Crab apple trees are common backyard plants. Itâs common to wonder if the tiny apples from these trees are safe to eat.
Have you ever come across tiny, wild crab apples and wondered – can I actually eat these? The short answer is yes! Crab apples are totally edible fruits that are foraged and used in recipes. They have a unique sour flavor when raw, so are best cooked into jams, baked goods, and more.
Keep reading to learn all about crab apples and the delicious ways you can eat them.
What are Crab Apples?
Crab apples are a type of miniature apple species. There are over 70 varieties of crab apples that grow in the wild across North America They are native trees that have bright pink or white flowers in spring.
Crab apple trees produce fruit that is typically under 2 inches wide. The apples range from yellow, red, or green in color. Compared to cultivated grocery store apples, crab apples tend to be much smaller and sourer in taste.
But don’t let their pint-size and puckering flavor fool you. Crab apples are totally edible and safe to eat!
Are Crab Apples Toxic?
A common myth is that crab apples are poisonous. This is not true! Crab apples are not toxic or dangerous to eat.
However, like regular apples, crab apples do contain seeds that have trace amounts of amygdalin. This compound breaks down into cyanide during digestion. Consuming a few seeds is not harmful, but you should still avoid eating high quantities of the seeds.
As long as you remove the core and seeds, crab apples are 100% edible. Think of them like miniature Granny Smith apples! The sour flesh, skin, and juice are all safe to ingest.
Nutrition Profile of Crab Apples
Crab apples may be tiny, but they provide the same nutritional benefits as full-sized apples:
- Fiber
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Antioxidants like polyphenols
You would just need to eat more crab apples to get the equivalent nutrients of a large apple. About 4 crab apples provides the same nutrition as 1 medium apple.
How to Eat Crab Apples
Now that you know crab apples are edible, here are some tasty ways to use them:
Eat Raw
Select larger crab apples to eat fresh. Rinse well and enjoy them raw for a tart snack. The skin and flesh are both edible.
Cook into Sauces
Simmer chopped crab apples to make fruit sauces. The heat helps tame their sourness. Strain out seeds and skins before serving over ice cream, porridge, or desserts.
Bake into Desserts
Bake crab apples surrounded by a crumble topping, stuffed with oats and nuts. Or dice them small and fold into muffins, cakes, or crisps. Baking mellows their sour taste.
Juice Them
Run raw crab apples through a juicer to make refreshing juice blends. Mix with sweeter fruits like apples or pears. Add sparkling water for a cider-like drink.
Craft Jams and Jellies
Cook crab apples with sugar to craft jewel-toned jams and jellies. They set up easily thanks to their natural pectin. Spread on biscuits, toast, or peanut butter sandwiches.
Infuse in Vinegar
Steep crab apples in vinegar to impart a fruity flavor. Use in salad dressings, marinades, chutneys, and more. White wine or apple cider vinegars work best.
Best Crab Apple Varieties for Eating
With over 70 types of crab apples, some are tastier than others. These are top varieties to look for if you plan to eat them:
- Chestnut – Maroon fruits with a sweet-tart flavor
- Dolgo – Bright red skins with peach-like aroma
- Centennial – Yellow skins with mild, mellow flesh
- Whitney – Big, red fruits compared to other crabs
Avoid ornamental crab apples bred for looks rather than flavor. Stick to edible kinds like above to ensure a good eating experience.
Where to Find Crab Apples
Forage for crab apples at:
- Parks
- Trails
- Abandoned orchards
- Backyards
Ask neighbors for permission before picking backyard trees. Find out if pesticides are used before foraging anywhere.
You can also buy crab apple products at:
- Farmers markets
- Specialty stores
- Online shops
Look for crab apple butter, jelly, tea, vinegar, and dried apples.
How to Harvest and Prep Crab Apples
Follow these tips for collecting and prepping crab apples:
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Time it right – Harvest crab apples after first frost when flavor peaks. August-October is best.
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Select ripe ones – Choose firm, fully colored fruits. Avoid bruised or mushy apples.
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Handle with care – Crab apples bruise easily compared to regular apples. Treat them gently.
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Clean well – Rinse under water to remove dirt and debris. Pat dry.
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Remove stems – Clip stems flush to the fruit before eating raw or cooking.
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Take out seeds – Slice crab apples open and scoop out seeds and core before cooking or eating.
Easy Crab Apple Recipes
Once you’ve harvested some crab apples, put them to delicious use! Here are simple recipe ideas:
1. Crab Apple Jelly
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs crab apples, cored and chopped
- 3 cups sugar
- 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
Instructions:
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Simmer chopped crab apples and lemon juice for 20 minutes until softened.
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Strain through cheesecloth into a bowl; discard solids.
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Measure crab apple juice and add 1 cup sugar per cup of juice.
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Boil mixture for 10-15 minutes until thickened.
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Pour into sterilized jars and refrigerate after sealed.
2. Crab Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients:
- 10 crab apples, cored and diced
- 1⁄2 cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp butter
Instructions:
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Combine all ingredients in a pot and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes.
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Pour into cooked pie crust. Top with lattice crust.
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Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes until golden brown.
3. Crab Apple Applesauce
Ingredients:
- 1 lb crab apples, cored and chopped
- 1⁄4 cup water
- 1⁄4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Pinch of nutmeg
Instructions:
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Simmer crab apples and water for 10 minutes until softened.
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Mash apples into a chunky sauce.
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Stir in sugar, lemon juice and nutmeg.
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Chill before serving.
Enjoy the Unique Flavor of Crab Apples
Adding crab apples to your recipes provides a tangy twist. Their petite size and brilliant colors also make them a beautiful ingredient.
In fall, keep an eye out for these wild apples. With proper identification and preparation, crab apples are totally edible and fun to experiment with in the kitchen.
What Do Crab Apples Taste Like?
The name âcrab appleâ is an accurate representation of these fruitsâ mouth-puckering flavor. The deeper red varieties are well-known for being more bitter than those of other colors. Not even the ripest of crab apples resemble the sweet taste of an apple from an orchard. â.
Some crab apple types are more palatable than others, but most people prefer not to eat them raw. The best way to enjoy these fruits is in baked goods and other sweetened recipes.
Are Crab Apples Edible?
Yes, you can eat crab apples, but you may not want to eat them straight off the tree. These tiny fruits pack a bitter punch if you eat them raw. But their apple-like taste shines through in baked goods or other homemade recipes. â.
Will crab apples make you healthy? Yes, they do. Crab apples have a lot of vitamin C and a few other nutrients as well. One cup of raw crab apples has 83. 6 calories and contains low levels of iron, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, and magnesium.
These fruits also have high antioxidant activity, which may help your body get rid of harmful free radicals.
Are crab apples poisonous? A crab appleâs flesh is perfectly safe for people to eat. But like other apples, the seeds contain a toxic compound that can turn into cyanide when eaten. But donât worry â these apples are safe as long as you avoid the seeds and core.
Can You Eat Crabapples? Let’s Taste Test Them!
FAQ
Are crab apples safe to eat?
Can crabapples be used for anything?
What’s the difference between apples and crab apples?
Are crabapple blossoms edible?
Can you eat crab apples?
This article reviews whether you can eat crab apples. Crab apples are small, decorative wild apples. Like domesticated eating apples, they’re members of the Malus genus. Eating apples were simply bred to produce larger, sweeter fruit ( 1 ). A common misconception is that crab apples are toxic.
Are crab apples poisonous?
Crab apples are not poisonous. As noted above, crab apples are perfectly safe to eat, even off the branch. As with all varieties of apples, however, you should avoid eating or chewing crab apple seeds. The seeds from apples and crab apples are toxic and if consumed, can metabolize into a poisonous cyanide compound, notes Brown.
What happens if you eat a crab apple?
If you definitively have a crab apple on your hands, be sure to avoid the seeds and core. The seeds contain cyanogenic glycoside, which your body metabolizes into cyanide, a toxic compound. Still, there’s no need to panic if you accidentally swallow a few seeds — it would take a lot of them to make you sick.
Are crab apples sour?
Brown notes that some varieties of ornamental crab apple tree do not bear fruit and are grown just for their flowers. Crab apples have a more sour taste than common apples, too. “ [Crab apples] are more acidic and astringent than the domestic apple,” Brown notes. Can You Eat Crab Apples? Yes, you can definitely eat crab apples.