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25+ Healthy Apple Recipes

Consider this your ultimate guide to apples! Everything you need to know about choosing, storing, and using apples in cooking and baking, including some of my favorite healthy apple recipes.

Apple bar with bite taken out of the corner, with text overlay that says 25 healthy apple recipes

While apples are available year-round, there's something extra special about fresh, local apples picked at the peak of ripeness.

Whether you’re picking them yourself or just picking up a peck at your farmers market, if you’re looking for healthy apple recipes to put them to use, I have lots of ideas. But first, let’s cover the basics!

How Do I Choose a Good Apple?

The rules for choosing apples are the same as the rules for most other fruit. You want an apple that feels heavy for its size, with smooth, unbruised skin, and a nice, apple-y aroma.

Where apples differ from peaches and plums is that you want fruit that feels firm, with no give when you squeeze it. Apples come in many colors, but the richer the color, the better; this means they’ve absorbed more sunlight and have a more robust flavor.

As far as size goes, small apples can be just as delicious as larger ones—simply look for the indicators listed above, rather than judging the apples by their size alone.

Tips for Storing Apples

Once you have the perfect apples in hand, it's important to store them properly so they remain fresh for as long as possible. 

It’s best to store apples in the refrigerator, but keep in mind that they release gasses that will cause other produce stored with them to ripen—and eventually spoil. Because of this, apples should be stored in a crisper drawer by themselves, or use an ethylene gas absorber in the drawer if your apples need to share space with other fruits and veggies.

Firm apples like Gala have a much longer storage life than apples like Jonagold, which have a softer texture. You can expect a firm apple to last up to 3 months, while others should be eaten (or used in one of my healthy apple recipes!) within 3 weeks.

If you've sliced or diced your apples, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days. You can keep them from browning by squeezing a bit of lemon juice onto the cut pieces.

The Best Apples for Cooking and Baking

When choosing apples for cooking and baking, you'll want a variety that will hold up to heat without going mushy on you. (The exception to this is if you’re making applesauce; in that case, a combination of softer and firmer apples will give you a nice texture.)

The most popular baking apples include:

  • Granny Smith. The classic! Granny Smith is a popular choice for baking because it's tart, juicy, and holds its shape when cooked.
  • Honeycrisp. This sweet-tart apple has a firm texture, so it retains its shape even after being exposed to heat. If Granny Smith is a little too tart for you, Honeycrisp is a great substitute.
  • Golden Delicious. A milder apple than Granny Smith, this one is great for pies and other baked goods, and its sweet flavor is fabulous when paired with a more tart apple.
  • Pink Lady. This apple is both sweet and tangy, making it an excellent choice for desserts and applesauce.

The Best Apples for Eating Fresh

When you're looking for an apple to snack on, it's all about personal preference. What tastes great to you might not to someone else! Some popular varieties include:

  • Fuji. Fuji apples are crisp, sweet, and larger than many other apples, making them ideal for snacking.
  • Gala. Another sweet option, Gala apples are tender and juicy, with a mild flavor and thin skin that makes them easy to eat.
  • Ambrosia. A unique variety that's sweeter than the average apple, with lower acidity and a texture that’s sometimes described as buttery. Its flavor has a hint of honey and citrus that make it a great snack choice.
  • Honeycrisp. We can’t forget honeycrisp! Yes, it’s great for baking and cooking too, but it’s also an excellent option for eating out of hand thanks to its crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor. There are also a number of tasty apple varieties derived from Honeycrisp, including SweeTango, Riverbelle, and Pazazz.

My Favorite Healthy Apple Recipes

Ready to put your apples to use? Here’s a collection of my favorite healthy apple recipes.

Healthy Apple Breakfast Recipes

Apple Pie Breakfast Parfaits with Granola

Apple Pie Breakfast Parfaits

Start your day the delicious way with these healthy apple pie breakfast parfaits! What could be better than indulging in a morning treat that tastes like dessert, but is actually packed with nutrition?
Check out this recipe
Healthy Granola with Apples & Cinnamon

Maple, Cinnamon & Apple Quinoa Granola

Introducing the ultimate fall granola! It's got all the cozy fall flavors we love, plus apples and crunchy nuts. Use it like a cereal or snack on it as-is!
Apple Pie Overnight Quinoa Recipe

Apple Pie Overnight Quinoa

Who says you can't have apple pie for breakfast? This apple pie overnight quinoa is here to make your mornings tasty and hassle-free. It’s loaded with protein, naturally gluten-free, and vegan too.
Check out this recipe
Apple Pie Quinoa Breakfast Bars -- they taste like decadent apple pie, but are actually healthy and nutritious!

Apple Pie Quinoa Breakfast Bars

Breakfast on the go? I’ve got you covered! No need to stress when you have a batch of these apple pie breakfast bars ready and waiting for you.
Check out this recipe
pouring white glaze over an apple cinnamon muffin

Healthy Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Get ready to fall in love with these apple cinnamon muffins! Flavored with warm cinnamon and finished with a delightful streusel topping, they're the ultimate cozy season treat. 
Check out this recipe
Healthy Banana and Apple Bread

Healthy Cinnamon Apple Banana Bread

This recipe is packed with almond flour and quinoa flour, giving it a major protein boost and making it naturally gluten-free. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, and anytime in between!
Check out this recipe

Apple Pie Quinoa Breakfast Cookies

When you can begin your morning with a cookie for breakfast, you know your day's off to a great start! These apple pie quinoa breakfast cookies are ideal for grabbing on your way out the door.
Check out this recipe
Vegan Quinoa Bake with Apples

Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bake

This mouthwatering quinoa breakfast bake is filled with juicy apples and fall spices. Not only is it unbelievably healthy, but it's also gluten-free, vegan, and packed with protein.
Check out this recipe

Springtime Green Apple Juice

Get an instant boost of energy with this springtime green apple juice! It’s the perfect way to kickstart your day, and it’s amazingly refreshing too.
Apple French toast muffins on plate

French Toast Muffins

Packed with the goodness of cinnamon and apple, these little delights are not only delicious, but also much healthier than your typical French toast recipe. As if that’s not enough, they're a breeze to prepare ahead of time! 
Check out this recipe
Apple, Peanut and Honey Granola Bars

Apple, Peanut + Honey Quinoa Granola Bars

Try these apple, peanut and honey quinoa granola bars for a satisfying grab-and-go snack. Unlike so many homemade granola bars, these are crunchy, so you don’t have to store them in the fridge.
How to make Chunky Cinnamon Applesauce

Homemade Chunky Cinnamon Applesauce

Got a surplus of apples? Don't worry, I’ve got the perfect solution: my easy chunky cinnamon applesauce! You only need 4 ingredients to make it and your whole house will smell like fall.
Check out this recipe
green apple smoothie with hidden veggies

Green Apple Smoothie

Packed with all the good stuff your body craves, this healthy green apple smoothie has fiber, protein, and electrolytes in spades. Now you’re ready to conquer your day!
Check out this recipe
cinnamon apple breakfast quinoa recipe with apples and coconut on top

Cinnamon Apple Quinoa Breakfast

Not only is this breakfast quinoa a healthy gluten-free option, it's also packed with fiber and protein to keep you feeling full and satisfied all morning long. 
Check out this recipe

Nutrient-Packed Apple Meal Ideas

Butternut Squash + Apple Soup -- made with roasted vegetables, rosemary, cinnamon and a ton of other spices! [VEGAN]

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

This butternut squash soup has all the cozy fall vibes! Roasted squash, apples, and fennel come together with a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and herbs to create an irresistible meal.
Check out this recipe
A super simple APPLE + PECAN ARUGULA SALAD topped with herbed cashew cheese and a maple-tahini dressing!

Apple + Pecan Arugula Salad

Peppery arugula, crunchy pecans, and sweet apples create a delicious fall salad full of contrasting flavors and textures.
Apple + Beet Noodle Salad with Candied Pecans and Quinoa - a simple, healthy and flavorful salad that's perfect for fall

Apple + Beet Noodle Salad with Candied Quinoa

Apples and beets pair together beautifully in this show-stopping salad recipe. It's naturally detoxifying too!
A simple fall quinoa salad packed with roasted butternut squash, chopped apples, pecan and spinach!

Fall Quinoa Salad with Butternut Squash and Apples

Sweet, tender roasted butternut squash meets crisp apples in this fall favorite. Customize it with your choice of add-ins!
Check out this recipe

Healthy Apple Dessert Recipes

Easy Gluten-Free Apple Crisp

Gluten-Free Apple Crisp

This gluten-free vegan apple crisp is pretty much the quintessential fall dessert. Just add a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream!
Check out this recipe
Gluten-Free Apple Crumble Bars

Healthy Apple Crumble Bars

They taste like an indulgence, but surprise: these apple crumble bars are gluten-free and naturally sweetened! And unlike so many dessert recipes, the list of ingredients is totally manageable.
Check out this recipe
These VEGAN Apple Pie Energy Bites are the perfect way to avoid that afternoon crash! Healthy, energizing and DELICIOUS!

Apple Pie Energy Bites

Say goodbye to the dreaded afternoon crash with these delightful apple pie energy bites. Not only are these snacks vegan and gluten-free, they’re also seriously tasty. 
Check out this recipe
Spiralized Apple Tart - a healthy and delicious dessert that is also gluten-free and vegan!

Spiralized Apple Tart

This spiralized tart tastes like apple pie, but it’s much healthier—which means you can definitely have a slice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Quinoa Apple Crisp

Slow Cooker Quinoa Apple Crisp

The only thing better than having dinner cooking in your crockpot all day is using it to make dessert! You'll love the tender stewed apples and crunchy topping.
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of sliced fresh apple cake

Gluten-Free Fresh Apple Cake

This gluten-free apple cake is going to be your go-to for fall get-togethers. Packed with wholesome ingredients, it transitions seamlessly from brunch to dessert.
Check out this recipe
serving of vegan pear and apple crisp in a white ceramic bowl with ice cream

Healthy Quinoa Apple Crisp

This rustic fall dessert is easy to put together and it's also healthy enough that you can enjoy it for breakfast. Win!
Check out this recipe
whole apple cake on a platter

Gluten-Free Apple Upside Down Cake

Get ready to turn your dessert world upside down with this amazing gluten-free apple cake! It’s buttery and delicious, and it also looks stunning on a dessert table.
Check out this recipe
Healthy Dutch Apple Pie

Perfect Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Crumb Pie

Who needs a top crust?! Finishing your apple pie with a crumb topping is easier and much more delicious. This recipe is gluten-free and vegan, too.
Check out this recipe

Sea Salt & Chocolate Dipped Apples

Sometimes you want a sweet treat, but you’re not in the mood to make an apple crisp or pie. For all those times, dip some apple slices in chocolate. This easy dessert is healthy, delicious, and hard to resist!
Check out this recipe

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