We celebrate National Apple Pie Day twice a year — in May and in December. Apple pie is not only considered America’s favorite pie, but it has become a symbol of all that is good, homey, and patriotic. Even though we use the saying “as American as apple pie,” the first apple pie was made in Europe and the recipe was printed by none other than the famous author Geoffrey Chaucer. Dutch apple pies went one step further and put ice cream on top. Yum!
We can definitely get behind that kind of creativity. Just look at our 10 Vegan Takes on Apple Pie That Will Change Your Life to see all different ways to make apple pies that are unique. In fact, we like to use apples in all kinds of recipes. Look at these 21 Amazing Ways to Use This Season’s Apples that Go Beyond Apple Sauce.
With summer in full swing, we will be having more cookouts, barbecues, and outdoor potlucks and picnics. So instead of being stuck in the hot kitchen baking pies, we are bringing you amazing apple recipes that are perfect for your cookouts and outdoor get-togethers.
1. Apple and Grape Pasta Salad
If you like to let sweet and savory flavors play together, this Apple and Grape Pasta Salad is perfect for you. Pasta is tossed lightly with vegan mayonnaise for a creamy base, and then the grapes and apple provide small bursts of sweet freshness. This salad will be such a hit, you’ll be asked to bring it to every potluck you’re invited to.
2. Raw Almond Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Trying to cut down on carbs in time for summer? These Raw Almond Butter and Jelly Sandwiches will help. Instead of bread, thick and juicy slices of apple are slathered with the nut butter and jam. This sandwich is filling and tastes so delicious, you’ll never miss the bread.
3. Salted Caramel Apple Galette
Caramel apples get a grown-up makeover with this Salted Caramel Apple Galette. Warm, gooey, and delicious, this pastry is loaded with apples and homemade caramel. It’s a sophisticated take on a childhood favorite and since it’s easier to make than pie, it’s perfect for summer get-togethers.
4. Cinnamon Apple Roses With an Apple Butter Filling
Everything’s coming up roses – apple roses, that is. These Cinnamon Apple Roses With an Apple Butter Filling are light, beautiful desserts that will have everyone snapping pictures before they take a bite. Juicy apples are turned into pretty roses and baked in a flaky puff pastry. Serve these apple roses with a spoonful of the accompanying apple butter for a treat that’s truly amazing.
5. Apple and Pecan Spelt Pastry Pies
Turnovers are always a favorite and these Apple and Pecan Spelt Pastry Pies will be a cookout favorite. The nutty spelt crust is filled with a warm, gooey apple pecan filling. Cinnamon adds a touch of warmth to the filling of these pastry pies and the crunchy crust serves as a satisfying contrast to the gooey apples within.
6. Apple Cardamom Cupcakes With a Sweet Lemon Frosting
If you’re looking for a new kind of cupcake, then you need to try these Apple Cardamom Cupcakes With a Sweet Lemon Frosting. Roasted beets give these cupcakes their lovely pink color while lending a sweet, yet subtle earthy flavor that complements the sweetness of the applesauce. A bright, sweet, and citrus-y lemon frosting is the perfect finishing touch, especially when garnished with lemon zest.
7. Caramel Apple Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Nothing’s better at a cookout on a warm day than a cold, refreshing ice cream sandwich. But these aren’t just any ice cream sandwiches – they’re Caramel Apple Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches. The comforting flavor of apple pie is recreated in a creamy frozen banana-based ice cream studded with apple and date pieces. Then that scoop of ice cream is sandwiched between two pieces of no-bake cinnamon oat cookie dough. These are pure heaven!
8. Apple and Peach Jam Pie Bars
Are these Apple and Peach Jam Pie Bars breakfast or dessert? We say both. Peach jam and fresh apples make for a pie bar that’s crisp and delicious. The two delicious fruits are sandwiched between a maple syrup-sweetened crust and crumbly streusel topping. These bars are so good, we’ll eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
9. Cinnamon Apple Brownies
Looking for an easy indulgence? These Cinnamon Apple Brownies only take a few easy steps to prepare. Decadent dark chocolate and crunchy walnuts go perfectly with the sweet apples and warm cinnamon. Bring a big platter of these to a cookout and you’ll be invited back every time.
10. Apple Pie Stuffed Apples
Say “goodbye” to rolling out pie crusts and say “hello” to these gorgeous Apple Pie Stuffed Apples. It only takes seven ingredients to make these warm, cinnamon-y apples with a crunchy, maple-spiked granola topping. This is a healthier way to enjoy apple pie without all the work.
11. Rustic Tartlets with Caramelized Onions, Apple and Butternut Squash
A little sweet and a little savory, these Rustic Tartlets with Caramelized Onions, Apple and Butternut Squash are perfect for your cookout. They make a tasty appetizer to showcase how well apples and onions go together and butternut squash makes a creamy addition. Make a lot of these because we’re thinking everyone will want two … or three.
12. Apple Crumble Pie
This Apple Crumble Pie is amazing. The sweet apple filling sits on a delicate gluten-free crust spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. There’s a crumble topping that makes this pie extra special. Make sure you have enough for seconds, because one slice just won’t be enough.
13. Pear and Apple Oat Crisp
Making a crisp is so much easier than making a pie. This Pear and Apple Oat Crisp is warm, gooey, sweet, and spicy. Apples and pears are cooked with a crumbly oat topping that is just delicious. Serve with a big dollop of whipped cream and watch it disappear.
14. Apple Dutch Baby
This Apple Dutch Baby is fluffy, puffy, and light, thanks to silken tofu. Sweet, juicy apples makes this dessert moist and delicious. There’s no added oil, so you can feel good about putting a huge scoop of ice cream on top.
15. Baked Cheesecake Stuffed Apples
Instead of putting fruit on top of your cheesecake, put your cheesecake inside your fruit. These Baked Cheesecake Stuffed Apples have a rich, creamy cheesecake stuffed inside an apple and baked until tender and juicy. Then it gets drizzled with caramel sauce for a unique dessert that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
16.Skillet Potatoes With Chickpeas and Roasted Apples
ThisSkillet Potatoes With Chickpeas and Roasted Apples recipe is vibrant, flavorful, and perfect to pass around at your next cookout!Roasted apple slices bring a subtle sweetness to the dish and you can use whatever fresh herbs you like to adjust the flavor of the dish to your liking.
17.Grilled Buffalo Tofu Po’ Boy with Apple Slaw
ThisGrilled Buffalo Tofu Po’ Boy with Apple Slaw is a show stopper!The cabbage and apples in the slaw add crunch, the vegan mayo adds creaminess, and the vinegar gives it some needed acidity.
18. 2-Ingredient Honeycrisp Apple Spritzer
This2-Ingredient Honeycrisp Apple Spritzer is the perfect, cooling cookout drink!A nonalcoholic spritzer made with a Honeycrisp apple concentrate (you could make the concentrate with any apple juice that you like) and sparkling water, with no added sugar!
19.Nut-Free Apple and Strawberry Crumble
ThisNut-Free Apple and Strawberry Crumble is delicious and super easy!Oatmeal, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds take the place of nuts, and the result is simply exquisite.
20.Green Apple Tahini Quinoa
ThisGreen Apple Tahini Quinoa is a perfect little salad to share at your next cookout!This salad is unique, fruity, and so rich with different textures and flavors.
Looking for more cookout recipes? Check out 15 BBQ Jackfruit Recipes You Need For Grill Season! by downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 10,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!
Lead image source:Skillet Potatoes With Chickpeas and Roasted Apples
