ByAcademy of Culinary NutritionLast updated onReading Time: 11 minutes
A crisp, fresh apple is one of life’s sweetest pleasures. We adore biting into a gleaming apple, or crunching on apple slices for a quick and easy snack. With apple season now in full swing, you might be looking for inventive ways to use apples and novel apple recipes. We’ve got all the apple inspiration for you here, guaranteed to keep this produce staple exciting!
Health Benefits of Apples
Apples are a powerful food with a multitude of culinary nutrition benefits. They are rich in:
Antioxidants that help protect us from cellular damage
Apples are widely available, budget-friendly and can last for a long time when stored properly. All in all they are an incredible fruit for any kitchen!
How to Choose Apples
You can find apples at the grocery store year-round, and they will typically taste fresh all year long with good storage. That being said, peak apple season here in North America is August through November – during this time, you’ll find the freshest apples at local markets (or you can go apple picking yourself!).
Choose apples that are:
bright
firm and smooth
unblemished and unbruised
smell fresh and fruity
If your market or grocery store has imperfect produce, you may be able to find gently bruised, scarred or misshapen apples at a great price. We recommend using these apples right away, rather than trying to store and save them long-term. Check out the recipes below for inspiration!
How to Store Apples
In the fridge: Store loosely in the fridge or in a paper bag (ditch the plastic bag). If washing first, dry completely before they are stored.
On the counter: Store in a large bowl for up to a week.
In a pantry/cold storage: If you have a cellar, cold pantry, attached garage or basement, you can store your apples for months. Be sure to choose apples without cuts and bruises, as one bad apple can literally spoil the bunch. Wrap each apple individually, so they’re not touching each other, for long-lasting storage.
Note: Apples release ethylene gas, which can quicken the ripening of other fruits and veggies (and potentially spoil them). Keep apples away from grapes, onions, avocados, bananas, carrots, potatoes and citrus fruits. Unless, of course you are trying to ripen items faster!
Don’t get us wrong – we love a good gluten-free apple pie as much as the next person, but we also love exploring many other incredible ways to use apples. (Don’t worry, we’ve included apple pie and variations on apple pie below too.)
Try one – or more – of these ideas and apple recipes!
Apple Chips
Thinly slice your apples and bake or dehydrate for a crunchy, satisfying snack.
Cooking and blending apples into applesauce makes their fibres much easier to digest. If you have a strong blender or food processor, you can keep the peel on too for extra nutrition.
Apple cider vinegar (or ACV for short) is an incredible fermented food that you can make yourself if you like fermentation experimentation. And there are tons of different ways to use it.
It doesn’t get much better than a sweet and simple apple stuffed with a tasty filling. This is one of those ways to use apples that will really impress your guests!
This luxurious spread, made from apples simmered down until they are a thick, jammy texture, will become your new favourite substitute for jelly or nut butter.
Ever the versatile culinary ingredient, chia is a great partner for apples. Chia pudding is a make-ahead breakfast or snack that also happens to be great for digestion!
Why should humans be the only one to enjoy apple recipes? Don’t forget about your four-legged friends by whipping up a homemade batch of apple-y treats.
Apples (and pears) may seem like an unconventional pizza topping, but we highly recommend them. The key is slicing them very thinly for the perfect sweet-salty bites.
We normally like to reserve our apples for eating (and to reduce food waste). Yet if you’ve got some extras you simply can’t eat, use or freeze for later, try some fun apple-inspired crafts!
Reading Time: 11 minutes 
