Come September, pumpkins dominate, to say the least. Starbucks’ PSL has already made its annual comeback (and, unfortunately, it still contains dairy), grocery store shelves are lined to the brim with pumpkin-infused eats and treats, and the promise of Halloween sees the squash repurposed into spooky decor. And while […]
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Come September, pumpkins dominate, to say the least. Starbucks’ PSL has already made its annual comeback (and, unfortunately, it still contains dairy), grocery store shelves are lined to the brim with pumpkin-infused eats and treats, and the promise of Halloween sees the squash repurposed into spooky decor.
And while pumpkins are delicious in their own right, there’s another seasonal fruit that shouldn’t be overlooked: the almighty apple!
Juicy apple facts
Sweet, juicy, and crunchy, apples are one of the most popular fruits in the US. In fact, they’re one of the most sold fruits across the country, ranking in at number three just behind bananas and berries, according to Fresh Produce.
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There are over 7,500 varieties of apples around the world, and the US produces more than 100 varieties. Pink Lady, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, and Red Delicious are the most popular varieties stateside, according to USApple.
Typically available year-round, apples really shine come autumn. Apple picking season varies by region, but generally, September is the best time to harvest apples. Ideally, “they should be harvested between late summer and late October,” writes Fine Dining Lovers.
Apple nutrition facts
You’ve likely heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But is there any truth to this centuries old adage? The answer is a resounding yes.
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Apples are a good source of both insoluble and soluble fiber. They also contain vitamin C and the flavonoid quercetin, which has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Pectin, too, is another important compound found in apples. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, “Pectin is fermented by beneficial bacteria in the colon, which produces short chain fatty acids that may play a role in the prevention of chronic diseases, including certain cancers and bowel disorders.”
Research has also shown that eating just one apple per day could help reduce frailty risk by 20 percent. Another study conducted on 38,018 women found that consuming at least one apple a day could reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 28 percent.
15 plant-based apple recipes
Apples make for a quick, healthy, and nutritious snack anytime of day, but if you’re looking to amp up your apple intake, there are a number of ways to incorporate this autumnal fruit into your recipes. Try these 15 apple-forward recipes this fall.
Ashley McLaughlin
1Two-Step Creamy Vegan Overnight Apple Ginger Muesli
Take a break from overnight oats with this delicious muesli recipe from Power Plates. Muesli is combined with crunchy apples, warming cinnamon, protein-rich hemp seeds, and slightly spicy ginger before it’s soaked in dairy-free yogurt overnight for a creamy and tart flavor.
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2Vegan Slow Cooker Apple Pie Coconut Oatmeal
You don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving to enjoy a slice of apple pie. Instead, infuse your morning oatmeal with all the sweet and tart flavors of this classic dessert with a little help from the Plants First cookbook. The full-fat coconut milk adds richness and satiating power, while apples, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon finish off this breakfast staple.
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Shanika Graham-White
3Vegan Apple Blackberry Brioche French Toast
Sunday brunch just got a major upgrade. This recipe from the Orchids + Sweet Tea: Plant-Forward Recipes with Jamaican Flavor & Southern Charmcookbook layers fluffy brioche French toast with slices of fresh, tart, crisp Granny Smith apples for a new take on this classic.
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Shanika Graham-White
4Overnight Vegan Maple Apple Cinnamon Rolls
There’s nothing better than a food that falls into the dessert-for-breakfast category. Diced Gala apples are nestled into these drool-worthy cinnamon rolls before they’re baked and finished off with a generous slather of maple glaze. This is innovation at its best.
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5Apple Chickpea Kale Salad With Mustard-Dill Dressing
This recipe from the Smorgasbowl cookbook proves that salads aren’t just for summer. Massaged kale is topped with diced Honeycrisp apples, crunchy red onion, sautéed zucchini, and protein-packed chickpeas for a delicious, seasonal salad.
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6Fiery Fizzy Ginger Apple Mocktail
No booze? No problem! Pair your dinner with this fizzy and fiery apple mocktail from the Dry: Delicious Handcrafted Cocktails and Other Clever Concoctions cookbook. Fuji apples, sparkling water, spicy ginger, and agave are combined for a tasty sip you’ll keep coming back to.
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Hannah Kaminsky
7Apple Fennel Salad With Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
This salad from the Angel Foods: Healthy Recipes for Heavenly Bodies cookbook brings together apples and a zesty orange dressing for a fresh, healthy, fruit-forward meal.
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Marie Laforêt
8Creamy Vegan Apple-Cinnamon Rice Pudding
Every bite of this creamy apple-cinnamon rice pudding is truly a moment of bliss. Add this dessert to your fall recipe repertoire immediately.
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Dreena Burton
9Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Crisp With Coconut Oat Crumble
Take this gluten-free apple crisp crumble from the Dreena’s Kind Kitchen cookbook to the next level with a scoop of your favorite dairy-free vanilla ice cream.
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Sam Turnbull
10Shortcut Vegan Apple Pie Turnovers
When you’re craving apple pie but don’t want to spend hours toiling away in the kitchen, turn to this recipe from the Fast Easy Cheap Vegan cookbook. Pair your favorite apples with vegan-friendly, store-bought puff pastry for a delicious dessert in half the time.
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Hannah Kaminsky
11Spiced Vegan Apple Cake With Maple Topping
This sweet vegan apple cake combines applesauce, apple juice, and sliced apples for a moist and fluffy autumnal dessert. Enjoy it with a chai latte for a cozy fall morning.
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Baker by Nature
12Apple Pie Cookies With Maple Cream Filling
Two of the season’s biggest stars—aka apple and pumpkin spice—come together to create this delectable cookie sandwich. If you have a major sweet tooth, this maple cream filling is calling your name.
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Hannah Kaminsky
13Easy Vegan Apple Raisin Fruit Crisp
Make this apple-raisin dessert your own by customizing it with your favorite fall fruits. Best of all? It comes together in just four easy steps.
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14Simple Vegan Apple Tarte Tatin
If apple pie isn’t your go-to treat, this apple tarte tatin from The Vegan Baking Bible cookbook is sure to win you over. Silky sweet caramelized apples sit atop flaky puff pastry in this buttery, country-style dessert.
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15Vegan and Gluten-Free Apple Pie With Oat-Walnut Crumble Topping
Fall is all about gathering with friends and family at the dinner table. Ensure your gluten-free loved ones can partake in your dinner parties with this crumble-topped apple pie from Healthy Living Through a Plant-Based Diet: A Trilogy Sanctuary Cookbook. Choose the best apples with our handy guide to the best (and worst!) apples for apple pie.
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For more plant-based stories like this, read:
- Start Fall Early With These 15 Pumpkin Recipes
- Eggplant Is Just Misunderstood: These Recipes Will Make You a Believer
- 15 Must-Try Vegan Fall Recipes to Make This Week
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Jocelyn Martinez is an Associate Editor at VegNews living in Los Angeles, CA.
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission, but in no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
