(BPT) – Sponsored by Bare Snacks
Fall is such a beautiful time of year — crunching through the leaves, pulling out the cozy sweaters, and best of all, enjoying popular seasonal flavors! Fall’s favorite fruit, apples, start to ripen for fall so it only makes sense to give apples the spotlight they deserve for their nutritious benefits and delicious, crisp taste.
There are so many ways to experience the simple joys of apples with fall-inspired activities. Here are three ways to enjoy and appreciate the bounty of the season while making precious memories with loved ones before the season shifts once again.
1. Go Apple Picking
Fall is a great time to visit one of many apple orchards bursting with apples of all varieties ready for picking. Seasonal outings provide a great bonding moment with friends and family to make memories and enjoy apples with a new appreciation for how they are grown and harvested. How to enjoy all those apples once they’ve been picked from the tree? Along with classics like apple pies or apple cider donuts, try an even simpler recipe such as Cinnamon Baked Apples, which pairs freshly picked apples with some extra crunch from Bare® Apple Chips.
Cinnamon Baked Apples Recipe
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Bare® Apple Chips
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 Granny Smith, Fuji or Honeycrisp apples
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, mix together oats, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt, Bare® Apple Chips, and vanilla extract, then set aside. Use an apple core utensil to remove cores from apples. Place in a square baking dish. Tightly pack filling into each apple core. Pour one cup of water into the bottom of the dish. Loosely cover dish with foil and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes. Remove foil and add 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil to the top of each apple. Bake for another 25 minutes until apples are soft, and filling is bubbling. Serve while warm with coconut cream if desired.
2. Visit an Apple Festival
Many communities host seasonal events like apple festivals for even more hands-on opportunities to engage with fall’s bounty. Taste it for yourself with creamy apple butter, crispy apple fritters, warming apple cider and more, or participate in activities like bobbing for apples and making apple art. Festival hopping is a great way to get together with friends and neighbors while enjoying a glorious, crisp fall day. End the day with a cozy bonfire with a mug of hot apple cider to warm up your hands or extend the fun by preparing a delicious apple-inspired brunch the following morning using the recipe below.
Apple Sheet Pan Pancakes Recipe
Makes 12 servings
Ingredients
- Baking spray
- 2 cups Bare® Apple Chips
- 1 1/2 cups oat flour
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 2 1/2 cups 1% milk
- 4 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 large eggs
- Syrup and bananas (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a 16- x 12-inch baking sheet with baking spray. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl; add milk, oil, and eggs, whisking until combined. Pour pancake batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly and arrange Bare® Apple Chips evenly over batter. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut into squares. Top with syrup and sliced bananas, if desired.
3. Take a Nature Walk
There’s nothing quite as awe-inspiring as the colorful foliage once the leaves begin changing colors. Throw on a comfy sweater and hit the trail to enjoy all that leaf peeping has to offer. These jaunts can range in difficulty, from a casual walk around the neighborhood to climbing new heights where fall foliage can be enjoyed from a unique vantage point. No matter where you go, don’t forget the snacks to enjoy on breaks while you soak in the scenery. Try Bare® Apple Chips, which are baked crunchy, a good source of fiber, and available in several apple flavors, including a cozy Cinnamon Apple flavor. Bare® Apple Chips are an easy, packable option and can be enjoyed on their own or incorporated into an easy, seasonal trail mix!
As the seasons change, embrace the everyday moments during apple season! No matter how you enjoy them, we hope you’ll feel inspired to enjoy apples all season long.