This Month in Food: National Apple Day, October 21

Pumpkins and pumpkin flavored everything is everywhere this time of year. This is the exact opposite of a newsflash, of course! While many enjoy all the pumpkin wonderful-ness throughout the fall, we’d be remiss if we didn’t take a moment to highlight another fall favorite: apples! To prepare you for National Apple Day on October 21, check out some fun ways to get all apple-y and celebrate:

Caramel apples - You’ve got different ways to go about enjoying apples with caramel - we love options! Find pre-made taffy or caramel apples at your favorite store, sometimes even decorated with toppings such as nuts, candies, sprinkles, or crumbled cookies. If you want to make your own at home, we support this venture, and you could consider this recipe for guidance. Sometimes simply slicing an apple and dipping in homemade caramel sauce or store-bought caramel sauce is what will do the trick for you. 

Apple cider - A classic fall treat, it’s as if I can smell the cinnamon and apple now. Check out this recipe and you’ll soon be on your way to coziness in your favorite fall mug. 

Apple doughnuts - Want something to go with that apple cider? Perhaps we can interest you in an apple doughnut! Check out your favorite bakeries and shops to enjoy these without the kitchen time, but if you want to try making your own, check out this recipe. Either way, you’ve leveled up your apple game. 

Apple crisp - Imagine sitting outside with the crisp fall leaves, a mug of apple cider in one hand, and some good ol’ delicious apple crisp in the other…this could be you! You can even jazz it up with some caramel, bring a scoop of ice cream along for the ride, maybe some whipped cream/topping - there is no wrong way to enjoy it. Here’s a recipe to consider if you’d like to go on an apple crisp-making adventure. 

Homemade applesauce - While we do love the convenience of store-bought applesauce (especially those trusty applesauce pouches!), making your own applesauce can be a simple and fun way to get festive. So if you’d like to try, this recipe might help you out. You can enjoy it on its own, stir some into oatmeal, add a dollop to pancakes, swirl it into yogurt…get creative!

We’d be here far past October if we attempted to round up all the ways you can enjoy apples this fall (and any time of year…let’s be real). We hope these ideas get you thinking and pave the way to some tasty fall delights, whether homemade or found out at your favorite shops and restaurants!

Written by Sarita Aguirre, MS, RDN, LDN, CEDS-C