5 Best Apple Eats

Dig in, dip in or take a big bite out of the yummiest apple-loaded treats in 417-land.

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Photo Kevin O'Riley Wild Horse Cottage's Apple Pizza.

It’s the perfect time of year to take advantage of the sweet fruit that defines autumn: the apple. Few things in nature are more perfect just the way they are. You don’t need to cook them. You don’t even need to cut them. You can just dig right in.

But some 417-land restaurants are using apples in creative ways that bring out their sweetness or complement them with surprising flavors. The apple is the main event in some of these dishes. In others, the apple is a subtle addition to a complex or familiar recipe. No matter which you prefer, these are five ways to bring this crisp fruit into your diet this fall. And in case you want to know just how much apple is in each dish, check the apple satisfaction rating. A lower rating means apples are a small part of the dish, a high rating means they are the star and will more quickly gratify your apple craving. Hungry yet? Keep reading. You will be in a minute.

Apple Pizza

Where to get it: Wild Horse Cottage and Tea Room, 5215 N. 17th St., Ozark, 417-582-0582

What it’ll cost you: $8.50

Why it’s great: This single-serving pizza has unexpected flavors mixed with the familiar taste of apples. The hand-tossed white crust is covered in an apple butter sauce that has Italian seasonings. Then it’s topped with ham, yellow onion, lots of mozzarella cheese and golden delicious apples. Ashley Leppert, co-owner of the tea room along with Terry Adamson, says this pizza is heavy on apples; it doesn’t skimp on that namesake topping. The pizza is a seasonal dish that’s offered every Friday during the summer and fall, but Leppert says it will be available through the end of November at least, possibly into December. (Bonus: The pizza comes with a house salad with strawberry balsamic dressing, Greek olives, onions and Parmesan wafers.)

Apple satisfaction rating: Four out of five apples

Bread Pudding

Where to get it: Big Easy Grill, 3027 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-832-0040

What it’ll cost you: $3.50

Why it’s great: Big Easy Grill uses apples in its bread pudding instead of raisins, and we’ve heard rave reviews from a few different diners about this Cajun eatery’s take on the classic dessert. One bread pudding fan even said it’s the best version of the dish she’s ever had, and she blames the apples for making it so darn moist and delicious. And of course this is a bonus for those raisin-haters out there. Now you can enter the wonderful world of bread pudding without fear.

Apple satisfaction rating: Two out of five apples

Photo Kevin O'Riley Caramel-dipped apples at Silver Dollar City.

Caramel-Dipped Apples

Where to get it: Silver Dollar City, 399 Indian Point Rd., Branson, 1-800-475-9370

What it’ll cost you: $2.75–$3 at the Fishcamp Apple Shack

Why it’s great: Silver Dollar City has a few different apple eats, including things like apple fries (deep fried apple slices) and apple dumplings. But we prefer the classic: fresh slices of apple with soft caramel to dip them in. Hey, no one said that everything on this list was from a sit-down restaurant. Half the joy of these caramel apples is the experience. This is walk-while-you-eat food, and that’s just fine. It’s October, and if you combine roller coasters, traipsing around in the Ozarks woods, the cooler weather with a nip in the air and crisp apples dipped in sweet gooey caramel… well… that’s a recipe for autumnal wonderfulness.

Apple satisfaction rating: Five out of five apples