39 Tasty Types of Red Apples & Their Uses

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 be using one kind of red apple over another. Find out more below.

Apples are popular fruits that come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. While most people think of apples as being red and green, there are actually many different types of red apples. 

How to Select an Apple

When selecting an apple, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, decide what you’ll be using the apple for. If you’re planning to eat it out of hand or cook with it, look for apples that are bright red in color and free from any 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 how they are used in cooking/baking.

Ambrosia Apple

Ambrosia apples are a type of red apple that is 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 a bit of 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 juice 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 that is 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 a type of red apple that is 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 type of 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 a 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 a range of 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 a decoration on cakes and other desserts. With their bright red coloring, they are 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 very versatile choice for cooking. Their firm texture makes them great for pies or crisps, or simply eating as a snack.

Liberty

Liberty 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. With their bright red coloring, they are a beautiful choice for holiday recipes and table decorations. Liberty apples are often used in salads, pies, crisps, or simply eaten 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 both raw and cooked dishes, making them a very versatile choice for cooking. Their firm texture makes them great for pies or crisps, or simply eating as a snack.

McIntosh

This variety is characterized by its deep red and green skin, as well as its crisp, white flesh. McIntosh apples are perfect for eating fresh, as well as 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. With their bright red coloring, they are a beautiful choice for holiday recipes and table decorations. Paula Red apples can be used in salads, pies, crisps, or simply eaten as a delicious snack. Whether raw or cooked, Paula Red apples are versatile and delicious.

Pazazz

Pazazz is a particularly tart red apple that is perfect for juicing and enjoying raw. This wonderfully crisp and flavorful fruit also makes a great addition to baked goods such as pies and tarts. Pazazz has a nice, deep red coloring that works well in fruit salads and smoothies.

If you are interested in growing your own apples at home, Pazazz is a great choice for succulent fruit and trouble-free production. The tree itself is resistant to most common apple diseases, making it a perfect choice for beginning gardeners.

Pink Lady

Pink Lady apples are a type of red apple that is 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 both raw and cooked dishes, making them a versatile choice for cooking. With their bright red coloring, they are a beautiful choice for holiday recipes and table decorations. Red Delicious apples can be used in salads, pies, crisps, or simply eaten as a delicious snack. Whether raw or cooked, Red Delicious apples are versatile and delicious.

Rome

Rome apples are a type of red apple that is tart with a hint of sweetness. They have a firm texture, making them ideal for baking. With their bright red coloring, they are a beautiful choice for holiday recipes and table decorations. Rome apples can be used in salads, pies, crisps, or simply eaten 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. With its firm texture and sweet-tart flavor, it is a versatile apple that can be used in many different recipes.

Spitzenberg

The Spitzenberg apple is a warm red apple that has 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 you’re baking up 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 also often used in baking. With its crisp texture and juicy flesh, the Suncrisp apple is a versatile fruit that can be enjoyed in many different 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 a deep red apple with a sweet, crisp flavor. It is good for eating out of hand and is also 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 different 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 a popular choice 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 is sure to 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, both of which can be stored in the freezer for months.

In addition to their flavorful flesh, Winesap apples also 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 using as a garnish on top of desserts or other dishes.

Zestar apples

Zestar apples are a type of early-season apple that are 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 also makes them well-suited for use in 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 kind of red apple will depend on what you are looking for. For example, Fuji or Gala would be good choices if you want a sweet apple. If you want a tart apple, then Braeburn or McIntosh would be better choices.

Final Thoughts

There are many different types of red apples available, each with its own 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 all of 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.