What Are the Best Apples for Apple Pie?

The scent of apple pie is one of those rare things that can stop time. Warm butter melting into a flaky crust, caramelized apples bubbling beneath, and cinnamon floating through the air like a cozy little spell.

It’s nostalgic, comforting, and just the right amount of indulgent. But here’s the secret to that perfect pie: it all starts before the baking even begins. Because when it comes to pie, not every apple plays nice in the oven. Some melt into mush, others stay stubbornly crisp, and only a few strike that dreamy balance of tart, sweet, and tender.

So, what are the best apples for apple pie? In this blog, we’re peeling back the mystery to help you find the perfect mix of apples for your next bake.

And if you’d rather skip the peeling and slicing? We’ll show you how Rise & Puff’s Apple Pie SKUs capture that same sweet-tart harmony, no knife required.

Why Apple Variety Matters

Think of apples like personalities: some bold, some soft, some sweet, some tangy. When baked, each one behaves differently, which is why apple varieties matter a lot: 

• A crisp, tart apple holds its shape beautifully.
• A sweeter apple melts down and adds richness.
• Put them together, and you have flavored fireworks.

At Rise & Puff, we’ve obsessed over this balance. Our apple pie recipe's filling blends apples that caramelize just enough while still holding their shape, the kind of mix that gives you both structure and melt-in-your-mouth satisfaction in every forkful.

The result? That “first bite” moment where everything clicks: buttery crust, warm spice, perfect apple texture. 

The Top Apples for the Perfect Pie

Here’s the thing: there’s no single best apple: the magic happens when you mix them.
But these five? They’re the MVPs of the pie world.

Granny Smith

The classic. Tart, crisp, and unbothered by oven heat. Granny Smith apples hold their shape like champs, bringing that signature tang that balances every sweet note.

Honeycrisp 

Bright, juicy, and cheerful, the apple that keeps things interesting. It’s sweet with just a touch of tartness, and its crisp bite adds freshness to every slice.

Braeburn 

Slightly spiced and low in moisture, Braeburns are your secret to a pie that’s rich, not soggy. They’re the ones adding that subtle depth.

Jonagold 

A little honeyed, a little tangy, and perfectly fragrant. Jonagold apples round out the mix, giving the filling a mellow sweetness that lingers.

Golden Delicious

Soft, buttery, and naturally sweet; this one’s for those who prefer pie that tastes like childhood comfort.

Rise & Puff Tip: The best pies mix and match. Try combining a tart base (Granny Smith) with something sweet (Honeycrisp or Jonagold) for a flavor that sings.

Our apple pies blend multiple apple varieties to capture that sweet-tart balance, every single time.

Baking Science: What Happens to Apples in the Oven

When apples bake, their pectin (that natural fiber that gives them crunch) starts to break down, which has tremendous health benefits. Some soften beautifully into tender layers; others keep their texture, giving you that perfect bite.

The trick is finding the balance between the two:

• Granny Smiths stay firm.
• Golden Delicious melts down into caramelized perfection.

Together, they create a filling that’s soft enough to spoon yet structured enough to slice.

Slice thickness matters too: go for about ¼ inch for that ideal tender with a little resistance texture. And bake at a steady 375°F so the apples caramelize slowly instead of turning mushy.

At Rise & Puff, our pies bake low and slow, sealing in all that natural juiciness. Each apple slice stays tender, never watery, tucked inside our buttery, golden crust that flakes at the slightest touch of a fork.

Flavor Pairings and Spice Balancing

Tart apples love to dance with brown sugar and cinnamon.

• Sweeter apples: They pair beautifully with butter, nutmeg, or even a dash of vanilla.
• Want bold: Try Granny Smith + Honeycrisp + cinnamon + brown sugar.
• Prefer mellow comfort: Golden Delicious + nutmeg + butter is like a warm hug in pie form.
• Or go fancy: Braeburn + cardamom + caramel drizzle. A dessert that deserves applause.

Top your slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzle caramel for that glossy, picture-perfect finish.

Rise & Puff’s Apple Pies already come perfectly spiced, with balanced cinnamon warmth, a touch of sweetness, and just enough butteriness to taste homemade.

Rise & Puff’s Take: The Perfect Apple Pie Blend

Our Rise & Puff Apple Pies are crafted with a hand-selected blend of apples for the perfect flavor and texture harmony. Each slice features a golden crust, tender apple filling, and rich aromatic spices that smell like fall in a bakery.

The apples are chosen for how they bake, are never soggy, never dry, just perfectly tender with a soft caramel glaze that coats every bite. It’s the kind of pie that makes you forget it came ready-made.

Because our pies are made the Rise & Puff way: with care, clean ingredients, and that chef-crafted touch.

How to Store and Serve Apple Pie

If you somehow have leftovers (impressive restraint, by the way), here’s how to keep them just as dreamy:

• Room temperature: 2 days, covered loosely.
• Refrigerator: 4-5 days, sealed or wrapped.
• Freezer: Up to 3 months, tightly wrapped and stored flat.

When you’re ready to reheat, skip the microwave. Instead, warm your pie in the oven at 325°F to bring back that buttery, crisp crust. Rise & Puff Apple Pies reheat beautifully, just like the day they were baked.

Wrapping It Up: From Orchard to Oven

The best apples for apple pie bring balance. Whether you’re slicing Granny Smiths and Honeycrisps by hand or warming a Rise & Puff Apple Pie in a pan, it’s all about that harmony of flavors.

So go ahead: bake, blend, or simply heat and serve. Because when every bite is golden, spiced, and just the right amount of sweet, you’re doing apple pie right. Shop our Apple Pie for a cozy evening without having to bake.