With over XNUMX varieties worldwide, you may be wondering what the best apples for applesauce is it so.
Luckily, this top ten list should help narrow it down!
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I have loved applesauce since I was a little boy, and now I love making my own.
But when it comes to the best apples for applesauce, there are a few things to consider.
First, you'll need to decide how sweet or tart you want it.
Next, keep in mind that some apples won't be available all year, so you may need to move your recipe from summer to winter.
The good news is that there are no wrong answers! With that being said, I've rounded up ten apples that I think work the best.
Give them a try and let me know what you think!
How to Select the Best Apples for Applesauce
The most important thing to consider when choosing a variety of apple is the flavor. Craving super tart applesauce or something subtly sweet?
Once you've made that decision, be sure to look for apples that generally don't hold up well to cooking.
For example, Granny Smiths are ideal for apple pies, pies, and fries as they don't turn to mush in the oven.
But for the applesauce, you want it to turn into mush! Therefore, I have listed the varieties now that should be easier to cook.
That being said, I've also included a couple of delicious options that won't be completely spoiled. Use them if you like chunky sauce!
Also, if the apple is soft, slightly bruised, or worn, that's fine. If they've been sitting for a few days, that's fine too.
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Obviously, if there is evidence of mold or parasites, don't use that apple. But anything else is fair game.
Best Sweet Apples for Applesauce
1. Exquisite gold
Golden Delicious apples are one of the most popular varieties. Because you ask? Well, it's in the name: they are exquisite!
They are greenish-yellow in color, with tender white flesh. They cook up fantastically and have a brittle sweetness.
Do you want to know the best of using Golden Delicious apples? You don't even have to peel them! The skin is thin and breaks in the sauce.
2.Fuji
Use Fuji apples if you don't want to add sugar to your applesauce recipe.
These pretty orange-red fruits are impressively sweet and juicy. Biting into one tastes like taking a shot of apple juice.
These are a fantastic alternative for a healthy dip. On top of this, the natural sweetness of apple pairs perfectly with warm seasonings like cinnamon.
3. Crisp honey
Honeycrisps is my favorite apple.
They are sweet, acidic, floral and complex. And while they're best when fresh, Honeycrisps make for a super delicious sauce.
They don't break down as much as certain other varieties on this list. So if thick, textured applesauce is your thing, Honeycrisps is the way to go.
Unfortunately, they can be expensive. So, I advise interspersing them with other apples to save some moola.
4. Crispin
What's in a name? Well, in this case… a lot.
Apple Crispin is fantastically crisp, making it a fabulous alternative to a chunky dip.
Crispin apples also tend to be very sweet and juicy, so they will add a lot of flavor to your applesauce.
The Best Apple Pies for Applesauce
5. Jonathan Apples
Like everything that comes from New York City, Jonathan apples have a certain character.
They are quite tart, almost shy of reaching a bitter state, but clearly they are going to make your mouth water.
But even though they are sour, they taste fabulous. They make a super delicious sauce that is great paired with meat dishes, like pork chops.
6.Cortland
Cortland apples are bright red with streaks of darker red and patches of yellow. Sometimes they are more yellow than red, and sometimes they have a greenish cast.
In general, they are quite beautiful, and they are delicious! They have a sour taste, softened by some sweetness.
Needless to say, they do sour applesauce.
Cortland apples are also great for baking and serving with sausages, as they are very acidic, so they don't brown as quickly as sweeter varieties.
7.Gravenstein
Gravenstein apples are absolutely delicious. They are tart, but still taste reasonably sweet, reminiscent of honey.
Also, they are super juicy. And juicy apples make great applesauce!
The Best Moderately Sweet Apples for Applesauce
8.Granny Smith
I know, I know, I said not to use apples in baking. But let's be honest, you can't beat Granny Smiths.
They are the traditional green apple that is somewhat sour and very sweet. That's going to give you a perfectly balanced applesauce.
And yes, they won't completely break down (unless you use an immersion blender). But they will make an exquisite thick sauce.
9.Jonagold
Although not as sweet as other apples, Jonagolds are exquisitely honeyed.
They are a cross between the Jonathan and Golden Delicious apple varieties. These are best for thick, country-style applesauce.
10.McIntosh
McIntosh apples are another very popular variety of applesauce. That is because they cook exaggeratedly well.
They are a great apple for making sauce and taste amazing on savory briny pork.
Plus, they have a balanced sweet and sour flavor, and you can leave the skins on if you'd like. Although I prefer it without.
Tips for making the best applesauce
Applesauce can be used in many ways, including on pancakes and waffles and in oatmeal and baked goods.
It is also exquisite with pork chops or spine. And it's a huge snack on its own.
If you want to make the best applesauce possible, check out these tips:
- Use a variety of apples for a more flavorful and textured sauce! Choose some sweets and some sours so you get a good balance that isn't overpowering. On top of this, it makes the sauce more exciting!
- Peel, core, and chop the apples to speed up the process.. You can do this the old fashioned way, but if you plan on making a lot of applesauce, invest in a peeler/corer, it will save you quite a bit of time.
- There are 3 great ways to make applesauce: the stovetop, the slow cooker, or the Instant Pot. Each has its advantages. And they're all going to make your house smell AMAZING.
- stove: This is the traditional procedure that requires some time and attention on your part.
- slow cookers: This is the simplest procedure since you can practically dump everything in the boat and forget about everything.
- instant pot: This is by far the fastest procedure and the sauce will be ready in less than thirty minutes.
- Add a bit of lemon juice to prevent the apples from browning. This also adds some very precise acidity to offset the sauce.
- Season the sauce with sugar, spices and all the good stuff. Even if you don't want a ton of added sugar, you'll still need something to bring out the fruity flavors (which can be mild on their own).
- Granulated sugar works well, but brown sugar will give it a delicious caramel flavor. The honey and maple syrup are also delicious.
- Use seasonings like cinnamon to change the flavor and customize it. Cardamom and ginger are also amazing.
- Be sure to taste the applesauce before adding auxiliary flavors to the mix. Apples are going to taste very, very different after cooking, and you may find that they are sweeter or tart than you thought.
- In recipes without added sugar, avoid using sour/tart apples. They can be overpowering without sweetener.
- Feel free to add other fruits to create new flavors or add sweetness. Strawberries, pears, or peaches are great options.
- Make a big batch and freeze for later! Applesauce will keep in the freezer indefinitely, but is best within a couple of months.
- Store in a freezer bag labeled and dated.
- Store it in individual bags so you don't have to thaw it all.
