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.
I know that a lot of time and effort went into composing this post. Thank you, Christy, for taking time to share. I know Katy and Brady need your time too.
My maternal Grandmama always taught (by example) to live life to the fullest and to have fun.
My Mama always inspired me & my brother that “we could become anything we wanted and the best one too!”
My sweet Daddy always finishes our mealtime prayer with “We love everybody” …and he does. I am grateful to be blessed with loving and kind parents/grandparents that always gave so much back to their church and community.
Terri,
Thank you so much for always seeing “behind the scenes” at what all it takes to get a post up! It’s kinda hard to juggle everything and still give the kids the time they need. I don’t think I’ll ever be as good a mother as they deserve but I’m always paddling as quickly as I can beneath the surface to get my work done and try my best! I’m partially ashamed to admit that as I write this I am sitting at the dinner table with them while they eat their after school snacks, trying to get a few comments responded to so I can get more work done later tonight! Oh, and I just flopped spaghetti on my keyboard..
Your folks sound wonderful but then again I know they must be in order to have raised a person with a heart such as yours.
Gratefully and sincerely,
Christy
I think every mama worries that they aren’t doing a good enough job but with how proud Brady is to be known as the son of Southern Plate and Katy not realizing cookies can be purchased at the store because her mama makes ’em I’d say you are doing a wonderful job.
My Mamma and Daddy taught us 5 kids by their own actions…we weren’t exactly told how to act, but by example, it was instilled in us to strive to be good kids and well behaved. We attended church a lot and the principle to not hurt or harm another person was also learned at an early age. Both my parents have passed and everyday I’m thankful that I have their bloodline running through my veins and am sure they would be grateful that I have blossomed into a respected and loved adult. For those who still are blessed to have their parents, grandparents and siblings still on this Earth, please treasure every moment you have with them…make wonderful memories to savor later. Thanks, Christy, for your heartfelt tribute to your folks. Blessings, Judy
Judy, you are such a wonderful blessing to all of us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for being generous enough to share your heart.
Gratefully,
Christy
Not enough people listen to “old folks” these days. This is certainly apple freezing time!
AMEN and AMEN!!
Love the apple tutorial and post, it is so heartwarming!, and I’d like to share a couple of many quotes that I still here in my head of loved one’s past.
A funny from my army Dad that was good for me, but doesn’t apply to anyone else, “Never marry a farmer!, you have to see the world anyway you can.”
My mother, “A child can’t help who their parents are, never ever judge a person by their family.”
A college professor, “Just because a teacher/professor/or other person of authority tells or teaches you something about a topic or yourself, doesn’t mean its true, question everything.”
Thank you! I’m learning so much from this post! I think I’ll have to use some of these on my end of post quotes, too.
Your family’s wisdom is truly a gift…thank you for letting me (and us) benefit from it as well.
I love it!
Waste not-want not. This was one of my mom’s favorite sayings and I believe she learned it from her dad. I have written on here before how my mom could make a meal fit for a king out of very little and how we canned everything that came our way. She also did a lot of sewing and made many of our clothes as well as altering and remodeling items. Stain removal was a specialty of hers. In other words we made do, used it up, and saved wherever possible. I learned these things as well and they have served me well in lean times. Even when I became a little more comfortable financially, I still followed these principles. At times, my now adult children made fun of my miserly ways, but now that they have families to rear they are gaining an appreciation for frugality and now know that we were “green” long before it was a buzz word. I think the lesson is that if you save where you can there is money for other things you desire.
Elaine, you are so very right. I think in just about everything the “old ways” were better. Lucky are your children to have been raised that way and congratulations on them being able to see the wisdom in your effort and sacrifice today!!!
Whenever I complained about some minor problem, my mom would say, “I hope that’s the worst thing that ever happens to you.”
oh wow….those few words really have an impact, don’t they?
Thank you and again…wow!
One year as my kids were growing up, I asked Mom in November for some presents/gifts ideas for them. She said, “the best thing you can give us is your time.” I never forgot that, and we did try and spend more time with the both of them. They lived an hour away. Working parents, kids active at school, sports and church, it wasn’t always enough. Now they’re gone (too soon), I’ll always wish we had more time!!
I had no idea apples could be frozen! Great to know!! Do you think this would work with pears, too? We have a pear tree and about this time each year we end up with more fruit than we can handle.
You know, Beth, I’ve never thought about freezing a pear because I never have any to freeze! lol I love pears but just buy one or two every now and then and eat them usually on the way home ~heehee~
I would certainly try it. I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. You could always try it out with one and check on it the next day.
If you do, please report back and let us know!!
Gratefully,
Christy 🙂
Well… things look good! My pears looked great the 2nd & 3rd day after freezing. Now I’m not sure if this holds true for all pears, and I wish I knew what variety tree we had, but for what it’s worth my frozen pears are looking pretty awesome.