Almond Apple Wheat Stuffing
A flavorful and hearty stuffing combining tart Granny Smith apples, crunchy almonds, and warm spices, perfect for Thanksgiving or family dinners with whole wheat bread and raisins.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped Granny Smith apples
- 1 1/2 cups sliced almonds ⓘ
- 3/4 cup chopped onions ⓘ
- 3/4 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 4 tablespoons butter ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 6 cups cubed whole wheat bread ⓘ
- 1 cup raisins ⓘ
- 1 egg, lightly beaten ⓘ
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup apple cider or juice ⓘ
Instructions
- Saute apples, sliced almonds, chopped onions, and chopped celery in butter for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
- Stir in ground cinnamon, poultry seasoning, and salt into the sautéed mixture.
- Toss together cubed whole wheat bread and raisins in a large bowl.
- Add the apple mixture to the bread and raisins, mixing well.
- Stir in 1/3 cup of lightly beaten egg with 1/3 cup apple cider, and combine into the bread mixture.
- Add additional apple cider if a moister stuffing is desired.
- Stuff the mixture into a turkey or large roasting chickens, or spoon into a lightly greased loaf pan.
- Bake the loaf pan covered until heated through and slightly browned.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider adding chopped fresh herbs like thyme or sage to the stuffing mixture. If you prefer a nuttier flavor, you can substitute walnuts for almonds. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free bread instead of whole wheat. Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of raisins or using dried cranberries instead for a tart contrast.
Serving Suggestions
This Almond Apple Wheat Stuffing pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or chicken and can be served alongside mashed potatoes and green beans for a complete meal. Consider adding a side of cranberry sauce for a tangy contrast. For a vegetarian option, serve it with a mixed green salad or roasted vegetables.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, place the stuffing in a covered dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. Add a splash of apple cider to keep it moist while reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Almond Apple Wheat Stuffing contains roughly 1160 calories, with 35g protein, 98g carbohydrates, and 80g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (115% of the Daily Value), protein (71% of the Daily Value), and calcium (57% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 895mg per serving (39% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this stuffing ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the stuffing mixture a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just remember to add the egg and cider right before baking. This allows the flavors to meld together and makes your cooking on the day less stressful.
Is it necessary to stuff the turkey with this mixture?
No, it’s not necessary to stuff the turkey. You can simply bake the stuffing in a greased loaf pan as directed. This method often results in a crispier texture and allows for easier serving.
What can I substitute for almonds if there's a nut allergy?
If you're looking for a nut-free alternative, you can use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for some crunch. You could also increase the bread or add more raisins for added texture and sweetness.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).