Uncommon Ways to Use Apples

Are you looking for ways to use apples? You'll enjoy these uncommon, unusual ways to use apples in apple dishes and apple recipes.

Uncommon Ways to Use Apples

Autumn is my favorite season, hands down.

Because I grew up in southern California, I didn't discover the magic of autumn until after I was married and moved to the Midwest.

Crisp fall days, colorful leaves, and apple picking were things I hadn't exxperienced before.

This post was updated in August 2024

While I love apple pie as much as the next person, some years we have a huge harvest of apples from our little fruit orchard and I run out of ideas for using them all.

After canning apple slices and making baked apples and apple jelly, I'm ready for more ways to enjoy them.

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Here are several ideas that you might enjoy too.

Apple pancakes

Here's a healthy recipe for Apple Pancakes from the Rosevine Cottage Girls. The combination of organic and healthy ingredients make tasty pancakes with an apple slice inside each one.

Try them for a special weekend breakfast.

Healthy dehydrated apple crisps

Use a mandolin to slice apples very thinly, then bake them for Healthy Apple Crisps.

They're sure to please kids and adults alike, and even if you eat the whole bunch, it's still good for you!

Apple vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is good for so many things: use it in vinaigrette, as an arthritis remedy, and as a hair rinse.

Did you know you can make your own apple vinegar at home?

It isn't exactly apple cider vinegar, since it's made from apple juice rather than cider, but it's just as healthy and it's kind of fun to make.

I feel very "pioneer-y" when I make my own vinegar from scratch with apples each year.

Even better, this homemade vinegar can be made with the apple peels and cores that are left over from making other dishes. Get my FREE ebook about making vinegar here.

Sweet and crunchy apple celery salad

A bowl of apple celery salad, with apple halves and walnuts on the side

For an alternative side dish, prepare and enjoy a sweet and crunchy shredded apple and celery salad with chopped walnuts in a simple creamy mayo dressing.

Apple pie latte

With this best-ever apple pie latte, you can combine your love of coffee and your love of apple pie.

You'll save a fortune on specialty coffee drinks when you make your own in the comfort of your own home.

Easy Apple Crumble Scones

A pan of apple crumble scones on a white washed table

These apple crumble scones have a crunchy cookie-like topping that makes them taste like apple crisp in scone form, but it's the tangy apple glaze that really takes them over the top!

Simmering potpourri

You can make this fragrant simmering potpourri from apple slices or from apple peels and cores, combined with other spices and herbs.

Package it up in pretty bags tied with ribbons and tags and give them as stocking stuffers or gift tie-ons to friends and family. It would make a nice little hostess gift too.

Then add your potpourri to a saucepan of simmering water and fill your home with the fragrant scent of fall.

Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts

Homemade apple donuts shine as a delightful treat year-round but become particularly appealing as summer fades into the cooler, cozy days of fall.

These Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts, featuring a soft, pillowy interior and a sweet, crunchy exterior, are crafted with applesauce which infuses them with a moist, rich flavor.

They are perfect alongside your morning coffee or served warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, making them a versatile and irresistible snack for any time of day.

Canned apple pie filling with Clear Jel

Did you know you can can apple pie filling?

Normally you're not supposed to can pie filling that contains thickeners like flour or cornstartch, but this recipe uses Clear Jel instead of flour, and it's safe to preserve the pie filling by water-bath canning.

Now all you have to do when you want an apple pie for dessert is to make a crust (here's how to make a pie crust the easy way), open a jar and add the pie filling, then top with another crust or crumble and bake.

Delicious!

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