In addition to being delicious, apples are highly portable and have a longer shelf life than many other kinds of fruit, making them a great grab-and-go snack. Apples are also extremely versatile, enjoyable fresh from the tree, baked into pies, juiced, dried, baked, and more. Plus, there are about 2,500 unique varieties of apples in the United States, according to the University of Illinois, so it’s hard to get bored. Nor should it come as a surprise that apples, the fruit renowned for keeping the doctor away, are good for you. These fruits contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, as well as vitamin C and phytochemicals — nutrients that likely give apples anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. At around 95 calories with 4 grams (g) of total fiber, per data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a medium-size apple makes a relatively low-calorie but satisfying sweet treat on its own, and can be a healthy addition to recipes both sweet and savory. In order to get the most nutrients from your apples, leave the skin on — research has found that the majority of the fiber and antioxidant flavonoids are concentrated there, so peeling apples removes a lot of their benefits. Also, it’s entirely safe to eat the apple core, seeds and all, and a study published July 24, 2019, in Frontiers in Microbiology even indicated that, like the skin, the core may be a concentrated source of nutrients. While nothing beats a good, crisp, orchard-fresh apple, the following recipes will make you appreciate these fruits in a whole new light. From a healthy spin on pie to a comforting dessert you can make in your microwave, here are nine scrumptious answers to the age-old question, “How do you like them apples?”
