30 Best Apple Recipes For Fall Baking Season

30 Best Apple Recipes For Fall Baking Season

Let’s be honest—fall isn’t really about pumpkin spice lattes. (Sorry, Starbucks.) It’s about apples. Crisp, tart, juicy, caramel-dripping apples. The kind that make your kitchen smell like a cozy cabin in Vermont… even if you live in an apartment with zero windows and a neighbor who yells at their cat at 7 a.m.

I used to think apple pie was the king of fall baking. Then I tried apple cider donuts. Then apple crisp with oat crumble so crunchy it made my teeth happy. Then I baked an apple cake that tasted like autumn in a loaf pan—and I cried. Not because it was sad. Because it was that good.

If you’re ready to ditch the same old recipes and dive into a season full of buttery, spiced, sugary apple magic—here are 30 best apple recipes for fall baking season. No fluff. No filler. Just pure, delicious, oven-warmed comfort.

1. Classic Buttery Apple Pie (The OG)

You can’t skip this. Not even if you hate pie.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pie crusts (homemade or store-bought—no judgment)
  • 6 cups peeled, sliced Granny Smith apples
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp butter, cubed

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Toss apples with sugar, flour, spices, and lemon juice.
  3. Line bottom crust in pie dish. Add filling. Dot with butter. Top with second crust. Seal, vent.
  4. Bake 50–60 mins until golden. Let cool. Eat with ice cream.

Pro tip: Brush top crust with milk + sprinkle turbinado sugar. That crunch? Non-negotiable.

2. Apple Cider Donuts (Soft, Spiced, Glazed)

These aren’t just donuts. They’re edible fall hugs.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp cloves
  • ½ cup apple cider (reduced by half on stove)
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • Glaze: powdered sugar + 2 tbsp apple cider

Instructions:

  1. Reduce cider on stove until syrupy (~10 mins). Cool.
  2. Mix dry ingredients. Whisk wet. Combine.
  3. Spoon into greased donut pan. Bake 10–12 mins.
  4. Dip warm donuts in glaze. Eat immediately.

FYI: If you skip reducing the cider? You get soggy donuts. And no one wants that. 😬

3. Apple Crisp with Oat Crunch Topping

The easiest dessert that still feels fancy.

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups sliced apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji work great)
  • ½ cup oats
  • ½ cup flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup cold vegan butter or regular butter

Instructions:

  1. Layer apples in baking dish.
  2. Mix oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly.
  3. Sprinkle over apples. Bake 35–40 mins at 350°F.

Personal take: I eat this cold for breakfast. My dog judges me. I don’t care.

4. Apple Fritters (Crispy Outside, Soft Inside)

Think donut meets apple pie. In fryer form.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups diced apples
  • Oil for frying

Instructions:

  1. Whisk dry ingredients. Add wet. Fold in apples.
  2. Heat oil to 350°F. Drop spoonfuls in. Fry 2–3 mins per side.
  3. Roll in cinnamon sugar while hot.

Rhetorical question: Why do these taste better when eaten straight out of the oil? Because physics is a lie. And joy is real.

5. Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze

Moist. Dense. Perfect with coffee.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ¾ cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup grated apples (peeled!)
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
  • Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp apple cider

Instructions:

  1. Mix dry ingredients. Whisk wet. Fold in apples and nuts.
  2. Pour into greased bundt pan. Bake 50 mins at 350°F.
  3. Poke holes, pour glaze over warm cake.

I’ve served this at Thanksgiving. Twice. Both times someone asked for the recipe… then stole the pan.

6. Apple Hand Pies (Portability Wins)

Perfect for lunchboxes, road trips, or sneaking into meetings.

Ingredients:

  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
  • 2 cups diced apples
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)

Instructions:

  1. Cut pastry into squares.
  2. Fill each with apple mixture. Fold into triangles. Seal edges.
  3. Brush with egg wash. Bake 20 mins at 400°F.

Bonus: Dust with powdered sugar after cooling. Looks like a bakery item. Tastes like rebellion.

7. Slow Cooker Apple Butter

It’s not jam. It’s liquid gold.

Ingredients:

  • 4 lbs apples, peeled & chopped
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ½ cup apple cider

Instructions:

  1. Put everything in slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low 8–10 hours, stirring occasionally.
  3. Blend until smooth. Jar and refrigerate.

Use it on: Toast. Yogurt. Pancakes. Ice cream. Your finger. (No shame.)

8. Apple Pie Bars (No Crust Stress)

All the flavor. Zero rolling pin drama.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 3 cups sliced apples
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

  1. Mix 1½ cups flour, ½ cup sugar, butter. Press into pan. Bake 15 mins.
  2. Toss apples with remaining sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon. Spread over base.
  3. Bake another 30 mins. Cool. Cut. Done.

IMO: These are the reason I own two baking sheets.

9. Apple Cinnamon Muffins (With Streusel)

Because breakfast shouldn’t suck.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup oil
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 cup grated apples
  • Streusel: ¼ cup flour + 2 tbsp sugar + 1 tbsp butter + pinch cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Mix dry ingredients. Add wet. Fold in apples.
  2. Spoon into muffin tin. Top with streusel.
  3. Bake 20–25 mins at 350°F.

Truth: I freeze these. One at a time. So I can pretend I’m being “good.”

10. Apple Galette (Rustic = Beautiful)

No pie plate? No problem.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pie crust (store-bought is fine)
  • 4 cups thinly sliced apples
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 egg (for shine)

Instructions:

  1. Roll crust on parchment. Arrange apples in center. Fold edges over.
  2. Brush crust with egg wash. Dot with butter.
  3. Bake 35–40 mins at 375°F.

Why I love it: It looks like you spent all day. You didn’t. You’re a wizard.

11. Apple Scones (Buttery, Flaky, Irresistible)

Better than Starbucks. I swear.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup cold butter
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup diced apples
  • Coarse sugar for topping

Instructions:

  1. Cut butter into dry mix. Add cream, egg, vanilla. Fold in apples.
  2. Pat into circle. Cut into wedges.
  3. Bake 18–20 mins at 400°F.

Pro tip: Sprinkle coarse sugar before baking. That crunch? Worth every calorie.

12. Apple Walnut Bread

A slice tastes like walking through an orchard in October.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup grated apples
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions:

  1. Mix dry. Whisk wet. Combine. Fold in apples and nuts.
  2. Pour into loaf pan. Bake 55–60 mins at 350°F.

I’ve given this as gifts. People cried. Not from sadness. From joy.

13. Apple Cheddar Scones (Yes, Cheese. Trust Me.)

Sweet + salty = genius.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup cold butter
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
  • 1 cup diced apples

Instructions:
Same as above. Just swap sugar for cheese. Bake. Eat. Repeat.

Rhetorical question: Why does cheddar make apples taste more… alive?

14. Apple Spice Cookies

Chewy. Spiced. Perfect with tea.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ginger
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ cup butter
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup finely grated apples

Instructions:

  1. Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla.
  2. Mix dry. Fold in apples.
  3. Scoop onto tray. Bake 10–12 mins at 350°F.

Note: These spread. So leave space. Or they’ll become one giant apple cookie. Which… honestly? Still delicious.

15. Apple Tart with Almond Cream

Looks fancy. Easy as pie.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pre-made tart shell
  • ½ cup almond paste
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 3 cups thinly sliced apples
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Beat almond paste, egg, sugar. Spread in shell.
  2. Arrange apples on top. Sprinkle cinnamon and lemon.
  3. Bake 35 mins at 350°F.

I served this at a dinner party. Someone asked if I hired a pastry chef. I said yes. I lied.

16. Apple & Pear Crumble Tart

Double fruit. Double delight.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pre-baked tart crust
  • 2 cups sliced apples
  • 1 cup sliced pears
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup oats
  • ¼ cup flour
  • ¼ cup butter

Instructions:

  1. Layer fruit in crust. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon.
  2. Mix oats, flour, butter. Crumble over top.
  3. Bake 30 mins at 350°F.

Fun fact: Pears soften faster than apples. So slice them thinner. Or they’ll be too mushy.

17. Maple-Baked Apples

Simple. Sweet. Soul-soothing.

Ingredients:

  • 4 large apples (Fuji or Honeycrisp)
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • ¼ cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

  1. Core apples. Fill cavity with syrup, cinnamon, butter, nuts.
  2. Place in baking dish with ½ inch water.
  3. Bake 35–40 mins at 375°F.

Best served with: Vanilla ice cream. Always.

18. Apple Pie Smoothie Bowl

Breakfast disguised as dessert.

Ingredients:

  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1 cup frozen apples
  • ½ cup oat milk
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • Toppings: granola, sliced apple, drizzle of honey

Instructions:
Blend everything until thick. Pour into bowl. Decorate like art.

I ate this while wearing pajamas at noon. No regrets.

19. Apple Cider Syrup (For Everything)

Make it once. Use it forever.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups apple cider
  • ½ cup brown sugar

Instructions:
Simmer on medium-low until reduced to 1 cup (~45 mins). Cool. Store in jar.

Use it on: Pancakes. Oatmeal. Whipped cream. Your morning coffee.

FYI: This is why I keep three jars in my fridge. Always.

20. Apple Fudge Brownies

Rich. Chewy. With hidden apple chunks.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup flour
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup finely diced apples

Instructions:

  1. Melt butter. Whisk in sugar, eggs, vanilla.
  2. Add dry ingredients. Fold in apples.
  3. Bake 25–30 mins at 350°F.

Secret: The apples make them moist. No one guesses they’re there. Until they ask, “How do these stay so soft?”

21. Apple Cinnamon Rolls (From Scratch)

They take time. But ohhhhhhh.

Ingredients:

  • Dough: yeast, flour, milk, butter, sugar, egg
  • Filling: ½ cup brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, ¼ cup melted butter
  • Glaze: powdered sugar + 2 tbsp milk

Instructions:
Roll dough thin. Spread filling. Roll up. Slice. Proof 1 hour. Bake 20 mins. Drizzle glaze.

Warning: These will ruin store-bought rolls for you forever.

22. Apple Rice Pudding

Comfort in a bowl. Warm. Creamy. Nostalgic.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup short-grain rice
  • 3 cups milk
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup diced apples
  • Pinch of nutmeg

Instructions:
Simmer rice in milk until creamy (~45 mins). Stir in sugar, apples, spices.

Eat it cold or warm. Both are perfect.

23. Apple & Ginger Loaf

Zesty. Spicy. Bold.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup oil
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup grated apples
  • 2 tbsp fresh grated ginger

Instructions:
Mix. Pour. Bake 50 mins.

This one’s my go-to when I need to feel alive again.

24. Apple Pie Pop-Tarts (Homemade)

Childhood nostalgia. Upgraded.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pie crusts
  • 2 cups apple filling (from recipe #1)
  • 1 egg (wash)
  • Powdered sugar glaze

Instructions:
Cut crusts into rectangles. Fill. Seal edges. Bake 15 mins. Glaze.

I’ve gifted these to coworkers. They’ve cried. I’ve taken photos.

25. Apple Turnovers

Flaky. Juicy. Portable perfection.

Same as hand pies—but fold into triangles.

Bonus: Freeze unbaked turnovers. Bake straight from freezer. Add 5–7 mins.

26. Apple Cinnamon Granola

Crunchy. Sweet. Great with yogurt.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups oats
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • ¼ cup oil
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup dried apples, chopped

Instructions:
Mix. Spread on tray. Bake 25 mins at 300°F, stirring halfway.

Add nuts after baking. Keeps them crisp.

27. Apple Pie Cheesecake

Two desserts. One glorious bite.

Ingredients:

  • Graham cracker crust
  • Cream cheese, sugar, egg, vanilla
  • 1 cup apple pie filling

Instructions:
Bake cheesecake. Swirl in apple filling last 10 mins. Chill overnight.

I’ve been asked to marry this dessert. I declined. But I ate it twice.

28. Apple Dumplings

Southern comfort in a sugar cocoon.

Ingredients:

  • 4 apples, peeled & cored
  • 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup water

Instructions:
Wrap each apple in biscuit dough. Place in dish. Mix sugar, cinnamon, butter, water. Pour over. Bake 40 mins.

Serve with vanilla ice cream. Or just a nap.

29. Apple & Caramel Stuffed French Toast

Brunch goals achieved.

Ingredients:

  • Thick bread slices
  • Apple filling (recipe #1, minus crust)
  • Egg-milk batter
  • Caramel sauce

Instructions:
Scoop out center of bread. Fill with apples. Dip in batter. Pan-fry. Drizzle with caramel.

I made this for my ex. He texted me three days later: “Still thinking about that toast.”

30. Apple Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Yes. You read that right.

Ingredients:

  • Homemade or store-bought apple pie filling
  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Chocolate chip cookies (or graham crackers)

Instructions:
Scoop ice cream between two cookies. Add a spoonful of warm apple pie filling. Freeze 2 hours.

This is what dreams are made of. And also my new Halloween treat.

Final Thoughts: Fall Is Short. Bake Like There’s No Tomorrow

Thirty recipes. All easy. All delicious. All screaming “autumn” from your oven.

You don’t need fancy tools. You don’t need Instagram-perfect results. You just need apples. A little sugar. And the willingness to turn your kitchen into a fragrant wonderland.

So grab those Honeycrisps. Preheat that oven. And bake something that makes your heart happy.

And if you’re still sitting there scrolling? Pick one. Right now. Go. Do it.

I’ll wait.

…Done? Good.

Now go make something beautiful. 🍎🍂💛

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