18 Apple Desserts to Impress at Every Fall Gathering

Fall is here, and you know what that means—apples are stealing the show! Whether you’re hosting a cozy family dinner, a Friendsgiving potluck, or just craving something sweet to pair with your pumpkin spice latte, these 18 apple desserts will make you the star of any gathering. From gooey pies to crispy fritters, I’ve got you covered with recipes that are easy, delicious, and guaranteed to impress. Ready to make your kitchen smell like autumn heaven? Let’s get to it! 😊

1. Classic Apple Pie with a Buttery Crust

Why It’s Awesome: Nothing screams fall like a warm, flaky apple pie that’s basically a hug in dessert form. This recipe keeps it simple but delivers big on flavor.

Ingredients

• 6 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 store-bought or homemade pie crusts
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp butter, cubed

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Roll out one pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish.
2. Toss apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice in a large bowl until evenly coated.
3. Pour the apple mixture into the crust, dot with butter, and cover with the second crust. Crimp the edges to seal.
4. Brush the top with egg wash and cut a few slits for steam to escape.
5. Bake for 50–60 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let cool slightly before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

This pie is the ultimate crowd-pleaser—sweet, tart, and perfectly spiced. I once brought it to a potluck, and it disappeared faster than my willpower around a cheese plate. Serve with vanilla ice cream for extra points.

2. Apple Crisp with Oat Crumble

Why It’s Awesome: Crunchy, buttery oats meet tender apples in this no-fuss dessert. It’s like pie but without the crust drama.

Ingredients

• 5 cups apples, peeled and sliced
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¾ cup old-fashioned oats
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup butter, melted
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread apples in an 8×8 baking dish.
2. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle over apples.
3. Combine oats, flour, granulated sugar, and melted butter in a bowl to form a crumbly topping.
4. Sprinkle topping over apples and bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Why You’ll Love It

This crisp is stupidly easy and tastes like fall in every bite. The oat topping adds a nutty crunch that’s honestly better than pie crust (don’t @ me). Perfect for last-minute gatherings.

3. Apple Fritters for the Win

Why It’s Awesome: These doughy, apple-packed fritters are like doughnuts’ cooler cousin. Deep-fried and glazed, they’re pure indulgence.

Ingredients

• 2 cups apples, peeled and diced
• 1 ½ cups flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup milk
• 1 egg
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
• 2 tbsp milk (for glaze)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon in a bowl.
2. Whisk milk and egg in a separate bowl, then combine with dry ingredients.
3. Fold in apples. Heat oil to 375°F in a deep skillet.
4. Drop spoonfuls of batter into hot oil and fry 2–3 minutes per side until golden.
5. Mix powdered sugar and milk for glaze, then drizzle over warm fritters.

Why You’ll Love It

These fritters are crispy outside, soft inside, and dangerously addictive. I made a batch for a brunch, and they were gone before I could grab seconds. Pair with coffee for maximum joy.

4. Cinnamon Apple Bread

Why It’s Awesome: This moist, spiced loaf is like a warm sweater for your taste buds. Perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup butter, softened
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup milk
• 1 ½ cups apples, peeled and diced

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5 loaf pan.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy, then add eggs and vanilla.
4. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture. Fold in apples.
5. Pour into pan and bake for 50–60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Why You’ll Love It

This bread is cozy, versatile, and smells amazing while baking. I once swapped half the sugar for maple syrup, and it was a game-changer. Slice it thick and slather with butter.

5. Apple Turnovers with Puff Pastry

Why It’s Awesome: Flaky, buttery turnovers stuffed with sweet apples—fancy but secretly easy. Your guests will think you’re a pastry chef.

Ingredients

• 2 cups apples, peeled and diced
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg, beaten

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Cook apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter in a skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes until soft. Let cool.
2. Cut puff pastry into 4 squares. Spoon apple filling onto each square.
3. Fold into triangles, crimp edges with a fork, and brush with egg.
4. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and puffed.

Why You’ll Love It

These turnovers are crispy, sweet, and look like you spent hours in the kitchen (shh, we won’t tell). I love sneaking a few before guests arrive. Serve warm for max impact.

6. Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Why It’s Awesome: These cute cookies combine buttery dough with sweet apple butter. They’re a bite-sized fall party.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup apple butter
• ¼ cup powdered sugar (for dusting)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat butter and sugar until creamy.
2. Add flour and vanilla, mixing until a dough forms.
3. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, place on a baking sheet, and make a thumbprint in each.
4. Fill thumbprints with apple butter. Bake for 12–15 minutes.
5. Dust with powdered sugar after cooling slightly.

Why You’ll Love It

These cookies are melt-in-your-mouth perfection with a jammy apple kick. I brought them to a cookie swap once, and they were the talk of the table. They’re also adorable!

7. Baked Apples with Cinnamon Streusel

Why It’s Awesome: These stuffed apples are like mini pies without the hassle. Warm, cozy, and perfect for one.

Ingredients

• 4 apples, cored
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup oats
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ cup chopped pecans (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Place apples in a baking dish.
2. Mix brown sugar, oats, butter, cinnamon, and pecans (if using) in a bowl.
3. Stuff mixture into each apple. Pour a little water into the dish to prevent sticking.
4. Bake for 35–40 minutes until apples are tender.

Why You’ll Love It

These are stupidly simple but taste like a fancy dessert. The streusel topping adds crunch, and the pecans? Chef’s kiss. I make these when I want to feel healthy-ish.

8. Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Why It’s Awesome: These muffins are soft, spiced, and packed with apple chunks. Breakfast or dessert? You decide.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 cup apples, diced

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and line a muffin tin with liners.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon in a bowl.
3. Whisk sugar, butter, eggs, and milk in another bowl.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then fold in apples.
5. Fill muffin cups ¾ full and bake for 18–22 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

These muffins are moist, flavorful, and freeze like a dream for meal prep. I once added a streusel topping, and it was next-level. Grab one on the go!

9. Apple Galette with Rustic Charm

Why It’s Awesome: This free-form pie is easier than it looks and screams “I’m a cool, effortless baker.” Rustic vibes only.

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 3 cups apples, sliced
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 egg, beaten

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Roll out pie crust on a baking sheet.
2. Toss apples, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice in a bowl.
3. Pile apples in the center of the crust, leaving a 2-inch border. Fold edges over apples.
4. Brush crust with egg and bake for 35–40 minutes until golden.

Why You’ll Love It

This galette is forgiving and looks artsy without trying too hard. I love how the crust gets all flaky and golden. Serve with whipped cream for extra flair.

10. Apple Cider Donuts

Why It’s Awesome: These donuts are soft, cakey, and coated in cinnamon-sugar goodness. Like a fall festival in your mouth.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups apple cider, reduced to ½ cup
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• 1 egg
• ½ cup milk
• Cinnamon-sugar (½ cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Simmer apple cider until reduced to ½ cup, then cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a donut pan.
3. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon in a bowl.
4. Whisk sugar, butter, egg, milk, and reduced cider in another bowl.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients, pipe into donut pan, and bake for 10–12 minutes. Coat in cinnamon-sugar.

Why You’ll Love It

These donuts are warm, spiced, and stupidly addictive. I made them for a brunch, and people fought over the last one. No fryer needed—score!

11. Apple Pie Bars

Why It’s Awesome: All the pie flavor in portable, shareable bars. Perfect for potlucks or sneaky midnight snacks.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• ½ cup butter, softened
• ¼ cup sugar
• 3 cups apples, peeled and diced
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ cup oats (for topping)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 pan with parchment.
2. Mix flour, butter, and sugar to form a crumbly crust. Press into pan.
3. Toss apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then spread over crust.
4. Sprinkle oats on top and bake for 40–45 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

These bars are like pie you can eat with your hands—genius, right? They’re sweet, spiced, and disappear fast at gatherings. I cut mine small to pretend I’m being “healthy.”

12. Apple Spice Cake

Why It’s Awesome: This moist cake is loaded with apples and warm spices. It’s a showstopper without the fuss.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups apples, grated
• ½ cup milk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch round pan.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and sugar, then add eggs and vanilla.
4. Alternate adding dry ingredients, milk, and apples to the butter mixture.
5. Pour into pan and bake for 35–40 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

This cake is rich, moist, and screams fall. I frosted mine with cream cheese icing once, and it was basically marriage material. Dust with powdered sugar if you’re feeling low-key.

13. Apple Dumplings

Why It’s Awesome: Whole apples wrapped in pastry and baked in a sweet sauce? Yes, please. It’s like a personal pie party.

Ingredients

• 4 apples, peeled and cored
• 1 pie crust, cut into 4 squares
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp butter, divided
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Place each apple on a pie crust square.
2. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then stuff into apple cores. Top with a pat of butter.
3. Wrap crust around apples, sealing at the top.
4. Boil water, sugar, and remaining butter, then pour into a baking dish with dumplings.
5. Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden.

Why You’ll Love It

These dumplings are indulgent and adorable. The sauce soaks into the pastry, making it extra dreamy. I serve mine with ice cream because, why not?

14. Apple Cinnamon Scones

Why It’s Awesome: Flaky, buttery scones with apple chunks and a cinnamon glaze. Perfect for fancy brunches or lazy mornings.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup butter, cold and cubed
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup apples, diced
• ½ cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
• 1 tbsp milk (for glaze)
• ¼ tsp cinnamon (for glaze)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon.
2. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Stir in milk and apples to form a dough. Pat into a circle and cut into 8 wedges.
4. Bake on a lined sheet for 15–18 minutes.
5. Mix powdered sugar, milk, and cinnamon for glaze, then drizzle over scones.

Why You’ll Love It

These scones are tender, not too sweet, and look bougie as heck. I made them for a book club, and everyone acted like I was Martha Stewart. Pair with tea for ultimate coziness.

15. Apple Tarte Tatin

Why It’s Awesome: This upside-down French classic is caramelized apple perfection. Looks fancy, tastes incredible.

Ingredients

• 4 apples, peeled and quartered
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup butter
• 1 puff pastry sheet, thawed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Melt butter in a 9-inch oven-safe skillet, then sprinkle sugar evenly.
2. Arrange apples cut-side up in the skillet. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes until caramel forms.
3. Add vanilla, then place puff pastry over apples, tucking in edges.
4. Bake for 25–30 minutes until pastry is golden. Flip onto a plate to serve.

Why You’ll Love It

This tarte is a show-off dessert that’s surprisingly doable. The caramelized apples are sticky-sweet perfection. I tried it with pears once—big mistake. Stick with apples.

16. Apple Cheesecake Bars

Why It’s Awesome: Creamy cheesecake meets spiced apples in bar form. It’s like two desserts had a delicious baby.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups apples, peeled and diced
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix graham cracker crumbs and butter, then press into an 8×8 pan.
2. Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over crust.
3. Toss apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then sprinkle over cheesecake layer.
4. Bake for 30–35 minutes. Chill before cutting.

Why You’ll Love It

These bars are rich, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet. They’re a hit at parties, and I always hide a few for myself. Pro tip: cut small squares—they’re decadent!

17. Apple Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Why It’s Awesome: Cinnamon rolls and apples in a gooey, shareable casserole? This is breakfast dessert at its finest.

Ingredients

• 2 cans cinnamon rolls, cut into quarters
• 2 cups apples, peeled and diced
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• Icing from cinnamon roll cans

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. Toss cinnamon roll pieces, apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon in the dish.
3. Drizzle with melted butter and bake for 25–30 minutes.
4. Drizzle with icing before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

This casserole is a lazy baker’s dream—minimal effort, maximum wow. I made it for a holiday brunch, and it was gone in minutes. Serve warm for gooey perfection.

18. Apple Sorbet

Why It’s Awesome: Light, refreshing, and surprisingly easy, this sorbet is a palate-cleanser with serious fall vibes.

Ingredients

• 4 cups apples, peeled and chopped
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp cinnamon

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook apples, sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat until soft, about 10 minutes.
2. Blend until smooth, then stir in cinnamon. Cool completely.
3. Freeze in an ice cream maker per instructions, or in a shallow dish, stirring every 30 minutes until frozen.

Why You’ll Love It

This sorbet is tart, sweet, and perfect for lighter dessert moments. I love serving it after heavy meals—it’s like a fancy reset button. No ice cream maker? No problem—just freeze and stir.

Wrap-Up

There you have it—18 apple desserts to make your fall gatherings unforgettable! From classic pies to refreshing sorbets, these recipes are all about big flavor with minimal stress. Pick one (or three, no judgment), and watch your friends and family swoon over your baking skills. What’s your go-to apple dessert? Let me know, because I’m always down to try something new! 🍎