Create a Michigan Apple Grazing Board this Fall
Tailgating, bonfires, hayrides, and more! The fall season is a favorite time of year to enjoy friends, family, and the great outdoors. It’s also Michigan Apple harvest time, and the grocery stores and farmer’s markets are stocked with delicious, crispy, crunchy varieties to include in your autumn meals and adventures. Michigan Apples can be enjoyed in so many different ways- from a handy, healthy snack, to cider and apple butter, in savory and sweet recipes – there are endless ways to savor the flavor of Michigan Apples. One of my favorite ways to eat apples is to include them on a grazing board with various cheeses. Just add crackers and some fruit spreads, and you’re all set! Grazing boards are perfect for a simple meal or entertaining guests, and you can be as creative as you want with your selections and design.
Make a Michigan Apple Grazing Board
Cheese & Apple Grazing Board:
Create a savory Michigan Apple grazing board with cheese and crackers. You can get as creative as you like, but here are some ideas to start you off:
- Michigan Apple slices, variety of your choice (Tip: keep it interesting by including at least two different varieties)
- Whole grain crackers
- 2 – 3 varieties of cheese (See suggested apple and cheese pairings)
- Michigan Apple Butter
If you’re wondering what cheeses go best with Michigan Apples, use this pairing chart for guidance, but go by your tastes and preferences to create your unique board. The crisp, sweet/tart flavor and texture of Michigan Apples perfectly complement many styles of cheese.
- Gouda & Havarti: These creaming semi-firm cheeses pair well with tart apples such as Ginger Gold, Jonathon, Jonagold, or McIntosh.
- Cheddar: Aged or sharp cheddar cheese pairs best with sweet apples like a juicy Honeycrisp, Gala, or Evercrisp®.
- Brie & Camembert: These creamy, buttery cheeses go well with Golden Delicious or Honeycrisp.
- Blue Cheese: The tanginess of blue-veined cheese combines well with sweeter apples such as Gala, Evercrisp®, or Honeycrisp.
- Goat Cheese: Smooth, creamy goat cheese is wonderful with Fuji or Evercrisp®.
Fall Dessert Grazing Board:
Another fun idea is to create a dessert grazing board with Michigan Apples and items like glazed nuts, small cookies, and sweet dips.
- Michigan Apple slices, variety of your choice (Tip: keep it interesting by including at least two different varieties)
- Apple Cinnamon Donut Holes
- Glazed nuts
- Caramel dip
- Peanut butter, honey, yogurt dip (See recipe below)
- Dark chocolate-covered pretzels
- Dried Michigan Apples
Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip Recipe
Mix all ingredients and serve with Michigan Apple slices.
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- 3/4 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- Dash of cinnamon
Make Fall Entertaining Easy
Putting together a fun and easy grazing board allows you to get creative and share your favorite snacks with your friends and family. Mix it up with fall with seasonal favorite Michigan Apples.
Need more inspiration for a fall gathering? Try some of our favorite Apple Harvest Recipes!
