Apples are easy to overlook. After all, we each eat an average of 10 lbs of them a year, according to statistics published by the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center in 2021. They rank second in total fruit consumption per person, only behind bananas. There are many reasons why apples are so popular.
Apples are not only delicious but also highly portable. They have a much longer shelf-life than other fruits, which makes them an excellent grab-and-go snack. Apples can be eaten fresh, in pies, as juice, dried, or baked. According to the University of Illinois, there are over 2,500 different varieties of apples available in the United States.
According to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, it should not be a surprise to learn that apples are healthy. According to data from the U.S., a medium-sized apple contains 95 calories and 4 grams of fiber. Department of Agriculture, a medium apple is a low-calorie sweet treat used in sweet and savory recipes.
The research found that most of the antioxidant flavonoids and fiber are concentrated in the apple skin, so peeling them removes many benefits. It’s also perfectly safe to eat apple cores, seeds included. A July 24, 2019, report in Frontiers in Microbiology indicated that the bodies might contain concentrated nutrients.
The following recipes will help you see apples in a new light. Here are nine delicious answers to that age-old question: “How do they like those apples?” From a healthy twist on the pie to an easy dessert you can prepare in the microwave, these recipes will make you appreciate this fruit even more.
Healthy Mini Apple Pies
This bite-sized version of apple pie is the only thing that can compare to the original. Combining oats, spices, and olive oil creates a healthier alternative to the traditional Piecrust while retaining your favorite fall flavors. Oats provide an extra fiber boost that is usually missing in Piecrust. These pies also contain no gluten because they are made with oats. If you are trying to avoid gluten altogether, look for “gluten-free oats” that have been adequately packaged and produced.
Ingredients
Old-fashioned rolled Oats, 1 1/2 cups
1/4 cup of light olive oil, divided
Light brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp
1/4 tsp cinnamon ground, divided
1/4 teaspoon kosher sea salt
Peel and dice two medium tart-sweet apples (such as McIntosh)
1/4 cup raisins
Pure maple syrup, two tablespoons
One pinch ground nutmeg
1 pinch of ground ginger
Directions
1Spray nonstick cooking spray on a mini-muffin tin.
2Put oats into a food processor or blender and pulse.
3Add two tablespoons olive oil to the oat mixture and then add brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir together and then evenly distribute the Piecrust into the prepared muffin tin. Press into the bottom and sides of each cup.
4Combine apples in a large bowl with two tablespoons of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, raisins, and maple syrup. Add nutmeg, ginger, and raisin. Toss the mixture to coat evenly. Place apple mixture gently into each muffin cup.
5Bake the apples in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are softened, and the crust starts to brown.