It’s apple pickin’ time! 😀 And besides all those pies, breads, cookies, butters, jellies and treats, don’t forget to use them for supper, too! 😉

To me, there’s nothing better than the combination of sweet and savory! And what better way to top some gorgeous pork chops than with some sweet, crisp, fresh-picked, autumn Red Delicious apples! 😀

If you close your eyes, you can even smell them! And when you bake them, your whole house will smell like an apple orchard! 😀

This supper is so easy to throw together with just a few easy steps. I bet you could even assemble everything into a large crockpot if you wanted to, instead of baking! Follow the directions all the way up to baking, then cook in your crock pot (or slow cooker) for 6-8 hours on Low or until chops are fork tender! What a wonderful meal to come home to! 😀

Either way you choose to cook these, the family will be singing your praises and there will be smiles all around the table! Kids LOVE these due to the slight sweetness and the apples, and us adults love the ease of preparation and lovely combination of flavors along with the childhood memories these chops will bring!

You can use all Red Delicious apples, or you can mix it up and add in some Granny Smith and Golden Delicious, too! Though I prefer to use root beer soda for these, you can you also use Coke or even try some Dr. Pepper! I don’t think that using a citrus-flavored soda would work quite as well with the maple syrup, though, and I would stick with the caramel-colored sodas.

I used large, nicely cut bone-in pork chops for these, since the meat gets super tender and falls away from the bone, but you could also use pork loin chops if you prefer to go boneless. The old-fashioned bone-in though is the ideal choice in my opinion, though.

I hope this homey comfort food meal makes a special appearance on your supper table soon! They are truly delicious, and even the vibrant colors are reminiscent of fallen autumn leaves! Though they look “fancy”, they are a breeze to make and sure to please even the pickiest of kiddos!

Serve these alongside your favorite vegetable such as corn, green beans, or peas, some mashed potatoes, and of course….maybe a little applesauce? 😉 “Pork chops and applesauce…!” 😉 And you’re all set!

So Happy Fall everyone! And I hope you enjoy this dish as a special autumn treat just as much as we do! Take care, have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you next week! Love to all! ~Kelly

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 and thumb
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt & 1/4 tsp. pepper or to taste

Rest of Ingredients:

2 Tbl. EVOO
4 large bone-in pork chops
2 Tbl. butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 sweet onion, sliced into rings
2/3 cup root beer (*or Coca-Cola if preferred), divided in half
3 Red Delicious apples, sliced and core trimmed

Instructions

In small bowl, mix dry rub ingredients and evenly sprinkle onto both sides of pork chops. Place into 13x9 dish, cover, and let marinate for at least one hour, or up to overnight.

In large frying pan, add EVOO and sear/brown chops on both sides over medium-high heat. Remove chops and place back into 13x9 baking dish.

To skillet, add butter and maple syrup. Add onion rings, keeping intact, and cook over medium heat until just tender. (Don't overcook them.) Remove carefully with a spatula, keeping intact, and place onto chops.

Add a 1/3 cup root beer (or Coke) to frying pan, and add the apple slices. Only cook for 2 minutes over medium heat, remove and place on top of onions on chops.

Add rest of root beer or Coke to skillet, stir well to loosen bits, pour over apples.

Cover baking dish and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 40 - 45 minutes until chops are fork tender.

Remove chops to plates with a spatula and serve with sauce on the bottom of dish drizzled over the top if desired.