Consider this your ultimate guide to apples! Everything you need to know about choosing, storing, and using apples in cooking and baking, including some of my favorite healthy apple recipes.
While apples are available year-round, there's something extra special about fresh, local apples picked at the peak of ripeness.
Whether you’re picking them yourself or just picking up a peck at your farmers market, if you’re looking for healthy apple recipes to put them to use, I have lots of ideas. But first, let’s cover the basics!
How Do I Choose a Good Apple?
The rules for choosing apples are the same as the rules for most other fruit. You want an apple that feels heavy for its size, with smooth, unbruised skin, and a nice, apple-y aroma.
Where apples differ from peaches and plums is that you want fruit that feels firm, with no give when you squeeze it. Apples come in many colors, but the richer the color, the better; this means they’ve absorbed more sunlight and have a more robust flavor.
As far as size goes, small apples can be just as delicious as larger ones—simply look for the indicators listed above, rather than judging the apples by their size alone.
Tips for Storing Apples
Once you have the perfect apples in hand, it's important to store them properly so they remain fresh for as long as possible.
It’s best to store apples in the refrigerator, but keep in mind that they release gasses that will cause other produce stored with them to ripen—and eventually spoil. Because of this, apples should be stored in a crisper drawer by themselves, or use an ethylene gas absorber in the drawer if your apples need to share space with other fruits and veggies.
Firm apples like Gala have a much longer storage life than apples like Jonagold, which have a softer texture. You can expect a firm apple to last up to 3 months, while others should be eaten (or used in one of my healthy apple recipes!) within 3 weeks.
If you've sliced or diced your apples, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days. You can keep them from browning by squeezing a bit of lemon juice onto the cut pieces.
The Best Apples for Cooking and Baking
When choosing apples for cooking and baking, you'll want a variety that will hold up to heat without going mushy on you. (The exception to this is if you’re making applesauce; in that case, a combination of softer and firmer apples will give you a nice texture.)
The most popular baking apples include:
Granny Smith. The classic! Granny Smith is a popular choice for baking because it's tart, juicy, and holds its shape when cooked.
Honeycrisp. This sweet-tart apple has a firm texture, so it retains its shape even after being exposed to heat. If Granny Smith is a little too tart for you, Honeycrisp is a great substitute.
Golden Delicious. A milder apple than Granny Smith, this one is great for pies and other baked goods, and its sweet flavor is fabulous when paired with a more tart apple.
Pink Lady. This apple is both sweet and tangy, making it an excellent choice for desserts and applesauce.
The Best Apples for Eating Fresh
When you're looking for an apple to snack on, it's all about personal preference. What tastes great to you might not to someone else! Some popular varieties include:
Fuji. Fuji apples are crisp, sweet, and larger than many other apples, making them ideal for snacking.
Gala. Another sweet option, Gala apples are tender and juicy, with a mild flavor and thin skin that makes them easy to eat.
Ambrosia. A unique variety that's sweeter than the average apple, with lower acidity and a texture that’s sometimes described as buttery. Its flavor has a hint of honey and citrus that make it a great snack choice.
Honeycrisp. We can’t forget honeycrisp! Yes, it’s great for baking and cooking too, but it’s also an excellent option for eating out of hand thanks to its crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor. There are also a number of tasty apple varieties derived from Honeycrisp, including SweeTango, Riverbelle, and Pazazz.
My Favorite Healthy Apple Recipes
Ready to put your apples to use? Here’s a collection of my favorite healthy apple recipes.
Healthy Apple Breakfast Recipes
Apple Pie Breakfast Parfaits
Start your day the delicious way with these healthy apple pie breakfast parfaits! What could be better than indulging in a morning treat that tastes like dessert, but is actually packed with nutrition?
Introducing the ultimate fall granola! It's got all the cozy fall flavors we love, plus apples and crunchy nuts. Use it like a cereal or snack on it as-is!
Who says you can't have apple pie for breakfast? This apple pie overnight quinoa is here to make your mornings tasty and hassle-free. It’s loaded with protein, naturally gluten-free, and vegan too.
Get ready to fall in love with these apple cinnamon muffins! Flavored with warm cinnamon and finished with a delightful streusel topping, they're the ultimate cozy season treat.
This recipe is packed with almond flour and quinoa flour, giving it a major protein boost and making it naturally gluten-free. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, and anytime in between!
When you can begin your morning with a cookie for breakfast, you know your day's off to a great start! These apple pie quinoa breakfast cookies are ideal for grabbing on your way out the door.
This mouthwatering quinoa breakfast bake is filled with juicy apples and fall spices. Not only is it unbelievably healthy, but it's also gluten-free, vegan, and packed with protein.
Packed with the goodness of cinnamon and apple, these little delights are not only delicious, but also much healthier than your typical French toast recipe. As if that’s not enough, they're a breeze to prepare ahead of time!
Try these apple, peanut and honey quinoa granola bars for a satisfying grab-and-go snack. Unlike so many homemade granola bars, these are crunchy, so you don’t have to store them in the fridge.
Got a surplus of apples? Don't worry, I’ve got the perfect solution: my easy chunky cinnamon applesauce! You only need 4 ingredients to make it and your whole house will smell like fall.
Packed with all the good stuff your body craves, this healthy green apple smoothie has fiber, protein, and electrolytes in spades. Now you’re ready to conquer your day!
Not only is this breakfast quinoa a healthy gluten-free option, it's also packed with fiber and protein to keep you feeling full and satisfied all morning long.
This butternut squash soup has all the cozy fall vibes! Roasted squash, apples, and fennel come together with a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and herbs to create an irresistible meal.
They taste like an indulgence, but surprise: these apple crumble bars are gluten-free and naturally sweetened! And unlike so many dessert recipes, the list of ingredients is totally manageable.
Say goodbye to the dreaded afternoon crash with these delightful apple pie energy bites. Not only are these snacks vegan and gluten-free, they’re also seriously tasty.
The only thing better than having dinner cooking in your crockpot all day is using it to make dessert! You'll love the tender stewed apples and crunchy topping.
This gluten-free apple cake is going to be your go-to for fall get-togethers. Packed with wholesome ingredients, it transitions seamlessly from brunch to dessert.
Get ready to turn your dessert world upside down with this amazing gluten-free apple cake! It’s buttery and delicious, and it also looks stunning on a dessert table.
Sometimes you want a sweet treat, but you’re not in the mood to make an apple crisp or pie. For all those times, dip some apple slices in chocolate. This easy dessert is healthy, delicious, and hard to resist!
![Butternut Squash + Apple Soup -- made with roasted vegetables, rosemary, cinnamon and a ton of other spices! [VEGAN]](https://www.simplyquinoa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/butternut-squash-apple-soup-5-683x1024.jpg)
