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.

Bags of apples for freezing.

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 apple pie filling and can be used in muffins, cakes, and so much more.

Okay, who’s ready to learn how to freeze apples?

Bowl of apples.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Fresh apples
  • Salt
  • Water

How to Freeze Apples

Combine warm water and salt in bowl.

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.

Stir until salt dissolves.

Add remaining cold water to bowl.

Add the remaining water.

This water should be cold.

Peel fresh apples.

Now we’re gonna peel our apples and slice them up one at a time.

Cut apples anyway you like.

Cut apples however you prefer.

Cutting apples into sections.

I usually do sections.

Remove apple cores before freezing.

Be sure to remove the core.

Apple sections ready for freezing.

There we go!

Submerge fresh apples in salt water.

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 a few minutes, drain apples.

After they have soaked for a few minutes, drain them in a colander.

Place apples in freezer bags and label.

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.

Bag of frozen apples.

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 Red Delicious or Golden Delicious. 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:

Freezing Apples

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.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple, apples
Servings: 0

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.
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

 

“The wisest mind has something yet to learn.”

~George Santayana.

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263 Comments

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  3. 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….

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