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

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Peggy Trowbridge Filippone

Peggy Trowbridge Filippone is a writer who develops approachable recipes for home cooks. Her recipes range from Grandma’s favorites to the latest food trends.

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.

Can I use normal apples instead of cooking? ›

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.

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.

Which fruit can replace apples? ›

Change the apple to a papaya or a quince for a different taste. The papaya will offer more fiber than the apple, and the quince, which is similar than the apple, will offer a tarter taste.

What can I substitute for 1 apple? ›

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 vegetable is similar to apple? ›

Some call the jicama a cross between an apple and a potato. Asians have also adopted this New World vegetable for soups and stir-fries. Vietnamese shred it into fresh spring rolls with shrimp. Celebrity chef Chuck Hughes says jicama is a great example of the simple, fresh flavours of Mexican cuisine.

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.

What fruit is better than apple? ›

While apples contain more fiber, an important nutrient that aids in healthy digestion and lowering cholesterol, oranges provide more vitamins and minerals including the ever-powerful vitamin C.

What fruits resembling apple? ›

The Chinese Pear, also known as Apple-Pear due to its apple-shape, is usually eaten raw and peeled like an apple. It is used as a sweet addition to many dishes in the Asian cuisine.

What is a good substitute for apples in baking? ›

For example, zucchini, jicama, and chayote can be cooked with sweeteners and apple spices to mimic the flavor of apples in pies, muffins, and other baked goods. Berries and rhubarb can be used in salads, sauces, and desserts as a substitute for apples.

What can I use instead of apple in curry? ›

You can add various different dried fruit to this curry, things like apricots work well or even prunes. Or I sometimes add in some diced apple instead of the sultanas so that is a great option too, or some other fruits that will work are Mango, Banana or even pineapple.

What is a substitute for grated apples? ›

For grated apple, substitute 2 cups packed grated carrots or zucchini, or 2 cups unflavored plain canned pumpkin, or 3 ripe bananas diced small, or 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries marked IQF or IFF.

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 fruit is the same as an apple? ›

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

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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