Best Apples to Bake With (2024)

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By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Updated September 15, 2020

Best Apples to Bake With (1)

Not all apples look, crunch, or taste the same. Neither do they bake the same! Elevate your apple game with this quick how-to guide that'll help you make the most of everyone's favorite fruit - from aromatic pies and apple crisps to soups with a delicious twist.

How do I pick the best apples?

  • Which apples bake best? For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin. Try mixing a variety of baking apples to take the flavor of your pie to whole new depths.
  • Let's think beyond a pie! Use fewer firm apples for cakes and sauces. Red Delicious, McIntosh, and Golden Delicious apples tend to break down faster when they bake, making them perfect for your alternative treats.
  • How do I know what apple to choose? The best apples are the ones that are in season. Out-of-season apples have been kept in storage, which affects their freshness, crispness, and juiciness.
    • Look for firm apples with no bruises or bug holes.
    • Unripe apples will be overly hard and too green or yellow for their variety.
    • Fresh, ripe apples will have a strong apple aroma.

Best Apples to Bake With (2)

How many apples do I need?

  • The more the merrier! The general rule is that about 5-6 sliced or chopped apples make for a perfect 9inch pie. Try Betty’s Scrumptious Apple Pie—this recipe calls for eight of your favorite tart apples.
  • How many apples do I need for most crisps? You will need 4 to 6 cups of sliced apples. 4 cups work well for 8-inch baking dishes and 6 cups are perfect for 13x9 pans.
  • How do I convert whole apples to cups? It’s easy! Just remember:
    • 2 to 2 1/2 cups chopped or sliced apples are equivalent to 3 medium apples, or about 1 pound.
    • 3 medium apples are roughly equivalent to 2 large apples or 4 small apples.

Best Apples to Bake With (3)

How should apples be stored?

  • Refrigerate apples for full flavor and crunch.
  • Keep the temperature between 32-40F degrees.
  • To prevent drying, store in perforated plastic bags or containers that allow airflow.
  • Apples keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. No pressure!

How should I prepare my apples before I start cooking or baking?

  • Wash and peel your apples. An apple's skin becomes tough during cooking and it will not break down.
  • Use a vegetable peeler, instead of a knife. It’s faster and removes less flesh.
  • Cut peeled apples into fourths to easily remove the core.
  • Toss cut pieces with water and lemon juice to prevent browning.
  • Use overripe or bruised apples for sauce, like our Slow-Cooker Apple Butter or our Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce.

Best Apples to Bake With (4)

Best Apples to Bake With (5)

Ready to try a few of Betty’s best apple recipes? We’d love to know what you decide to bake. So, once you've made it, share it!

Apple recipes to make while the season is ripe

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Best Apples to Bake With (2024)

FAQs

Best Apples to Bake With? ›

For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples

baking apples
A cooking apple or culinary apple is an apple that is used primarily for cooking, as opposed to a dessert apple, which is eaten raw. Cooking apples are generally larger, and can be tarter than dessert varieties. Some varieties have a firm flesh that does not break down much when cooked.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Cooking_apple
” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

Are Gala apples good for baking? ›

Gala: If you want extra sweetness without the soft texture, choose Gala apples for your pie. As with Golden Delicious apples, bakers sometimes reduce the sugar in their recipes due to this variety's extra-sweet flavor.

Is a Honeycrisp apple good for baking? ›

Honeycrisp. One of the sweetest apples around, this Midwestern favorite is good for anything—including baking. It boasts a distinctive juicy crispness and is firm enough that it won't cook down much. It complements just about any other apple variety to make a stellar pie.

Are red or green apples better for baking? ›

Green apples, like Granny Smith apples, have a much denser texture. That makes them better able to withstand high heat. So green apples are preferred when apples are used for baking.

Are Pink Lady apples good for baking apple crisp? ›

Pink Lady Apples

Pink Ladies are great for both pie and crisp because they have a super flavorful juice that concentrates beautifully during the cooking process.

Are ever crisp apples good for baking? ›

The EverCrisp® is an apple that is flavorful, juicy and crisp, and can weather unpredictable winters. It has dense flesh and light crispness and juiciness, combining the best features of its parent varieties, the Honeycrisp and Fuji. While it is an great snack, its firmness makes it an ideal apple for baking.

Why are Granny Smith apples good for baking? ›

1. Granny Smith. The Granny Smith apple is my go-to apple for any baked or cooked recipe. The tart apple helps to keep the end product from being overly sweet, and it keeps its shape beautifully when baked.

Are Fuji apples good to bake with? ›

Fuji Apples

Developed in Japan in the 1930s, they're also one of the sweetest apples you can find, making them an ideal choice for muffins, galettes, tarts, and more. Just like a Granny Smith apple, a Fuji variety will hold up nicely in the oven, and it's available year-round in most supermarkets.

What apples are best for baking or canning? ›

The best varieties for canning apples are crisp, not mealy, types. Some of the best apples for canning include Fuji, Braeburn, Jonagold, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, Jazz, Honeycrisp, and Cortland.

What is the difference between baking apples and regular apples? ›

A cooking apple or culinary apple is an apple that is used primarily for cooking, as opposed to a dessert apple, which is eaten raw. Cooking apples are generally larger, and can be tarter than dessert varieties. Some varieties have a firm flesh that does not break down much when cooked.

What type of apple is a dessert apple? ›

Colours range from red, to yellow and green, but all varieties fall into one of two categories: eating, also sometimes called dessert apples (including Cox's Orange Pippin, Golden Delicious, Granny Smiths, Braeburn, Gala, Pink Lady and Jonagold) or cooking, with the latter being more tart in flavour, a result of their ...

Are Rome apples good for baking? ›

Rome apples are best suited for cooked applications such as baking, frying, and roasting. Their dense flesh holds up well when baked making them perfect for use in pies, cakes, bread, and cookies. Their flavor is also enhanced when cooked, becoming sweeter and exceptionally rich.

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