There’s something about the taste of apple that brings back memories, a crumble on a Sunday afternoon or the toffee apple you couldn’t wait to eat at Bonfire Night. It’s a flavour that feels like home, connecting generations and seasons with its familiar warmth.
Today, that same comfort is being reimagined for modern menus. Across the UK, chefs are giving this classic ingredient a new identity, one that feels nostalgic yet fresh. From brunch dishes to dessert counters and even drinks menus, apples are quietly becoming the ingredient that bridges comfort and creativity.
For chefs in pubs, cafés, care homes or education settings, the appeal is clear. Apples bring a reassuring familiarity to dishes, yet still leave space for experimentation. It’s this balance, simple, comforting and versatile that makes them such a valuable base for innovation.
The Apple Dessert Revolution
The growing interest in apple-based dishes marks a shift towards comfort-led creativity. Diners are drawn to flavours that feel familiar but look and taste new, and the apple delivers that perfectly. It’s being used to inspire dishes that capture the spirit of traditional puddings while fitting seamlessly into modern dining trends.
Chefs are reinventing the classics — layering baked apples into refined desserts, adding apple butter to brunch menus, and introducing apple-infused drinks that extend the flavour beyond the plate. The result is a wave of ideas that feel grounded, approachable, and on trend.
In every setting, from schools to cafés, this approach is opening new opportunities. It encourages chefs to refresh menus without straying from what customers already love, proving that even the simplest ingredient can lead the next wave of dessert innovation.
And the best part? The possibilities are endless. From sweet brunch plates and creative bakes to drinks and ice creams, apples are shaping a new generation of comfort-inspired dishes. Here are some of the key trends leading the charge.
Brunch Gets a Sweet Upgrade
Brunch continues to be a strong revenue driver, and introducing dessert-inspired dishes keeps menus fresh and engaging.
Toffee Apple Pancakes
Toffee apples aren’t just for Bonfire Night. A simple stack of American buttermilk pancakes can be transformed using CHEF Approved Solid Pack Apple slices.
Caramelise the apple slices in butter and sugar until they develop a golden toffee coating, then remove them while you make a quick caramel sauce in the same pan. Pour over the pancakes, sprinkle with cinnamon, and finish with a spoonful of apple butter between each layer for a warming, spiced finish.
Apple Butter
To make apple butter, puree the apple slices and simmer gently until thick, golden and caramelised, adding sugar to taste and your preferred spices. Store in a jar for use across brunch and dessert dishes.
The Rise of the Apple Latte
According to The Food People, the apple latte is becoming a standout trend. Offering a British alternative to the pumpkin spice latte, this drink captures the essence of apple pie or crumble in a cup.
Baristas are using apple butter as a base for a naturally sweet and aromatic twist on the classic latte, creating a comforting and distinctive drink that encourages customers to trade up.
On-the-Go and Snackable Apple Treats
With the growing demand for premium, portable snacks, apple-based pastries are a perfect fit for cafés, canteens, and school counters alike.
Apple Pie Doughnuts
Take inspiration from international favourites like Dunkin’ Donuts’ braided apple doughnut. Wrap CHEF Approved Solid Pack Apple slices in puff pastry strips, shape into rings, and bake or fry.
Serve warm with custard or CHEF Assured Vanilla Ice Cream, or cold as a convenient grab-and-go pastry.
For a more homemade touch, use a CHEF Approved defrosted dough ball, roll it out, fill with apple slices, sugar, and cinnamon, then top with crumble before baking. This approach works especially well in schools or care settings where ingredient control and authenticity matter.
Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
Combine two classics by rolling puff pastry with chopped apples and sugar, then slicing and baking for a quick version.
Alternatively, use brioche or croissant dough layered with butter, apple butter, and caramel for a richer finish — ideal for bakery displays or buffet service.
Global Inspiration for Dessert Menus
Looking to global markets can inspire new ways to use this timeless ingredient.
Apple Ice Cream Desserts
Following the success of an apple crumble cornetto in the Philippines, consider creating your own sundae or sandwich version.
Combine CHEF Approved Salted Caramel Ice Cream with apple slices and crumble topping in a cone or between wafers, finished with caramel or toffee sauce for a familiar yet refreshing dessert.
Petite Apple Dumplings
The trend for bite-sized puddings continues. Mini apple dumplings made with pastry or wonton wrappers filled with apple butter and fried until crisp, or steamed buns with apple crumble filling, make perfect additions to dessert platters or afternoon tea menus.
Serve with a salted caramel dip for extra appeal.
Apple-Infused Cocktails
Apple desserts are now influencing the drinks menu too.
Mixologists are collaborating with chefs to create cocktails inspired by traditional puddings, such as an Apple Pie Martini with spiced apple syrup and a buttery crumb rim, or an Apple Crumble Old Fashioned.
The syrup from CHEF Approved Solid Pack Apples offers a simple, flavour-rich base for these drinks.
Your Foundation for Innovation: CHEF Approved Solid Pack Apples
To make the most of these trends, choosing a reliable base ingredient is essential.
CHEF Approved Solid Pack Apple slices provide consistent quality, flavour, and texture while saving valuable preparation time. There’s no need for peeling, coring, or worrying about oxidation and bruising.
Packed in water with no added sugar, they’re suitable for schools, hospitals, and care settings where nutrition guidelines are strict. Their natural sweetness allows precise control of added sugars, and the packing water can even be repurposed into sorbets or sauces.
In a fast-moving food landscape, CHEF Approved Solid Pack Apples give chefs the confidence to create modern, comforting, and consistent apple-based dishes while keeping labour and waste to a minimum.
Whether served in a pancake stack, pastry, or latte, the apple trend shows no sign of slowing — and it’s the perfect moment to bring it to your menu.
