Want to bake a perfect apple pie? Choose the right apples! These seven varieties have excellent flavor and will not turn to mush when baked. Use one or combine them for delicious flavors.
Ready to make dessert? My favorite apple crisp recipe is easy to make.
What Makes an Apple Good for Pies
Taste is so subjective and personal (and I do not wish to write poetic descriptions about the various flavors and distinctions), but there are three essential traits for successful pies:
1) Not too juicy (or the pie goes mushy)
2) Apple pieces hold their shape after baking
3) Apple is still flavorful after baking
Before you ask why I didn’t (perhaps) include your favorites on the list, know that there are over 7500 cultivars of apples. And no, I haven’t tried them all though I do try as many varieties I can.
I’ve narrowed down my selections to apples grown here in Ontario.
Best Apples For Baking Pies
In no particular order:
- Cortland
- Crispin
- Golden Delicious
- Idared
- Jonagold
- McIntosh
- Northern Spy
- Spartan
I like to combine 2-3 varieties in pies and apple sauce.
Best All-Round Apples
There are two varieties that work for everything: eating fresh, fruit salad, pies and other baking, apple butter, and apple sauce:
- McIntosh
- Jonagold
Many people choose Honeycrisp as their favorite fresh eating apple, but my vote goes to Jonagold. They are perfection (subjectively speaking).
Fresh, Healthy, Delicious Apple Recipes
Here are other favorite apple dessert recipes—two with no added fat or sugar so they’re healthier choices than pie!
- Apple Cookies recipe | gluten-free, sugar-free, healthy snack
- Apple Sauce recipe | one ingredient, totally delicious
- Apple Crisp recipe | a fall dessert treat
- Best Recipes | top apple recipes from salads to crisps
If you have any faves to share (or a must-try recipe), please let me know.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
