You'll Love These 4 Healthy & Delicious Apple Recipes for Fall

It's officially apple season, and honestly, we're pretty excited about it. The tasty fruit is perfectly snack-sized, packed with fiber, and really good for you.

You can pick up a big bag from the grocery store (or local orchard!) knowing that they won't likely go to waste--compared to softer fruits, they have an impressively long shelf-life, especially when stored in the fridge. Apples are amazing baked in a pie and as an easy snack that won't turn to mush in your bag (we're looking at you, bananas).

Let's talk nutrition for sec: one medium apple contains about 14% of your daily vitamin C and a powerful dose of polyphenols, which are rich in antioxidants. A medium apple also contains 4 grams of fiber, which will help keep you satiated and aid in digestion (don't skip the skin -- it contains half of the fiber!).

If you're an apple lover, don't relegate them to pies and crumbles -- they're surprisingly delicious in savory recipes, and their sweet flavor can carry a "healthy" version of those sugary fall baked goods. Hungry yet? We've rounded up a few of our favorite apple recipes we know you'll love.

Healthy autumn apple recipes

1. Apple & butternut squash soup recipe

This twist on a classic squash soup makes the perfect comforting weeknight dinner.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 yellow onion

• 1 TBSP olive oil

• 1 large butternut squash

• 2 medium apples

• 1 can cannellini beans

• 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp chili powder

• ½ tsp cinnamon

How to make it:

1. Cook onions until soft, add spices, and cook until fragrant.

2. Cut & peel squash, and chop and apples into small chunks.

3. Add to pot along with stock and beans.

4. Bring to a boil then simmer for 30 minutes.

5. Blend with an immersion blender, or carefully transfer into your normal blender.

2. Apple oatmeal cookies recipe

Your kids will love these...and so will you!

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 cup rolled oats

• ½ cup whole wheat flour

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ tsp baking powder

• 2 tsp cinnamon

• Pinch of salt

• 2 tbsp. Coconut oil

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ½ cup maple syrup or honey

• 1 apple, finely chopped

• 1/4 cup raisins

How to make it:

1. Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together until well combined.

2. Melt coconut oil and beat in egg, vanilla, and honey.

3. Pour the dry into wet ingredients and stir until just combined, then fold in the apple chunks, raisins, and oats. Don’t overmix!

4. Cover bowl and chill for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.

5. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

6. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 mins, or until the edges begin to brown.

3. Autumn harvest salad recipe

The contrast of sweet, crunchy apple chunks with smooth and savory feta will make you so excited to tuck into this salad.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 4 cups romaine/red leaf lettuce

• 2 cups baby kale

• 1 apple, diced

• ½ red onion, thinly sliced

• ½ cup toasted walnuts

• ¼ cup feta

• ½ head cauliflower

• 2 tbsp. Dried cranberries

• 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

How to make it:

1. Chop cauliflower into small florets. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, then bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

2. Wash and chop lettuce, and combine with baby kale. Toss with apple, sliced onion, walnuts, feta, and cranberries.

3. To make a vinaigrette, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper (to taste).

4. Add roasted cauliflower to salad, toss, and drizzle with vinaigrette.

4. Apple cinnamon bread recipe

Apple and cinnamon are autumn's favorite powerhouse duo, and they make this easy bread absolutely irresistible!

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 apple, peeled, chopped in small pieces

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 2 tsp. cinnamon

• ¾  cup whole wheat flour

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup plain greek yogurt

• ½ cup applesauce

• ¼ cup maple syrup

• 2 eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ¼ cup butter, melted

How to make it:

1. Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

2. Mix greek yogurt, applesauce, maple syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Whisk the eggs in a small bowl and add the mixture, then stir in the apple chunks. 

3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir gently until just combined.

4. Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

We love seeing you get inspired by these recipe ideas, so if you try any of them out, be sure to share on Instagram and tag us @baby2bodyofficial.

And don’t forget, we have loads of delicious, healthy, pregnancy-safe recipes in the Baby2Body app! Let us know in the comments what recipe you want to see next…

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