We’ve all been there – you bought a bag of fresh, delicious apples at the store but then life got busy. Before you knew it, those apples were sitting ignored in the fruit bowl, slowly getting wrinkly and soft. What a waste! But don’t fret – with a little creativity, those not-so-perfect apples can be transformed into something delicious.
Here are 10 great ideas for using up apples that are past their prime before having to throw them in the compost bin
1. Bake Them into Muffins or Bread
One of the easiest ways to use up browning apples is by baking them into muffins, quick breads or cake. Simply peel and chop the apples into small chunks then mix them into your favorite muffin bread or cake batter. The moisture from the apples replaces the need for some of the liquid in the recipe. And the heat from baking helps break down the apples so they become tender.
Apple muffins make a tasty on-the-go breakfast. Try adding cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger to make them extra flavorful. Apple bread with walnuts is delicious sliced for toast or sandwiches. And apple cake covered in a cream cheese glaze can turn those unwanted apples into a decadent dessert!
2. Whip Up a Classic Apple Pie
When life gives you mealy apples, make pie! Peel, core and slice the apples, and bake into a homemade pie crust. If the apples are especially soft, cook them down into an apple pie filling before baking them into the pie. Add apple pie spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves to mask any unpleasant flavors. Serve the pie warm with ice cream for the perfect sweet treat.
3. Cook Up Some Applesauce
When apples start getting spotty but aren’t completely rotten, cooking them down into applesauce is a nutritious way to preserve them. Simply peel, core and chop the apples. Add a little water or apple juice and simmer until the apples break down into a sweet sauce-like consistency. Mash them lightly with a fork or potato masher. Season to taste with cinnamon, nutmeg or cloves.
Homemade applesauce contains no added sugar and makes for a healthy side dish or snack. It can also be incorporated into baked goods or other recipes. Portion and freeze any extras so it stays fresh for later.
4. Slow Cook Them into Apple Butter
For super soft or bruised apples, try your hand at making homemade apple butter in the slow cooker. Chop the apples (no need to peel or core them) and add apple cider, spices and a sweetener like honey. Cook on low for 10-12 hours, stirring occasionally, until thick and caramelized. Apple butter is delicious served over toast, oatmeal or ice cream.
5. Transform Them into Sweet Apple Chips
Don’t let apples with minor cosmetic blemishes go to waste. Simply slice them thinly and bake at 200°F until they become dried out, crispy apple chips. Season with cinnamon and sugar if desired. Enjoy apple chips as a healthy sweet snack or add them to yogurt parfaits and fruit salads for crunch.
6. Blend into a Fruit Smoothie
Add chopped apples into your favorite protein-packed fruit smoothie. The apples provide fiber and sweetness to balance out the flavors of greens and vegetables. If the apples are overly soft, cook them down into an applesauce consistency first before adding to your smoothie.
7. Mix into Hearty Fall Salads
Chop aging apples into small pieces and throw them into savory fall salads. Try a mix of apples, dried cranberries, pecans and blue cheese served over spinach. Or make an apple coleslaw with shredded cabbage and carrots. The sweetness of apples pairs nicely with sharp vinaigrettes and creamy salad dressings.
8. Use as a Topping for Meats
Caramelize chopped apples with onions, garlic and fresh herbs, then use this mixture as a topping for pork chops, chicken breasts or fish fillets. The sweet softened apples complement the savory proteins beautifully.
9. Blend into Homemade Barbecue Sauce
Put those bruised apples to use in a tasty homemade barbecue-style sauce. Simply pulse apple chunks in a blender with onions, garlic, mustard and cider vinegar. Sweeten with a bit of honey or maple syrup. You’ll end up with a sweet and tangy sauce perfect for grilling season.
10. Juice or Press into Fresh Cider
Have more spotted apples than you know what to do with? Consider pressing them into fresh apple cider! Quarter or chop the apples, even ones with blemishes or soft spots, then press out the juice using a cider press, juicer or cheesecloth. Season the cider with cinnamon sticks and cloves. Fresh apple cider is delicious on its own or mixed into fall cocktails.
As you can see, letting apples go bad doesn’t mean they have to go to waste. With a little ingenuity right in your own kitchen, you can give browning, wrinkly apples new life in the form of breads, pies, chips, salads, sauces and more. Saving and repurposing food saves money while also reducing food waste. Now that’s a win-win!
Naturally Sweetened And Super Healthy Homemade Apple Sauce
Maybe you’re a body conscious person and sick and tired of all the added sugars the food industry smuggles into our meals? Not gonna happen here – promise! You can make your own yummy AND healthy apple sauce within the blink of an eye.
Base
- (wrinkly or mushy) apples
Additional flavors
Natural sweeteners
- dates (I’d suggest one per apple)
- raisins (yuk, not my taste – but it’s an option after all)
- agave sirup
A tea towel always comes in handy when working in the kitchen. Why not DIY a Beautiful Hand Stamped Dish Cloth for yourself or as a gift idea for friends & family?
Make Homemade Apple Sauce!
I spent a week in the Netherlands at the beach and in Antwerp, Belgium for my birthday this year. Usually I prepare accordingly and won’t buy too much food before a trip and if I miscalculated I give fresh produce to family or friends. I am not a fan of throwing away food. It’s just nothing you should do. My personal opinion, though!
This year I was somewhat nervous and thus a little confused. After all it was my first vacation with my man … in this case a girl’s allowed to be a little excited, right? Right!
So when I came home after a week, I found all of my yummy organic apples in a somewhat sad state… all wrinkly and gone soft?. So what to do with them, if throwing them into the bin is a big No No?
I simply decided to make myself a homemade apple sauce!
DON’T THROW OUT YOUR ROTTING APPLES
FAQ
What can be done with rotten apples?
- Apple Butter. …
- Homemade Applesauce. …
- Apple Fruit Leather. …
- Apple Smoothie. …
- Baked Apple Chips. …
- Roasted Apples and Veggies. …
- Apple Soup, Anyone? …
- Add Them to Salads.
What can I do with out of date apples?
For former apples, they usually stand up better to cooking so you might consider a pie, cobbler, buckle, apple cake/muffin, or a shortbread. Or even a simple baked apple or hot cinnamon apples cooked on the stove for a low-effort option.
Can I freeze raw apples?
Yes, you can freeze raw apples.
Can I use old apples to make applesauce?
Or apples that are tart, tangy and sweet such as Pink Lady or Granny Smith. Bramley apples tend to be very sour, so you will need to add loads of sugar to bring out the flavour, its best to steer clear of them! It is okay to use older apples to make applesauce, they will be softer, so therefore cook quicker.