Too many apples to count? Don’t let your fall haul go to waste. Learn how freezing apples can keep them useable all year long!
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In a Nutshell:
Freezing apples is a tried and true method of preserving apples to last up to a year. It takes some time to sit down and peel, slice, and flash-freeze the apples but once you do you’ll have apples ready for any recipe you need! Freezing apples sliced makes them convenient for treats like apple crisps, smoothies, and applesauce later in the year.
It’s that time of year again when neighbors and family members start sharing their produce. It seems like if it’s not zucchini, it’s apples! Last year I was given 2 large boxes of apples and quickly learned a few batches of applesauce wasn’t going to take care of it. I did some digging and found that freezing apples was going to be the best option for me. Here’s how I did it!
Should I Try Freezing Apples?
Do you have too many apples to use before they will go bad? Do you want to preserve your apples to be used at other times of the year? If either (or both) of those answers is “yes” you would benefit from freezing apples! Freezing apples extends the life of apples from a few weeks to many months. It’s also convenient for baking because the apples are pre-sliced and ready to go for sauces, pies, muffins, or smoothies!
How to: Freezing Apples
Ready to freeze your apples? Here’s a step-by-step guide to get the best results.
1. Wash and Peel:
Start by washing your apples thoroughly to remove any dirt. You don’t have to peel the apples but I found that most apple recipes I make use peeled apples. If you don’t peel them before freezing, you’re not going to spend the time peeling every single slice of apple after they are frozen so check out what your favorite recipes call for before you start!
2. Core and Slice:
Next, core the apples to remove the seeds and stem. Slice them into chunks or wedges, depending on your preference. I cut mine into 1/4″ thick slices.
3. Prevent Browning:
Apples get brown and ugly very quickly once they’re cut. An easy way to keep them looking fresh is to dip the slices in a mixture of lemon juice and water (about 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per cup of water) for at least 3 minutes. I filled up a large bowl with the mixture and dumped all the apples in as I cut. I feel like the lemon juice water did the trick and it was cheap, but if you’d prefer a different method you can also use If you’re Fruit-Fresh (ascorbic acid) to keep the apples from browning.
4. Flash-Freeze:
If you put those wet apples straight into a freezer bag they will stick together in one big clump. To avoid this, you’ll want to flash-freeze them. Take a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and spread out the apple slices in a single layer. Put the apples on the sheet into the freezer for 2-3 hours, then when they are frozen, dump them into a gallon-sized freezer bag. Make sure you get out all the air to avoid freezer burn and label your bag with the contents and date to avoid confusion later!
Storing Freezer Apples
For best flavor and texture, freezer apples should be used within 6-8 months but they are safe to eat and can be stored up to a year. I’ve heard that vacuum sealing can be a good option for freezing apples to avoid freezer burn. I don’t have a vacuum sealer so I just pushed the air out manually from the bag but I just used my last batch of apples after 11 months in the freezer for a muffin recipe and they worked great!
How to Use Frozen Apples
Now you’ve done all the hard work of freezing apples, but how do you use them? Thankfully you’ve got lots of options!
- 1. Smoothies: Frozen apple slices are perfect for smoothies. They add a refreshing taste and a natural sweetness. You can toss a handful into your blender with some yogurt, spinach, or other fruits for a healthy snack.
- 2. Baking: Need apples for a pie, or crisp? Use your frozen slices straight from the freezer—no need to thaw! Of note, they will probably have more liquid released than fresh apples so adjust your recipe accordingly.
- 4. Sauces and Apple Butters: If you want to cook down apples even further, you can use your frozen apples to make apple butter or applesauce! Both can be paired with pancakes for more flavor.
I hope you can use this preservation method to enjoy your apples all year round! Let me know in the comments below what you used your apples for!
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