Easy Vegan Ways to Use up Apples
Every autumn my apple tree produces more fruit than I can possibly eat fresh. While it’s such a gift to have homegrown apples, it also means I’m always looking for ways to use them up before they go soft or rotten.
Even if you don’t have an apple tree, it’s easy to end up with a few lingering in the fruit bowl that don’t look quite as tempting as they did when you bought them.
They are also incredibly versatile, especially in vegan cooking. Whether you’re making something sweet, blending them into breakfast, or adding them to a savoury dish, there are plenty of easy ways to make sure none of them go to waste. Here are some of my favourite simple ideas to get you started.
5 easy vegan ways to use up fresh apples
Make Homemade Apple Sauce
Simmer chopped apples with a splash of water, cinnamon, and a touch of lemon juice until soft. Blend or mash for a smooth or chunky sauce. Perfect as a topping for porridge, pancakes, or swirled into dairy-free yogurt.
Blend into Smoothies
Soft apples work especially well in smoothies. Combine with bananas, oats, nut butter, and plant milk for a naturally sweet and filling drink.
Bake Them into Crumbles or Muffins
Apples add moisture and sweetness to baked goods. Chop them into a warming crumble, or fold them into muffin batter for a comforting treat.
Slice and Freeze for Later
If you can’t use apples right away, chop them up and freeze. They’re brilliant added straight into porridge, crumbles, or even blended into soups and sauces.
Use in Savoury Dishes
Apples aren’t just for sweet recipes. Add chopped apple to salads for a crisp freshness, or cook them down with onions to make a tangy chutney that pairs beautifully.
Simmer apple slices with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger to make a cosy mulled apple tea, or add them to water for a naturally sweet infusion.
Make Energy Bites
Finely chop or grate apples and mix with oats, nut butter, and a touch of maple syrup. Roll into small balls and refrigerate for easy, grab-and-go snacks.
My favourite vegan apple recipes
Sweet desserts & snacks
Apples are made for cosy bakes and little treats. From warming crumbles to quick muffins and bite-sized snacks, there are so many ways to enjoy them when you’re craving something sweet.
Savoury apple dishes
Apples might not be the first ingredient you think of in savoury cooking, but they work beautifully in hearty dishes and pair so well with onion, squash and root veg. These recipes are a great way to try apples in a different light.
Slaws & Sides
For something fresh and crunchy, apples are brilliant grated into slaws or sliced into simple side salads. They add natural sweetness and a lovely crisp texture to balance out savoury flavours.
Breakfast
Start the day with apples in porridge, pancakes, or baked oats. They’re the perfect fruit to give breakfast a natural sweetness without needing lots of added sugar.
However many apples I end up with each year, I never run out of ways to use them. They really are one of the most flexible fruits to cook and bake with, and it’s so satisfying finding new ways to make sure none of them go to waste. I love storing a stash in the freezer, cooking big batches of chutney to give as gifts, and of course keeping plenty aside for crumbles throughout the colder months.
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Did you make any of these vegan fresh apples recipes recipes? Please rate and review the recipe below, and leave me a comment! I love to hear your feedback, and if you’re enjoying my recipes. Make sure to take a photo, tag me @MadeleineOlivia and tag it #MadeleineOlivia.
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