• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Parallel Plates
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Desserts
  • Resources
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Desserts
  • Resources
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Desserts
  • Resources
×
Home » Recipe Collections

38 Apple Recipes That Go Beyond the Pie (But Are Just as Good)

Published: Nov 14, 2024 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Apple recipes can be so much more than pie, and this roundup is proof. We’ve pulled together 38 creative dishes that use apples in both sweet and savory ways, bringing out the full range of flavors they can add to the table. Whether you’re looking for something rich and cozy or fresh and light, these recipes work for every meal and any appetite. They’re perfect for fall or whenever you’re craving something with that crisp apple goodness—no pie pan needed.

Three Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes with Streusel Topping on a wooden board with green apples.
Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes with Streusel Topping. Photo Credit: xoxoBella

Bisquick Apple Cobbler

An overhead image of bisquick apple cobbler in a skillet pan topped with vanilla ice cream.
Bisquick Apple Cobbler. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This Bisquick apple cobbler combines tart apples, cinnamon, and a buttery base for a quick, cozy dessert. With a prep time under an hour, it’s an easy apple recipe that moves beyond the classic pie yet holds all the familiar flavors of fall.
Get the Recipe: Bisquick Apple Cobbler

Instant Pot Apple Butter

A close up photo of instant pot apple butter in a jar.
Instant Pot Apple Butter. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This Instant Pot apple butter uses minimal ingredients and requires little prep time, making it a convenient apple recipe for busy days. It’s also a thoughtful homemade gift, adding apple flavors to a season often focused on pumpkin spice.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Apple Butter

Leek Apple Cheddar Soup

Leek apple cheddar soup in a bowl.
Leek Apple Cheddar Soup. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Leek apple cheddar soup merges leeks, apples, and cheddar into a smooth, savory base, topped with walnuts and cranberries for a balanced finish. This warming apple recipe highlights apples in a rich, hearty way, perfect for a comforting autumn meal.
Get the Recipe: Leek Apple Cheddar Soup

Air Fryer Apple Fritters

Apple cinnamon fritters on a plate with apples.
Air Fryer Apple Fritters. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air fryer apple fritters are a quick apple recipe that brings spiced apples into a light, crispy batter, ready in minutes. This easy dessert is a fun way to enjoy apple flavors without the need for a pie crust, perfect for weeknight treats.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Fritters

Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes with Streusel Topping

Three Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes with Streusel Topping on a wooden board with green apples.
Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes with Streusel Topping. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Mini caramel apple cheesecakes with streusel topping provide bite-sized treats packed with fall flavors. This apple recipe offers a fun, charming dessert option that stands out at gatherings and rivals any pie.
Get the Recipe: Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes with Streusel Topping

Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Apple butter thumbprint cookies deliver a satisfying crunch with a touch of cinnamon sugar and sweet apple butter filling. This easy apple recipe brings familiar pie flavors into cookie form, making a seasonal treat ideal for those looking for something different.
Get the Recipe: Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Apple Carrot Slaw

Close-up image of slow cooker bbq apple plled pork sandwich with apple carrot slaw.
Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Apple Carrot Slaw. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwiches with apple carrot raisin slaw deliver savory flavors with a hint of sweetness. This apple recipe highlights the fruit’s versatility, creating a hearty meal that contrasts with traditional apple pies.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Apple Carrot Slaw

Apple White Cheddar Omelette

An apple white cheddar omelette with a slice of toast and a fork on a plate sitting on a wooden platter with fresh herbs surrounding it.
Apple White Cheddar Omelette. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

This fall-inspired breakfast combines sautéed apples, white cheddar, and eggs, making for a savory start to the day. This apple recipe shows how apples add depth to breakfast dishes, offering an option beyond standard morning flavors.
Get the Recipe: Apple White Cheddar Omelette

Apple Danish with Crumble Topping

Four squares of pastry with icing on a wooden cutting board.
Apple Danish with Crumble Topping. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Apple Danish with Crumble Topping can be enjoyed as either a dessert or breakfast treat. This flaky pastry with apple filling provides a sweet escape from typical pie, making it a versatile and crowd-pleasing apple recipe.
Get the Recipe: Apple Danish with Crumble Topping

Apple Cider Instant Pot Beef Stew

Bowl of Instant Pot beef stew with carrots and potatoes.
Apple Cider Instant Pot Beef Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Beef Stew with apple cider creates a subtly sweet gravy that complements tender beef and vegetables. This savory apple recipe brings a new dimension to stews, showcasing how apples can enhance hearty, warming dishes beyond pie.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Instant Pot Beef Stew

Easy Apple Curd

Easy Apple Curd. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Apple curd is a sweet, creamy spread perfect for enhancing oatmeal, toast, or desserts. This apple recipe stands out for its versatility, offering a taste of fall flavors beyond the usual pies and pumpkin spice treats.
Get the Recipe: Easy Apple Curd

Apple Galette

Overhead shot of an apple galette on parchment with fresh apples on the side.
Apple Galette. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Apple Galette offers a flaky, buttery crust with spiced apples in a no-fuss format, delivering the appeal of pie without the extra effort. This apple recipe is perfect for those who want pie flavors with a simpler preparation process.
Get the Recipe: Apple Galette

Rustic Raw Apple Cream Tartlets

Rustic Raw Apple Cream Tartlets. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Mini Raw Apple Tarts bring together apples, nuts, and natural sweeteners in a gluten-free, vegan option, perfect for a wholesome treat. This apple recipe provides a fresh, nutrient-rich take on dessert, ideal for fall gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Rustic Raw Apple Cream Tartlets

Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup

A bowl of butternut squash soup with a spoon on a colorful blue and white plate.
Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

This creamy butternut squash soup blends apples and turmeric for a comforting fall flavor with an extra tang from apple cider vinegar. This savory apple recipe offers a hearty dish that highlights the fruit’s versatility in main courses.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup

Pork Roast With Apples

Close-up image of pork roast with apples.
Pork Roast With Apples. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Roast Pork with Apples combines pork and apples in a single roasting pan, creating a straightforward, flavorful meal. This easy apple recipe shows how well apples complement savory dishes, offering a simple yet delicious autumn dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Pork Roast With Apples

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Brownie

A piece of cake on a blue plate with a fork.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Brownie. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Caramel apple cheesecake brownies layer caramel-soaked apples over a fudgy brownie base, blending flavors into a rich dessert. This apple recipe merges brownies, apples, and cheesecake, making a bold alternative to the classic pie.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Brownie

Honey Apple Crisp

Honey Apple Crisp. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

This apple crisp uses Naturacentric Vanilla Cinnamon Infused Raw Honey, enhancing apple flavors without added spices. This apple recipe is a sophisticated choice, perfect for anyone looking for a refined dessert that isn’t pie.
Get the Recipe: Honey Apple Crisp

Brown Butter Apple Blondies

Three Brown Butter Apple Blondies on a black plate.
Brown Butter Apple Blondies. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Brown Butter Apple Blondies are chewy, buttery, and packed with fresh apple pieces, bringing a fresh take on apple desserts. This simple apple recipe is a great way to enjoy fall flavors without needing a pie crust.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Apple Blondies

Buckwheat Flour Apple Muffins

Buckwheat Flour Apple Muffins. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Gluten-Free Apple Buckwheat Flour Muffins pack fiber, protein, and a touch of spice for a wholesome snack or breakfast. This apple recipe brings together health-conscious ingredients, offering a nourishing way to enjoy apples beyond pie.
Get the Recipe: Buckwheat Flour Apple Muffins

Easy Instant Pot Fireball Apple Shortcakes

Easy Instant Pot Fireball Apple Shortcakes. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Instant Pot Fireball apple shortcakes combine cinnamon apples soaked in Fireball whiskey with sponge cake. This unique apple recipe brings a fall twist to dessert, showcasing apple flavors in a memorable way.
Get the Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Fireball Apple Shortcakes

Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad

Broccoli and shredded carrots on a mixing spoon.
Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Broccoli Apple Salad mixes broccoli, apples, carrots, cranberries, and walnuts in a creamy yogurt dressing, perfect for fall gatherings. This easy apple recipe highlights apples’ crispness in a fresh, tangy salad that works as a side or main.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad

Kale Apple Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

A bowl of kale salad on a wooden table.
Kale Apple Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Kale Apple Salad with poppy seed dressing transforms kale with apple slices, giving it a seasonal touch. This apple recipe makes for a bright and refreshing dish, ideal for fall meals that want something other than pie.
Get the Recipe: Kale Apple Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

Apple-Cranberry Puff Pastry Tarts

A plate of three Apple-Cranberry Puff Pastry Tarts.
Apple-Cranberry Puff Pastry Tarts. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Apple-Cranberry Puff Pastry Tarts combine a light, flaky crust with a tart apple-cranberry filling. This apple recipe delivers a simple dessert that highlights classic fall flavors, making it a perfect treat beyond pie.
Get the Recipe: Apple-Cranberry Puff Pastry Tarts

Apple Cookies with Oatmeal

https://parallelplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Vegan-Apple-Cookies-with-Oatmeal.jpg
Apple Cookies with Oatmeal. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Vegan Apple Cookies with Oatmeal use oats, cinnamon, and apples for a wholesome, lightly spiced treat. This apple recipe provides a nutritious dessert option, bringing the best fall flavors to cookies that rival pie.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cookies with Oatmeal

Apple Crumble Cheesecake

A slice of Apple Crumble Cheesecake on a plate with a fork.
Apple Crumble Cheesecake. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

Apple crumble cheesecake blends apple pie with caramel cheesecake for a layered dessert that impresses any crowd. This apple recipe offers a rich, seasonal treat that captures fall flavors in every bite without relying on traditional pie.
Get the Recipe: Apple Crumble Cheesecake

Apple Cake

A plate of apple pie with a slice taken out of it.
Apple Cake. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This gluten-free apple cake, a tall, airy Russian sharlotka, delivers a light texture and rich apple taste. This apple recipe stands out as a fresh way to enjoy apples in a classic cake format, offering a new take on apple desserts.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cake

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

A bowl of cake with ice cream on top.
Caramel Apple Dump Cake. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Caramel Apple Dump Cake packs all the flavors of autumn into one easy dessert, ready with minimal effort. This fuss-free apple recipe is perfect for busy days when you still want a warm, comforting treat that’s not pie.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Pumpkin Spice Honey Caramel Apples

Pumpkin Spice Honey Caramel Apples. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Caramel Apples with a twist feature tart apples wrapped in honey caramel infused with pumpkin spice, creating a fresh treat. This apple recipe goes beyond pie, offering a gluten-free, dairy-free way to enjoy caramel apple flavors.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Honey Caramel Apples

French Apple Cake

A whole, sliced French Apple Cake with green apples on the side.
French Apple Cake. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

French Apple Cake is a moist, tender cake that highlights apple flavors with a refined presentation. This apple recipe is perfect for when you want a sophisticated dessert that offers something special beyond pie.
Get the Recipe: French Apple Cake

Apple Fritter Bread

Three slices of apple fritter bread on a white plate.
Apple Fritter Bread. Photo credit: Bake What You Love.

Apple Fritter Bread has cinnamon-spiced apples in every bite, giving the feel of a classic donut in a loaf. This apple recipe is a comforting dessert that’s easy to make, perfect for those who crave apple flavor beyond pie.
Get the Recipe: Apple Fritter Bread

Apple Crisp Mini Cheesecakes

Someone holding an Apple Crisp Mini Cheesecake.
Apple Crisp Mini Cheesecakes. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

Apple crisp mini cheesecakes blend creamy cheesecake filling with a crunchy apple topping, bringing together two favorite desserts. This apple recipe combines the best of cheesecake and crisp, providing a memorable option for fall.
Get the Recipe: Apple Crisp Mini Cheesecakes

Apple Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Closeup of a pan of apple sour cream coffee cake.
Apple Sour Cream Coffee Cake. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Apple Sour Cream Coffee Cake has a tender crumb and sweet apple pieces, making it a great choice for afternoon breaks. This apple recipe is an easy way to enjoy apple flavors without a pie crust, ideal for homemade treats.
Get the Recipe: Apple Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Iced Apple Cookies

Apple oatmeal cookies with icing and apples on a white plate.
Iced Apple Cookies. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Iced Apple Oatmeal Cookies pack cinnamon and apple flavors, topped with a sweet icing. This apple recipe is perfect for cozy evenings, offering a fresh take on dessert beyond pie.
Get the Recipe: Iced Apple Cookies

Almond Apple Cake With Apple Roses

A cake with apples on top of a white plate.
Almond Apple Cake With Apple Roses. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Almond apple cake with apple roses features a fine, spongy crumb and a visually impressive finish. This apple recipe adds a beautiful touch to any holiday table, proving apples can shine in desserts beyond pie.
Get the Recipe: Almond Apple Cake With Apple Roses

Apple Cinnamon Rolls

A pan of freshly baked and frosted apple cinnamon rolls on a dark blue background.
Apple Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Apple cinnamon rolls with fresh apples and cream cheese frosting turn the classic roll into a fall favorite. This apple recipe creates a cozy, comforting dessert with familiar flavors, ideal for a pie alternative.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Butterscotch Apple Crisp

A butterscotch apple crumble in a cast iron skillet on a wooden cutting board.
Butterscotch Apple Crisp. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Butterscotch apple crisp brings together apples in bourbon butterscotch sauce with a streusel topping, for a rich, flavorful dessert. This apple recipe simplifies traditional apple desserts, providing a change from pie while highlighting seasonal flavors.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Apple Crisp

Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon Maple Baked Apples

Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon Maple Baked Apples. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Air fryer cinnamon maple baked apples offer a quick, easy dessert with a touch of maple syrup sweetness. This apple recipe showcases apples’ versatility, delivering a warm treat perfect for nights when you want something lighter than pie.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon Maple Baked Apples

Apple Loaf

Apple Loaf. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Apple Loaf takes the flavors of apple crumble and bakes them into a vegan, gluten-free loaf, creating an approachable dessert. This apple recipe offers a great alternative to traditional pie, catering to various dietary needs without losing the essence of apple desserts.
Get the Recipe: Apple Loaf

More Recipe Collections

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Close up headshot

Hi, I'm Shruthi! I am the owner and blogger at Parallel Plates. I love everything about food, and I hope that you can find the best recipe inspiration, trends, hacks, and more here.

More about me →

Popular

  • Overhead image of cozy bowl of potato and sausage chowder with breads on the side.
    Potato And Sausage Chowder
  • Close-up of a bowl of Stuffed Pepper Soup, garnished with parsley, ready to serve.
    Stuffed Pepper Soup
  • A slice of Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tart Bars on a white plate in the foreground, with another slice on a pile of plates in the background.
    Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tart Bars
  • A serving of Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells on a plate.
    Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure & Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up!

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2024 Black Bicycle LLC