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25 Apple Desserts to Make This Fall (and Beyond)
September 16, 2024
As summer winds down and autumn takes over, apple season comes into full swing. Giving pumpkin everything a run for its money, the start of cooler weather means that nutrition-rich apples become ubiquitous, with different varieties gracing farmers markets and supermarkets. With all those gorgeous apples available, one of my favorite things to do is get creative and whip up apple desserts.
Unfortunately, so many recipes available are loaded with gobs of sugar and processed ingredients, turning a healthy fruit into a frankenfood.
Luckily, there are some delicious, healthy apple desserts that are just naughty enough to feel like a treat but won’t leave you feeling regretful.
Healthy Apple Desserts
1. Apple Fries with Vanilla Whipped Cream
Fries always taste pretty good, but when they’re made from apples? Even better.
The apple slices are fried, drained and then coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture. I love that the dip is made from coconut cream, keeping these vegan.
Substitute coconut sugar for the refined version, and enjoy.
2. Apple Oat Greek Yogurt Muffins
These apple oat muffins are sweet enough to enjoy as a dessert but not so decadent that you should avoid having them for breakfast. Greek yogurt adds protein and a moist texture.
The raisins lend some extra texture, but if you’re not a fan, feel free to leave them out.
3. Apple Rose Tart with Maple Custard and Walnut Crust
This apple dessert doesn’t just look good — it tastes great, too.
The crust comes together with walnut chunks and a minimal amount of added sugar, while the maple custard uses pure maple syrup and eggs for a silky smooth pastry. Topped with apple “roses,” this tart is sure to impress.
4. Caramel Apple Slices
These caramel apple slices are genius. They’re a no-muss, no-fuss way to eat one of fall’s best treats without making a mess.
They’re make-ahead, and you can add your favorite toppings or enjoy as is. Best of all, you don’t need any exotic ingredients.
Pack these as a treat in your kids’ lunchboxes — or your own!
5. Cinnamon Apple Energy Bites
A dessert that’ll give you an energy boost? Yes, please!
These apple energy bites will satisfy a sweet tooth guilt-free. They taste like apple pie, with Medjool dates, apples and maple syrup sweetening things up and almonds and oats adding texture.
6. Crockpot Apple Butter
Have you tried apple butter? It’s often sold this time of year at astonishingly high prices, but you can make your own right in the crockpot with this crazy easy recipe.
Just a few ingredients turn apple slices into a creamy “butter” you can use to top toast, spoon onto yogurt or use as a condiment.
7. Dairy-Free Caramel Apple
We’ve all seen those sticky caramel apples sold at local fairs, but who knows what’s in those shells?! Yes, some apple desserts are downright unhealthy.
Luckily, you can make your own right at home and keep them totally dairy-free!
While you’ll have to plan ahead for this apple dessert — it requires at least eight hours of chilling time — it’s totally worth it. Coconut milk, honey, coconut sugar and vanilla come together for a yummy treat.
8. Fresh Apple Cinnamon Scones
Bakery-worthy scones will come out of your kitchen when you prepare these scones. More of a coffee pastry than a straight dessert, you won’t believe how good this apple dessert tastes.
While the recipe seems like a lot of steps, the instructions are just quite detailed — that’s a good thing here!
Your friends won’t believe these didn’t come from the store.
9. Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
Easier than apple pie, apple crisp has always been a favorite at my house, so I love sharing my recipe. Made with gluten-free flours, this crisp is ready in under 40 minutes and is a cinch to make.
You can whip this one up tonight.
10. Greek Yogurt Apple-Cinnamon Bread
Do apple desserts include bread? Well, similar to a banana bread, this apple version does double duty as a breakfast or dessert.
I love that you’ll get cinnamon-sweet flavor in each bite, and the walnut-oatmeal streusel on top is to die for — crunchy with just enough sweetness.
Make this one soon!
11. Healthy Chewy Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars
Granola bars always sound like a healthy option, but they’re often filled with so many weird ingredients that you might as well just eat a cake. Well, these apple bars are the best of both worlds.
The puffed rice and honey add flavor and sweetness, while the flaxseeds, nuts and oats add staying power and nutrition. Enjoy these as a dessert after lunch — they’re easy to take on the go to work or school.
12. Healthy Cinnamon Apple Chips
Who needs potato chips when you can have apple chips? Using just a mandolin slicer on the apples makes them super thin, perfect for crisping up as they bake with cinnamon.
Replace your movie night snack with these.
13. Healthy Flourless Apple Pie Blondies
For a dessert recipe without any white flour, sugar, butter or oil, these apple pie blondies manage to be soft and absolutely delicious. Made with your choice of nut butter, applesauce, maple syrup and coconut flour, they’re also super easy to make.
Prepare a second batch because these won’t last long!
14. Peanut Butter Apple Crumble
A fun take on traditional apple crumble, this version uses natural peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup and oats for a crunchy, peanut topping. Finished off with a peanut butter maple syrup — yes, you read that correctly — this is one apple dessert you won’t be able to stop eating.
15. Quinoa Apple Cake
Quinoa and cake aren’t two words you hear together very often, but this recipe might change your mind. Because quinoa is so good at soaking up flavors, you wind up with a cake that has a ton of protein and staying power and gets baked right in a cast iron skillet.
How’s that for double duty?
16. Simple Cinnamon Apple Cake
Greek yogurt is the magic ingredient in this cake, which uses just one tablespoon of butter. The rest of the fluffiness and light texture — plus protein — come from using the yogurt.
With a variety of spices and topped with fresh apple slices, this dessert just screams autumn.
17. Slow Cooker Applesauce
Forget buying sweetened applesauce at the store. Make your own for a tasty treat that’s a hit among kids and adults alike!
I like leaving mine chunky to enjoy as a snack, but you can also make this applesauce to use in other recipes. In that case, you’ll want to puree it smooth.
18. Whole Wheat Apple Cinnamon Muffins
The type of apples you use in apple desserts is key. Here, opt for a sweeter variety, like Pink Lady or Fuji.
You’ll shred them and combine with whole wheat flour, pecans, maple syrup and a few other yummy seasonings for a naturally delicious muffin that’s the perfect way to finish off a meal.
These freeze nicely so make extra, and freeze to enjoy later!
19. Apple Fritters (Baked, Not Fried!)
We know fried foods aren’t the healthiest options, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on apple fritters. This recipe is Paleo-friendly and, best of all, baked, not fried!
These fritters are also ready in just 35 minutes, so you won’t have to wait long to enjoy them.
20. Gluten-Free Apple Galette
Similar to apple tarts, this recipe combines sprouted gluten-free flour along with almonds and maple sugar as the flour mixture and crust. This holds the apple deliciousness … and it’s all ready in less than an hour.
21. Slow Cooker Cinnamon Applesauce
You may think of most applesauces as side dishes, not necessarily something that would make a list of apple desserts, but this cinnamon variety fits the bill. Since it is a slow cooker recipe, it takes a bit of time, but it’s easy to make and oh so delicious.
All you need to make it are apples, water, cinnamon and coconut sugar for a hands-off applesauce that’s also good for you.
22. Vegan Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream
Don’t let the name of this ice cream fool you. Yes, pumpkin gets the headlines, but this certainly makes the list of apple desserts considering the fruit is one of the key players in this homemade ice cream.
In addition to pumpkin spice and apple, this dessert recipe calls for butternut squash, coconut milk, coconut sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon and ginger.
The two tablespoons of whiskey are optional but make for a nice addition for the adults.
23. Soft & Chewy Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Would you believe you can make soft, chewy, delicious and healthy oatmeal raisin cookies in less than an hour? It’s true, and this recipe also makes the apple desserts list because the cookies are made with applesauce — along with oats, cashew butter, baking soda, coconut sugar and, of course, raisins.
Oh, and they’re vegan to boot! What’s not to love?
24. Lavender Lemon Vegan Donuts
Another vegan recipe that’s ready in just 25 minutes, these lemon lavender donuts sound decadent but are not complicated to make, despite a fairly lengthy ingredients list.
A combination of dry and wet ingredients — including apple cider vinegar to give this one a place among the apple desserts recipes list — make for a moist, delicious donut, and a frosting made from coconut butter and oil, maple syrup, and dried lavender give the recipe a unique flavor you’re sure to enjoy.
25. Sweet Potato Brownies
Sweet potato brownies may not sound like apple desserts, but this healthy, homemade version includes a half-cup of applesauce to help with the brownie mixture. Vanilla extract and maple syrup add to the sweetness factor, along with a frosting made from honey, almond butter, cacao powder and coconut milk.
These brownies are ready in less than an hour and include avocado, sweet potato puree and other healthy ingredients so you can enjoy them guilt-free.
