What To Do With Apple Peels: Simple And Tasty Ideas

Everyone knows the age-old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But after enjoying that delicious apple, or especially when using it in a recipe, you’re often left with the peels, which can seem like an unavoidable waste.

If you find yourself with an abundance of apple peels and are wondering how to put them to good use, you’re in luck. There are numerous creative and environmentally friendly ways to use those apple peels, reducing food waste and making the most of this versatile fruit.

Recipes with Apple Peels

Smoothies

Apple peels can be a flavorful addition to your smoothies. Toss in some peels along with your favorite fruits, greens, and liquids, and blend until smooth. The peels give a burst of apple flavor, making your smoothie even more refreshing.

Apple Peel Jam

Turn your apple peels into a scrumptious jam by combining them with sugar, lemon juice, and some spices. Boil the mixture until it thickens, creating a delicious apple peel jam perfect for spreading on toast, waffles, pancakes, or even as a topping for oatmeal.

Apple Peel Muffins

Utilize those peels in your baked goods, such as in apple peel muffins. Add chopped apple peels to your muffin batter, mixing in some cinnamon or other spices for extra flavor. Once baked, these apple skin muffins add a sweet and bright twist to your usual breakfast items or snacks.

Apple Chips

For a healthier alternative to store-bought chips, make apple peel chips with your leftover apple peels. Spread the peels on a dehydrator tray or parchment-lined baking sheet, sprinkle with your choice of spices, and dehydrate or bake at a low temperature until they reach a crisp texture. These apple peel chips are perfect for snacking or adding a sweet and crunchy element to other dishes.

Pro Tip: Boiling apple peels for better-tasting syrup!

Apple Jelly Recipe

Ingredients

• Apple peels and cores from about six large apples

• Water to cover

• Sugar (approximately 1/2 cup per cup of juice extracted)

• Juice of one lemon

• Optional: spices such as cinnamon or cloves for added flavor

Instructions

1. Extract Juice: Place the apple peels and cores in a large pot and add enough water to just cover them. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes until the peels are very soft. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth, collecting the liquid. This is your apple juice.

2. Measure and Boil: Measure the juice, and for every cup of juice, add about 1/2 cup of sugar to the pot. Add the lemon juice and any optional spices you like.

3. Cook the Jelly: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and continue to boil until the jelly reaches the gel stage (about 220°F or 105°C), which usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You can test the jelly by placing a small amount on a cold plate; if it gels, it’s ready.

4. Jar and Seal: Pour the hot jelly into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims clean, seal them with lids and rings, and process in a water bath canner for 5 minutes to ensure preservation.

Apple Peels in Drinks

Infused Water

Homemade apple syrup is a delightful addition to drinks, providing extra flavor and health benefits. For a simple but refreshing drink, try making apple peel-infused water. You can use peels from any variety of apples, along with a few slices of lemon and a cinnamon stick for an added twist.

Add apple peels, lemon slices, and cinnamon sticks to a large pitcher or jar. Fill it with water and let the mixture steep in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. Enjoy this fragrant and revitalizing beverage throughout the day.

Cocktails

If you want to get creative with your apple peels, try incorporating them into cocktails. You can make an apple peel simple syrup by simmering apple peels in equal parts boiling water and sugar. Once the mixture has cooled down, strain and discard the peels, keeping the syrup to use in your favorite cocktail recipes.

Tea

Beyond using apple skins in cocktails and infused waters, you could explore the idea of making a simple apple peel tea. Boiling apple peels in water with a touch of cinnamon or ginger can create a warm, soothing tea that’s both refreshing and beneficial for digestion.

Coffee

Once you have your apple peel syrup, it makes a great addition to coffee. Add a little syrup to make an apple latte.

Fun and Inventive Uses of Apple Peels

Along with immediate food items, you can use leftover apple skins to make a couple of kitchen staples you can use for months.

Apple Peel Powder

Transform your leftover apple peels into a versatile apple peel powder. To do this, oven-dry the peels and then grind them in a clean spice grinder. The resulting powder is a convenient way to enhance flavors in various dishes, such as baked goods, sweet potatoes, or your morning oatmeal. This unique ingredient adds a subtle spiced apple flavor to your culinary creations while reducing waste.

Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar

Don’t let those apple skins go to waste – turn them into your very own DIY apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has numerous health benefits and can be used in a variety of ways, from salad dressings to homemade cleaning solutions.

To make your vinegar, combine apple peels with water and sugar and allow the mixture to ferment until it’s transformed into tangy, versatile apple cider vinegar. This vinegar is a natural, homemade alternative to store-bought varieties.

Skin Care

The skin of an apple has antioxidant properties and can be used in homemade skin care remedies, such as facial scrubs or masks. They can help rejuvenate the skin by providing essential vitamins and minerals.

Natural Dye

Leftover peels can be used to create a natural dye for fabrics or Easter eggs. The color varies depending on the apple variety but can result in lovely shades of yellow to brown. It’s an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes and can be a fun project.

Craft Material

Apple peels can be used in craft projects, such as creating natural stamps for kids, or even as a biodegradable material for art projects, adding texture and color.

Educational Tools

Use peels in educational settings to teach children about decomposition, composting, or the importance of recycling and reducing kitchen waste.

Cleaning Agent

Apple peels’ natural acidity makes them effective as a mild cleaning agent. You can use them to help remove stains or clean metal items like aluminum cookware.

Feeding Livestock with Apple Peels

Apple skins aren’t just good for people; they’re healthy for animals, too. As such, they can be a great addition to your livestock’s diet.

Chickens

Can chickens eat apple peels? Apple skins can be a nice treat that provides them with essential nutrients like vitamins A and C, as well as fiber. You can scatter the peels in their enclosure or mix them into their regular feed. Be sure to avoid apple seeds, though, as they can be toxic to chickens in large quantities.

Goats

Goats can also benefit from munching on leftover apple peels. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals that contribute to their overall health. You can toss the peels into their pen or mix them with their hay or other feed. Remember to avoid including any seeds, sticks, or leaves, as they can potentially be harmful to goats.

Pigs

Pigs can also enjoy apple peels as a tasty snack or treat. These peels are rich in nutrients and can contribute to a balanced diet for your pigs. It’s a good idea to mix the peels with their regular feed or offer them separately in a designated area.

When feeding apple peels to animals, keep in mind that they should be considered a treat or supplement in your livestock’s diet, not a primary feed source.

Make sure you’re providing them with a well-rounded diet that includes their regular feed and plenty of water. Be cautious about overfeeding, as they do contain sugar and should be fed in moderation.

Animal Treats

Beyond livestock, dried apple peels can be a healthy treat for domestic animals like rabbits and hamsters, provided they are given in moderation and without any added spices or sugar.

Using Apple Skins Around the House and Garden

Simmering Potpourri

While there are plenty of delicious dishes you can create with your leftover apple peels, apple peels aren’t just for eating. To create a delightful and fragrant potpourri, combine dried apple peels with other aromatic ingredients like cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and orange rinds.

Your apple peel potpourri not only adds a lovely scent to your home but also serves as a decorative and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic air fresheners.

For a simmering potpourri, simply place your apple peel mixture in a pot with water and let it simmer on low heat, filling your home with a comforting and fresh aroma.

Potpourri

Apple peels can be used fresh in a bowl with other spices to naturally deodorize and add a pleasant scent to rooms without simmering.

Spray for Plants

Apple cider vinegar, made from apple peels, can be used to create a natural spray for plants. Its acidic nature can help deter pests and fungi. Dilute it with water to avoid harming the plants.

Gardening Compost

If not directly used in recipes or crafts, apple skins can be a valuable addition to compost bins. They break down quickly and add necessary nutrients to the compost that can benefit garden soil.

Fertilizer

Make your own organic fertilizer with the peels of this fruit that contain plant-loving nutrients, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. It is as easy as soaking the skins in water overnight or for a couple of days, then water your potted plants, in fact, any plants you have.

Storage Tips for Apple Peels and Their Products

Product	Storage Tips
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark cupboard. Use within six months.	Short-Term: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freezing: Freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 6 months.
Apple Peel Jam and Jelly	Before Sealing: Sterilize jars to prevent contamination. After Sealing: Store in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate after opening and use within three weeks.
Apple Peel Chips	Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep crisp for up to 2 weeks. To re-crisp, bake in the oven on low for a few minutes.
Apple Peel Powder	Before Sealing: Sterilize jars to prevent contamination. After Sealing: Store in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate after opening and use within three weeks.
Apple Peel Infused Water	Store refrigerated and consume within 48 hours.
Apple Peel Syrup	Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar	Curing: Store in a dark, cool place for up to 2 months to mature. Long-Term: Store in sealed bottles out of direct sunlight for over a year.
Apple Peel Potpourri	Store in a sealed container until ready to use. Refresh with essential oils if needed.

Leftover Apple Peels

Growing up, my grandmother showed me how to transform kitchen scraps into treasures. Every fall, we made her celebrated apple pie, and she found uses for every part of the apple.

The peels, sprinkled with cinnamon and baked, became delicious chips, while others simmered into a fragrant homemade potpourri that filled our home with the scent of apple and cinnamon for days.

These practices not only taught me the value of resourcefulness but also infused my own cooking with warmth and creativity, reminding me of her influence each time I handle apple peels.

One-Pot Cooking Rocks!