Apples aren’t just a fall favorite—they’re one of the most versatile fruits around. From baking and cooking to snacking and sipping, every variety brings something different to the table.
Whether you prefer tart and crisp or sweet and soft, this guide will help you find the best apples for snacking, baking, and cooking, along with a few easy recipes to make the most of apple season (and your apple scraps!).
At a Glance: The Best Apples for Snacking, Baking, and Cooking
Red Delicious Apples
The Look: Heart-shaped with smooth, thick, deep ruby-red skin
The Taste: Mildly sweet and refreshing. Originally bred for color and appearance, their flavor has mellowed over time.
The Texture: Thick skin with a light, crisp crunch
Best Use: Great for fresh eating or slicing into salads for color
Fun Fact: Once America’s best-selling apple until Gala took the top spot in 2018.
Honeycrisp Apples
The Look: Jumbo-sized with glossy yellow-green skin and a scarlet blush
The Taste: Juicy, honey-sweet, and intensely crisp
The Best Use: Best eaten fresh—pair thick slices with blue cheese and honey, or toss into slaws for crunch.
Orin Apples
The Look: Bright yellow-green, speckled skin (similar to Granny Smith)
The Taste: Sweet, full-bodied, and juicy, with subtle notes of pear and pineapple
The Best Use: Fresh eating—add thin slices to sandwiches or enjoy on their own
Cripps Pink Apples
The Look: Vibrant pink skin with subtle yellow-green undertones and a glossy finish
The Taste: Bright, sweet-tart flavor with hints of berry and honey
The Texture: Firm, crisp, and satisfyingly juicy
The Best Use: Excellent for both baking and snacking. Cripps Pink apples hold their shape beautifully in pies and crisps, yet their balanced sweetness makes them perfect for eating fresh. Try slicing them over salads, pairing with sharp cheddar, or baking into muffins for a pop of natural sweetness.
Fun Fact: “Pink Lady” is actually a brand name—these apples are a specific variety of Cripps Pink, developed in Australia by crossing Golden Delicious and Lady Williams apples.
Pink Lady Apples
The Look: Rosy pink skin with flecks of yellow-green
The Taste: Sweet with a crisp, tart finish
The Texture: Firm and snappy
The Best Use: Excellent for baking—it holds its shape and absorbs flavors beautifully.
Kanzi Apples
The Look: Red-orange stripes fading to green near the stem
The Taste: Perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy
The Texture: Dense and crunchy
The Best Use: Ideal for raw preparations—try chopped in salads, shaved in slaws, or sliced for snacking.
Granny Smith Apples
The Look: Bright green skin with dark lenticels (tiny dark spots—harmless cosmetic markings common on many apple varieties)
The Taste: Boldly tart and tangy
The Texture: Distinctly crisp and crunchy
The Best Use: Excellent for baking; butter and sugar mellow its acidity for the perfect sweet-tart pie.
Gala Apples
The Look: Pale golden skin with subtle red striping
The Taste: Mild, sweet, and slightly floral
The Best Use: Great for homemade applesauce or slicing into salads.
Fuji Apples
The Look: Medium-sized with rosy flush and yellow-green base
The Taste: Very sweet with a slight tang
The Texture: Crisp and juicy with a granular bite
The Best Use: Perfect for snacking or baking into crisps and cobblers.
Golden Delicious Apples
The Look: Golden-yellow skin that deepens as it ripens
The Taste: Sweet and candy-like, with hints of sugarcane
The Best Use: Excellent for baking—it keeps its shape and sweetness when cooked.
Pinova Apples
The Look: Vibrant pinkish-red and yellow-orange skin
The Taste: Crisp, juicy, and sweet, with a tropical aroma
The Best Use: A true all-purpose apple—great fresh, baked, or even frozen. Its skin resists browning, making it perfect for prep-ahead recipes.
Envy Apples
The Look: Striped ruby-red skin with yellow undertones
The Taste: Sweet with floral and vanilla notes and a hint of tartness
The Best Use: Great sliced for snacking or diced into baked goods and savory dishes.
McIntosh Apples
The Look: Small to medium round apple with red skin and a green flush
The Taste: Sweet with berry undertones
The Best Use: Wonderful for desserts—bakes down quickly for crisps, cobblers, or ciders.
Rosalynn Apples
The Look: Deep magenta skin with yellow undertones
The Taste: Sweet-tart and subtly floral, with notes of cherry and spice
The Texture: Firm and crisp
The Best Use: Versatile—great in cheese boards, baked dishes, or savory pairings like sausage and apples.
Rockit Apples
The Look: Small, snack-sized, bright red apples
The Taste: Sweet with just enough tartness for balance
The Texture: Firm and crunchy
The Best Use: The ultimate grab-and-go snack. Perfect for kids or lunch boxes.
Fun Fact: Rockit apples are known as the world’s first miniature apple variety!
Lucy Glo Apples
The Look: Vibrant red skin with a surprising pink interior
The Taste: Sweet-tart with berry undertones and bright acidity
The Texture: Firm and juicy
The Best Use: Ideal for snacking or adding color to salads and baked goods. Its striking hue makes it a visual standout.
I Want Apples For…
- Sauce: Choose sweet, crunchy varieties like Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Pinova.
- Cider: Blend sweet (Fuji, Gala) and tart (Pink Lady, McIntosh) for balanced flavor.
- Pies & Baked Treats: Go for firm apples that hold their shape—Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Braeburn.
- Savory Dishes: Gala and Rosalynn complement savory flavors like roasted veggies and cheeses.
- Snacking: Rockit or Lucy Glo for bright flavor and crunch on the go.
What’s the Deal with Those Tiny Black Spots?
Those little dots are called lenticels—completely harmless, natural markings that help apples “breathe.” You’ll often spot them on Granny Smith and other crisp varieties.
Mystery Apples at Misfits Market
Season’s best, with a side of surprise. Each week, our Mystery Apples feature whatever varieties our farm partners have ready to harvest—Fuji, EverCrisp, maybe even a deep-red Arkansas Black. By saying yes to what’s in season, we’re helping reduce food waste, ease pressure on growers, and make sure no perfectly crisp, juicy apple goes to waste just because it didn’t fit a spec.
The exact variety changes every week or two, so one box might bring you a tart, snappy bite and the next a sweet, honey-like crunch. The surprise is half the fun—but one thing’s always certain: every apple is peak-season delicious.
Use Every Bit: Apple Scrap Recipe
Don’t toss those peels and cores! Turn them into something delicious with our Tart Apple Scrap Shrub. It’s a tangy, zero-waste drink base that makes great mocktails, cocktails, or sparkling spritzers.
More Apple Recipes You’ll Love
Make the most of apple season with these cozy favorites:
- Apple Fritters with Maple Glaze – A crispy, maple-glazed twist on apple cider donuts.
- Apple Salad with Toasted Walnuts, Blue Cheese, and Pomegranate – A crisp, refreshing salad that celebrates seasonal produce.
- Crispy Chicken Normandy with Apples – Sweet and savory in every bite.
The Bottom Line
Whether you love them tart and crunchy or sweet and soft, there’s an apple for every taste and recipe. Try mixing varieties to find your favorite combo—and remember, even the quirky ones deserve a spot in your basket.
Shop rescued, heirloom, and organic apples at Misfits Market and make the most of every bite. And get inspired with even more apple recipes.