Apple season in Minnesota typically starts in late August and continues through September and into early October, depending on the variety of apples and local weather conditions. Different types of apples ripen at other times during the season, offering plenty of opportunities for trying out new apple recipes to savor and experiment with.
Some popular apple varieties grown in Minnesota include Honeycrisp, Haralson, Zestar!, SweeTango, and many more. It’s a great time to visit local orchards and farmers’ markets to enjoy freshly picked apples, apple cider, and various apple-based products that are perfect ingredients for apple recipes in the kitchen.
For baking, you want apples that hold their shape, balance sweetness with tartness, and don’t turn mushy. Here are some of the best choices for delicious apple recipes:
What are the Best All-Around Baking Apples
- Granny Smith – Tart, firm, keeps texture. Classic for pies. I typically mix these up with a sweeter apple
- Honeycrisp – Made in Minnesota and sweet-tart, juicy, holds up well in crisps and tarts. This is my favorite eating apple!
- Braeburn – Balanced flavor, firm, great for pies and turnovers.
- Sweet Tango- Sweet, sassy and crisp and developed in Minnesota
- Jonagold – Sweet with a bit of tang, tender but not mushy.
Favorite Fall Apple Recipes are plentiful this time of year.
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Apple Donut Cake
This cake tastes like fresh apple donuts from your favorite Fall festival
Check out this recipe
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Apple Cookies with Frosting
A delicious fall cookie in the same vein as the pumpkin cookies that I love.
Check out this recipe
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Fruit Buckle
This Cake was initially inspired by a Plum Buckle in the Williams Sonoma Cookbook
Check out this recipe
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Tarte Tatin
Check out this recipe
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Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings
Check out this recipe
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Red Cabbage With Apples and Caraway in the Crockpot
I make this in the crock pot and freeze it in two-cup portions to serve as a side dish for pork loin, pork chops or roast
Check out this recipe
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Chicken Wild Rice and Apple Pecan Salad
This salad has no lettuce but uses wild rice and apples as the base for poached chicken with toasted pecans. The sesame dressing here is excellent
Check out this recipe
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Slow Cooker Apple Crisp with Ginger
This apple crisp begs for a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whip cream on top
Check out this recipe
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Salted Caramel Apple Bars
These Salted Caramel Apple Bars are the ultimate indulgent treat, combining the comforting flavors of warm spiced apples and rich, buttery caramel.
Check out this recipe
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Late Season Rhubarb, Onion, Green Tomato and Apple Chutney
This Chutney takes advantage of the late-season produce, including Rhubarb, Onions, Green Tomatoes and Apples, and is paired with dates and African spices like Peppers, Cinnamon, Cumin, and Sumac for seasoning
Check out this recipe
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Apple Farro Harvest Salad
This salad is super versatile. You can swap out grains, fruit, types of greens, and nuts for a choose-your-own-adventure
Check out this recipe
Apple Cider and Apple Drinks are perfect ingredients for a variety of apple recipes.
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Slow Cooker Boozy Apple Cider
This Crocktober Boozy Apple Cider is great for a Fall party
Check out this recipe
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Minneapple Mule
- This Minneapple Mule recipe, featuring vodka, ginger ale and The Twisted Shrub Apple Ginger, is a delightful twist on the Moscow Mule.
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Apple Grapefruit Rosemary Sparkler Mocktail
Check out this recipe
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Apple Rosemary Sangria
Nothing beats sangria for a party. This apple rosemary sangria features some wonderful fall flavors that are sure to impress a crowd.
Check out this recipe
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Easy Instant Pot Apple Butter
This easy apple butter cups out perfectly in your Instant Pot and is a wonderful fall spread.
Check out this recipe
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Double Potato Gratin with Apples and Onions
Who doesn't love a savory potato gratin? How about adding sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, and apples to amplify the sweetness?
Check out this recipe
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Apple Salad with Cheese
This apple salad is adapted from the famous Cafe Lurcat restaurant in Minneapolis. Manchego is replaced with Shepherd's Way Friesago, sheep's milk cheese
Check out this recipe
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Cabbage Coleslaw with Apples
This Cabbage Slaw is creamy and sweet with the addition of green apples and carrots for sweetness
Check out this recipe
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Cranberry Apple Salad with Feta and Toasted Walnuts
Sweet Haven Tonics Cranberry Juniper & Lemongrass Tonic makes an excellent savory addition to this cranberry dressing in this Cranberry Apple Salad with Feta and Toasted Walnuts
Check out this recipe
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Salad with Fennel, Apples, Parmesan, Pecans, and Cranberry Dressing
This salad makes the most of the leftover Cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving in its dressing
Check out this recipe
