Fresh Washington Apples: 5 Delicious Recipes

Drone image of Chelan Ranch Organics
Drone view of Chelan Ranch

At Chelan Ranch, we don’t just grow apples; we live a life connected to the land. The wildlife around us and the changing seasons shape our days in beautiful Lake Chelan. For over 30 years, our small family farm has grown organic, fresh Washington apples. Our orchard sits on a scenic hillside at 2,000 feet, surrounded by wildlife. Every day is an adventure here. Hawks soar above, deer graze nearby, and sometimes we glimpse wolves, cougars, or bears. We appreciate nature’s beauty and power. We grow apples with love and sustainable practices in Washington’s apple country. Today, we’re excited to share five Fresh Washington Apple Recipes. These recipes celebrate our apples’ crisp, natural flavor and bring a taste of our orchard to your table.

Honeycrisp Harvest Photo Credit Jersain Castrejon

If you’re ready to bring the taste of our farm into your kitchen this fall, here are five of our favorite ways to enjoy fresh Washington apples in November. We crafted these recipes to capture the cozy, delicious spirit of the season!

1. Homemade Apple Cider

Sip the Season

Nothing beats a warm cup of homemade Honeycrisp apple cider on a chilly fall day. It’s especially delicious with fresh, organic apples from our farm. Chelan Ranch apples are naturally sweet and grown in Washington’s sunny, dry summers. They’re harvested as temperatures cool, making for rich, flavorful, and comforting cider.

  • Recipe Idea: Slice 6-8 Chelan Ranch apples—no need to peel! Add a few cinnamon sticks and a handful of cloves. Simmer everything in a pot of water for 2-3 hours. The result is a cozy cider. It’s perfect for sipping or sharing with friends around the fire after a long day. Print the full recipe.

2. Holiday Baking with Apples

Baked Apple Bliss

The fall and winter months here bring frosty mornings and even snowy days, making it the perfect time for baking. Our organic apples hold up beautifully in the oven thanks to their firm texture and balanced sweetness. Try our Baked Apple Bliss recipe! The full recipe is here. Whether you’re making a classic apple pie or a warm apple crumble, Chelan Ranch apples add something special to every recipe.

Recipe Idea: Classic Apple Pie

There’s nothing more comforting than the aroma of apples, cinnamon, and buttery crust filling the kitchen. Use our apples, toss them with a touch of cinnamon and honey, and you’ll have a pie that’s pure perfection—just like Grandma used to make, only better with organic apples grown right here in Washington – full recipe here.

3. Healthy Apple Snacks

Incorporating peanut butter with apple slices

There’s nothing like a quick, healthy snack after a day out in the orchard or an adventure in the snow. Our apples make the perfect guilt-free treat since they contain fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Slice them up and enjoy with peanut butter, bake them into crisp apple chips, or sprinkle them with cinnamon for a burst of flavor.

Choosing organic apples from Chelan Ranch means choosing produce grown without harmful chemicals, allowing you to savor every bite the way nature intended.

4. Savory Apple Recipes

Apple bluecheese salad

Living in a region with hot and dry summers and crisp and snowy winters, we’ve learned to appreciate the warmth and depth apples bring to savory dishes. Fresh Washington apples add a sweet, tangy balance to meals, whether added to salads, roasted with meats, or in hearty fall stews.

Recipe Ideas:
  • Apple-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin: Sliced apples, rosemary, and garlic are added to the pork for a mouthwatering main dish perfect for family gatherings.
  • Apple and Blue Cheese Salad: Combine apple slices with mixed greens, blue cheese crumbles, walnuts, cranberries, and a cranberry vinaigrette dressing for a light yet satisfying salad. Print the full cranberry vinaigrette dressing recipe here.

These recipes let you experience the robust flavors of our locally sourced apples in ways you may not have tried before!

5. DIY Apple Gift Baskets

CRO fruit in a basket
Choosing organic fruit

For a gift that captures the spirit of fall, create an apple-themed gift basket featuring Chelan Ranch apples. Include a selection of fresh apples, a jar of apple butter, maybe a bottle of homemade apple cider, and some freeze-dried apples from Chelan Ranch. Buy apples in November to get them at their peak freshness—perfect for sharing a taste of Washington with friends and family.


Our farm at Chelan Ranch is more than just a place to grow apples; it’s where we live with and respect nature through every season and every adventure. We believe in sustainable, organic farming that protects our land and wildlife, giving back to the earth that gives so much to us.

Order Your Fresh Washington Apples Today!

This November, let us bring the taste of our farm to your home. Visit our Chelan Ranch online store to order your apples today. When you visit Chelan, stop by our farm stand, take in the views, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and bring home the best organic apples in Washington.

From our family farm to your table—celebrate fall with the flavor and freshness of Chelan Ranch organic apples!