Waste is expensive in more ways than one. That’s why finding ways to reduce waste is important. The next time you bite into a juicy apple, don’t toss the peel and core! These 22 ways to use apple peels will show you what to do with apple peels when you don’t want to throw them away!
One of the biggest ways that a family can waste money is by not getting every use out of their groceries as possible. It happens most often with things that may seem as if they’re waste, but are not.
Apple skins and cores are one of those items. They’re typically thrown away, but they shouldn’t be!
In fact, apple scraps have quite a few different uses that can all save you money and even help you feed your family a great breakfast or snack! Not only that, but eating apple peels has several health benefits for everyone and that’s never a bad thing.
What to Do With Apple Peels and Cores
I can “see” your face now and you’re looking rather disbelieving at me.
You’re wondering whether I’ve lost my mind and what to do with apple peels that you’ll actually want to take the time to do.
If that’s you, hang on tight because these ways to use leftover apple peels are going to surprise you!
What Can I Do With Leftover Apple Peels?
Maybe you’ve made applesauce and you peeled your apples first (did you know you can make applesauce with the peels on?) or your kids simply won’t eat the peels with the apple. No matter the reason that you have leftover apple peels, check out the ideas below and you will never have to ask “what can I do with leftover apple peels” again!
Make Apple Scrap Jelly
Have you ever had apple scrap jelly? If not, you’re missing out! Apple jelly is sweet and delicious for breakfast or a snack! All you need is apple peels and a few other ingredients to create this sweet treat.
Oh, and an amazing apple scrap jelly recipe, of course!
Cook an apple butter recipe
If apple jelly isn’t your thing, why not use them in your favorite apple butter recipe? Apples, apple peels, cloves and other spices all come together in a crockpot to create a thick apple spread that everyone will love!
Make homemade apple cider vinegar
There are a lot of ways to use apple cider vinegar, but buying it can get expensive sometimes. Making homemade apple cider vinegar is a far cheaper option and probably my favorite of this entire list of uses for apple peels. All you need are apple peels, cores, and a glass jar meant for fermenting.
It does take a bit of time for your apple vinegar to finish the fermentation cycle to drink so make sure that you buy organic apple cider vinegar with the Mother to carry you over if you take it daily.
Freshen your home with apple potpourri
Do you love the smell of apple pie? If so, why not use your apple peels to make a homemade potpourri?
To make yours, follow the directions for my homemade fall potpourri simmer pots using leftover apple peels and cinnamon sticks instead of what is listed.
It’s super simple to make and will make your entire home smell like an apple cinnamon candle!
Make homemade apple cider
One of my favorite memories as a kid is of my Dad buying apple cider (non-alcoholic, of course) each year. Now, I don’t need to buy it! I make it using leftover apple peels!
Simply grab a bucket, your apple peels and make this homemade apple cider recipe! It takes around 2 weeks for it to be ready to drink but once it is, it tastes amazing!
Add them to your compost pile
Having an amazing garden to feed your family requires a rich compost pile and a great organic fertilizer recipe. Luckily, one of the many uses for apple peels is to add them to your compost pile. They will help you have a much richer fertilizer when your compost is done.
Turn them into a delicious and healthy snack
Want a yummy snack? Try this use for apple peels!
Add leftover apple peels to a mixing bowl and toss with melted butter and cinnamon. Spread the mixture onto a non-stick cookie sheet and roast in the oven.
Voila! You’ve got super yummy apple peel chips!
Make homemade pectin
Anyone who does a lot of jelly making knows that pectin is necessary to get your jams and jelly to gel. Apples, including the peel and cores are naturally high in pectin.
In fact, you can use them to make a homemade pectin recipe that you can use instead of store bought!
Making it isn’t as hard as it might sound and will save you quite a bit when you need pectin for your next jelly recipe.
Steep a cup of apple tea
I love a warm glass of tea in the evening and one of my new favorite uses for apple peels is to use them to make homemade apple tea. It’s super easy to make!
All you need to do is add apple peels and a cinnamon stick to your tea cup. Cover with boiling water and allow it to steep for a few. I like to use an electric kettle to boil the water since it gets it much hotter in a much shorter time than I can get on the stove.
Strain the liquid after steeping, sip and enjoy!
Add to smoothies for a health boost
If you love smoothie recipes, you’ll love this use for apple peels!
Apples, especially the peels, are very high in fiber and can give your smoothies a health boost with a fantastic apple flavor!
To use them in your smoothies, dehydrate your apple peels in a food dehydrator. Once they’re fully dry, run them through a coffee grinder until they’re a fine paste.
Add a tablespoon or two of your apple peel powder to your smoothies for a boost in fiber!
Create candied apple peels
Loads of people make candied orange peels during the holidays, but have you ever considered making candied apple peels? They’re super simple to make!
Just add equal parts cinnamon and sugar to a mixing bowl and toss your apple peels until they’re coated. You can use a bit of melted butter or water to help the mixture stick to your peels if you would like.
Lay your apple peels out on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and bake at 250°F for 30 minutes or so.
Red delicious peels work best for making candied apple peels. They will roll into a stick making them an easy snack on the go!
Garnish a salad
Making a salad and want to give it a pop of color? Add a few apple slices as a garnish. Not only does it look beautiful, but it adds a bit more fiber to your salad making it healthier.
Just be sure your peels aren’t too large since that will change the taste of your salad.
Clean aluminum cookware and bakeware
This is one of the uses for apple peels that I had never heard of until a few days ago. If you have aluminum cookware or bakeware, you know how hard it can be to get it clean sometimes.
Believe it or not, apple peels can help get them clean since the acid in the apple peels can penetrate stuck on food and help it come clean easier.
To use apple peels to clean your aluminum cookware, fill it with water and add apple peels. Simmer the water and apple peels for 30-45 minutes and stuck on food should come right off!
Make homemade apple syrup
If you’re trying to be more self reliant to rely on the store less, syrup is a great place to start! Apple peels and cores make a fantastic homemade syrup and allow you to use them up without wasting them.
I have a jar of homemade apple syrup sitting in my fridge right now and I will tell you that it is absolutely amazing on pancakes or biscuits!
Give your dog a treat
Apples are a fantastic treat for dogs and so are apple peels. If you’re looking for a great treat for Fido, give him a slice or two of apple peel.
Just be sure you don’t overfeed him with too many apple peels. While apples are rich in antioxidants, too many can cause digestive upset in your pup.
Also, never give a dog the seeds or an apple core.
Add fiber to pancakes and breads
Not only can apple peels give your smoothies, but they can add fiber to your favorite pancake recipe or your favorite bread recipe.
Just dehydrate your apple peels, grind into a fine powder and add a bit to your recipe! Healthy living doesn’t get much simpler!
Make homemade apple pie oatmeal
We love apple cinnamon oatmeal around our home, but I hate the cost. The solution? To use apple peels and a few other ingredients to make homemade apple pie oatmeal! Since the recipe won’t call for apple peels, simply make it as stated and add a few chopped up apple peels to your bowl. Not only will it add fiber, but it will give it an additional kick of flavor!
Make homemade apple cider or juice
Not only can you use apple peels to make apple cider, but if you want a quicker drink, you can use them to make apple cider. Just grab a homemade apple juice recipe and your glass! you’ll be ready to enjoy in just a few minutes!
Infuse bourbon for a tasty nightcap
If you fancy a drink, why not use your apple peels to make homemade apple bourbon? Food52 has a great recipe for homemade apple bourbon that only takes a few days to make.
It uses a bottle of bourbon and your spare apple peels to create a tasty infused drink.
Give your water flavor
I don’t know about you, but I get tired of drinking plain water so much, but I love infused water so one of my favorite uses for apple peels is to make infused fruit water!
Just pick up a fruit infuser water bottle and add your apple peels. Before long you’ll have a sweet and tasty drink that isn’t boring at all!
Have glowing skin with an apple peel face mask
Apple peels have more uses than just food! They can also be used to help your skin look amazing! Run leftover peels through a blender until you get a thick puree.
For oily skin, mix apple and cucumber together. Apple and yogurt is great for dry skin and apple and honey are a great exfoliator!
Give your chickens a treat
If you are raising backyard chickens, they will love your leftover apple peel scraps! They are high in antioxidants too which will help your flock stay as healthy as you want them to be!