Instead of buying apples that have been cut, apples that are still whole are usually much fresher. Whether you're baking apples or cutting them up for a snack, removing the core isn't as difficult as it looks. Use a paring knife or an apple corer if you want to keep the apples whole. For apples that need to be cut first, remove the core with a melon baller. If you need to quickly prepare the apples for cooking, peel them and cut the parts that will be used. Then, enjoy the clean apples as is or use them as part of another recipe.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Removing Whole Apple Cores with a Knife
Step 1. Place the apples on the cutting board, with the stem side facing up
The cutting board should be placed on a flat and stable surface and should not shift when you use it to cut apples. You'll be using a knife so you can get injured if you're careless. Try spreading something under the cutting board to keep it from moving.
You can use a damp towel or kitchen paper to prop up any wobbly cutting boards. There are also non-stick cutting boards that can be purchased online or at a kitchen supply store
Step 2. Insert the tip of the knife into the top of the apple
While keeping the apple still, push the knife about 0.5 cm from the apple stem. You need to aim for the point where the apple core area ends. If you get too close, you'll pierce the core of the apple and the next step can be even more messy.
If you don't have a paring knife, use another thin blade. Choose the thinnest knife you have to limit the damage to the apple flesh while trying to remove the core
Step 3. Push the knife all the way through the apple
Hold the knife as firmly as you can as you push it down so you don't cut the apple core. Watch out for the knife tip sticking out of the other side of the apple! Lay the apple briefly so you can see the point where the knife appears.
The apple core is easiest to remove using a knife that is longer than the apple. Thus, the entire core of the apple can be removed at once. If you don't have this knife, just use a paring knife and scrape off any remaining apple core
Step 4. Cut around the core of the apple completely so that it separates from the apple
Hold the apple firmly and cut it in circles without hitting the core. Keep the blade of the knife at a distance of 0.5 cm from the apple stem. At first, you may find it difficult to do it, but with practice you will get used to it. When you do, the core inside the apple loosens up, making it easy to remove by hand.
If you're having trouble keeping a consistent cut around the stem, try adding a skewer to the apple. Place the knife on the other side of the stem and push it back through the base of the apple. Do this 4 times on each side of the stem, then cut in circles to connect the previous notches
Step 5. Take out the knife and push the core of the apple with your finger
Lift the knife carefully so you don't lose control. Set the knife aside, then push the core of the apple firmly. The core will come out of the bottom of the apple. If it's too hard to press, scrape back the core of the apple to separate it from the flesh.
You can also use the tip of a knife to pull the core of the apple toward you. When it can be grasped firmly, pull to remove the core of the apple. You need to control the apple well as you work so that you lift the core of the apple carefully instead of jerking it
Step 6. Cut the remaining apple seeds around the inside of the apple
Sometimes, a broken core is left inside the apple. Push the knife back into the hole and scrape around the wall. Push the inedible part of the apple out of the hole for disposal. If there are no more black seeds and core residue left in the apple, the fruit is ready to cook.
You can also use a melon baller to remove the core of the apple. Twist the melon baller to deepen the cut so that it is smoother and more consistent
Method 2 of 4: Using Apple Core Tool
Step 1. Place the apple on a flat surface with the stem facing up
Place the apples on a stable, firm surface such as a cutting board. This apple corer tool is sharp enough so don't work directly on the surface of the kitchen table. Make sure there is enough room to keep the apples from moving while cutting.
Test the cutting board or work surface by trying to shake or slide it. If it seems unstable, the cutting board will move as you cut the apple core. Spread a damp towel or non-stick cloth under the cutting board to make it firm
Step 2. Position the apple corer tool in the center of the apple
If you have a tubular core, position it so that the apple stem is in the center of the tube. Push the corer in and cut the apple. If you have a corer that doubles as a peeler, position it 0.5 cm from the core with the serrated side facing in. Push the tip of the tool into the apple to separate the flesh from the apple core.
- The easiest-to-use corer types have a long handle and a circular tube with a serrated bottom edge. This tube is positioned into the core of the apple, and holds it in place as it is pulled outward.
- If you are using a vegetable peeler-type corer, twist the blade in a circle to cut the core of the apple. This movement is the same as when using a tube corer, but you will need to twist it a little harder with your hands.
- You can also use a flat, ring-shaped corer. This type of corer slices the apple while removing the core. This tool is great for cutting apples into fans in one easy process.
Step 3. Twist the corer as it is pushed toward the bottom of the apple
You need to press a little hard so that you hold the apple and the tool firmly. Rotate the corer back and forth while pressing it down. As long as the apple can be kept still, the corer will go straight through the bottom of the apple.
If you're using a blade-type corer, push it into the apple and twist it around the core. The tool will separate the core from the apple flesh
Step 4. Pull the corer tool to remove the middle membrane and apple seeds
The next step depends on the type of corer you have. For the tube corer, you just need to pull the handle to remove the apple core. For blade-type corers, lift the blade and push the apple core out with your finger.
Check for remaining seeds from the inside of the apple. A scraper is better at cleaning apples than a knife, but sometimes there are seeds or cores left
Method 3 of 4: Removing the Core from the Halved Apple
Step 1. Place the apple on a stable surface
Use a cutting board so you don't damage the surface of the kitchen table. Start by erecting the apple with the stem side up. Make sure the cutting board doesn't move as you work.
Stabilize the cutting board by placing a towel or tablecloth under it if necessary
Step 2. Cut the apple in half to reveal the core
Use a kitchen knife to slice the apple. Hold the knife firmly and cut vertically to the bottom. Try to split the apple in one smooth motion. The core of the apple will also split, but this is not a problem.
If you want to cut an apple into quarters, flip the apple in half so that the flat side is facing the cutting board. Cut the apple in half right down the middle. You can do it before or after removing the core as it doesn't make much difference
Step 3. Remove the core using a spoon or melon baller
Face the apple flat side up and the skin side against the cutting board. This way, you can see the core clearly in the center of the apple. All you have to do is dig out the area where the apple flesh meets the tough core using a melon baller. After that, clean the apples whose core has been removed.
If you are quartering an apple, another way to remove the core is to cut under the edges. Use a paring knife to cut diagonally to the midpoint below the core of the apple. Then, turn the apple and cut it back diagonally from the other side so that the core separates from the apple flesh and can be removed
Step 4. Cut the stems and shoots in each halve of the apple with a knife
Keep the apple skin side facing down. Apple stems and shoots are at each end of the fruit, just above and below the peek of the freshly removed apple. Hold the knife parallel to this section, and cut diagonally below it. Slice diagonally down to the opposite side to remove any inedible parts of the apple.
- The stems and buds of the apple are at the ends of each hemisphere, so make sure you remove all of them. The total number of stems and shoots that need to be removed is 4 because there are 2 in each halve of the apple.
- You can also remove apple stems and sprouts with a melon baller or spoon. However, this method is no more accurate than using a knife so that more apple flesh is carried away.
Method 4 of 4: Separating the Core from the Peeled Apple
Step 1. Peel the apples using a paring knife or vegetable peeler
If you have a good vegetable peeler, use it to remove the apple skin easily. Cut a layer of apple peel from top to bottom. Once a strip of skin has been removed, turn the apple over to the skin next to it using a peeler until all of the apple's flesh is visible.
If you're using a knife, slide the tip of the blade under the skin. Peel the apple sideways, and move slowly to keep the knife as close to the skin as possible. While your knife-wielding skills will improve with practice, you can also cut apples if you're not careful
Step 2. Lay the apples on a flat surface with the stem side up
Stand the apples on a firm, stable cutting board. Make sure the cutting board won't move as you try to cut the apples. As long as the cutting board is firm enough, apple sticks can be cut quickly and easily.
For the safety of you and your apples, spread a damp towel or non-stick cloth under the cutting board to keep it from moving as you work
Step 3. Slice along the apple to separate it from the stem
Take a sharp kitchen knife and position it 0.5 cm away from the apple stem. Hold the apple with your other hand so it doesn't move. When it's ready, cut it straight down. This will separate the apple halves and leave the core standing untouched on the cutting board.
Cut as close to the stem as possible so you get as much of the apple flesh as you can eat. If you cut too close to the stem, some of the core of the apple may be carried away. Cut the tough part of the apple slices before use
Step 4. Turn the apple over and cut off the other side to remove the core
Turn the apple so the uncut side is facing you. Cut back and get all the way down. Keep the knife 0.5 cm from the stem so that all parts of the cut are evenly distributed. When you're done, you now have 4 apple slices that are clean and easy to cut whenever needed.
For example, lay an apple flat on a cutting board and cut it from top to bottom. Cut the slices sideways to make smaller apple slices
Tips
- For added protection, wear kitchen gloves when cutting apple cores. This step is not mandatory, but it will help prevent injury.
- Whichever method you use to remove the core, you can peel the fruit before you begin. Apple skins are easier to peel while the fruit is still whole.
- The best time to wash apples is before they are cut. Rinse with clean tap water to remove dirt.
