Get my dietitian’s guide to apples, including when to use certain varieties, nutritional benefits, and tips for storing and cooking.

The Basics

Grown and enjoyed all over the world, apples (or rather apple trees) are originally from central Asia. 

They’re an excellent source of fiber as well as vitamin C and antioxidants. And as they’re mostly water, they’re also relatively low in calories. 

While often enjoyed raw, apples have many uses as they can be added to savory or sweet sauces, baked into desserts, roasted with meat or chicken dishes, sautéed for a pancake or ice cream topping, or made into ciders. 

When to use different types of apples

There are over 2,500 types of apples grown in the U.S. alone, each with their own unique flavor and texture. While some are highly versatile, others are best used either fresh or cooked. 

Here’s a general guide for knowing which apple variety to use when. 

Varieties that are best cooked or baked 

• Golden Delicious 
• Braeburn

Varieties that are best fresh 

• Fuji 
• Gala 
• Red Delicious 

Varieties that are equally delicious cooked or fresh 

• Cortland 
• Gala 
• Granny Smith 
• Honeycrisp
• Jazz 
• Jonagold 
• Macoun
• McIntosh
• Rome Beauty 
• Pink Lady 

Learn more about specific varieties in my other guides:

• Granny Smith
• Pink Lady
• Gala

How to store apples

If you plan on eating apples within 2-3 days, feel free to leave them out on the counter. 

However, for longer storage, these fruits keep best when stored in the crisper drawer of your fridge. 

Depending on how fresh they were when you got them, apples can last up to a month in the fridge. Just make sure not to stack them as they can bruise easily. 

Dietitian’s favorite healthy apple recipes 

Breakfast recipes:

• Baked Apple Overnight Oats 
• Greek Yogurt Pancakes for Two 
• Spiced Apple Baked Oatmeal a recipe I created for Lose It!
• Breakfast-Worthy Apple Crisp from Leanne Ray Nutrition

Lunch and dinner recipes:

• Healthy Apple Turkey Meatballs 
• Apple Cheddar Turkey Burgers with Maple Dijon Mustard
• Garlic Herb Shrimp Sandwiches
• Vegan Apple Sage Farro Salad from Lively Table

Snacks and desserts:

• Skinny Cheesecake Bars with Baked Apple Topping
• Healthy Baked Apple Topping 
• Pumpkin-Spiced Applesauce (no added sugar)
• Slow Cooker Baked Apples from Kara Lydon RD