Wondering what types of red apples you should be using in your recipes? You’ll be surprised that there are specific situations where you should use one kind of red apple over another. Find out more below.
Apples are popular fruits that come in various colors, sizes, and shapes. While most people think of apples as red and green, there are many different types of red apples.
How to Select an Apple
When selecting an apple, there are a few things to remember. First, decide what you’ll be using the apple for. If you plan to eat it out of hand or cook with it, look for bright red apples free from soft spots or bruises. If you’re planning to bake with the apple, choose one that is firm and has a flavor that lends itself to sweet desserts.
Best Apples for Baking
For baking, look for apples that are firm and crisp. This will help them stand up to high heat without turning to mush.
- Honeycrisp
- Braeburn
- Jonagold
- Winesap
- Mutsu
- Cortland
- McIntosh
- Rome
Best Apples for Snacking
Looking to eat your apple out of hand? Here are some favorites.
- Cameo
- Cortland
- Fuji
- Jonagold
- Winesap
- Empire
- Braeburn
Best Apples for Making Cider
Pick apples that have a lovely spiced flavor for ciders.
- Cortland
- McIntosh
- Jonagold
- Braeburn
- Fuji
Best Apples for Juicing
- Winesap
- Braeburn
- Honeycrisp
- Red Delicious
- Fuji
- Gala
Best Apples for Salad
- Honeycrisp
- Fuji
- Jazz
- Empire
Best Apples for Applesauce
- Cortland
- Crispin
- Fuji
- McIntosh
- Gravenstein
- Rome
- Ida Red
- Liberty
Types of Red Apples & Their Uses
Here are some very popular red apple types and their use in cooking/baking.
Ambrosia Apple
Ambrosia apples are a type of red apple described as floral and crisp. It is low in acidity, making it a wonderful apple for salads and snacking. Many love baking apple desserts with ambrosia apples.
Autumn Crisp
Autumn crisp apples are often used in baking desserts. They are sweet and juicy with a bit of tartness.
Baldwin
The Baldwin apple is a bright red apple with some green coloring. This winter apple is popular in New England, New York and has a crisp and sweet flavor.
Black Oxford
Black Oxford apples are primarily red in color with a touch of green. The flavor of this apple is often described as sweet with a hint of spice.
Because of its spiced quality, the Black Oxford apple is used in pies and apple ciders. They’re perfect for the fall season!
Braeburn
Braeburn apples are praised by many for their use in baking. With natural flavors of cinnamon spice, these apples taste great in crisps and ciders.
Cameo
Cameo apples lean acidic with a mildly sweet and tangy flavor. Try using this apple in apple sauce.
Cortland
If you prefer your apples to be soft, consider trying the Cortland variety. It is a very juicy apple with a sweet yet tart flavor. It’s a great apple for eating as-is.
Cox’s Orange Pippin
The Cox’s Orange Pippin is a delicious apple that many regard as the best dessert apple. They are so soft that you can hear the seeds inside the apple rattling around when you shake them.
Crimson Crisp
Crimson Crisp is definitely one of the most classic-looking red apples. They have a pleasant, balanced flavor that lends itself well to eating fresh from the tree.
Empire
Empire apples are a cross between the Red Delicious and McIntosh varieties. They have a very firm texture with a sweet flavor, making them great for eating raw or using in apple pies and crisps.
Envy
The Envy apple was developed specifically to be a fresh-eating apple. They have a beautiful red coloring and crisp, juicy texture.
Fuji
Fuji apples come from Japan. They are a type of red apple popular for their sweet flavor and firm texture. They are often used in salads but can also be baked or cooked into dishes.
Honeycrisp
Honeycrisp apples are one of the most popular types of apples. They have a sweet and tart flavor with a crisp, juicy texture. Because of their versatility, Honeycrisp apples can be used for baking, snacking, and even making cider.
Idared
Idared apples are red apples that are tart with a hint of sweetness. They have a crisp texture, making them ideal for baking.
Jonathan Applesauce
If you love applesauce, consider using the Jonathan variety. They are tart with a hint of sweetness that comes out when cooked.
Kanzi
Kanzi apples are a red apple that is sweet and mildly tart. They have a crisp texture and are often used in salads or as a snack.
Lady Apple
Lady apples are small, red apples that have a tart flavor. They are often used in baking or as decoration on cakes and other desserts.
Gala
Gala apples are a sweet and firm variety of apples. They work well in both cooked and raw dishes, making them versatile for various recipes. Try them in pies or crisps, or simply eat them as a snack.
Gravenstein
Gravenstein apples are a tart variety of apples. They work well in pies and other baked goods.
Holstein
Holstein apples are a type of red apple that is very sweet. They have a crisp texture and are often used in salads or as a snack.
Hyslop Crabapple
Hyslop crabapples are small, red apples that have a tart flavor. They are often used in baking or as decoration on cakes and other desserts. Their bright red coloring makes them a beautiful choice for holiday recipes and table decorations.
Jazz
Jazz apples are a type of red apple that is firm, crisp, and sweet. They work well in both raw and cooked dishes. Try them in pies or crisps, or simply eat them as a snack.
Jonagold
Jonagold apples are a cross between the Jonathan and Golden Delicious varieties. They have a tart flavor with a hint of sweetness. They work well in both baked and raw dishes, making them a versatile cooking choice. Their firm texture makes them great for pies, crisps, or simply eating as a snack.
Liberty
Liberty apples are red apples that are tart with a hint of sweetness. They have a crisp texture, making them ideal for baking. Their bright red coloring makes them a beautiful choice for holiday recipes and table decorations. Liberty apples are often used in salads, pies, crisps, or as a delicious snack. Whether raw or cooked, Liberty apples are versatile and delicious.
Macoun
Macoun apples are a cross between the McIntosh and Jersey Black varieties. They have a sweet flavor with a hint of tartness. They work well in raw and cooked dishes, making them a very versatile choice for cooking. Their firm texture makes them great for pies, crisps, or simply eating as a snack.
McIntosh
This variety is characterized by its deep red and green skin and its crisp, white flesh. McIntosh apples are perfect for eating fresh and for use in pies and other baked goods.
Paula Red
Paula Red apples are a type of red apple that is tart with a hint of sweetness. They have a crisp texture, making them ideal for baking. Their bright red coloring makes them a beautiful choice for holiday recipes and table decorations. Paula Red apples can be used in salads, pies, crisps, or as a delicious snack. Whether raw or cooked, Paula Red apples are versatile and delicious.
Pazazz
Pazazz is a particularly tart red apple perfect for juicing and enjoying raw. This wonderfully crisp and flavorful fruit also adds to baked goods such as pies and tarts. Pazazz has a deep red coloring that works well in fruit salads and smoothies.
If you want to grow your own apples at home, Pazazz is a great choice for succulent fruit and trouble-free production. The tree is resistant to most common apple diseases, making it a perfect choice for beginning gardeners.
Pink Lady
Pink Lady apples are red apples that are tart with a hint of sweetness. Their crisp texture and bright coloring make them great for baking and decorating. Pink Lady apples can be used in pies, crisps, or simply eaten as a delicious snack. Whether raw or cooked, Pink Lady apples are versatile and delicious.
Red Delicious
Red Delicious apples are a type of red apple that is sweet and firm. They work well in raw and cooked dishes, making them a versatile choice for cooking. Their bright red coloring makes them a beautiful choice for holiday recipes and table decorations. Red Delicious apples can be used in salads, pies, crisps, or as a delicious snack. Whether raw or cooked, Red Delicious apples are versatile and delicious.
Rome
Rome apples are a red apple that is tart with a hint of sweetness. They have a firm texture, making them ideal for baking. Their bright red coloring makes them a beautiful choice for holiday recipes and table decorations. Rome apples can be used in salads, pies, crisps, or as a delicious snack. Whether raw or cooked, Rome apples are versatile and delicious.
Spartan
The Spartan apple is a deep red, almost purple apple that is one of the tastiest and most versatile types of apples. It can be used for baking, cooking, or just eaten out of hand.
Spencer
The Spencer apple is a deep red apple with a slightly tart flavor. It is good for eating out of hand but is also a popular choice for baking and cooking. Its firm texture and sweet-tart flavor make it a versatile apple that can be used in many different recipes.
Spitzenberg
The Spitzenberg apple is a warm red apple with a sweet, spicy flavor. This is another popular choice for baking and cooking, as its firm texture holds up well in recipes. It is also a great choice for eating out of hand and is a favorite among apple aficionados. Whether baking a delicious apple pie or just enjoying a few slices for a snack, the Spitzenberg apple is sure to delight your taste buds.
Suncrisp
The Suncrisp apple is a bright red apple with a sweet-tart flavor. It is a popular choice for snacking and is often used in baking. With its crisp texture and juicy flesh, the Suncrisp apple is a versatile fruit that can be enjoyed in many ways. Whether you’re whipping up a batch of muffins or just popping a few slices into your mouth for a quick snack, the Suncrisp apple is sure to please.
Sundance
The Sundance apple is deep red with a sweet, crisp flavor. It is good for eating out of hand and is often used in baking and cooking. With its firm texture and juicy flesh, the Sundance apple is a versatile fruit that can be enjoyed in many ways.
William’s Pride
The William’s Pride apple is a deep red fruit with a sweet, buttery flavor. It is best known for its excellent baking qualities, as its flesh stays firm and moist even when baked. It is also popular for eating out of hand, as its sweet flavor and crisp texture make it a delicious snack. Whether you’re whipping up a batch of cookies or just enjoying a few slices for a snack, William’s Pride apple will surely please.
Winesap apples
Winesap apples are small to medium-sized apples with a deep red color. They have a tart, tangy flavor that makes them perfect for snacking or using in recipes.
While Winesap apples can be eaten out of hand, their unique flavor makes them especially well-suited for use in cooking. They can be sliced and used in pies, crisps, bread, or other baked goods. Winesap apples are also excellent for making applesauce and apple butter, which can be stored in the freezer for months.
In addition to their flavorful flesh, Winesap apples have beautiful red skin that can add color to any dish. When cooked, the skin of these apples will turn into a deep burgundy that is perfect for use as a garnish on top of desserts or other dishes.
Zestar apples
Zestar apples are a type of early-season apple that is ripe for picking from August to September. These small, red apples have a sweet-tart flavor that is perfect for snacking or using in recipes.
While Zestar apples can be eaten out of hand, their unique flavor makes them well-suited for cooking. They can be sliced and used in pies, crisps, bread, or other baked goods. The juicy flesh of these apples is also perfect for making sauces or topping off other dishes, such as pork chops or chicken breasts.
Questions You May Have
What is the sweetest red apple?
Fuji, Gala, and Ambrosia are examples of very sweet red apples.
What is the best kind of red apple?
The best red apple will depend on what you are looking for. For example, Fuji or Gala would be good choices for a sweet apple. Braeburn or McIntosh will be better choices if you want a tart apple.
Final Thoughts
Many different types of red apples are available, each with its unique flavor and characteristics. Whether you prefer sweet or tart apples, there is sure to be a red apple that is perfect for you.
Some of the most popular types of red apples include Fuji, Gala, Ambrosia, Braeburn, and McIntosh. So, next time you are at the grocery store, be sure to pick up a few of these delicious red apples and enjoy them in your favorite recipes!
As always, thanks for reading. Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite type of apple and how you prepare it.
Nerie Jamison
Sunday 29th of May 2022
Love these delicious apples!