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After a fun weekend of apple picking or even a trip to the farmers' market, we're often left with more than a few extra apples come fall. And what better way to use up those fall fruits than with Ree Drummond's recipe for homemade applesauce! "Homemade applesauce is one of those things that makes you wonder, after you whip up a batch, why more folks don't make it," Ree says. The simple treat can be eaten as a healthy snack or used in recipes like applesauce cake. But while we know how easy it is to whip up a batch of applesauce (there are even slow cooker applesauce recipes), you may still be wondering which are the best apples to use?
When it comes to the best apples for making applesauce, you’re in luck! Applesauce is pretty forgiving so the type of apple you use won't make or break your recipe. In fact, we recommend using an assortment of apples to get the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and tangy. Below, you'll find a list of apples that fit into all these categories. There are sweet varieties, like Gala and Honeycrisp, along with tart apples, like Granny Smith and Braeburn. For the best flavor, opt for a mix! Then, you can doctor up your applesauce with a few optional add-ins: cinnamon, maple syrup, nutmeg, allspice, or ginger. Now, read on for everything you need to know about the best apples for applesauce!
What kind of apples are best for applesauce?
Unlike the best apples for apple pie, the list below doesn't necessarily require the apples to be crisp. In pies and cakes, you want the apples to hold their shape, but with applesauce, they'll be cooked down anyway, so end-of-season apples or less than perfect apples are all great to use! Just be sure to stay away from Red Delicious apples, which are great for snacking on, but don't do well when cooked. When it comes to flavor, the best apples to use are a combination of sweet, tart, and tangy. Choose two or three varieties from the list below and get cooking!
Sweet Apples for Applesauce
- Honeycrisp Apples
- Fuji Apples
- Gala
- Golden Delicious
- Crispin
Tangy Apples for Applesauce
- McIntosh
- Pink Lady
- Rome Apples
- Ida Red
Tart Apples for Applesauce
- Granny Smith
- Braeburn
- Macoun
What are the best tips for making applesauce?
- Keep a good peeler handy—making applesauce requires lots of peeling and coring.
- To make your applesauce a pretty color, choose a pinkish-red apple, like Ida Reds, and keep the skins on before cooking, then strain once cooked.
- For a smoother applesauce, use an immersion blender to make it extra-silky,
- Store applesauce in mason jars in your fridge, and use over pork chops, ice cream, pancakes, or simply on its own!
