When the first hint of fall is noticed in Nebraska, we get excited about a couple things: Football season, pumpkin spiced everything, and apples. If you’re here for the apples — and for the great recipes to use apples — you’ve come to the right places. For the other two things, move along.
While you’ll find plenty of fresh apples at farmers markets in August through October, it’s more fun to pick your own apples at a nearby orchard. If you don’t want to just make apple pie or applesauce with all of those apples, I’ve rounded up a great selection of recipes for you.
But first, let’s figure out when you’re going to pick your apples in Nebraska and what kind you want to get for each of these recipes.
When is apple-picking season in Nebraska?
A lot of the harvest season is dependent on the summer weather, but typically, Nebraska apple harvest season usually starts in late August and early September. This harvest group is referred to as the summer apples, and varieties include Honeycrisp, Paula Red, Gala, Jonagold, and Zestar.
There will be a lot more varieties that are ready for harvest later in September and October. These include Gala, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Jonathan, Pinova, Shizuka, and Red Delicious in September.
In October, you may find Braeburn, Blushing Gold, Empire, Enterprise, Winesap, Cameo, Granny Smith, Fuji, Idared, Pink Ladies, and Sun Crisp for harvesting.
I follow a few orchards on Facebook just so I know when harvest season for begins. A few orchards you might want to follow depending on where you are located: Arbor Day Farm, Kimmel Orchard, or Union Orchard in Nebraska City; Vala’s Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard in Gretna; and Super Bee Orchard in Ft. Calhoun.
If you love Honeycrisp apples, that window for picking is very narrow. If you want fresh Honeycrisp, I recommend following a few orchards too!
Which apples are harvested in Nebraska?
Nebraska, particularly eastern Nebraska, is a fertile area for apple trees to grow. I’m guilty of not really paying much attention to the types until recently. We were in Nebraska City at Arbor Day Farm, and took a tour where we could pick heirloom apples, and it opened my eyes to just how many types of apples could exist.
So, which ones can be found in Nebraska? Here are just a few that you’ll likely find at orchards:
- Blushing Gold
- Braeburn
- Cameo
- Empire
- Enterprise
- Fuji
- Gala
- Golden Delicious
- Granny Smith
- Honeycrisp
- Idared
- Jonagold
- Jonathan
- Paula Red
- Pink Ladies
- Pinova
- Red Delicious
- Shizuka
- Sun Crisp
- Winesap
- Zestar
If you want to take a deep-dive into each apple on this list and what makes them unique, check out Kimmel Orchard’s guide to their orchard fruit.
Want to know when it’s time to harvest apples in other U.S. states? Check out this harvest calendar.
Which kind of apples are best for recipes?
The best type of apples depend on how you’re preparing them.
Baking: Blushing Gold, Enterprise, Ginger Gold, Granny Smith, Idared
For apple sauce: Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Fuji
General cooking: Suncrisp, Zestar
Snacks: Fuji, Honeycrisp
Fresh Apple Recipes
Apple Pie Panini
Cheesy and tart, this grilled sandwich is a quick meal to make.
Easy Apple Salad
This creamy salad is both gluten-free and vegetarian.
Toffee Apple Tart
A warm, comforting dessert that works best with Russet, Cox, Pippin or Braeburn apples.
Apple Spice Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
A vegan Instant Pot recipe for your apples that doesn't require constant stirring while cooking.
Air Fryer Apple Fritters
It's the cinnamom glaze that makes these fritters amazing.
Apple Cookies
These apple cookies are super easy to make!
Caramel Apple Cheesecake (No-Bake)
Top this no-bake cheesecake an apple topping, caramel whipped cream, and homemade caramel sauce,
Cocoa Apple Cake
This chocolatey cake recipe calls for fresh apples, chocolate chips and walnuts.
Easy Apple Dump Cake (With Fresh Apples)
This apple dump cake only uses six ingredients!
Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins (Vegan, Allergy-Free)
This simple recipe calls for both chopped fresh apples and applesauce.
Savory Sausage, Apple-Sage Hand Pies
For these tasty, portable treats, you'll want to have a tart Granny Smith apple on hand.
Chocolate Hummus Apple Ring Snack
This is an easy snack that's both gluten-free and dairy-free.
Apple Pie Overnight Oats
Use Gala or Fuji apples to make this overnight breakfast.
One Pan Pork Chops With Apples And Onions
The flavorful pork chops are enhanced witth and the apples and onions in this recipe.
Vegan Winter Kale Salad with Sweet Potato and Apple
This kale tahini salad makes healthy lunch or light dinner.
Apple Cinnamon Croissant Cake Recipe
If you love apple and cinnamon together, this delicious, easy to make croissant cake pairs the two perfectly.
Caramel Apple Trifle
Caramel apple trifle is an easy dessert with light creamy texture, fall flavors and covered with caramel.
Apple Omelette with White Cheddar
Can’t decide between a sweet or savory breakfast? Have both with this apple and white cheddar omelette
Apple Sausage Hash Casserole
There’s no better start to your morning than with a warm breakfast casserole
Easy Apple Rose Tart with Dulce de Leche
This stunning dessert is delicious, yet surprisingly easy to make.
Instant Pot Baked Brie with Apple Appetizer
This easy and delicious appetizer is perfect for holiday and other gatherings when your oven is already in use for other items.
Roasted Chicken With Apples
This recipe was made for fall dinners - oven-roasted cinnamon-spiced apples with chicken.
Chocolate Chip Apple Cider Pancakes with Stewed Apples
Delicious fluffy apple cider pancakes with sweet syrupy stewed apples.
