What To Do With Unripe Apples: Unripe to Unforgettable

Unripe apples might seem like a disappointment at first, especially if they’ve fallen off the tree prematurely. But there are several clever ways to put these green gems to good use, and they actually have some things going for them.

You might be surprised to learn that unripe apples are a treasure trove of natural pectin. This substance can be extracted from the fruit and used in various recipes, such as jams and jellies.

You can also transform underripe apples into delightful sweet treats or savory dishes by cooking or baking them to enhance their flavors and textures.

Let me help you make use of unripe apples and unlock their full potential.

Cooking Techniques with Unripe Apples

Unripe fruits are still usable to make the most out of unripe apples; it’s best to act quickly. If they’ve fallen from a pruned apple tree, collect them as soon as possible to prevent the fruit from turning mushy or becoming inedible.

Windfall Apples for Making Apple Jelly and Jam

Unripe windfall apples are rich in natural pectin, perfect for concocting jellies and jams. You can make your own apple pectin by boiling and simmering unripe apples with water and lemon juice. Once the water reduces, strain the mixture with a jelly bag, transfer the juice to jars, and refrigerate it.

Now, your homemade pectin is ready to use for a variety of fruit preserves and jellies. For an extra kick, you can add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to create a spiced apple pectin.

Unripe Windfall Apples for Pie and Other Baked Goods

While they may not be ideal for eating plain, don’t hesitate to cook with unripe apples, as they can add a tart and crisp component to your baked goods. Pies, cobblers, and turnovers often benefit from the firmer texture and slightly sour taste of unripe apples.

Mixing blackberries with your apples can result in a delightful and flavorful filling. You can also experiment by incorporating unripe apples into an oatmeal bake or dry them to make dried apple slices, a great snack option. You can easily adjust the sweetness and use spices to accommodate the unripe apples’ unique taste.

Brewing with Unripe Apples

Unripe windfall apples can be used to brew a variety of beverages, adding a special touch to your homemade drinks. Hard apple cider can be prepared by fermenting the apples and adding sugar to balance their natural acidity.

If you want to go the extra mile, try making apple wine a unique alternative to grape wine. They are also suitable for producing apple cider vinegar, a versatile ingredient in cooking, cleaning, and even some health remedies. Ensure you follow proper fermentation techniques and use clean, quality ingredients for a fantastic final product.

Homemade Hard Cider with Unripe Apples

A small beginner-friendly batch of hard cider made with unripe apples (about 1 gallon / 3.8 L). You can scale up or down depending on how many apples you have.

Simple Ingredients;

• Simple Ingredients (and Why They’re Used)
• Unripe apples (a mix of varieties works best): The star ingredient. Their tartness and natural tannins give the cider its crisp bite.
• Granulated sugar (to boost fermentation and balance tartness): Boosts alcohol content and balances the sharpness of underripe apples.
• Filtered water (if needed): Adds brightness and enhances the fresh, zesty flavor.
• Lemon juice (optional, to enhance brightness): Ensures a reliable fermentation and cleaner taste than wild yeast.
• Wine or cider yeast (recommended for consistent results, though wild yeast can be used): Helps adjust your juice volume to exactly 1 gallon.

Get the full recipe for homemade hard apple cider right here on OvenSpot!

Canning and Preserving Unripe Apples

Making Applesauce and Chutney

Unripe apples are perfect for making applesauce and chutney as their firm texture holds up well during the cooking process. To make applesauce, wash and cut the unripe apples, removing any bad parts.

Combine apples with a bit of water and cook them in a pot until soft. Add sugar and cinnamon to taste, and blend the mixture until smooth. You can store your applesauce in airtight jars or can them for longer preservation.

For an aromatic apple chutney, chop unripe apples, onions, and raisins and cook them with vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices like ginger and mustard seeds. Once the mixture has thickened, you can preserve the chutney by canning it in sterilized jars following proper canning procedures.

Spiced Apple Chutney

Simple Ingredients;

• Windfall (unripe) apples: Their natural tartness and pectin help create the perfect texture for chutney.
• Onions: They add a savory depth that balances the sweetness of the fruit.
• Raisins: Provide chewy sweetness and body to the chutney.
• Brown sugar: For that warm, molasses-like sweetness that caramelizes the apples beautifully.
• Apple cider vinegar: Adds tang and helps preserve the chutney.
• Fresh ginger: A zesty kick that wakes up all the other flavors.
• Garlic: Adds a gentle, savory background note.
• Mustard seeds: Bring subtle spice and crunch.
• Cinnamon stick & ground cloves: Classic warming spices to cozy up the whole mixture.
• Salt: To enhance every flavor in the pot.

Unripe apples don’t need to go to waste my spiced apple chutney recipe is the perfect preserve to enjoy their tartness all season long.

Apple Jelly Recipe

If you’re looking for creative, no-waste recipes that the whole family will enjoy, this apple peel jelly turns kitchen scraps into a delicious spread that’s perfect on toast or in desserts!

Simple Ingredients

This jelly is all about using what you already have and getting the most flavor from it.

• Apple peels and cores: These contain natural pectin and incredible flavor, making them perfect for jelly. A mix of tart and sweet varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji adds depth.
• Water: Used to extract juice from the apple scraps.
• Sugar: Sweetens the jelly and helps it set.
• Lemon juice: Adds a bright flavor and helps the jelly gel properly.
• Spices (optional): Cinnamon or cloves add cozy warmth and depth.

Get the full recipe for apple jelly right here on OvenSpot.

Preparing Fruit Leather

Fruit leather is one of the simplest and tastiest ways to turn unripe apples into a healthy snack. The tartness of underripe apples actually works in your favor here once cooked down with a little sugar and spice, they transform into a sweet, chewy treat that kids and adults both love. Rolled up and tied with twine, they make a rustic, portable snack perfect for fall hikes, school lunches, or holiday gifting.

Ingredients

• 4 cups unripe apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (about 5–6 small apples)
• ½ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
• ½ cup water
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. Cook the Apples

• Place chopped unripe apples, water, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
• Simmer over medium heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are very soft.

2. Make the Puree

• Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
• Puree the mixture with an immersion blender or transfer to a blender until smooth.

3. Spread the Mixture

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Spread the puree evenly into a thin layer (about ⅛ inch thick).

4. Bake Slowly

• Bake at 140°F (60°C) (or the lowest your oven will go) for 2–3 hours, until the fruit leather is set and no longer sticky.
• If your oven doesn’t go that low, bake at 170°F (75°C) with the door slightly ajar to let moisture escape.

5. Cool and Roll

• Let the fruit leather cool completely.
• Peel it off the parchment, cut into strips, and roll them up.
• Tie with rustic twine if desired and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Other Uses of Unripe Apples

Did you know unripe apples can be quite handy around your home and garden? If you’ve got windfall apples or just picked your apples too early, there’s no need to waste them. Here are a few practical ways you can make the most of your unripe apples:

Lattice-Top Apple & Blackberry Pie

Tart unripe apples and sweet, juicy blackberries are a match made in heaven. The apples hold their shape beautifully when baked, while the berries add bursts of flavor and color. Topped with a golden lattice crust, this pie is rustic, fragrant, and perfect for cozy fall or holiday gatherings. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a dessert that feels like pure comfort.

Ingredients

For the Filling

• 4 cups unripe apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 4–5 medium apples)
• 2 cups fresh blackberries (or frozen, thawed and drained)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour (for thickening)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest (optional, for brightness)

For the Crust

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 6–8 Tbsp ice water

For Finishing

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 Tbsp coarse sugar (optional, for sprinkling)

Instructions

1. Make the Dough

• In a large bowl, whisk flour, salt, and sugar.
• Cut in chilled butter with a pastry cutter or your hands until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until dough just comes together.
• Divide dough in half, shape into disks, wrap in plastic, and chill for 1 hour.

2. Prepare the Filling

• In a large bowl, toss apple slices and blackberries with sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and zest.
• Let sit 10–15 minutes so the flavors combine.

3. Assemble the Pie

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Roll out one dough disk and line a 9-inch pie dish.
• Pour in the apple-blackberry filling.
• Roll out the second dough disk, cut into strips, and weave into a lattice over the filling.
• Brush lattice with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

4. Bake the Pie

• Place pie on a baking sheet to catch drips.
• Bake for 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C), then reduce temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake another 30–35 minutes, until crust is golden and filling is bubbling.
• Cool at least 1 hour before slicing to let filling set.

Apple Butter

While ripe apples are usually preferred for making apple butter, you can still use unripe ones. Simply add more sugar to counteract their tartness. Cook the apples with sugar, cinnamon, and other spices until smooth, then let them simmer until it reaches a thick consistency. Your homemade butter will be full of antioxidants and fiber and will often be thicker than butter made from fresh apples due to the extra pectin.

Ingredients

• 4 lbs (1.8 kg) unripe apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (about 10–12 medium apples)
• 2 cups (480 ml) apple cider or water
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Cook the Apples

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine apples and cider (or water).
• Simmer over medium heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are very soft.

2. Puree the Mixture

• Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth (or transfer in batches to a blender).

3. Add Sugar and Spices

• Stir in granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla, and salt.
• Return to the stove and cook over low heat.

4. Slow Cook to Thicken

• Simmer uncovered on low for 1 ½–2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thick, glossy, and dark brown.
• If it splatters, use a splatter guard or partially cover with a lid.

5. Store the Apple Butter

• Spoon into sterilized jars. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or process in a water bath canner for long-term storage.

Compost

Instead of throwing away your unripe apples, add them to your compost pile or bin. The apples will break down over time, contributing valuable nutrients to your garden soil. This way, you’re practicing sustainable gardening by turning waste into valuable resources.

Feeding Chickens and Animals

If you own chickens, they’ll appreciate a treat of unripe apples. Just chop them into smaller pieces before feeding, and remove all seeds.

Other animals, like pigs and deer, are also not picky when it comes to their apples.

Garden Helper

This apple harvest can be utilized beyond compost in your garden. Chop them up and distribute the pieces around your garden plants. As they decompose, the apples will release nutrients that help nourish the soil. Their scent can also deter certain pests, including roaches and spiders.

More Apple Recipes and Apple Ideas

Try these you will love them!

Wrapping Up: What to do With Unripe Apples

Unripe apples are far from being mere garden waste or a disappointing harvest. Instead, they offer a bounty of possibilities for culinary creativity, sustainable living, and even garden management. Whether you’re making jams with the rich, natural pectin found in their apple pulp, baking delectable pies, or crafting homemade beverages, unripe apples provide a unique flavor profile and a satisfying tartness that enhances a wide array of recipes.

The journey from the initial disappointment of discovering windfall apples to the joy of creating something delicious and useful is a testament to the natural process of making the most out of what we have. By employing techniques like thinning fruit to manage the June drop or wrapping finished products in wax paper for storage, we engage in practices that are both traditional and innovative.

Consider them not as remaining fruit to be discarded but as a versatile ingredient waiting to be transformed. Whether it’s through cooking, brewing, canning, or even using them as a natural aid in your garden, these green gems have the potential to be the star of homemade jams, delicious baked goods, and much more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make apple pie with unripe apples?

Yes, you can make apple pie using unripe apples. It may even give your pie a unique flavor and texture due to its higher acidity and firmer texture. To make a delicious pie, simply peel and cut the unripe apples, removing any damaged or decayed areas.

Adjust the amount of sugar and spices in your pie filling recipe according to the tartness of your apples. Cook the apples with your sweetener and spices until they’re slightly soft but still retaining some of their firmness. Then, assemble your pie with your favorite pie crust and bake it following your recipe’s instructions.

Is it OK to cook unripe apples?

Absolutely. Cooking unripe apples can help soften the fruit, decrease bitterness, and enhance their sweet and sour flavors.

Poaching is a popular method of cooking unripe apples. Simply cover the fruit with a liquid such as water, apple juice, or sugar syrup and simmer gently until the fruit is soft.

Cooked unripe crab apples can be used in many recipes, including pies, crisps, sauces, and chutneys. So don’t hesitate to use those early-fallen apples, as cooking opens up a variety of delicious possibilities for your unripe fruit.

Cooking With Apples Inspiration

One-Pot Cooking Rocks!