Out of all the different types of apples, there are certain kinds that are best for making apple pie. In fact, making many of our favorite apple desserts—including tartlets, cobblers, and baked crisp—call for a hand-picked selection. So, before you head out for one last apple-picking trip, read this list of the best apples for apple pie.
The key to making a perfect homemade apple pie is to look for an apple with sweet-tart flavor and firm texture that won't turn into applesauce after it bakes. Here's an extra tip: you can mix and match more than one apple on the list below for a combination that perfectly hits the mark. This also allows you to customize your apple recipe to your family's liking. Prefer your pie a little sweeter? Add more Envy apples to the mix. Looking for an apple with unique flavor? Braeburns have a subtle hint of citrus and spice that works well with recipes that call for cinnamon or nutmeg.
Still not sure which apples are best for your particular pie recipe? The best way to decide is to try them for yourselves. So read on for more apple suggestions, then give it a go! (Oh, and make sure you have the perfect pie crust before you begin.)
Which kind of apples are best for baking apple pie—and why?
Ree Drummond's favorite is Granny Smith for her Caramel Apple Pie. Since the caramel sauce is ultra-sweet, she likes the fact that Granny Smiths have a bit of tartness. "They're firm and hold their integrity through the baking process. Plus, they're just so darn purty," she says.
If you want to mix and match for a balanced flavor, be sure to use both sweet and tart apples. For instance, these apple pie bars use both Granny Smith (which are tart) and Honey Crisp (which are sweet). Also consider balancing the texture. A mix of crisp and soft apples will give you a more nuanced texture, making each bite more interesting. Here are the best varieties of baking apples you will commonly find.
Crispin
This sweet, refreshing apple is also called Matsu. What makes it so ideal for baking is the fact that it can hold its shape without becoming mushy even after it's baked. Just like its relative, the Golden Delicious, this apple has a yellow-green skin and crisp texture (hence the name!).
Honey Crisp
There's a reason why honey crisp apples are a favorite for snacking—the extra-sweet flavor and crisp texture make them ideal for basically any situation, including baking! You'll often find that honey crisps are harder to find, but during the fall months, you should be able to get your hands on them. Looking for another reason to love honey crisps? Ree uses them for her apple peanut butter delights.
Granny Smith
These green-skinned apples are Ree's favorite pick for apple pie. Plus, they are easy to find year-round, so you can get your pie fix whenever the mood strikes! Their signature tart flavor is delicious on its own, but if you prefer a pie that's a little sweeter, Granny Smith apples are great when paired with some of the sweeter apples on this list. They're even delicious when combined with sweet pears, which is why Ree uses them in her recipe for apple-pear pie.
Envy
Crisp and sweet with an almost honey-like flavor, Envy apples are a smart choice for baking classic pies, rustic apple galettes, and every fall dessert in between. Why? Not only does their firm texture hold up to baking, Envy apples also keep their beautiful color—from the red peel to the pale yellow flesh—when baked. In fact, these apples can stay fresh-looking for up to 10 hours after being sliced, so you can work ahead without fear of them immediately browning.
Gala
Gala are great multi-purpose apples and a delicious pick for apple pie. They have a mellow sweetness to them and they don't get too soft in the oven. Best of all, this variety of apple is usually available year-round. Look for the red and yellow striped apples at most grocery stores and farmers' markets.
Braeburn
Braeburn apples are perfectly balanced: not too sweet and not too tart! They have a unique flavor that's almost citrusy and spiced, but turns deliciously sweet when cooked. They're great for baking because they release very little liquid when baked, so your pie won't be too runny.
Pink Lady
We love Pink Lady apples: They have a nice, rosy color (hence the name!) and they're super crisp, so they're ideal for getting that picture-perfect slice of pie. Pink Lady apples have a sweet-tart flavor that's refreshing when eaten raw as a snacking apple, but that also works well in baked goods.
Golden Delicious
Golden Delicious apples stand out on the shelf thanks to their sunny yellow color, and you can usually find them throughout the year. These apples are pretty mild in their flavor, so they work well in pies that have some extra sweetness and spice. Unlike Granny Smith apples, Golden Delicious apples tend to break down more when cooked, so they're a good choice to combine with other firmer apples on this list.
Northern Spy
These large, round apples aren't always readily available throughout the year, but when they are, they're one of the very best for pie! They have a mostly sweet, very lightly tart flavor and they're nice and firm. Look for them in the later months of fall and you’ll be baking apple pie for all the cold-weather holidays.
Jonagold
Jonagold apples are a cousin of Golden Delicious and they have some of the same pretty golden hues in their skin. They're a nice mix of sweet and tart, so they work well on their own in a pie. The firm-fleshed apple is a great choice for baking in all forms. They're mostly found at farmers' markets during apple season.
Cortland
These apples don't brown as quickly as other varieties—you can slice them and set them aside while you roll out your dough. Cortland apples have a very sweet, slightly tart flavor that's similar to McIntosh and works well when baked in an apple pie. Look for the large, often flat-shaped, apples throughout the fall season.
Rome
This classic heirloom apple was once called the "Queen of the Baking Apples" because of its thicker skin and medium-firm flesh that holds up in the oven. Their spherical shape also make them quite easy to peel. Rome apples tend to have a very mild flavor though, so they are best paired with more flavorful apples for balance.
