An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but if you're snacking on a Honeycrisp, this could become quite the pricey habit. Many fall fruit lovers adore the sweet, crisp flavors embodied in a Honeycrisp apple, but the extra dollars they cost in comparison to their neighboring varieties is loathsome. Rather than abandon your favorite apple variety because of the hefty price tag or elbow punches thrown at the produce stand, opt for these less-expensive varieties that deliver the same great qualities we love so about the Honeycrisp.
When it comes to snacking on apples, the variety you choose can make or break the experience. Honeycrisp, a sweet and crunchy type of apple that is a sure favorite for most apple-snacking individuals, is one of the more expensive varieties (it always happens that way, doesn’t it?).
If your love for Honeycrisp is costing you a pretty penny, and you’re looking for an apple variety that you’ll love snacking on just as much, you have plenty of different apples for the picking. Try out these varieties which offer you all the same qualities as your beloved Honeycrisp, without hurting your wallet as much.
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1. Ambrosia
This glossy, slightly pink and yellow apple has a crisp texture and honey-sweet flavor throughout. With incredible juiciness, the Ambrosia variety is regarded as an all-purpose apple: great in salads, entrees, desserts, and for regular snacking.
2. SweeTango
A close relative of the Honeycrisp, this variety was created in Minnesota, and as their name implies, their flavor profile balances notes of sweetness and tanginess. An apple this crisp and delicious is best for snacking, as some of its delicate flavor could get lost when baked or cooked.
3. Jazz
This variety, which is a hybrid of Gala and Braeburn, offers some serious crunch and a slightly fizzy, airy texture, without the unwanted grit that any apple snacker knows and resents. Its sharp, aromatic flavor is one that will have you snacking every last bite of flesh that you can manage until you’ve reached the core.
4. Pink Lady
Formally referred to as Cripps Pink, the Pink Lady variety probably comes as no surprise to anyone who’s mildly familiar with their grocery store apples. Bright-colored and ultra crunchy, these apples are great for eating raw as they offer plenty of sweet flavor and a texture that can hold its own under heat.
5. Enterprise
This sharp, pale yellow apple is great for fresh snacking. Similar to a classic McIntosh, this variety packs an even crunchier, crisper bite without a sour, puckery aftertaste. Although it’s rather unheard of in the apple-snacking community, it makes for a hearty, on-the-go treat when you’re craving something fall-inspired.
FAQs
Jazz, Pink Lady, and Enterprise apples are all excellent substitutes for Honeycrisp apples. Each of these varieties has its own unique flavor and texture that can add something special to any recipe.
What apple is better than Honeycrisp? ›
Jazz, Pink Lady, and Enterprise apples are all excellent substitutes for Honeycrisp apples.
What are the top five best tasting apples? ›
But which apples are the best-tasting apples? Some of the best-tasting apple varieties are Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, Ambrosia, and Cox's Orange Pippin. These varieties are most flavorful when picked at peak ripeness and eaten within a few months of harvest.
What are the tastiest apples to eat? ›
The best apple for snacking is really a matter of personal preference, but you can't go wrong with a SweeTango®, Honeycrisp, Piñata®, Pink Lady or Fuji apple. All varieties will give you that fresh, crisp sweetness you're craving.
Which apple is the sweetest and Crispiest? ›
Fuji: Fuji is the sweetest apple variety that Stemilt grows. Each crisp bite will remind you of the sweet taste of apple juice due to its naturally high sugar levels! Fuji apples are ideal for fresh applications like snacking, juicing, or freezing.
What kind of apple is closest to Golden Delicious? ›
If you don't have Golden Delicious apples around, substitute a similar sweet and firm-fleshed apple. Jonagold, Gala, Pink Lady, and Fuji varieties all work as substitutes in cooking and baking recipes. However, no other variety quite matches the spicy sweetness of a ripe Golden Delicious.
Which is better Fuji or Honeycrisp? ›
Honeycrisp: If you are looking to add sweetness and tartness at the same time, this apple will do the job. Fuji: Sweet and juicy, Fujis are a great variety that adds sweetness to your juice. Ambrosia: This apple has low acidity, they are sweet but not as sweet as a Fuji, making the Ambrosia a healthier option.
Which is sweeter Pink Lady or Honeycrisp? ›
Honeycrisp. A sweeter apple than the Pink Lady, this is just a cool ride through autumnal tastes. It's a great apple to pick up at the farmer's market if you see it.
Are Cosmic Crisp apples better than Honeycrisp? ›
In short, the greater complexity of the Cosmic Crisp made it the choice of the adults, whereas the simpler and more direct sweetness of the Honeycrisp made it a favorite of kids.
What is the most sweet apple? ›
If you think about the apples that you can find frequently at a grocery store, the top sweet apple is Fuji. The sugar levels in a Fuji apple range from 15-18 on average (remember, an apple is mostly made up of water).
Fall Apples (good storage apples) —
- Gala. In season: mid-August to late October. ...
- Honeycrisp. In season: mid-August to late September. ...
- Empire. In season: late August to mid-October. ...
- Jonathan. In season: early September to mid-November. ...
- Cortland. In season: early September to mid-November. ...
- Red Delicious. ...
- Jonagold:
Honeycrisp apples are sweeter than Gala apples. They are much juicier and contain a lot of flavors in their large cells. Even though they also have a slightly tart and acidic undertone, their overall flavor is sweeter than that of a Gala apple.
Are Fuji apples similar to Honeycrisp? ›
Fuji: Crisp, firm, juicy, and sweet. Eating a Fuji is like eating candy! Honeycrisp: Last but not least, Honeycrisp apples are great for snacking. They are sweet and tart so it will make a more interesting experience than eating just a sweet apple, like the Fuji.
Are Pink Lady apples the same as Honeycrisp? ›
Honeycrisp. A sweeter apple than the Pink Lady, this is just a cool ride through autumnal tastes. It's a great apple to pick up at the farmer's market if you see it. It's an apple so smooth you feel like you can drink it.
What apple is a hybrid of a Honeycrisp? ›
U.S. Plant Patent 7197 and Report 225-1992 (AD-MR-5877-B) from the Horticultural Research Center indicated that the Honeycrisp was a hybrid of the apple cultivars 'Macoun' and 'Honeygold'.
