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.
Here we suffer grief and pain – over the road they do the same – Nanny Nellie Oxborrow 1892-1979
There’s no pain like your own pain – Nanny Rosa Jenkins 1880-1970
And thank you for the apple freezing method!
Just picked all my cooking apples off the tree today and wasn’t sure how to freeze so many, your article was a just what I needed and such a quick method…thank you so much!
You are very welcome!!
hello.. i found Gravenstein in northern California, they are delicious to make applesauce and juice…
Nothing to do with cookery, but one thing my Grandma told that I’ve never forgotten is….
There’s only one perfect baby in the world, and every mother has it.
What a wise woman!!!
Going to try the freezing of the apples today. I have a case full of Gravenstein apples yum. Wish me luck
Good Luck Jill!! I know you will do just fine though! Where are Gravenstein apples from? I a man not sure if I have ever had one of that variety.
Gravenstiens are a delicious sweet/tart apple that are available in August…and they make the best pies! Here in SE Massachusetts, we get them at the Big Apple in Wrentham. The season for them is short, so you have to get them early! They freeze well for pies all winter. We are actually preparing ours for the freezer today.
What a blessing. As I refresh my freezing process information for apples, this was the first I looked at. Your words so thoughtful and true. Your method wonderful. A life lesson I wish to pass on is one my grandfather told me as a teen. “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face!” He told this to me when I was upset with my dad. It took me years to really comprehend the connection to my actions. I heeded the lessons handed down to me, as well as many great family recipes. Thank you!
Christy, I find myself now the “matriarch ” figure about to have my first grandchild . It has been difficult losing the stability of parents, grandparents, many aunts and uncles as well as first cousins who had been very important in my life. I was the youngest of 69 grandchildren if you can believe! So much of what you say rings a bell in my early consciousness of my grandmothers kitchen. So much I learned from parents who were born before 1919 is so new to the generation of my own children due to so many changes in life. Yet I am glad to now be able to share tidbits of my knowledge and “old fashioned skills ” if I can. I now am able to begin a small garden, plan canning of fresh tomato sauce, learn new techniques of cooking with newer appliances and help my children with anything I can. I also find that beside cooking, sewing is a disappearing art! I am planning my first grandchilds quilt as my mother would have done. This is as my grandmother would have done and her mother before her. Traditions such as this bind family together. I am grateful to have found your great recipe and traditions as well. Thanks!
This is my first time on this post. I have really enjoyed it. Thanks for all the words of wisdom. Guess I need to go freeze some apples! God bless all you ladies.