What to Serve with Baked Apples: 22 Best Sides

Most people consider baked apples to be a traditional American dessert. It’s also a terrific way to consume seasonal fruit in the autumn and winter. Baked apples are often eaten with ice cream, but you may also top them with cinnamon, vanilla, or caramel sauce.

You cant go wrong with baked apples.

These are the ideal way to conclude any dinner with a sweet, cinnamon-y delicacy that is made even better by being served hot and straight out of the oven.

But what if you could improve on this delectable treat?

Well, weve got your back.

We have wonderful options for you whether you want a quick snack or a more substantial side dish to go with your baked apples.

And the best part is, they are all easy to make!

Simply mix them together while your apples bake, and you’ll be ready to go when it’s time to sit down and enjoy your dessert.

Here are our best recommendations for side dishes that complement baked apples!

What to Serve with Baked Apples: 22 Best Sides

Baked apples are a delectable dessert that is always accompanied by a variety of sides.

A simple, warm bread pudding is the most typical side dish served with baked apples.

The sweetness of the bread pudding complements the sharpness of the baked apples.

If you want to try something new, go for a savory side dish like mashed potatoes or fried rice.

Both meals will provide a touch of saltiness to balance out the sweetness of the apples.

12 Savory Sides to Serve with Baked Apples

While baking apples is a delicious way to enjoy them, it’s also enjoyable to serve them with some savory sides.

1. Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Toss diced sweet potatoes with olive oil and salt before roasting for 30 minutes at 400°F.

Mash the sweet potatoes and add butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar to taste. Toasted pecans on top.

2. Farro Salad

This simple salad is a year-round favorite.

It’s wonderful in the summer, when tomatoes and corn are in season, and in the autumn, when apples and cranberries are.

3. Rice pilaf

Rice pilaf is a great side dish.

I recently made one with sautéed onion and celery, some thyme, and sliced mushrooms.

You may also include nuts like pine nuts or walnuts.

4. Roasted root vegetables

Baked apples go well with roasted root vegetables, particularly beets and potatoes.

I’ve also tried it with roasted fennel, which I found to be delightfully surprising.

The sweet and salty flavors complement each other well, and the veggies make for a more full lunch.

I just chop up the veggies, sprinkle them with some oil, salt, pepper, and herbs or spices of choice (rosemary goes well with beets, dill goes well with potatoes), then roast them at 400F until done.

5. Macaroni and cheese

Macaroni and cheese is an excellent side dish to serve with baked apples.

The creamy, thick cheese sauce compliments the sweet apple slices, which is why it works.

This combination can work in two ways.

To begin, serve the macaroni and cheese beside the cooked apples.

Alternatively, you may include part of the apple pieces in your macaroni and cheese dish.

Either way, its a great pairing.

6. Green bean casserole

Green bean casserole is an easy recipe to prepare.

It’s comparable to macaroni and cheese in that it’s high in carbs, but it’s also high in protein.

To add a different taste profile to the green bean casserole, add onions or garlic.

7. Potato salad

Baked apples are hearty, sweet and flavorful, and delicately seasoned.

Potato salad is a hearty side dish that has a creamy texture that contrasts with the baked apples.

Potato salad with crispy bacon or ham and sweet onions is excellent.

The side dish is light enough to avoid overindulging in the dinner while remaining full.

Potato salad can be served warm or cold.

8. Butternut squash soup

It’s both sweet and savory. It also makes an excellent basis for baked apples.

I like freshly baked apple pie and apple tarts, but they may be very sweet, and you need something to balance them out.

This rich soup pairs wonderfully with baked apples.

9. Steamed veggies

Steamed vegetables are one of my favorite side dishes to serve with baked apples.

I’m not talking about any old steamed vegetables. I’m talking about steamed vegetables that are tender-crisp and well-seasoned.

Heres how I do it:

1. 2 inch depth).4-1Cut the preferred vegetables into bite-size pieces and lay them in a pot with enough water to cover the bottom (approximately 1 cup).
2. Bring to a boil, then lower to a low heat and cook for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are brightly colored and tender-crisp.
3. Add nutritional yeast (if using) and mix once more.Drain water and toss with melted butter to coat, then season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley.

If you can locate it, be sure to use high-quality butter.

Kerrygold is my favorite brand, but you may find others at Whole Foods or your local health food shop.

Seasonings such as nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and others may be used, but my favorite combination is just salt and pepper.

You’ll be surprised at how much flavor you can extract from such basic ingredients!

10. Pasta Salad

Pasta salads often go nicely with baked apples.

I like to experiment with various ingredient combinations to change up the tastes and textures of the salad.

Because the pasta will be resting in the dressing for a few hours before serving, I like slightly al dente spaghetti.

I start with a basic vinaigrette and then add any mix of summer veggies, cheese, herbs, and nuts.

I also like to add fruit, such as raisins or dried cranberries.

It’s good to have something sweet in there with the baked apples.

11. Zucchini Casserole

Because it is both sweet and salty, Zucchini Casserole is an excellent accompaniment to baked apples.

Zucchini, yogurt, and other sweet ingredients are included.

The sweetness of the meal complements the sweetness of the apples.

12. Quinoa Salad

Cook quinoa according to package directions.

Combine cooked quinoa, cucumber, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh mint leaves.

Toss with red wine vinaigrette dressing.

10 Sweet Sides to Serve with Baked Apples

Baked apples are a delicious delicacy, but they require something to bring out the taste.

Serve these 10 delectable side dishes with your next apple dish, and your taste buds will thank you!

1. Candied pecans

A sprinkling of candied pecans on top of baked apple slices makes an excellent side dish.

The crunchy texture and sweet flavor will enhance the baked apples’ smooth and soft consistency.

2. Vanilla ice cream

Vanilla ice cream is a delicious sweet side dish that complements baked apples.

This is due to the fact that the apple is still warm and the ice cream is cold.

The ice cream melts and turns delightful on the apple.

Another reason vanilla ice cream is an excellent side dish for baked apples is because of the vanilla flavor.

Vanilla and apple are two excellent tastes that complement each other beautifully.

3. Pecan pie

Pecan pie is a delicious pastry filled with nuts and sweetened with syrup or molasses.

Originally popular in the southern United States, it has now spread throughout the nation.

A flaky pie crust is cooked with an egg, sugar, and pecan filling.

The filling may be made with white or brown sugar, sugar syrup, molasses, maple syrup, or honey.

The pecan nut flesh may be used as a garnish or as a filler.

Other common additions to the recipe include chocolate and bourbon whiskey.

Pecans are in season throughout the autumn, so they should be at their best.

Making your own crust will make it even delicious and more authentically handmade.

4. Blueberry cobbler

Blueberry cobbler is an excellent accompaniment to baked apples.

Blueberries go nicely with the cinnamon in baked apples.

Because baked apples aren’t very sweet, the fruit in the cobbler may be sweetened to taste (no sugar added if preferred).

The blueberry cobbler may be served warm or cold, making it suitable for any season.

5. Apple pie

Apple pie is a traditional sweet side dish that pairs nicely with baked apples.

It’s an excellent technique to urge people to eat more fruit, and it may be served warm or cold.

Apple pie is a typical American delicacy prepared from several apples.

The filling is frequently made with sugar and cinnamon, which gives it a delightful flavor.

There are several recipes for apple pie, but the majority of them require either butter and milk or cream.

Other components, such as lemon juice, are used in certain variations instead of milk or cream.

Other variations use nuts such as pecans or walnuts.

The best way to enjoy this delectable dessert is to make it yourself!

6. Cookies

I like the notion of contrasting the sweetness of cooked apples with the tartness of lemon cookies.

The sweetness of the apple with the sharpness of the lemon would be an excellent combination.

As for why, I feel these two components complement each other since they are both sweet and tangy.

7. Chocolate Pudding

Chocolate pudding complements apple pie well.

It’s creamy, rich, and sweet, so it’ll go well with the sour apples in the pie.

Chocolate pudding may be cooked from scratch or purchased ready-made at most supermarkets.

8. Cheesecake

Because baked apples are a dessert, cheesecake makes an excellent sweet side dish.

The tanginess of the cheesecake complements the sweetness of the baked apples.

9. Brownies

I like the contrast of sweet and salty flavors, and apples and chocolate are a traditional pairing.

There are plenty of appetizer-sized brownies, so you may have two or three bits of each, or one bite of each for a tiny plate.

10. Pumpkin pie

Pumpkin pie is a traditional autumn treat that pairs well with apples.

The pumpkin taste complements the apples wonderfully, and you can simply create both sweets simultaneously.

4 Benefits of Serving Side Dishes Alongside Baked Apples

Baked apples are a delightful and healthful dessert, but they may be enhanced by serving them with a side dish.

Some advantages of pairing side dishes with baked apples include:

1. It Gives Your Guests More Options to Enjoy

For starters, it provides additional alternatives for your visitors to enjoy.

Furthermore, providing a side dish with baked apples reduces the number of servings per person.

While each apple serves one, adding on sides might help you extend your recipe and save money.

2. It Makes the Meal More Filling

I like side dishes a lot. They are what elevate a dinner of baked apples to an apple crisp or roasted chicken to a feast.

Side dishes are more than simply a garnish for a main course; they are what make it full and delicious (while also making it less costly to prepare).

Whether they’re fresh veggies or carbohydrate-heavy accompaniments like potatoes, pasta, and rice, they’re often the most savory component of the dinner.

Some may believe that adding side dishes is gilding the lily, that if you have a beautiful entree, there is no need to go above and beyond.

I couldn’t disagree with you more. If you want your family (or yourself) to eat healthier, you must provide them with nutritious and well-balanced meals.

This includes ensuring that there is enough food for everyone to enjoy themselves without being hungry afterwards.

I’ve had a lot of inquiries from readers who are struggling with the concept of portion management, particularly when it comes to entertaining big families or visitors at home.

Side dishes, in fact, are an excellent method to ensure that everyone receives enough food without breaking the pocketbook.

3. Create Balance

When baked apples are served with other side dishes, they become more intriguing and balanced.

Side dishes with crunchy textures or salty tastes may help balance out the sweetness of baked apples.

Baked apples include sugar and spices, resulting in an extremely sweet meal. Other side dishes with contrasting tastes and textures might help balance out the sweetness.

4. Increase Variety

Serving baked apples with side dishes adds diversity to your dinner, making it more intriguing and filling.

Simple side dishes, such as butter and sugar or scoops of ice cream, may be served with baked apples, but there are also many inventive possibilities for sides that can add taste and texture to your dessert.