apples

Air Fryer (or Oven) Cinnamon Roasted Apples

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I started making these little roasted apple bites years ago because, at the time, I didn’t like the texture of a raw apple.  Yes, I have weird texture issues.  I’ve learned to like apples in all forms now but I still love them best cooked… preferably in a pie, let’s be honest.  If I don’t have a good excuse to make a pie though, these are the next best thing.  These can be done in the oven or the air fryer (my favorite is this Go Wise Air Fryer available here*).  I use the air fryer more often than not because it cuts down the cooking time and they come out perfect.  Plus, it’s summer and I only turn on my oven if absolutely necessary.  Regardless of how you choose to cook them, I hope you try this simple recipe.  And by “simple,” I mean REALLY simple.  I hesitated posting the recipe because it is, in fact, so simple.  It’s literally 2 ingredients (3 if you count the cooking spray you spray the pan or basket with) but so many friends have requested the recipe, I decided it needs shared with the world.  These make a great topping for ice cream or yogurt (shown here) or just a great snack by themselves!  Enjoy!  ~Erin

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Ingredients:
  • 4 to 6 sweet/tart apples (My favorite variety is Pink Lady but Jazz or Honey Crisp work well too.), peeled, cored, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • ¼ to ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
  • Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions for conventional oven:
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Spray a large sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. Spread the chopped apples in one even layer.
  4. Spray them lightly with cooking spray, then sprinkle with cinnamon. Start with ¼ tsp. of cinnamon and add more if needed. (4 apples will probably only need ¼ tsp. but 6 apples or more will obviously require more cinnamon.)
  5. Toss to coat evenly.
  6. Bake 40-45 minutes, stirring occasionally until the edges begin to brown.
  7. Remove from the pan and immediately store in a container with a lid. This will help them keep their moisture.
Instructions for air fryer:
  1. Spray the fryer basket with cooking spray.
  2. Place the chopped apples in the basket and sprinkle them with the cinnamon; toss to coat.
  3. Cook at 400°F for 12-14 minutes or until edges begin to brown, pulling the basket out and tossing/stirring the apples every 5 minutes or so. This will help them brown evenly.
  4. Immediately store them in a container with a lid. This will help them keep their moisture.

WW Freestyle Info.: This recipe makes 4 to 6 servings at ZERO points each.

*This post contains affiliate links.  We earn a small commission on purchases made via these links.

Mini Rustic Apple Pies

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These little apple pies are wonderfully portable and perfectly portion controlled.  Just a few ingredients required!  My kids like to take these in their lunches and, actually, so do I.  For extra decadence, drizzle your pie with a tiny bit of caramel ice cream topping!  ~Erin

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Ingredients:
  • 1 (14.1 oz.) refrigerated pie crust (I use Pillsbury.)
  • 6 sweet apples, peeled & diced (I use Pink Lady but Honeycrisp or Jazz would be good too.)
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 4 T. apple butter (Musselman’s is the best.)
  • Spray butter

Instructions: 

  1. Sprinkle the apples with cinnamon and bake for 20 minutes, or until apples start to get tender.
  2. Remove the apples from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 425°F.
  3. Transfer the apples to a medium sized bowl & stir in the apple butter; set aside.
  4. Unroll one pie crust and, using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the crust into 8 even slices like you would cut a pizza.
  5. Place each dough slice into the muffin tin and fill them with the apple mixture.
  6. Fold the ends of the dough over the top of the apples and spritz each mini pie with a few sprays of butter. (Or dot with real butter if you aren’t counting Weight Watchers points!)
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until crust is lightly browned.

WW Freestyle Info.: Each mini pie is 5 points.

Apple Cake

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All of us have those recipes that remind us of home, or in the case, Grandma’s house.  This is one of those recipes for me.  Normally I say you shouldn’t mess up a good cake by putting fruit in it – cakes are really for chocolate!  But this one always reminds me of my Grandma making it (and probably letting me lick the bowl).  It’s sooo yummy right out of the oven and great for breakfast or a dessert.  And that perfectly crisp top with the soft, lightly cinnamoned cake is impossible to beat.  ~Tracy

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ c. vegetable oil
  • 2 c. sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 c. flour
  • 2 t. cinnamon
  • 1 t. baking soda
  • ½ t. salt
  • 3 c. peeled, chopped apples (Granny Smith work well in this recipe)
  • 1 c. chopped pecans (if desired)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Sift together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.

In large mixing bowl, blend vegetable oil and sugar together.  Add eggs mixing well after each.

Stir in dry ingredients, gently mixing until all are incorporated.  Add apples (and pecans if you like them) and stir just until mixed together.

Pour into a 9 x 13 pan that has been greased & floured or sprayed with baking spray.

Bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out virtually clean.

German Pork

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I got this recipe from a woman she worked with several years ago, who assured me that even though the recipe had what seemed to be a strange combination of ingredients (not to mention that it’s served over mashed potatoes), it was wonderful.

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All those things are quite true; the ingredients are unexpected, but it’s full of flavor. The pork stays very moist and tender. If you are not a fan of sauerkraut, bear with me, and give this a try (you won’t be sorry!). All four of us girls make it, and Mom and many of our aunts have added this to their “frequent menu item” lists too. You really must try it for yourself! ~Kathy

Ingredients:

  • 1 package Country Style Pork Ribs (around 2 lbs.)
  • 1 granny smith apple, peeled* and sliced about 1/2” thick
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 1 16-oz. jar sauerkraut
  • Salt & pepper
  • Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
German pork in progress (1)

Look at all that goodness piled up!

Instructions:

In a slow cooker, place about a quarter of the sliced onion and apple. Place the ribs on top and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Add the remainder of the apple and onion. Top with the sauerkraut (including the juice from the jar).

Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low about 8 hours.

Serve over mashed potatoes.  

*If in a hurry, we don’t bother to peel the apples, and it still tastes great!  

Note: We recommend using a slow cooker liner for easy clean-up.    

WW Freestyle Info.:  The ribs are 7 points for 5 ounces.  All the other ingredients are free!  Don’t forget to save some extra points for your favorite mashed potato recipe though…this is best served right on top of them!