It’s that time of year folks—Ontario apple season is upon us! Our stores are piling up with all kinds of freshly picked local apples and you’ll definitely want to take advantage of their delicious ripe flavour while they’re in peak season.
But there are a lot of different kinds of apples. Do you ever wonder which are best for what, what their flavour differences are, or when they become available?
Here are some tasty ideas for what to make with apples this fall, highlighting which apples are best to use, and when they first hit our stores. (Please note that apple availability timelines can vary based on factors like weather, and aren’t guaranteed! Keep your eyes peeled for these apples when you’re shopping throughout the fall.)
Homemade Applesauce
Homemade applesauce made with locally grown apples is a delicious seasonal recipe and so simple to make when you’re just learning about cooking with fresh apples. Enjoy it as a snack, use it in cakes and muffins to add moisture, or pair with yogurt, cottage cheese, or vanilla ice cream!
If you’re in the mood for applesauce, but just don’t have the time or energy to make it yourself, our Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce is the next best thing to homemade! It’s made with Ontario apples and nothing else!
Which Apple is Best?
Simplify your cooking process for this easy and healthy apple snack by using slightly softer apples that break down when cooked. We recommend using a couple of types of apples to get a nice variety of flavours.
McIntosh (available mid September): mildly tart, sweeten as they ripen, and soft OR
Empire (available October): slightly tart, juicy, and crisp
WITH
Golden Delicious (available October): mellow, sweet, and, juicy
Easy Applesauce Recipe
Ingredients
8-10 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 cup water
¼ cup white or brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey (or more to taste)
3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch nutmeg
Directions
- Add all your ingredients to a saucepan and cook on medium heat for about 20 minutes, or until apples are soft. Allow them to cool, then mash for a sauce that’s a little chunky. Alternatively, put apples in a food processor for a sauce that’s completely smooth (you could also use an immersion blender).
- Add water when mashing or blending if the sauce is too thick for your liking.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight glass container, like a mason jar.
Cabbage & Apple Slaw
Squeeze the very last out of BBQ season and pair some saucy BBQ or smoked brisket with a fresh and tangy cabbage and apple slaw.
Which Apple is Best?
You’ll want to use apples that have a firm, crisp texture so that they can keep their form when thinly sliced into a slaw, or any apple salad for that matter.
Honeycrisp (available late September): sweet-tart and wonderfully crisp
Fuji (available mid-October): super sweet, crisp, and juicy
Ambrosia (available October): distinct aroma, sweet, low acid, and crisp
Apple Crisp
Is there anything cozier than a warm bowl of sweet and tender apple crisp covered with a buttery oat crumble and topped with a scoop of luxurious vanilla ice cream? Apple crisp’s rustic, no-fuss nature makes it a little less intimidating to prepare for those who aren’t avid bakers, and is one of our favourite apple desserts for the fall.
Which Apple is Best?
When it comes to making a delicious apple crisp or pie, you want to use apples that won’t soften too much when baked. That way, you’re left with tender slices of baked apple, and not apple mush!
Granny Smith (available mid-October): very tart & firm, but sweetens when baked
Honeycrisp (available late September): sweet-tart and wonderfully crisp
Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
6 medium apples, peeled and chopped or sliced
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp lemon juice
¾ cup rolled oats
1 cup brown sugar
¾ cup flour
½ tsp salt
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix apples, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon together, then pour into a buttered 8×8 baking dish.
- In another bowl, mix flour, oats, and salt and stir to combine. Add in cold cubed butter and mix roughly with a fork or hands so that the mixture looks crumbly.
- Spread topping over apples and bake for 30-40 minutes until topping is golden brown.
- Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Apples on Horseback
Apples on horseback is a very simple appetizer combining the sweetness of apple, the saltiness of fried pancetta, and the creaminess of cheese into one harmonious bite!
Which Apple is Best?
Pink Lady (available November): tangy-sweet and very firm
Apples on Horseback Recipe
Ingredients
13 slices Farm Boy™ Mild Rolled Pancetta
1-2 Pink Lady apples, cored and cut into 13 wedges total
13 ¼-inch-thick sticks of Manchego cheese with the rind removed
Directions
- Wrap a piece of apple and cheese together with a slice of pancetta and secure them with a toothpick or sprig of rosemary. Repeat for the remaining pieces of apple.
- Pan fry your appetizers until the pancetta is crisp and golden and the cheese has melted (about 5-6 minutes).
Apple Chips
Wondering what to do with leftover apples from baking? Use them up by making this fun, healthy apple snack!
Which Apple is Best?
Gala (available early September): sweet, fragrant with hints of vanilla, and crisp
Cortland (available October): mild, sweet, and crisp
Honeycrisp (available late September): sweet-tart and wonderfully crisp
Apple Chips Recipe
- Wash (our Fruit and Vegetable Wash works wonders) and core your apples, then thinly slice them into rings.
- If you don’t have a dehydrator, simply preheat your oven to 200°F.
- Lay them out on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper and sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Bake for an hour, then flip and bake for about another hour, or until they’re golden and crispy on each side.
Apple Cider
Warm up your chilled hands with a nice hot cup of fresh apple cider! Not only is homemade apple cider soothing, the process of making it will fill your house with an incredible aroma.
Which Apple is Best?
Go for a combo of tart and sweet! As with applesauce, try using apples with different flavour profiles to add a more complex taste to your apple cider drinks.
McIntosh (available September): mildly tart, sweeten as they ripen, and soft
Gala (available early September): sweet, fragrant with hints of vanilla, and crisp
Golden Delicious (available September): mellow, sweet, and juicy
Honeycrisp (available late September): sweet-tart and wonderfully crisp
Easy Apple Cider Recipe
Ingredients
10 medium-large apples (use a variety)
½ orange, cut in two
1 tsp allspice
4 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp cloves
1 whole nutmeg
½ cup of brown sugar or maple syrup
Directions
- Put all ingredients into a large pot over medium heat and add water until it covers 2 inches over your ingredients.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook for 2 hours covered.
- Remove the orange, then mash your apple and whole spices with a spoon or masher.
- Continue cooking on a low simmer, now uncovered, for about another hour.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer with a heat-safe bowl underneath, pressing on your apple mash with the back of a large mixing spoon or spatula to separate the juices into your bowl. Toss your solids into the compost.
- Serve your apple cider warm, or let cool and refrigerate if you prefer it served cold.
Baked Nutty Caramel Apples
A must-try for fall! Fresh apples are halved, cored, and baked with sweet cinnamon-spiced nuts then drizzled with caramel sauce. This apple dessert recipe could potentially be one of the best ways to enjoy baked apples in all their fruity glory.
Which Apple Is Best?
A small-to-medium sized apple would work well for a good apple-to-topping ratio. You’ll also want apples that are sweet and retain their shape when baked.
Gala (available early September): sweet, fragrant with hints of vanilla, and crisp
Honeycrisp (available late September): sweet-tart and wonderfully crisp
Baked Apple Recipe
See our Chef’s recipe for Baked Nutty Caramel Apples here!
