Fall is right around the corner so today I’m sharing my top 5 best apples for baking. Flavor, texture and availability all play a role in which apples made the cut.

Honeycrisp Apples

Honeycrisp apples are my favorite apple of all time so they are the perfect place to start in our little apple conversation. I not only love them for baking but they are my favorite for snacking on as well. They are sweet and tart and just so flavorful.

The firmness of the honeycrisp is super important as it will keep some texture through the baking process. Nobody wants a mushy apple pie. Their slight tartness adds some depth to your pies and crisps which balances out the sugar that is added.

Honeycrisp apples are juicier than most apples so keep that in mind when you are baking as you may need a little more cornstarch to thicken up a filling.

Granny Smith Apples

Next up is the Granny Smith apple. This is the tartest of the options I’m sharing with you today and a huge favorite of mine. I don’t have a huge sweet tooth so I really love the tartness of the Granny Smith.  They truly balance out the sweetness of a pie and kind of turn it into perfection.

Granny Smith’s do have some sweetness to them so don’t worry about them not being sweet enough.

Another huge factor for their baking greatness is how crisp they are and how well they hold up while baking away in a pie. They are my absolute favorite for pies.

Jonagold Apples

Next, let me introduce you to the Jonagold apple. They are a little creamier in texture and don’t quite have the same crisp bite as the other apples on this list but they still hold up well to baking.

If you prefer a sweeter apple dessert you should definitely go with Jonagold’s. They are the sweetest option on the list and have delicious hints of honey. Bonus, they are juicy and aromatic which really adds that extra umph to your baked good.

Braeburn Apples

Now we’re onto Braeuburn apples. They are a nice combination of both sweet and tart so if you like a mix of the two these are a great option for you.

They hold up well to heat and not turn into mush during the baking process.

Braeburns have a soft skin so you can leave them on while baking if you desire. I don’t know where you stand on the great debate but if you like to leave the skin on (or don’t want to peel ALL the apples, hello me) these are a great option for you.

Pink Lady Apples (Cripps Pink)

Pink Lady apples are the last one I’m sharing with you today. They are also known as Cripps Pink so keep an eye out for that name too.

The Pink Lady apple is tart and sweet but more on the sweet side if you had to choose a side.

They are also crisp and crunchy so they hold their shape well which you’ve probably figured by now is important when baking.  

No matter which way you go, you’re going to be happy and have a successful baked dessert with any of these options.

A huge bonus to all these apples is that they are super accessible and easy to find. I did a little field trip experiment and was able to find all of them at two grocery stores and all but Jonagold’s at Trader Joes. So no matter where you go, you should be able to get your hands on your favorite from the list.

There you have it my friends. The 5 best apples for baking for the upcoming fall season. Keep an eye out for Wednesday’s post for the first perfect way to put this list to use.

And if you can’t wait until then, be sure to check out these apple favorites. 

Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Bombs. Yes, this is real life.

Mini Spiralized Apple Crisp. Portion control included.

Apple Cinnamon Bread is simple to put together, delicious and so dang pretty.

Healthier Apple Doughnut Holes are a fun, guilt free breakfast packed full of fall flavors.