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.
Hi
Love the comments – my mum always had a comment for every occasion – “It’s no use complaining you’re like a doormat if you let people walk all over you!. “No use waiting for the clouds to roll by, you sometimes have to get up there and push them!” Every tub has to stand on it’s own feet. I’ve been trying to remember the catching flies with honey rather than vinegar saying, glad to see it, she always used it when someone was rude. I find myself repeating her sayings to my daughters.
Well girls, I’m really happy to hear about freezing apples! I can’t believe I didn’t know about this sooner! My grandma loved to say “Only one life, twill soon be past…only what’s done for Christ will last!” I loved reading what everyone else had to tell about their precious moms , dads and grands! thanks to everyone for sharing!
I love this saying from your Grandma and it is so true!
I just want to tell you that i love web site. Thanks for sharing .
I didn’t know you could freez apples. Do you think you could freez quince. We have tons of them.
I have been reading your recipes and DROOLING on my keyboard!! I just HAD to chime in here…
My daddy always says, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar” especially when I was a bratty teenager and was fighting with Mom! Truer words were never spoken!! It sure is easier to get what you want or need by being polite and respectful rather than acting like you deserve it! I now share this wisdom with my 3 kiddos. They are learning fast!
I’ve always liked this one:
“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing that you don’t put it in fruit salad.”
I’m not sure who said it first, but an oldster passed it on to me.
My twin sons just made your chocolate cobbler tonight – it was so easy for them and just delicious.
My maternal grandmother used to say “Circumstances alters cases.” In other words, we can set our minds to doing one thing, but often things happen which can alter the course. My mother would say this to us growing up and it would help us to accept disappointment.
Mmmm. Valerie’s post about apples and dip sounds delicious! Anyone have some good ideas for a dip to use with apples?
My mother always insisted that I go to college–I am now in my 24th year of teaching and looking forward to retirement in 4 more years!–so I would never be in the position of having to depend on anyone for my support. My dad instilled in me a love for reading; he always said if you can read, you can do anything. Anytime I complained of boredom, my parents’ response was, “There’s plenty of work to do around the house” and they’d promptly give me some chore to do. I learned quickly how not to appear bored! Another gold nugget from my parents, “Always finish what you start.” And there are many more; you can bet I used everyone of them on my own three sons. 😉