Freezing Apples
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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.
can I use any type of salt or do I need sea salt, kosher salt or canning salt
Can you freeze cooked apples? My mom wants to cook the apples down with some brown sugar and cinnamon let it cool put it in the freezer bag and freeze it can this be done and how long will it be good for?
I don’t know that I’ve ever frozen cooked apples but I don’t see why not. The texture won’t be as firm but then again, cooked apples aren’t supposed to be firm anyway 🙂 Frozen food is “good” usually for years, but freezer burn and other cosmetic issues may make it less appealing to eat so that is going to depend on how you freeze it. Try to get as much air out as possible and they should be great with no issue for about 3 months. If you use a foodsaver they would be good for well over a year.
I just loved and agree with alot of the comments. I whole heartedly agree with Diana (good name! LOL) . I have to add Respect, Dignity and Honesty are what the life lessons I have learned from both of my parents, and grandparents (bless all their souls). But unfortunately one runs into people who are so domineering and demanding (DH’s parents) that they have no idea how to give: respect, dignity and honesty.
All I can say is life goes on …
“You’ll learn the easy way or you’ll learn the hard way, but you will learn.”
My mama had a homily for just about everything but twp things she taught me have made a big difference in my life and I hope in the lives of my grown children. She used to tell us Cant never did anything and If at first you do not succeed try , try, again, in other words keep it up , practice makes perfect. Because of my mama I thought I could do anything I put my mind to and most of the time I did! I was able to do things other people told me I could not do because I did not have the training or the ability. So I got the training and I guess I must have had the ability.
She taught us to persevere and to lean on and trust Jesus. I miss her.
She sounds like she was a wonderful woman full of wisdom!!
My Momma was a Home Ec. Teacher for thirty two years. One of her sayings was “there is a place for everything, and everything in its place”.( great for kitchen planning)
She loved teaching and loved teaching her students !
Martha Rankin is missed by her family and all her students! She would have loved your website and Christian point of view! Another saying she liked was keep on,keeping on!
Keep on smiling Christy!
Blessings,
Lynne Hester
I think I would have loved her as well!! Sounds like she was a wonderful woman!
Have you ever vacuum sealed apples and then freeze them?
No but I’m going to try that soon as I get some apples!
Great post! Might have to mention this in my own blog later. Was simply looking for instructions on freezing apples but your intro really made my morning.
My father instilled a lot of wisdom in my brothers and me from a young age. He was the “weekend” parent and as an adult now, I can understand why he did that. I only have nieces and a nephew, but I’ve started doing the same when they visit me.
The top things I’ve learned from him are:
1. You guys (my brothers and me) always need to stick together. You can hate me, you can hate your mother, but never lose each other.
They are both my best friends, and as I say, “I love them too much.”
2. (This kind of goes along with your money quote) Judge people solely by the size of their heart and the strength of their character.
I haven’t sat down and thought about whether I do this with others, but it’s absolutely how I judge myself.
3. (This is a rough quote) Why are you depressed? Life is amazing. Look around you. Look at the trees, feel the wind. We’re lucky to be able to experience these things and their beauty.
I’ve had my bouts of depression. Topick myself up even slightly, I just look out the window, sometimes for hours, watching the trees in the wind.
Thank you fort this post! Will be freezing my apples shortly and enjoying this day post-reflection.