Pumpkin spice might be the latest autumn staple, but there’s one fall-favorite that continues to stand the test of time: apples. Whether they’re coated in caramel for a Halloween party, or roasted with a pork loin for dinner, this versatile fruit can fit into any meal or occasion.

Prep apples for your new and favorite recipes easily with these tips from our test kitchen.

Peel
Many recipes call for peeled apples, especially classics like apple pies. Using a vegetable peeler is the easiest and most efficient way to quickly get rid of the skin, but a paring knife can also do the trick.

1. Using a vegetable peeler, start by peeling off the top and bottom of your apple. This gives you a good start and end point for the rest of your peeling process and helps stabilize the apple by creating a flat bottom.
2. Make your way around the apple, peeling away from your body for safety, until the entire apple is peeled.
3. Discard the skin of the apple. You now have a perfectly peeled apple that is ready to be cut.

Get all the flavors of an apple pie without all the work in this easy Spiralizer Apple Crumb Tart.

Core
A whole, baked apple makes for an elegant dessert. Hollowing out the center of an apple – or coring –can be done a variety of ways, depending on what tools you have on hand. Here are the test kitchen’s top 3 ways to core an apple.

1. With an apple corer – The single purpose of this tool is to core an apple. Just push it through, twist and lift it back out to easily remove the center of your apple.
2. With a melon baller – Turns out it’s not just for cantaloupe. Cut the apple in half first, then use the melon baller to take out the seeds and create a perfectly round, hollow center.
3. With a paring knife – If you feel confident with your knife skills, use a paring knife to either hollow out a whole apple. Or cut the apple in half or into quarters, and use the knife to scoop out the centers.

Delight your dinner guests, or treat yourself to a special dessert, with these Slow Cooker Baked Apples.

Chop

Chopped apples are perfect for adding to salads, baking bread, making applesauce, and of course, apple fritters. Cut them down to size like this:

1. Cut apple across on either side of the stem, avoiding the core.
2. Lay the center of the apple onto the cutting board to create a flat surface and cut around the core.
3. Discard the core. The apples can be sliced or chopped, flat side down, according to your recipe.

These Apple Fritters are light, fluffy and delicious.

Slice, Dice and Chop Apples Faster with Appliances
Cut down prep time and create consistent pieces with these small kitchen appliances:

• Food Processors – The possibilities are practically endless – use the disc to slice or shred peeled or unpeeled apples. Or use the S-blade to go from a chopped consistency to a chunky puree.
• Electric Spiralizers – A homemade apple tart gets simpler, and a little prettier, when the apples are cut into continuous strands of curly ribbons.
• Food Choppers – Considered the little sister of the food processor, these small choppers can also cut up an apple.

Want more? Learn how to pick, preserve and prepare apples in our full guide, Apple Tips: How to Pick the Best of the Barrel.