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

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

  1. Thank you Christy for the wonderful post today. I hope to see you in Nashville this Sunday. My daughter is Andrea Lindsley and her client is Martha White. Hope to see you there, I will be there with my husband on business, all the way from Scottsboro, Al.(I do get out some). Love your recipes and cannot wait for your new book. Love you sweet girl.

  2. Hi Christy,
    There are so many things I learned from my Bigmama and her mother my Little Bigmama (neither of them weighed 100# soaking wet or stood more than 5′, but they were mighty little women). They were share croppers as well and worked in the cotton fields here in West Texas. I think the one that comes to mind first is from Little Bigmama about Cleanliness is next to Godliness. She always said it didn’t matter how rich or poor you were. You could keep yourself clean. She would always say, water is free and soap is a nickel a bar. I love and miss these wonderful women everyday and I only hope that I can be as good a Grammy to my grandsons as they were Bigmama’s to me. <3 Kim

  3. Christy, you hit on so many things that Mom & Dad taught us to remember, 3 basic things: to treat others like we wanted to be treated; you’re no better than anybody else, but you’re good as anybody; & you’re known by the company you keep. They also taught me some people bear watching, give folks benefit of doubt, til proven wrong. (I had to learn some of that on my own, but I’m over it.) I am so thankful for the many things I learned from them, Grammaw always said let your word be your bond. Those are very important to me. (she also taught me to put tomatoes & peaches in hot water to peel them easy!) I lost Dad at 17, Mom taught me so much about housekeeping, gardening & cooking! (& being a decent woman) They meant the world to me & I miss them everyday. That’s how I freeze apples too, my Mother & Grammaw taught me! I also quarter mine for frying, pies & crisps. But I dice them in chunks for fried pies & sauce. I don’t thaw them before using, they get mushy. I was raised to waste not, want not, to use leftovers & make something new. I’m proud to say I learn a lot from you too. I look forward to the message’s we receive through you! <3 to all.

  4. I notice you packed some with skin and some without…what are the different uses? I like skin too but do you use the ones without for things like muffins? curiosity has the cat on edge…

  5. My parents taught me to love God and have faith In all circumstances. I will be 70 soon and their example has kept me through many trials in life. I am thankful for my Godly heritage. Love your blogs!

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