Discover Apple Equivalents, Measures, and Substitutions for Cooking (2024)

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Updated on 09/28/19

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Discover Apple Equivalents, Measures, and Substitutions for Cooking (1)

Few things are more annoying for a home cook than having to stop and run to the grocery store mid-recipe for more ingredients. Let's say you have a new recipe that calls for 10 cups of sliced apples. To avoid a mid-prep shopping trip, how many apples do you need to buy? It's difficult to say because every apple is a little different from the next. Here is a list of equivalents that might help you when you are standing in the produce section at your favorite market.

Discover Apple Equivalents, Measures, and Substitutions for Cooking (2)

Equivalents and Measures

  • 1 pound apples = 2 large apples
  • 1 pound apples = 3 or 4 medium apples
  • 1 pound apples = 3 cups cored, sliced or chopped apples
  • 1 pound apples = 1 1/3 cups applesauce
  • 1 medium apple = 1 cup cored, sliced apples
  • 1 medium apple = 3/4 cup cored, chopped apples
  • 1 medium apple = 1/2 cup mashed apples
  • 4 pounds fresh apples = 4 cups applesauce
  • 4 pounds fresh apples = 1 pound dried apples
  • 2 pounds fresh apples = filling for one 9-inch pie
  • 1 pound dried apples = 4 1/3 cups
  • 1 pound dried apples = 8 cups cooked apples
  • A bushel of apples is the dry equivalentof 2 gallons of produce.

According to this equivalent list, 10 cups of sliced apples requires 10 medium apples. To be on the safe side, buy one additional apple. You don't want to run short—after all, it's always better to have too many ingredients than too few!

The Difference Between Large and Medium Apples

Allow a lot of leeway with these equivalents. They can only be approximate because not every apple is the same size. Typically, apples are classified by their diameter as follows:

  • Small apples are approximately 2 1/4 inches in diameter.
  • Medium apples are approximately 2 3/4 inches in diameter.
  • Large apples are approximately 3 3/4 inches in diameter.

To keep things interesting, when apples are sliced thinly, more slices fit in a measuring cup than when they are sliced into thick chunks. Some apples are tart and some are sweet. Some are relatively hard and some are almost mealy. These types of challenges are why cooking is often referred to as an art. If your recipe calls for a specific type of apple—Granny Smith, for example—buy that apple type. If it isn't available, buy a similar hard or crisp apple to substitute for the Granny Smith apples. If you don't know which apples are similar to the type called for in your recipe, ask the produce manager for help.

Substitutions

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but sometimes you might want to indulge in a different fruit. When you're eating fresh fruit, just about any fruit can be substituted for apples. When it comes to recipes, though, you have to be more careful. Some substitutes:

  • Pears and peaches can be substituted for apples in some cooked recipes. Compotes, poached fruit, pancakes, and fruit pies can use pears, peaches, and apples interchangeably.
  • Papayas provide nutrition that is similar to that found in apples. A papaya has more fiber than an apple and tastes delicious when tossed in a salad with cucumber, jicama, lime juice, chili powder, and salt.
  • Quinces can be used in cooked recipes as an apple substitute. However, they are denser than apples and not as sweetso recipes might need to be adjusted. One way to approach this is by first poaching the quinces in water with honey, sugar, lemon juice, and a vanilla bean.
  • Fresh pineapple run through a food processor can replace applesauce in a recipe. So can pureed apricots, prunes, or bananas.
  • Raspberries and blueberries are apple substitutes in baked muffins and coffee cakes.
Discover Apple Equivalents, Measures, and Substitutions for Cooking (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for apples in cooking? ›

As you probably already know, pears can be substituted for apples in almost any recipe.

What is equivalent to an apple? ›

Pears and peaches can be substituted for apples in some cooked recipes. ... Papayas provide nutrition that is similar to that found in apples. ... Quinces can be used in cooked recipes as an apple substitute. ... Fresh pineapple run through a food processor can replace applesauce in a recipe.

What is the difference between cooking and eating apples? ›

A cooking apple or culinary apple is an apple that is used primarily for cooking, as opposed to a dessert apple, which is eaten raw. Cooking apples are generally larger, and can be tarter than dessert varieties. Some varieties have a firm flesh that does not break down much when cooked.

What apples are good for cooking or baking? ›

For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

What is the best alternative of apple fruit? ›

Bananas and papayas are two easy to resource, lower priced alternative as the household fruit of choice. Here's why. Papayas and Bananas contain fewer carbohydrates and more protein than Apples and hence instantly making them a better choice for calorie conscious.

What can I substitute for 1 apple? ›

Pears and peaches, for example, have a similar consistency and can be peeled and chopped as direct substitutes in most recipes. Here's a quick guide: Pear: Works well in baked goods and can be a direct substitute for apples. Peaches: Ideal for pies and cobblers, often requiring a 1:1 substitution ratio.

What is an alternative to apple? ›

Samsung has long been Apple's biggest smartphone rival, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 line is arguably the most direct competitor to the iPhone 15 series there is. You might consider the Samsung Galaxy S24 itself instead of the iPhone 15, or the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus instead of the iPhone 15 Plus.

What vegetable is similar to apple? ›

Jicama is a root vegetable with thick, brown skin and white flesh. It tastes like an apple but not as sweet. It's a bit like a potato but with a lot fewer carbs.

Can I use normal apples instead of cooking apples? ›

If you can't find cooking apples then a sharp green eating/regular apple is the best alternative and we usually suggest using Granny Smith apples. You should use the same amount of apple, regardless of the type.

Are red or green apples better for cooking? ›

Green apples are usually the favorite when it comes to cooking and baking, as they are tarter and add a more balanced flavor than sweet red apples (and you can always add extra sugar to the recipe to make up for the sweetness). Granny Smith, a type of green apple, is the go-to cooking apple for many.

Are apples still healthy if you cook them? ›

Both cooked and raw apples are healthy, but stewed apples can be particularly helpful for gut health.

What fruit is equal to an apple? ›

Apples, pears, nashi and quince are pome fruits, grown from spring blossom and harvested from late summer through to late autumn.

Which food is equal to apple? ›

Several foods are similar nutritionally to apple, including pears, peach and cherries. Other similar foods include granny smith apple, apricot and black beans. We compared the key nutrients in apple (dietary fiber, Vitamin C and potassium) to nutrients in hundreds of other foods with data from USDA.

Are bananas better than apples? ›

“If you consider the concentration of a wide array of nutrients relative to calories, the orange is the most nutritious, followed by the apple, followed by bananas,” said Dr.

What is closest to cooking apples? ›

The recipe includes cooking apples (Bramleys) as these are sharp and have a good level of pectin, which helps the chutney to thicken. If you can't find cooking apples then a sharp green eating/regular apple is the best alternative and we usually suggest using Granny Smith apples.

What tastes similar to an apple? ›

Similar taste: Quince

This relative of the apple is denser and more tart. To soften and sweeten, David Lebovitz, author of Ready for Dessert, poaches 8 quince with 7 cups water, ½ cup honey, 1 cup sugar, lemon juice, and 1 vanilla bean.

What fruit is the same as an apple? ›

The best-known example of a pome is the apple. Other examples of plants that produce fruit classified as a pome are Cotoneaster, Crataegus (hawthorn and mayhaw), medlar, pear, Pyracantha, quince, rowan, loquat, toyon, and whitebeam.

What fruit is like an apple but not? ›

Quince is a fall fruit that looks similar to apples and pears, but tastes quite different. It's yellow in appearance, short, somewhat round, and has a relatively tough texture.

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