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.
You really did cover about all the ones that I was told all my life.And I’m a whole lot older than you! Before I forget to say it again…….I can nOT wait for your cookbook! I will be first in line for sure! I’ve told you before, but I must say it again…I love, love your blog! It was not all that long ago I figured out just what a blog was ( I’m old & a little slow) & out of all the ones I read regularly, it’s your’s that I have to save in a folder in my email! SO, is there a saying that I wanted to add, the only one I can think of that I was raised on…..”be careful what you wish for”……..AND my Momma’s “thing” to say if we were dumb enough to say the word “hate” in front of her….she..well, hated that word..she still does. She’d say, “you don’t hate anything or anybody, you may dislike something someone does, but you don’t hate them.”Then she’d think for a minute & add..”except spiders & snakes”.LOL She’s 85 now & still says so many of the old sayings every day. I’m so lucky to still have her.My sons love her so much & spend a lot of time with her & that makes me even
My wise grandmother had a saying “Birds of a feather flock together.” So simple, yet true. You will be like those whom you hang around. I tell my daughter that when she is complaining of a mean or selfish “friend”.
Some older gentleman taught me this, he said when you are canning apples, slice them and put either fruit fresh or put them in salt water and then drain. Pack the sliced apples in a quart jar and put tap water in with the apples and also two 325mg aspirin, put flat and ring on the jar. THEY DO NOT HAVE TO SEAL, BUT SOMETIMES THEY DO. It can be hot or cold water, doesn’t matter. I have tried this and it works. The apples are nice and pretty, you can keep them from one year to the next and no problem….
so do i do this for peaches as well. i would like to do that next yr during the peach season.
When I got married, My grandma gave me three peices of advice.
1. Always sacrifice for your husband’s career. An unhappy breadwinner is not fun to live with.
2. Always encourage him to call his mother. It is unselfish and they will both appreciate you for it.
3. Never buy a piece of clothing that doesn’t go with 3 other things in your closet.
Beautiful! Thank you so much for the beautiful advice as well as the tips on freezing apples.
I just wanted to add to one about money not equaling status… Just because people may have money, doesn’t mean they are better or worse than another. I’ve been on both ends of the spectrum and people really do judge both ways. The fact is that we’re all equal no matter what we have or don’t have. =)
My mother always used to say “Life is what happens while we are busy making other plans.” She taught us that God’s plan for us was decided long ago, and we can struggle against it, or we can go along with it. Being a bit of a control freak, I tried at times to struggle against it. Then one day it hit me. God led me to the most amazing life partner, he gave me the responsibility to love and care for 4 precious children, he is always there when I need him most. The struggle is over. Following the leader is so much easier, you don’t step in near as many puddles.