08/10/2025

Apple Recipes

Apple recipes, both sweet and savoury, are a great way to make the most of homegrown bounty or even just a few languishing in the fruit bowl. In this post I bring together my favourite apple recipes including scones, tarts, salads, preserves, soups, healthy juices, savouries, and main courses.

This is an updated version of a post first published in 2023

APPLE RECIPES

Autumn is the main British apple season. So what better time to celebrate this versatile fruit by sharing some of my favourite apple recipes?

Looking at the small number of homegrown apples available in supermarkets, it’s hard to believe that Britain once led the world in the number of varieties it grew. According to a survey by the National Trust, England and Wales have seen an 81 percent decline in traditional orchards since the start of the twentieth century.

However, there are hopeful signs of a British apple revival. This can be seen in the birth of the community orchard movement and the growing popularity of Apple Days or Apple Fests. If, during the season, there’s an Apple Day event near you, I highly recommend you go along. You’ll most likely be able to sample some traditional varieties and celebrate the wonderful, versatile apple in all sorts of tasty ways – perhaps cider, cakes, chutneys, and jams. If you have your own apple tree, you can often take along your apples for juicing.

When I went to a local Apple Fest, I must have tried a dozen or more. I brought home three different varieties. The blueish-bloomed Blue Pearmain, Saltcote Pippin, and the Wyken Pippin dating back to 1700.

But you don’t need any special apple varieties to enjoy the apple recipes I’m sharing today. I hope you’ll find plenty to tempt you!

APPLE TART WITH EASY SHORTBREAD CRUST

This impressive looking apple tart is actually very simple. Thinly slice any sweet and tart dessert apple (I used the Pitmaston Pineapple pictured further up) and lay on top of a shortbread-like base. As they cook, they’ll release juices to form a wonderfully chewy crust with toffee apple flavours.

APPLE BUTTER

A traditional, concentrated preserve that doesn’t actually contain butter. Apples are cooked with water, sugar and spices to a thick, jam-like puree. Wonderful on toast, stirred through yogurt or porridge or, made with less sugar, and you can even serve it with cheeses or savoury dishes such as pork.

PORK BRAISED IN CIDER WITH APPLES

Delicious and comforting pork cooked in the oven or Instant Pot until beautifully tender. Along with onions, garlic and sage, apples add their tangy flavour to the rich sauce.

APPLE & CINNAMON SCONES

A British-grown variety often recommended for cooking, and widely available for much of the year, is the Bramley apple. Although they’re known for breaking down during heating, making them ideal for things like apple sauce, my Apple & Cinnamon Scones are baked in just 15 minutes. Which is perfect for tender, fresh-tasting apple pieces to maintain their identity.

CHEESE & APPLE SCONES

A variation on my ever popular Very Cheesy Cheese Scones, these are lovely as a snack or alongside soups. I think the sweet-tart Bramleys are a great pairing with the Cheddar and Parmesan. And who doesn’t like tangy apple with cheese?

CUCUMBER, APPLE & MINT SMOOTHIE

Wonderfully refreshing: cooling cucumber and naturally sweet apple are a perfect combination with the tang of fresh mint and zingy lime juice.

HOMESTEAD EGGS

I found this apple and egg recipe in a booklet published in the 1970s by the British Egg Information Service. It may sound strange but it really does work! Onions, apple and bacon are sauteed in butter, then eggs cooked on top. With sweet, smoky and tangy elements, it’s great for breakfast, brunch or lunch.

APPLE & OAT QUICK BREAD

With a caramel-like flavour from brown sugar contrasting with tart apple, plus hints of vanilla and wholesome oats, this sweet quick bread is a wonderful treat with a cuppa, as part of an afternoon tea. You can even have it as dessert with custard or ice cream.

APPLE, CHEESE & WALNUT SAVOURY FLAPJACKS

Nuts go really well with apple and cheese, and these Apple, Cheese & Walnut Savoury Flapjacks are a real favourite. Protein-rich eggs bind an oat-based mixture that’s lovely as a snack, in lunchboxes, or even the centre of a vegetarian main meal.

RHUBARB, APPLE & GINGER JAM

Including some apples in homemade jam helps it set thanks to the pectin they contain. And this sweet, tart and lightly spicy one is great on buttered toast or scones. Also perfect used as a fruit compote over yogurt or ice cream.

WALDORF SALAD

Apples and walnuts, along with celery, feature in this classic salad. In my version you’ll also find plump raisins (substitute halved grapes if you prefer) and a dressing that’s lightened with natural yogurt.

KALE, SPINACH, APPLE, CELERY & LEMON DRINK

A great juice to get started on if you’re not used to the sometimes more ‘challenging’ green juices! With green apples and lemon in the mix, the result isn’t bitter at all, but sweet and tart with the leafy veg providing pleasant, grassy undertones.

APPLE & CINNAMON CAKE

A gorgeous slice of cake I ate at a local Apple Fest became the inspiration for my own rustic and homely version. Very simple to make, it’s great for beginners; no creaming of the butter and sugar, just beat melted butter and eggs into the dry ingredients, and fold in chopped apples.

TANGY VEGETABLE & APPLE COLESLAW

A great variation on the classic salad of shredded vegetables in a creamy dressing. Crisp eating apples and a splash of cider vinegar give a tart edge, while yogurt lightens the mayonnaise in this satisfying side salad.

BAKED OAT PUDDING WITH APPLE

Another recipe that combines apple with cinnamon, but there’s no reason you couldn’t swap in another spice like cloves, ginger, or even mixed spice. A super-easy dessert with a lovely soft and fluffy texture plus nutritious oats. Add a jug of custard and you’ve great comfort food.

ONE POT CHICKEN WITH APPLES & CREAMY CIDER SAUCE

One of my very first blog recipes! Although I’d like to think my writing and photography have improved since, I’m including it as it’s a fantastic dish. Browned chicken thighs cooked in a buttery, cider cream sauce, made slightly tart with apples and smoky with bacon.

FENNEL, APPLE, ORANGE, LEMON, GINGER & MINT JUICE

Nutrient-packed drink that pairs tangy apple with aniseed-flavoured fennel. An unusual but surprisingly delicious, light and refreshing combination.

SAUSAGE SALAD WITH ROASTED APPLES

A lovely Autumn salad with sausage pieces, lightly roasted slices of apple and red onion, plus crispy homemade garlic and herb croutons. Bringing everything together is a dark, sweet, and tangy honey-mustard-balsamic dressing.

SPICED SPLIT PEA SOUP WITH APPLE & COCONUT

Although split pea soups are often thought of as hearty winter fare this one with the refreshing tang of apple is much lighter. Flavoured with cumin, fennel seed, garam masala and desiccated coconut, you can make it richer with more coconut milk if liked.