We’ve all been there – you bought a bag of apples with the best intentions. You planned to pack them in your lunch every day or snack on one after dinner. But then life got in the way, and now those perfectly good apples are starting to get soft mealy, and brown.
It’s tempting to just toss them in the trash. But don’t let those less-than-perfect apples go to waste! With a little creativity, you can transform those aging apples into something delicious.
Here are 10 great ways to use up apples that are past their prime:
1. Make Applesauce
Making your own applesauce is one of the easiest ways to use up apples that are going south.
Peel, core, and chop the apples into chunks. Place them in a saucepan with a tablespoon of water. Over medium heat, mash the potatoes every so often with a potato masher for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are soft and sauce-like.
Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, or other spices to taste. For added sweetness, add a bit of honey, maple syrup, or sugar
Homemade applesauce uses up apples at their peak ripeness. It tastes good by itself, over oatmeal, or as a side dish with pork.
2. Bake Apple Muffins or Bread
Overripe apples add moisture and sweetness to baked goods like muffins and quick breads.
Peel and chop the apples. Fold them into your favorite muffin batter or bread dough. The heat from baking softens the apples perfectly.
Apple muffins are a handy grab-and-go breakfast. Apple bread makes a great snack or dessert. Feel free to add nuts, cinnamon, raisins or other mix-ins.
3. Whip Up an Apple Cake
An apple cake is a classic way to use up aging apples. Soft apples break down easily into a tender, moist cake.
Try an easy apple coffee cake, apple upside down cake, or old-fashioned apple cake. Peel, core, and dice the apples, then fold them into your favorite cake batter. Bake until golden brown and bubbling.
Serve apple cake warm with ice cream or whipped cream for an irresistible fall dessert.
4. Simmer Up Some Apple Butter
Apple butter is a sweet spread made by cooking down apples into a thick, caramelized “butter.” It’s delicious on toast, waffles, or even pork.
Chop up your tired apples – peels and all. Cook slowly in a crockpot with apple cider or juice until broken down and deeply caramelized. Blend or mash to your desired consistency.
Apple butter is a great way to use up apples that aren’t quite right and keep their flavor.
5. Make Apple Chips
Even apples with blemishes or soft spots can be turned into a healthy snack – apple chips!
Thinly slice the apples and arrange in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 200°F for 1-2 hours until dried out and crispy. Season with cinnamon and sugar if desired.
Crunchy baked apple chips are handy to have around. Store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
6. Whip Up an Apple Fritter or Turnover
Stuffed pastries are a tasty way to use aging apples. The filling softens up during baking or frying.
Try apple fritters, turnovers, hand pies, or strudel. Peel, core, and dice the apples. Toss with sugar, cinnamon and a squeeze of lemon. Enclose in your favorite pastry dough.
These apple-filled goodies make a special breakfast, dessert, or snack. Drizzle with glaze or serve à la mode.
7. Cook Them Down Into Applesauce
When apples start getting spotty but aren’t rotten, cook them into applesauce.
Peel, core and chop the apples. Simmer with a little water or apple juice over low heat until broken down and saucy, 10-15 minutes. Mash them to your desired consistency.
Homemade applesauce uses up aging apples at their sweetest. Enjoy plain, flavored with cinnamon, or use it in recipes.
8.Blend Up Some Apple Cider
Got more apples than you know what to do with? Make apple cider!
Chop and core the apples – even ones with blemishes. Simmer in water for 60-90 minutes until soft. Strain out the solids, then add cinnamon sticks and a bit of sugar.
Homemade apple cider tastes delicious on its own or mixed with soda for an autumn-inspired drink. Plus, it puts those tired apples to use.
9. Toss into a Fall Fruit Salad
Add diced apples into a fresh fruit salad for extra nutrition and natural sweetness. The apples complement other fall fruits like pears and grapes.
For added crunch, stir in granola or nuts. Top with yogurt or drizzle with honey-lime dressing.
A fall fruit salad is a healthy way to start your morning or an easy take-along work snack. Those aging apples add tasty bulk.
10. Bake into a Classic Apple Pie
What better way to use up less-than-perfect apples than in a classic apple pie?
Peel, core, and slice the apples. Toss with sugar, flour, and fall spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice. Pour into a pie crust and top with a lattice or second crust.
Bake until the filling is bubbling and the crust is golden. Serve with ice cream for pure comfort food at its best.
As you can see, those aging apples sitting on your counter don’t have to go to waste. With a little creativity, you can convert them into something downright delicious.
Next time you’ve got apples past their prime, try one of these ideas. You’ll save money by not throwing them out, and enjoy tasty apple-y treats in the process.
How to Tell If Apples Are Bad?
Before we dive into the fun part of unpacking what to do with apples going bad, let’s quickly address the question that might be lingering in your mind: how do you know if your apples have ALREADY gone bad?.
- Appearance: Take a good, hard look at them. Of course, a few flaws are okay—a little bump here, a little mark there. Even slight wrinkling is just fine. If, on the other hand, they look like they’ve been through a rough patch—with wrinkles as deep as a grocery list or mold growing like an unwanted guest—it’s time to say goodbye.
- Texture: Now, give those apples a gentle squeeze. You know you have overripe apples when they feel like they’re going to fall apart at the slightest touch. New ones should bend a little but still have a crisp crunch. It’s time to say goodbye if they feel more like a stress ball than a fruit.
- Smell: Next up, give ’em a sniff. A sweet, fruity aroma is what you’re after. But if those apples smell even slightly off (and not in a good way), it means they’re past their best. Trust your nose; it can tell you when something is wrong.
- Taste: Finally, if you’re still not sure, take a small bite. Your taste buds won’t lead you astray. If the apple tastes bad or feels weird, it’s game over for those apples.
Remember, folks, when it comes to food safety, it’s better to be safe than sorry. So if there’s any doubt, toss ’em out.
Now that you know how to spot a bad apple, let’s talk about the ones that are still ripe for the picking! It’s time to turn those slightly sad apples into something that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Check out the next sections for what to do with overripe apples.
How to Use Old Apples
You don’t even need a recipe for using overripe apples – there are plenty of creative ways to breathe new life into those slightly wrinkled fruits. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Apples can be used in pancakes or muffins. Cut up old apples and add them to pancake or muffin batter for a naturally sweet twist. No need for extra syrup with these naturally sweet treats!.
- Apple Oatmeal: For a warm and cozy breakfast, chop those apples and add them to your oatmeal in the morning. Sprinkle cinnamon on top and drizzle honey over the top.
- Make an Apple Smoothie: For extra fiber and vitamins, add sliced ripe or wrinkled apples to smoothies. They taste great with almond milk and a pinch of cinnamon.
- Make apple chips: Cut up some old apples, sprinkle them with cinnamon, and bake them. The chips will come out crispy and healthy, and you can eat them on their own or add them to trail mix.
- To make a healthy and filling snack, drizzle apple slices with honey and sprinkle them with cinnamon. Then, roast them until they are caramelized and soft.
- Make Apple Salsa: Cut up those apples and mix them with chopped onion, cilantro, and lime juice to make a tasty salsa that goes well with fish or chicken that has been grilled.
If you like to follow directions, I’ve got you covered too! Here are 10 healthy recipes that will make you drool in no time for what to do with apples that are about to go bad.
DON’T THROW OUT YOUR ROTTING APPLES
FAQ
How to use up apples that are going bad?
8 awesome ideas for less-than-perfect applesUse them in baking. Baking is a delicious way to use apples, especially ones that have gone slightly soft. Freeze them. Preserve them. Make cider vinegar. Add pastry. Add them to savoury foods. Dry them. Keep the cores.
How do you use apples before they go bad?
Ways to Use Up Apples1. Preserve them2. Bake them3. Add them to your savory recipes4. Make them into an edible gift.
What can I do with old rotten apples?
You can dispose of rotten apples in a number of ways. You can compost them, feed them to pigs or chickens, or put them in the trash.
What to do with a bad apple?
If only part of the apple is spoiled, you can cut away the rotten sections, but ensure that the remaining part is still firm, smells fresh, and shows no signs of mold or unusual discoloration. If you’re uncertain about its safety, it’s better to err on the side of caution and discard the apple.
Do apples go bad?
Make sure the container you’re storing the pulp in is properly sealed. As they begin to decay, apples release ethylene gas which can cause other fruits and vegetables to go bad much faster. You can also freeze the pulp and then thaw it when you need to use it in a recipe. Strain the juice from the pulp.
How do you know if an Apple has gone bad?
While oxidation doesn’t mean the fruit has gone bad, bruising and other signs of decay—including a rotten smell—are telltale signs that an apple is past its expiration date. “You can tell when an apple has gone bad when it shows significant bruising or obvious signs of decay,” Shales says.
Can you eat a bad apple?
The answer is yes, you can. Consuming spoiled or moldy apples can lead to various health issues. Here are some symptoms you might experience if you eat a bad apple: Nausea and digestive discomfort: Eating a bad apple can upset your stomach and lead to nausea, vomiting, or other digestive discomfort.