What Are Granny smith apples and How Can I Use Them?

Granny Smith apples is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store them, what to substitute, and 280 recipes to get you started.

What are Granny Smith apples?

Granny Smith apples are medium in size with a bright green and waxy skin.  The flesh is firm, juicy, acidic (tart), and crisp.  This is one of the most ideal apples for baking recipes as the slice hold their shape very well, and it is not overly sweet.

The fruit of the apple tree is one of the most widely cultivated fruit-bearing trees in the world.

The apple originated in Asia Minor and grew wild in Europe by prehistoric times.  Cold storage with carbon dioxide ensures a year-round supply. The American red delicious accounts for over 1/2 of the apple trade.

The apple is the most popular fruit in the US, Canada, Britain, Germany, and France.

"As American as apple pie" is a testament to the dedication of the US to the first fruit planted in the United States.  It was carried to the US West by the legendary Johnny Appleseed (1854).

Apples are best as a dessert fruit from October to April. They should be firm, without blemishes or wrinkles.

## Preservation

Ripe apples can be stored in a ventilated room stalk side down when picked.   Apples can also be sliced into rings and dried. Cooked apples also freeze well and can be turned into jellies and jam preserves such as the American Apple Butter.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find Granny Smith apples: Granny smith apples are usually found in the produce section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Apples, granny smith are a member of the Fruits and Fruit Juices US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

澳洲青苹苹果

British (UK) term

Apples, granny smith

en français

pommes Granny Smith

en español

manzanas granny smith

How much do Granny Smith apples weigh?

Related

Fruits and Fruit Juices

Recipes using Granny Smith apples

There are 280 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Dairy-Free Whole Wheat Apple Pancakes

A dairy-free and eggless whole-wheat apple pancake.

Apple & Celery Root Puree

Apple and celery root puree is an unusual combination of flavors. Perfect with braised meat!

Breakfast Apple Pancakes

Quite easy to make, and I liked these apple pancakes especially served with maple syrup. Yum!

Reduced-Fat Apple Muffins

This apple muffins are rich in fibire and low-fat, they are fit for all!

Apple Pancakes or Waffles

Apple cinnamon buttermilk pancakes with grated Granny Smith apple and wheat germ folded into the batter. A fall breakfast favorite that doubles as waffles and freezes well.

Waldorf Salad

My slightly sweet version of a classic.

Chunky Apple Spice Muffins

Whole wheat bran muffins loaded with diced Granny Smith apples, warming spices, and unsweetened applesauce. A high-fiber breakfast or snack muffin with no eggs or dairy.

Delicious Apple-Carrot Muffins

Apple-carrot muffins with grated Granny Smith apple, fresh carrot, oats, raisins, and Grape-Nuts for crunch. Healthy egg-white muffins that taste like dessert.

Fourth of July Flag Apple Tart

Instead of using cake mix to make a cake, we use whole wheat pastry flour to make a tart, and we fill up the tart with sliced apples, sprinkling with some sugar, after making this delicious and healthy apple tart, we decorate with fresh blueberries and strawberries. Definitely will impress everyone, and enjoy this delicious flag apple tart without guilt.

Apple-Berry Granola

Homemade apple-berry granola: oats, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries baked with fresh granny smith apple, maple syrup, and cinnamon until golden and crisp. Naturally gluten-free.

Autumn Squash & Apple Soup

Butternut squash and apple soup blends Granny Smith with rosemary and marjoram, thickened naturally with bread cubes and finished with an egg yolk and cream liaison. Pure autumn in a bowl.

Green Salad Tossed with Tomato Dressing

Crisp green salad with romaine, Granny Smith apple, and toasted walnuts tossed in a creamy oil-free tomato dressing thickened with toasted almonds, lemon, and paprika.

Minty Apple Tomato Chutney

No-cook minty apple tomato chutney with Granny Smith apples, ripe tomatoes, bell pepper, raisins, and fresh mint. Cures for ten days into a tangy condiment.

Best Apple & Butternut Squash Soup

Silky butternut squash and apple soup with warm curry and chili, the tart Granny Smith apples balancing the squash's sweetness. Pureed smooth and finished with cream for a cozy fall and winter bowl.

Creamy Squash, Apple, & Corn Bisque

Creamy squash, apple, and corn bisque: butternut, Granny Smith apples, and sweet corn simmered with leeks, finished with cream and nutmeg. A tart-sweet fall bowl topped with toasted pumpkin seeds.

Mom's Apple-Onion Soup with Celery Root

Granny Smith Apple-Onion Soup with Celery Root recipe

Apple Pumpkin Butter Crockpot

Make your own apple butter using your slow cooker.

Indian Chicken Curry - with Soda

Creamy Indian chicken curry with apples, raisins and a splash of soda for tang. Make ahead and reheat for deeper flavor. Serve over rice with coconut, peanuts and chutney.

Apple Tart-Low Fat & Low Calorie

Whole wheat flour and walnuts make the crust nutty and tasty, instead of all butter, use some butter and some canola oil to reduce the saturated fat without reducing the yummy flavor and texture. Granny smith and some delicious apricot jam are enough to make this tart shine.

Curry Chicken Spread

This simple and quick spread is perfect to serve at any upcoming holiday party! It's chunk chicken, chopped apple, chutney and peanuts are bound with a curry-laced mayonnaise.

Christmas Pudding With Vanilla-Bean Custard

This Christmas pudding has plenty of delicious fruit and nuts, but it's really simple to make - just plan ahead and then make the warm vanilla-bean custard on the day.

Best Veggie Burger

Best veggie burger with bulgur, chickpeas, tahini, and grated zucchini, carrot, and apple. A vegan burger with real texture and Middle Eastern flavor that holds together on the grill.

Grandma's Apple Pie

I use McIntosh or a combination of McIntosh & Cortlands as my family and I prefer a softer apple filling that holds together (I NEVER use Granny Smiths)...

Curried Butternut Squash & Apple Soup

This spicy soup is perfect for the Autumn season and is sure to please everyone's hunger.

Apple French Toast Strata

So yummy, my taste buds are still actively searching the taste of cinnamon, tender apples and warm-oozy cream cheese...

Apple Honey Oatmeal Cookies

Chewy oatmeal cookies loaded with fresh diced apples, raisins, walnuts, and honey, spiced with cinnamon for a wholesome treat that stays moist for days.

Brian's Apple Brownies

Apple brownies loaded with chopped Granny Smith apples, walnuts, and cinnamon, baked in a sheet pan and cut into squares. A spiced apple bar dessert that tastes like a cross between a cake brownie and an apple cake.

Acorn Squash & Apple Soup

A delicious soup that's perfect to enjoy while watching the leaves fall from the trees on a cool Autumn day.

Herbed Turkey & Dressing

Bring a new look to the holiday with this succulent dish that rounds out any family tradition.

Octoberfest Braised Red Cabbage with Bratwurst

German braised red cabbage with bratwurst, simmered low and slow with Granny Smith apples, caraway, and a sweet-tart hit of vinegar and currant jelly. A classic Oktoberfest plate of silky ruby cabbage and juicy sausage.

Fresh Apple & Strawberry Crumble Cake

This super fruity and moist cake is absolutely divine. It's a great coffee or tea cake. I had it for breakfast with my morning coffee for a few days, perfect. Made with mostly whole wheat flour and applesauce, not loaded with sugar, so it's much healthier than your regular coffee cake, that's why it's also a great breakfast to start off your day.

Quick & Easy Apple Dumplings

Be sure to spoon some of the yummy sauce from the bottom of the pan on top of the dumplings after they're baked, and serve hot with vanilla ice cream.

Cranberry Apple Coffee Cake

Just the right amount of everything, and well balanced flavor and texture. A great fall or winter dessert that uses seasonal cranberries and everyone will be thrilled.

Chicken with Apples & Bacon

Boneless and skin-less chicken thighs caramelized with bacon then braised with apples and onions.

Baked Red Cabbage with Apples

German-style baked red cabbage layered with tart Granny Smith apples, seedless grapes, and onion, braised in red wine until tender and sweet. A hearty vegetable side dish that fills your kitchen with warmth.

Apple-Spice Layer Cake with Caramel Swirl Icing

"A tall, impressive cake that showcases the flavors and smells of the holidays. A three-layer extravaganza with a touch of molasses and shredded apple to keep it moist. It fills the house with a fragrance that beats the most expensive holiday-scented candle. It will be talked about long after the party is over." Source: The Pastry Queen Christmas, by Rebecca Rather

Apple & Fennel Salad with Cider Vinaigrette

This is a very tasty and refreshing salad, and it was so quick and easy to make, liked the sweetness and sourness from apple juice and cider vinegar, which just right balanced. Crunchy apple and fennel give the salad great texture and flavor, mixing in the peppery arugula, a simply delicious salad recipe that fits every occasion.

Hearty Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple Soup

Roasted squash and apple gave the soup lots of yummy flavor, chopped hazelnuts added some crunchy texture and nuttiness. We served it with a savory pie together, perfect. Or you can serve the soup with a loaf of good bread.

Apple Walnut & Chocolate Cake

Moist, chocolaty, nutty, and delicious. This apple cake is made of fresh apples and apple sauce and frosted by both butter and chocolate frosting.

Awesome Apple Baklava

This Baklava recipe is classic Greek baklava. It can be sweet as a dessert, or savory as an appetizer. Phyllo pastry gives a crispy texture, using both golden delicious and Granny Smith apples makes the filling sweet, slightly sour, and very tasty. The Walnut layer adds another nuttiness, crunchiness, and richness. A delicious and light dessert that you can serve on any occasion.

Favorite German Apple Pancake

A rich version of German apple pancake. Half and half adds the richness, using more apples than usual really highlights the apple flavor, and cinnamon gives the extra warmness. An ideal and delicious breakfast.

Israeli Couscous, Apple & Cranberry Salad with Toasted Almonds

Quick and easy to make, and it comes out very tasty. Couscous absorbs all the yummy flavor from the broth, then tossed with chunks of apples, dried cranberries, and toasted almonds. A light vinaigrette brings all the flavors together and makes it into a delicious meal.

Amazing Baked German Pork Chops

Serve these succulent baked German pork chops over a bed of rice or with some good bread to soak up all the yumminess.

Apple, Celery & Cranberry Salad with Creamy Lemon Vinaigrette

Crunchy sweet apples and savory celery with bits of sweet dried cranberry and toasted walnuts are tossed with a refreshing and tasty lemon dressing.

Mashed Potatoes & Apples with Bacon & Onions

Traditional German dish called Himmel und Erde which means "Heaven and Earth". Equal parts of apples and potatoes mashed and topped with caramelized onions and bacon.

Apple Streusel Sour Cream Muffins

The delicious crumb topping makes these muffins taste like miniature coffee cakes. Good at tea time and also for brunch. Cool at least 1 hour before serving.

Apple Cranberry Strudel

Instead of the raisins, this Apple Strudel uses dried cranberries instead. It's also lighter, crispier and easier to make by using phyllo pastry instead of typical thick pastry.

Apple Oat Moist Muffins-Low fat, Low calorie

These apple and oat muffins are so moist, and they are delicious too, good for breakfast or a tasty snack.

Brown Jasmine Rice Salad

A vibrant chilled rice salad tossing wild and basmati rice with snow peas, green beans, cucumber, oranges, and Granny Smith apples in a ginger-soy-honey-lime sauce. Fresh, crunchy, and full of contrast.

Apple Tart with Patchwork pastry

A rustic apple tart where pieces of buttery shortcrust are patched together top and bottom, layered with apricot jam and clove-spiced apples. A forgiving, no-fuss bake for anyone shy of rolling perfect pastry.

All 280 Granny Smith apples recipes