Freezing Apples
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Here’s my easy step-by-step guide to freezing apples that taste fresh once thawed. All you need is fresh apples, water, and salt.
Did you know you can freeze fresh apples? If you end up with an overwhelming haul of apples from the orchard or your garden this fall, don’t think you have to bake lots of apple pies (although I also have an excellent frozen apple pie recipe). Instead, it takes just a few easy steps to freeze apples to use later.
The only things you need for freezing apples are fresh apples, salt, water, and some ziplock freezer bags for storage. I’ve included step-by-step instructions below and in the printable recipe card for easy access. This is the method my mama’s stepmother taught her back in the day. But blanching fresh apple slices in salt water prevents them from turning brown. So once they defrost your apples will still look and taste fresh. How good is that?
You can use whichever apples you have on hand. Keep scrolling for some recipes that would be perfect to make with these frozen apples. They make a great and can be used in muffins, cakes, and so much more.
Okay, who’s ready to learn how to freeze apples?
Recipe Ingredients
- Fresh apples
- Salt
- Water
How to Freeze Apples
First, pour about a cup of warm water into a large bowl and add about 1/4 of a cup of salt.
Stir until salt dissolves.
Add the remaining water.
This water should be cold.
Now we’re gonna peel our apples and slice them up one at a time.
Cut apples however you prefer.
I usually do sections.
Be sure to remove the core.
There we go!
As you cut them, place all of the fresh apple slices in the salt water.
I left the skins on some of mine because I prefer my fried apples to have the skin on.
Push them down in the water a bit and make sure they all get submerged well at some point.
After they have soaked for a few minutes, drain them in a colander.
Then place the sliced apples in a freezer bag and label it.
Laying them out flat like this when you freeze them will keep them from sticking together and allow them to thaw more quickly.
Here is a bag of apples a few days later, frozen and still beautiful thanks to the wisdom of the “old folks”.
Storage
Your apples will last in the freezer for up to 12 months when stored properly. Thaw them at room temperature or in the fridge, but you can also use them in baking straight from frozen if you like.
Recipe FAQs
What are the best apples to freeze?
This method works for any type of apple, like or . Today I am freezing Jonagold and Fuji. If you’re going to be freezing them for an apple pie later, you might want to cut up a few Granny Smith apples and include some in each freezer bag.
Can you freeze whole apples?
You can. However, it’s much easier to freeze apple slices if you’re going to use them for baking purposes later on. It’s also easier to store apple slices in the freezer.
Can I freeze apples with the skin on?
Yes, you can either peel the apples or leave the skin on, the choice is yours.
Do frozen apples have a salty taste?
No, the salt water solution doesn’t leave the apples with a salty taste.
Is there another way to blanch apples?
Yes, before freezing apples you can blanch them in a lemon water solution instead. Substitute the salt for 2 tablespoons of lemon juice but follow the remaining directions.
What can you make with frozen apple slices?
Here are some recipes you can make with frozen apple slices:
- Apple Cake With Caramel Fudge Icing
- Apple Bran Muffins
- Homemade Apple Fritters
- Apple Bread
- Apple Butter in the Crock Pot
- Snickers Caramel Apple Salad
- Apple Crisp in the Slow Cooker
- Apple Snack Cake (Right From The Orchard)
Ingredients
- apples
- 1 gallon water
- 1/4 cup salt
Instructions
- Place one cup of warm water in a large bowl and stir in salt until it dissolves. Add the remaining cold water.1 gallon water, 1/4 cup salt
- Peel and slice apples (you can leave the skin on them if desired).apples
- Place each apple slice in the salt water as you go along. When done with all your apples, stir the water a bit to make sure all slices have been submerged. Drain in a colander.
- Place immediately in a freezer bag, label, and freeze.
“The wisest mind has something yet to learn.”
~George Santayana.
I did this last year for all my pies and peach cobbler for thanksgiving about 2 weeks ahead of the big day. The apples looked as if they had only been frozen the day before and were just as good as if prepared fresh. It was a huge time saver considering I had to cook for about 12 people and had half a dozen other items on the menu, plus it also freed up a ton of space you know is needed on those Hollidays.
I had a wonderful group of girlfriends and their mothers were my role models. I remember one mother telling us the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you! I took positive tidbits and filed them in my mind to live by. I borrowed the lessons of my wonderful friends, their family and my great school to form who I am.
I immediately felt a kinship with you because my mother is 81 and her name is Lela. I have many friends but I’m proud to say that she is my best friend. She grew up in the South, lost her first husband just 2 weeks before I turned 1 and her 2nd 2 years ago, just a few months shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. She grew everything and canned or froze everything. She even pasteurized milk we got from the neighbors. She taught me about the Lord which kept me going for my own 2 children when I lost my husband in an accident 10 yrs ago….. All the sayings I’ve read are ones that she said often but my favorite is “Don’t let anyone make you believe you’re less than you are. You are somebody to someone.” I love you mom.
Christy~ as always love your post. I would read them even if I knew I wasn’t going to get a delicious recipe at the end!
I have a question about the apples. Do you just drain them and then proceed with freezing or are you rinsing them too? Kind of worried about a salty taste.
I love this idea though because you’re left with apples that you can do anything with. It is just me and my DH and I hate making huge batches of canned goods that we can’t eat..this way I can see fried apples, apple cake, apple pie…you get the idea…lol
I have really enjoyed reading the bits of wisdom from everyone. Reading them has reminded me of my Mama’s favorite saying…”To knoweth to do right and doeth it not, to Him is sin.” It always amazed me as a teenager that she felt the need to quote this to her children so often!!! Now, as I look in the mirror and see my Mama looking back at me, I can only wish that I had her wisdom.
Christy, I put up apples with my Mom yesterday afternoon, the second time this year. Last batch consisted of freezing apples and making a batch of apple butter along with apple peel jelly. When we started yesterday, I started thinking there has to be a better way!! I started going through my kitchen gadget drawer and came across my melon baller!! I cut the apple in half and scooped out the core with the melon baller and it was so easy and quick! Then I just cut out the bottoms and sliced the apples the way I wanted them. I’m all about making anything easier!!
I love it when little gadgets come in handy! I just know you and your Momma had a fun day putting up apples. I hope you enjoy the apple butter and have some for me!!
My dad, born in 1899 always said there was some good in everyone. No matter how mean spirited. Sometimes you just had to look a lot deeper to find it. Also to kill any meaness from others with kindness in return. I am now 68 and have tried to live my life as he did and believe me it works!
He was a wise man indeed Flo!!