Did you know that there are over 7,500 varieties of apples in the world? At Robinette’s, we grow 35 kinds of apples. Different kinds of apples have different textures, tastes, and ideal uses. Last month we shared about the best apples for apple pie. This month we’re going to tell you all about which apples are best for making homemade applesauce.

The Best Apples for Applesauce

The key to a great applesauce is using apples that will cook down and mash well. With this in mind, it makes sense that the best apples for apple pie will be different than the best ones for applesauce. Softer apples are ideal for applesauce. Additionally, choose apples that aren’t too mealy in texture. The following apples are great choices for your next batch of homemade applesauce.

  • Cortland
  • Golden Delicious
  • Gala
  • McIntosh
  • Granny Smith

One Apple to Avoid for Applesauce

Apple experts across the board agree that there’s one apple to avoid when making apple sauce: Red Delicious. These apples aren’t great for baking in general because they get really mushy when heated. Do yourself a favor and enjoy these raw with peanut butter, or plain!

Homemade applesauce is fairly easy to make and even easier to customize! Leave pink apple skins on to create a pink applesauce; you can remove the skins before mushing. Enjoy your applesauce plain, with cinnamon, on yogurt, in oatmeal, on cottage cheese, as a substitute for cooking oil in baked goods, or even on top of your ice cream!