Apples are abundant and relatively inexpensive, especially in the fall. Fresh apples make a great, healthy grab and go snack with a medium apple coming in at around 90 calories. Additionally, a medium apple has over 4 grams of fiber to keep you feeling full and almost 200 milligrams of potassium to balance out the sodium that permeates the average diet. Apples also come in a variety of flavors from the super sweet honey crisp variety to the tart granny smith. Their relatively mild taste lends itself well to both sweet and savory dishes. Everyone knows how delicious apple pie and apple crisp are. But, apples also make a great addition to tossed salads and can even be added to your Thanksgiving stuffing. Applesauce is a great way to replace some or all of the fat in baked goods without losing the flavor and moisture. If you’re ready to start using apples in your everyday cooking, here are a couple of recipes to get you started.

Slow Cooker Cooked Apples

This recipe makes a delicious side dish or dessert, and it is also quick and easy using your slow cooker to do most of the work. If you are making these for a diabetic, leave out the maple syrup and just make sure you are using sweet apples.

4 cups apples, peeled and diced
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon maple syrup
¼ teaspoon vanilla

Combine all of the ingredients in the slow cooker and stir until the apples are evenly coated. Cook on low for four to six hours. You can serve them straight from the slow cooker. If you want homemade applesauce, toss the slightly cooled apples in your blender or food processor until they reach the desired consistency. If you do not have a slow cooker, you can also cook these in the microwave or oven.

Apple Roll Ups

These roll ups make a healthy and filling lunch with only 370 calories. They have almost 8 grams of fiber and 12 grams of protein. The roll ups also pack a nutritional punch with 77 percent of the RDA of vitamin A and 10 percent of the RDA of iron. This recipe is a great way to sneak vegetables and fruits into your kids’ lunchboxes.

1 whole wheat tortilla
2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
¼ cup chopped or shredded apple
¼ cup chopped or shredded carrots

Spread the peanut butter on the tortilla. Sprinkle the apple and carrots evenly over the tortilla. Roll the tortilla up tightly. You can pack this in your lunchbox as is or cut into 1-inch pinwheels. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 6 hours before serving.