I've got apples on the brain! And rightly so.
If you read yesterday's post with a recipe for Apple Pie Overnight Oats, you already know about some of the amazing health benefits of apples. And since it's apple season, I thought I'd round up some of my favourite apple recipes from The Muffin Myth and around the web.
One of my favourites hands down is this No Frills Apple Butter. So many apple butter recipes have lots of added sugar, which is so unnecessary with sweet, in season apples. This one uses nothing but apples, a bit of water, and time.
These gluten free Apple Pie Pancakes from my friend Kellie's blog use a new to me ingredient: chestnut flour. But don't worry if you can't find it, she lists alternatives for the GF flour mix and the chestnut flour. Check it out!
This recipe for Whole Wheat Ricotta Muffins with Cinnamon Roasted Apples is probably one of my favourite muffin recipes of all time. Moist, tender, and naturally sweetened, they're pretty much perfect.
How about this Apple and Honey Tart with a beautiful spelt crust from London Bakes?
For a quick and simple breakfast I love this Grated Apple and Yoghurt Breakfast Bowl with chia, oats, and maple syrup. So good. So easy.
If it's cake you're looking for, try this Apple Pie Bundt Cake from The Pancake Princess.
These Baked Apple Ginger Snap Granola Stacks from Connoisseurus Veg look dreamy!
Orrrrr, try these Spiced Apple Carrot Muffins from The Roasted Root.
Does an Apple a day keep the doctor away? Well, they’re definitely good for your heart. Apples boast well-documented cardiovascular benefits. These benefits are associated with the water-soluble fiber (pectin) content, and the polyphenol mixture in most apples. Both total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol are decreased through regular intake of apples. Another health benefit of apple consumption is blood sugar regulation. This occurs in a number of ways, including reduction of glucose absorption, slowing down of carbohydrate digestion, stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin, and stimulating insulin receptors so that more sugar flows out of our bloodstream and into our cells. Apples also appear to have anti-cancer benefits when it comes to breast, colon, and lung cancer. Apples are a good source of fiber (both soluble in the form of pectin, and insoluble), and vitamin C. The nutrients in apples are concentrated skin, so buy organic, give them a good wash, and keep the skin on whenever possible.
Kathryn
Thanks for the link love Katie! I don't actually use apples that much in my cooking/baking but this has given me some really great inspiration to change that up.
Katie Trant
You're welcome, Kathryn! It's a great recipe. I love baking with apples in the autumn. I can't wait to get my hands on a big stash and really get down to business.
kellie@foodtoglow
I hate to admit it but apples aren't the first fruit I reach for in the fruit bowl. I more a citrus and stone-fruit gal. I think because I grew up in Florida - a state not known for apple growing - I never really tasted good apples. But I have grown to appreciate the varied tastes and textures of apples, favouring sharp and very crisp ones. This is great post to whet the appetite for enjoying apples in various ways.Thanks for linking to one of my few apple recipes. I really must stop being lazy and make some apple butter.
Katie Trant
Ah, and I grew up with an apple tree in my back yard! Still I love the stone fruits, but apples mean autumn to me. Definitely make yourself some apple butter, you won't regret it!
Alissa
I've got apples on the brain too! I just bought a bunch to start playing around with in the kitchen - I love all of these ideas. Thanks for the inspiration and thank you so much for including my ginger snap granola snacks!
Katie Trant
You're welcome! What a great recipe! I can't wait to see what you come up with from your latest bunch of apples.
Devi
Katie, does the apple butter work with the super-sour-Swedish apples?? Our tree is FULL with apples and I'm regularly picking them up off the ground as well. I made a large batch of apple sauce yesterday, but it had to be sweetened (I use honey) or it was like eating lemons. Mouth-puckeringly sour. Do you think after cooking for 8 hours it would be less sour? Or would I still have to sweeten it?
Katie Trant
Hmm. The apple butter recipe I included in this roundup was actually made with Swedish apples that I had foraged, but perhaps a different variety as I didn't find them too sour. If yours are too sour for apple sauce you might need to include a little sweetener, or perhaps throw some dates or prunes into the mix to sweeten it up a bit.
Deena kakaya
A tasty list as abundant as those lovely apples, loving the idea of incorporating them in tantalising breakfasts that feel like deserts! X
Katie Trant
Me too! So many great breakfast options when it comes to apples. I should have included some savory too, but I just love the sweet apple goodness this time of year!