No other seasonal fruit is quite as beloved as apples are. Outside of pumpkin spice, apples are essential to tons of autumn recipes and traditions. Where would we be without apple pie on Thanksgiving, apple cider donuts, and the vibrant sheen of candy apples for Halloween? Few other activities are as fun as apple picking, which means you're probably in possession of more apples than you know what to do with.
Apple pie might be the most famous of red delicious apple recipes, but there are loads of other creative ways to use this juiciest of fruits. Red delicious apples are known for their sweet, but mild flavor, but often get overlooked in recipes. Don't write off the unique taste of this apple when making both sweet and savory creations in the kitchen.
We've put together 20 of the best red delicious apple recipes you can find. There are brand-new takes on favorites like shredded apple pie and apple cake, along with staples like apple cider and apple butter. Don't forget to include these apples in savory dishes like pork chops and red apple coleslaw. There is no shortage of what you can do with red delicious apples, so let's start right now!
Shredded Apple Pie
Life in the Lofthouse
Apple pie is a go-to among apple desserts, but this recipe has an especially creative twist. Although apple slices or chunks are typically used in apple pie, this dessert takes it to another level by shredding the apple pie filling. Serve with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce for the perfect caramel-apple dessert.
Apple Crumble
Cafe Delites
Apple Crumble is another classic apple recipe favorite during both fall and winter. This delectable recipe is made with tender apples, a buttery oatmeal crumble, and a hint of cinnamon brown sugar. While you can use other varieties like golden delicious, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith apples, red delicious apples have the mildly sweet flavor perfect for an apple crumble.
Baked Apples
Tastes Better From Scratch
Baked Apples are an easy recipe when you've got freshly picked apples from the apple orchard or grocery store. Simply fill your apples with a mixture of walnuts, cinnamon, and sugar. Bake the apples until tender and delicious, and serve with a scoop of ice cream. You can also use pecans instead of walnuts if preferred.
Cinnamon Apple Cake
Sweetest Menu
Cinnamon apple cake is another yummy apple dessert, packed with fresh sweet apples and a cinnamon-sugar topping. The drizzle of sweet milk frosting adds an extra luxurious touch. This cinnamon apple cake is one of the best apple desserts because of its light texture and combination of delicious flavors.
Red Delicious Applesauce
Martha Stewart
While we all love a good apple dessert, red delicious apples can be used in many other ways. Store-bought applesauce can't compare to the homemade alternative, which is fresh and full of sweet apple flavor. Made with red delicious apples, sugar, lemon juice, and ground cinnamon, this applesauce is ideal as an alternative to cranberry relish.
Apple Cider
Gimme Some Oven
Another recipe to use up your red delicious apples is apple cider, which includes apples, spices, water, and sweetener. It can be easily prepared in a crock pot or instant pot to enjoy on a chilly fall day. You can even use this delicious concoction to make fall-themed cocktails, like a bourbon apple cider cocktail.
Caramel Apple Butter
Brown Eyed Baker
If homemade applesauce tastes great, making caramel apple butter is twice as nice. It uses plenty of apples, plus a combination of sugars for caramelizing. The flavor of apple pie spice gives it a recognizable fall flavor that can make everything taste better. Use caramel apple butter on muffins, pancakes, pork chops, or as an ice cream topping.
Mom's Fried Apples
Taste of Home
Fried apples seem obvious, but few of us have tried making this unique take on red delicious apple recipes. Apples are sauteed in butter, sugar, and cinnamon as if you're preparing an apple pie. The only difference is that these apples continue to cook until they're super tender. Top them with your favorite ice cream and join us in saying, "Who needs pie?"
Apple Roses
Pepperidge Farm
One of the prettiest ways to use red delicious apples is by transforming them into delicate apple roses. They can be enjoyed on their own or as a decoration for another fabulous fall dessert. This recipe uses frozen puff pastry so all your time can be spent fashioning the most beautiful apple roses possible.
Apple Spinach Salad
Gimme Some Oven
When you need a break from sweet red delicious apple recipes, try making an apple spinach salad. The apples and baby spinach leaves are joined by goat cheese, walnuts, red onion, and dried cranberries. The apple cider vinaigrette brings even more apple to this crunchy and vibrant salad.
Apple Smoothie
Well Plated By Erin
Don't forget to include apples in your favorite morning smoothie this autumn. The hearty apple flavor pairs perfectly with oats, peanut butter, and bananas to bring it all together. With this smoothie under your belt, you'll have the energy to go apple-picking all day!
Apple Crisp Cheesecake
Delish
As the weather cools, let the flavor of apples help create one of the best cheesecakes possible. The graham cracker crust is topped with a cheesecake that uses caramel sauce and cinnamon to warm things up. The apple oat topping will remind you of the season with just one delicious bite.
Chicken Salad With Apples
Budget Bytes
The next time you throw together a chicken salad for those you love, don't forget to include apples. This chicken salad gets creamy with the help of mayonnaise, yogurt, and mustard. Apples bring the flavor with the assistance of onion and dried cranberries for a chicken salad that satisfies.
Red Hot Candy Apples
Nerdy Mamma
Who doesn't love making bright red candy apples for Halloween? This innovative recipe dials it up a notch until they're red hot with cinnamon candies and ground cinnamon. You'll love their vibrant red color (with the help of some red food coloring — don't worry, no one will know but you!)
Pork Chops with Apples and Cider Sauce
Pardon Your French
Many pork chop recipes call for the use of apples but sometimes fall short on flavor and technique. This incredibly easy-to-make recipe for pork chops with apples and cider sauce uses whatever apple you have. The flavorful sauce is made up of apples, hard cider, and an optional touch of cognac. The chops sear in the skillet and are finished off in the oven for sealed-in flavor.
Baked Apple Chips
Plant-Based on a Budget
Instead of reaching for potato chips or corn chips, try baking some apple chips for your next snack. They slow cook in a 225°F oven for almost two hours to achieve ideal crispiness and cinnamon-sugar flavor. They're low in sugar and fat, so you can put fall flavors into even more of your favorite treats.
Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
Creme de la Crumb
What goes better with pancakes covered in maple syrup than apples and cinnamon? The fluffy pancakes are made with cinnamon and topped with apple, butter, maple syrup, and brown sugar. The apple cinnamon pancakes become the ultimate autumn breakfast to make the morning even better!
Sausage and Sage Apple-Stuffed Apples
Food Network
The next time you're thinking of making stuffed peppers for dinner, try swapping them out for apples instead. This surprising recipe fills apples with ingredients like sausage and sage. Additions from golden raisins to Calvados apple brandy and pistachios take it to a whole other level.
Apple Pie Milkshake
Alton Brown
Go where no diner dessert dares to by whipping up your very own apple pie milkshake. It's a great way to use leftover apple pie, along with Applejack brandy, apple cider, and vanilla ice cream. The result is something so special you may want to save this one for special occasions (or enjoy every single day!)
Red Apple Coleslaw
Epicurious
This red apple coleslaw transforms into one of the most creative red delicious apple recipes for every day. With red cabbage mayonnaise, and celery seeds, the sweet, tangy apple flavor finds the best home. It's a hearty snack or light lunch, depending on how often you indulge, but satisfies either way.
