6 Gut-Healthy Desserts to Help You Use All Those Apples You Picked

Apple cobbler makes for a sweet and crunchy dessert.
Image Credit: peterotoole/iStock/GettyImages

While we wouldn't recommend a bushel as a cure-all, there ‌is‌ some truth to the old adage, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

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Eating apples can also support a healthy gut, which is all about getting that good bacteria. And apples contain various compounds, including a prebiotic fiber called pectin, says Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, author of ‌Smoothies & Juices: Prevention Healing Kitchen‌.

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"Pectin is a soluble fiber that helps foster the growth of beneficial gut bacteria while inhibiting the growth of harmful gut bacteria," Largeman-Roth says.

Eating apples regularly is also associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease, according to a June 2003 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. (This was part of the extensive Women's Health Survey, which looked at 40,000 women over multiple years.)

And eating white-fleshed fruits like pears or apples is tied to a reduced risk of stroke, according to a September 2011 study in Stroke.

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So, for a happy belly this apple-picking season, we've rounded up some of the tastiest apple dessert recipes because who says dessert can't be healthy?

1. Single-Serving Apple Cobbler

These single-serving cobblers deliver sweetness in the perfect portion.
Image Credit: Jackie Newgent, RDN

You'd be hard-pressed to find a low-sugar apple cobbler recipe because apples contain a lot of sugar. But when you eat fruit, you're reaping the other nutrients, including fiber and antioxidants.

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In fact, eating more fruit has been linked with a decreased risk of developing chronic conditions, including obesity, cancer, high blood pressure and heart disease, according to a September 2012 study in the European Journal of Nutrition.

That said, you can make a lower-sugar apple cobbler dessert by scaling back on portion size and the amount of added sugar — and this one does just that!

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Get the Single-Serving Apple Cobbler recipe and nutrition info here.

2. Spiced Apple Chips

Image Credit: Jackie Newgent, RDN

Nothing smells more like fall than spiced apples. Spiced apple chips are, perhaps, the sweeter, less-hipster cousin of the kale chip. And good news when it comes to baking apples: The nutrition stays roughly the same.

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"The only nutrient that is lost during cooking or baking is vitamin C, which is heat- and light-sensitive," Largeman-Roth says.

If you're going to cook or bake your apples, Marisa Moore, RDN, recommends cooking or baking them for a shorter period of time, which can retain more of the vitamin C than if they're cooked longer.

Get the Spiced Apple Chips recipe and nutrition info here.

3. Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins

You can freeze a batch of these and pack one for lunch in the morning — by then it'll have defrosted.

Muffins are perfect for breakfast, of course, but top them with a little icing and voila! You have a fancy dessert.

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While gluten-free foods aren't necessarily healthier, baking with oat flour, like this recipe calls for, is a fun way to experiment with new ingredients that are safe for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerances.

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Get the Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins recipe and nutrition info at All the Healthy Things.

4. Apple-Walnut Overnight French Toast

Apple walnut french toast is a delicious brunch dish that'll please a crowd.

While we're on the foods-that-can-be-breakfast-or-dessert train, apples provide a natural sweetness to a simple french toast without excess sugar. Keep the peel on, which is a good source of fiber, Largeman-Roth says. (Just be sure to wash the apples first!)

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Get the Apple-Walnut Overnight French Toast recipe at Frances Largeman-Roth.

5. Sparkling Apple-Ginger Mocktail

Refreshing and crisp, this apple-ginger mocktail is the perfect after-dinner sipper.

Kick back and relax with a sweet, refreshing treat after dinner sans alcohol. Ginger, which adds a little zing to your drink, also helps with digestion and fights inflammation. One glass of this fall mocktail clocks in at under 100 calories.

Get the sparkling Apple-Ginger Mocktail recipe and nutrition info at Marisa Moore.

6. Hot Apple Sunrise Sundae

Top your apples with greek yogurt for breakfast, or go for a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Image Credit: LiveStrong

While this recipe calls for Greek yogurt, we like it with a scoop of real vanilla ice cream when the mood strikes. Dairy, like yogurt (especially the full-fat version, which can help you feel full), is a good source of calcium and protein, according to the USDA.

And when you add nuts, like pecans, you'll get a boost of heart-healthy fats and extra crunch.

Get the Hot Apple Sunrise Sundae recipe and nutrition info here.

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