
✅ Sloppy Joe Casserole
✅ Sausage-Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
✅ Tuna Noodle Casserole.
✅ and so many more!

$7.99 for a limited time!

This is a digital product. You'll receive an instant download link after purchase.

Apple, Date, Walnut Muffins

A cut muffin on a plate. — Apple, Date, Walnut Muffins. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Nut lovers will warm up to Apple, Date, Walnut Muffins for their pairing of diced apples, naturally sweet dates, and walnuts in each baked morsel. The blend provides an interesting balance of textures and flavors that’s perfect for breakfast spreads or afternoon snacks. These muffins come together easily for busy mornings or gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Apple, Date, Walnut Muffins

Apple-Pecan Baked Oatmeal

Enjoy a hearty start with Apple-Pecan Baked Oatmeal, which features tender apples and crunchy pecans baked into wholesome oats. The mixture results in a substantial and filling breakfast that can be made ahead for busy days. It serves well as a main morning dish or divided into portions for meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Apple-Pecan Baked Oatmeal

Retro Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes & Apples

Sliced slow cooker pork roast with sweet potatoes & apples on a white plate. — Retro Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes & Apples. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Family dinners get a boost from Retro Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes & Apples, where pork tenderloin simmers with sweet potatoes and apple chunks for several hours. Apples break down and lend their moisture and a hint of sweetness to the meat, while slow cooking enhances tenderness. This method allows flavors to meld well with little supervision during cooking.
Get the Recipe: Retro Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes & Apples

Puff Pastry Apple Tart

Bringing together simple ingredients, Puff Pastry Apple Tart lays thin slices of apple on a flaky pastry base and bakes up quickly in the oven. Apples soften gently during baking, contrasting nicely with crisp pastry underneath. Prep is straightforward, making it accessible even for those new to pastry work. A little glaze or dusting of sugar offers visual appeal and subtle flavor for guests or family.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Apple Tart

Apple Cheddar Muffins

Breakfast becomes memorable with Apple Cheddar Muffins, which feature mild cheese and pieces of apple baked into soft muffins. The combination offers a tasty twist with fruit notes that work surprisingly well together in each bite. This recipe delivers a reliable option for busy mornings or simple snacks.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cheddar Muffins

4 Ingredient Instant Pot Applesauce

A white ramekin filled with applesauce topped with cinnamon sits on a wooden board next to cinnamon sticks, apples, and an Instant Pot. — 4 Ingredient Instant Pot Applesauce. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

Fans of easy homemade recipes will appreciate how 4 Ingredient Instant Pot Applesauce uses apples, a sweetener, and two more staples for a quick batch. Apples cook down smoothly in the Instant Pot in minutes, producing a natural fruit sauce with little hands-on effort. By skipping extra ingredients, it stays focused on pure apple flavor with subtle sweet notes.
Get the Recipe: 4 Ingredient Instant Pot Applesauce

Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon

Sauerkraut in a serving dish with a spoon. — Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Dinner sides gain interest when Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon combines fermented sauerkraut, crisp bacon, and apple chunks. Apples provide subtle sweetness and moisture to balance out the saltiness of bacon and the tang of sauerkraut. The recipe is low effort yet yields an inviting contrast in flavors and textures.
Get the Recipe: Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon

Dutch Apple Danishes

Morning treats get an upgrade with Dutch Apple Danishes, where spiced apple filling sits on soft pastry swirls. Baking allows apples to become tender and fragrant, integrating well with flaky pastry layers. These danishes work well for breakfast buffets or simple brunches. Powdered sugar or glaze adds finishing touches while focusing attention on the apple-filled centers.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Apple Danishes

Caramel Apple Sheet Cake

A baking tray filled with a layer of chopped apples coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture. — Caramel Apple Sheet Cake. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Dessert fans discover a crowd-pleasing treat in Caramel Apple Sheet Cake, a moist cake baked with bits of apple and a rich caramel topping. Apples add structure and subtle sweetness that pair well with the gooey caramel spread on top. Great for sharing at gatherings, it feeds a crowd with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Sheet Cake

Brown Butter Apple Blondies

Snack tables welcome Brown Butter Apple Blondies, combining nutty brown butter and crisp apple chunks baked into a soft blondie bar. The apples add juiciness and texture that offset the rich butter flavor for a well-balanced dessert. This recipe is easy to cut into squares for lunches or parties. By relying on brown butter and apples, each bite delivers recognizable flavors with comforting appeal.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Apple Blondies

Dutch Apple Pie Squares

Handheld dessert fans will enjoy Dutch Apple Pie Squares, which take favorite pie flavors and layer them into convenient square servings. Apple filling sits beneath a crumb topping and tender base, giving the familiar taste of pie in every slice. These squares are ideal for bake sales or lunchbox treats, as they travel well and require little fuss.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Apple Pie Squares

Roast Pork with Apples

A plate of Pork Roast with Apples on a table. — Roast Pork with Apples. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Serving roast meats stands out with Roast Pork with Apples, where pork is cooked alongside sliced apples, allowing natural fruit juice to infuse into the meat. Apples soften in the oven and mingle with pan juices and spices, enhancing each serving with subtle sweetness. Prep is straightforward, requiring mostly cooking time, with apples providing most of the flavor lift.
Get the Recipe: Roast Pork with Apples

Classic Apple Crisp

Many dessert lovers recognize how Classic Apple Crisp brings together sliced apples under a crunchy oat topping. Baking melds the fruit and topping while filling homes with a pleasing aroma that signals comfort food. This recipe is popular for its minimal ingredients and reliable results, making it accessible to most cooks.
Get the Recipe: Classic Apple Crisp

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

An apple cinnamon roll on a plate with a spoon. — Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Sweet rolls blend fruit and spice in Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls, where cinnamon roll dough is filled with chopped apples and fragrant spices. Baking lets the apples release their sweetness and moisture, merging with sticky cinnamon glaze for a flavor-rich center. Ideal for breakfast or brunch, these rolls can be enjoyed fresh or stored for later.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

Turkey & Apple Panini

Lunchtime gets a new twist with Turkey & Apple Panini, where sliced turkey and crisp apple are pressed between toasted bread. The panini grill brings a lovely crunch to each bite, while apples add moisture and subtle sweetness to complement turkey. Making this hot sandwich takes little effort and offers something different than standard choices.
Get the Recipe: Turkey & Apple Panini

Nanna’s Apple Cake

An apple cake on a white plate with cinnamon sticks. — Nanna’s Apple Cake. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Home bakers make a sentimental treat with Nanna’s Apple Cake, featuring apples layered within soft cake and baked until golden. Pieces of apple offer gentle sweetness and moisture throughout, making it a favorite for family gatherings. The preparation is simple, relying on basic pantry ingredients and fresh apples to create a familiar dessert.
Get the Recipe: Nanna’s Apple Cake

Apple Fritter Bread

Breakfasts showcase a bakery-inspired treat in Apple Fritter Bread, where diced apples and a cinnamon mixture ribbon through soft, quick bread. Each slice offers aromatic flavor and texture that they’re sure to remember from classic fritters. The recipe is straightforward and suits busy mornings, lunchboxes, or coffee breaks.
Get the Recipe: Apple Fritter Bread