Apples are one of my favorite parts of fall! They’re sweet, crunchy, and oh so good for you. So, for #NationalAppleDay, I wanted to share the amazing health benefits of apples, along with some of my favorite apple recipes.
Health Benefits of Apples
We’ve all heard the phrase, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But why? What about apples make them so good for you?
- They have a lot of fiber. One medium apple has four grams of fiber, which is critical for digestive health and keeps you feeling full.
- They’re good for your heart. Apples have actually been linked to a lower risk for heart disease. They contain soluble fiber, which lowers cholesterol, and polyphenols, which have antioxidant effects.
- They help whiten teeth. Biting and chewing an apple helps reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth, along with tooth decay. Who knew?
- They can help curb cancer. Several compounds found in apple peel have anti-growth properties for several types of cancer cells. And the flavonols found in apples can reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer by 23%.
- They help with weight loss. Apples are low in calories but filling, which means that you may eat less of other foods during the day.
- They’re hydrating. Apples are 85% water! Why not get hydrated and eat a yummy snack at the same time?
- They’re full of vitamins. Apples contain both Vitamin C and Potassium.
- They’re anti-aging. The Vitamin C in apples helps keep both your hair and skin healthy and other nutrients fight acne and skin irritation.
Apple Recipes
Apples are delicious as a snack or for breakfast all by themselves. But I also love incorporating apples into dishes and using their sweet crunch to bring out the flavor of other foods. Here are some of my favorite, healthy apple recipes:
1. Apple Walnut Feta Salad
This salad is perfect for lunch or, if you throw some grilled chicken on top, a light dinner. The sweet apples, tart cranberries, salty nuts, and creamy feta balance each other out.
2. Apple Pie Protein Bites
I love making protein bites. They’re the perfect filling snack, post-workout energy source, or grab-and-go breakfast. These are hearty and crunchy; I love that you can see the chunks of apple inside!
3. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
This oatmeal brings to the table all the warm, comforting fall flavors of apple pie. But, thanks to whole grain oats and maple syrup as the sweetener, it’s a lot healthier!
4. Apple Crumble Bars
These bars are delicious and the perfect addition to any party (or just to eat for dessert)! Plus, they’re naturally both gluten- and dairy-free.
5. Apple Cinnamon Muffins
These muffins are sweet without being too sweet – a great breakfast choice! They’re reminiscent of morning glory muffins and have a nutty flavor thanks to the whole wheat flour.
6. Harvest Chicken Skillet
Apples aren’t just for dessert! This one-pot skillet features chicken, sweet potatoes, Brussel sprouts, apples, sweet potatoes, and bacon. It’s a great blend of all things fall.
7. Pork Chops with Apples
Pork chops and apples are a classic combination. I love the addition of dijon mustard, which adds a kick.
8. Cinnamon Apple Chips
These cinnamon apple chips are one of my favorite snacks. I typically don’t add the sugar on top – the apples are sweet enough by themselves!
9. Fall Apple and Cheese Board
Cheese boards are great because they’re so customizable. You can throw one together with items from your fridge and take it to a Thanksgiving potluck or book club get-together. Or, you can just keep it around for healthy snacks or a light lunch.
10. Apple Peanut Butter Smoothie
Apples and peanut butter turned into a healthy breakfast smoothie. Make sure you add the collagen – it’s such a great ingredient! Learn more about how I use collagen in smoothies.
11. Mulled Apple Cider
Apple cider is so warming when the temperatures start to drop. This one ties in other great holiday flavors, like cranberries and oranges, and is perfect with or without the addition of bourbon!
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What are your favorite ways to use apples? Let me know in the comments!
Under Flowery Sky says
I love apples, the queen of the fruits as my father
says. Thanks for the recipes..
Hello Whitney says
Me, too! I love that phrase – the queen of the fruits <3
Alli Smith says
I love apples. I like to eat them raw (Honeycrisp is my favorite)and I love recipes that center around apples. I see several recipes I want to try.
Hello Whitney says
I love Honeycrisp apples as well! They’re so wonderfully sweet <3
Amber Myers says
These all sound amazing. I just love apples, especially apple desserts. I currently have so many apples in the fridge.
Hello Whitney says
Me, too! Hope you enjoy some of these 🙂
HEENA says
Wow, gLAD TO FIND SO MANY RECIPES THAT CAN BE MADE BY USING APPLES. i LOVE TO HAVE APPLE AS PART OF MY DIET PLAN AND I AM SURE I CAN ADD SOME OF THIS TO MY DIET. THANKS FOR SHARING.
Hello Whitney says
Hope you enjoy them! Apples are SO good for you!
Rena says
This is so funny! I literally just walked in the door because i ran over to North Carolina to get some more apples. We love them at our house. We love that we can go straight to the orchard to get them.
Hello Whitney says
Oh, that’s wonderful! I love apple picking in the fall <3
Melanie says
I love apples, especially this time of the year. There is the something about a sweet seasonal Apple that can’t be beat!
Hello Whitney says
Absolutely. They’re the best this time of year!
Brianne Tursi Manz says
Thanks for sharing these amazing apple recipes. Our family loves apples, and I now love them even more for their health benefits.
Hello Whitney says
So glad you enjoyed them!
robin rue says
I am a huge fan of apple recipes. I am always down for an apple pie!
Hello Whitney says
Same! Apple pie is the best <3
Pam says
Apples being in season is my favorite thing about fall. They’re delicious and so good for you. super versatile too.
Hello Whitney says
In-season apples are SO much better, especially if they’re locally-grown <3
Sarah Bailey says
All those APple recipes they sound incredible and i want to try them all. There is definitely Something about apPles.
Hello Whitney says
I hope you love them, Sarah! Applies have such a wonderful quality to them 🙂
Brittany Poulson says
Okay – all of these recipes look so good! I kept scrolling thinking “that looks good” one after another. PLus – you can’t deny the health benefits. I guess I have to make some of these recipes for my health! 😉
Hello Whitney says
I’m so glad you love them, Brittany! The health benefits ARE undeniable, aren’t they?
Chef Dennis says
Apple really has a lot of benefits to your body. we should at least eat an apple a day. Those apple recipes all look sooo delicious!
Hello Whitney says
They definitely do! Hope you enjoy these!
nancy l says
I love all the benefits of eating apples!
I have an apple orchard in the front of my house and am bookmarking this post so that i can try All of these recipes!! i can’t wait to try the protein bites!
Hello Whitney says
Oh, how wonderful to have an orchard so close! Thanks for reading! <3
Lynndee says
AS the saying goes, “an apple a day, keeps the doctor away.” 🙂 Great list of apple recipes. They all look delicious!
Hello Whitney says
Absolutely! Who knew that was such a true statement? 🙂
Karen Morse says
One of my absolute favorite fruits. I think apples are awesome and it’s nice that we can enjoy them in so many different recipes. It’s definitely packed with a lot of health benefits!
Hello Whitney says
Same here! They have SO many different applications!
Sam @ The Haunted housewife says
Cinnamon aPples are such a fall thing, i love them! My favorite treat are caramel apples. So yummy
Hello Whitney says
Ooh, both of those sound wonderful right now!
Rachel says
I love that my DAUGHTER constantly snacks on apples. She doesn’t finish it but it is still a better snack.
Hello Whitney says
It’s absolutely a wonderful snack! Great job, mom!
Kathy says
My family really enjoys apples. It’s probably one of our favorite fruits. We always have them in the house. These all look like amazing recipes too.
Hello Whitney says
Same here! Hope you enjoy the recipes 🙂
Tiffany La Forge-Grau says
Apples are one of my favorite things to snack on. They are delicious and packed with energy providing nutrients!
Hello Whitney says
I agree! They’re both delicious AND good for you – can’t beat that!
kelly says
Wow, those look amazing and I cannot wait to try some!
Hello Whitney says
Hope you enjoy them!
JANNA says
I LOVE JUST EATING APPLES PLAIN WITH THEIR SKIN OR WITH SOME ALMOND BUTTER. THE SKIN HAS ALL THE GREAT FIBER IN IT. TASTY, HEALTHY AND FILLING.
Hello Whitney says
Absolutely – the skin is the best part for you! I haven’t tried them with almond butter – I’ll do that!
Farrah Less says
I agree APPLE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE FRUIT. I LIKE Fuji APPLE SALAD WITH APPLE DRESSING. I USED aPPLE CIDER VINEGARD FOR MY FISH DIP. sO MANY HEALTH BENEFITS.
Hello Whitney says
Ooh, yum! I’ll have to give that Fuji apple salad a try!
Marysa says
We pick a LOT of apples in the fall, and it is nice to have some good recipes to try. I do try to eat a bunch of fresh apples, and especially as the apples start to get old, it is good to cook with them instead.
Hello Whitney says
We pick a lot in the fall as well – apple picking is so much fun! Hope you enjoy these recipes 🙂
Terri Steffes says
What a great group of apple recipes. I love apples, and I loved the reminder of how good they are for us. My husband eats apples all day long!
Hello Whitney says
Hope you love them! That’s such a great thing to snack on 🙂
Beth says
All of these recipes look so good! We picked some apples, but have just been eating them whole. I’ll have to make some of these dishes.
Hello Whitney says
Thanks! Hope you enjoy!
Melanie Walsh says
I adore the flavors of fall, from pumpkin to brussel sprouts to apples. Knowing the health benefits of apples makes it even clearer why we’ve been told an apple a day will keep the doctor away. Plus, they’re incredibly delicious.
Hello Whitney says
I absolutely agree! I think brussel sprouts get such a bad reputation – they’re delicious roasted or shredded in a salad!
Ruth I says
Some delicious recipes that I would love to try! I didn’t know apple has so many benefits. I should start eating more of it!
Hello Whitney says
They’re SO good for you! Hope you enjoy!
debra lord says
Love gala apples! Defin going to try several of these for our Fall Festival!
Hello Whitney says
Me too – they’re so sweet and tasty!
Ciera says
I love apples! ThEse recipes look so gOod!
Hello Whitney says
Thanks, Ciera!