It’s apple pickin’ time! 😀 Besides pies, breads, cookies, preserves, and desserts, fresh apples make a fantastic main course, too.

I love the balance of sweet and savory, and these pork chops topped with crisp, freshly picked Red Delicious apples are a perfect example. Baking them fills the house with the cozy scent of an apple orchard.

This supper is simple to prepare and very forgiving. If you prefer, you can assemble everything up to the baking step and finish in a slow cooker: cook on Low for 6–8 hours or until the chops are fork-tender. Either baked or slow-cooked, the family will enjoy the sweet-savory flavor and the comforting aroma.

Children tend to love the mild sweetness and the tender apples, while adults appreciate the easy prep and nostalgic flavors. Feel free to vary the apples—Red Delicious are lovely, but Granny Smith or Golden Delicious work well in a mix. For the soda, I prefer root beer, but Coca-Cola or Dr Pepper are good alternatives; stick with caramel-colored sodas rather than citrus varieties to complement the maple syrup.

I used large bone-in pork chops because the meat becomes especially tender and flavorful. Boneless pork loin chops can be used if you prefer, but bone-in results in a bit more depth of flavor.

Serve these chops with seasonal vegetables like green beans, corn, or peas, along with mashed potatoes and perhaps a little applesauce. It’s a homestyle fall meal that’s simple, colorful, and comforting.

Happy fall—enjoy this dish as a special seasonal supper. —Kelly

Yield: 4 servings

Maple Apple Pork Chops

Ingredients

Dry Rub:

• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp. paprika
• 1/4 tsp. onion powder
• 1/4 tsp. dried thyme, crushed between your fingers
• 1/4 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. salt & 1/4 tsp. pepper, or to taste

Rest of Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 large bone-in pork chops
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 sweet onion, sliced into rings
• 2/3 cup root beer (or Coca-Cola), divided
• 3 Red Delicious apples, cored and sliced

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the dry rub ingredients. Evenly sprinkle the rub over both sides of the pork chops. Place the chops in a 13×9 baking dish, cover, and marinate at least one hour or up to overnight.

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Sear the chops on both sides until browned. Transfer the chops back to the baking dish.

Add butter and maple syrup to the skillet. Add the onion rings and cook over medium heat just until they are slightly tender—avoid overcooking. Remove carefully with a spatula, keeping the rings intact, and arrange them over the chops.

Pour 1/3 cup root beer (or Coke) into the skillet and add the apple slices. Cook for about 2 minutes over medium heat, then remove and place the apples on top of the onions on the chops.

Add the remaining root beer or Coke to the skillet, stirring to loosen any browned bits, and pour the liquid over the apples and chops.

Cover the baking dish and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 40–45 minutes, or until the chops are fork-tender.

Use a spatula to transfer the chops to plates. Spoon the sauce from the bottom of the dish over the chops before serving, if desired.