Knowing how to freeze apples correctly allows you to store this tasty fruit for longer. There are many ways to freeze apples, including simply bagging them up and putting them into your freezer whole. That said, the methods outlined below are perfect, especially when you need to have apples readily available to prepare a recipe, such as smokey crumbed pork with apple cos salad. For a variety of other meal ideas, explore our meal kits.
The best way to freeze apples
While apples have a longer shelf life than most fruits, freezing the fruit is preferable, particularly for those who don’t have a suitable cold, dark storage space. A tried-and-tested method for freezing apples is to chop them into slices and then freeze them immediately.
Here's how to do it:
- Use a paring knife on a chopping board to remove segments of the apple with the skin on.
- Place each apple slice sideways down onto a piece of parchment paper on a baking tray or another similar flat surface. For best results, make sure none of the apple pieces are touching.
- Work fast, making sure the tray gets filled as quickly as possible. This is because cut apples will soon start to oxidise — react with the oxygen in the air — and go brown.
- You can delay the oxidisation process by squeezing some lemon juice over the apple pieces.
- Once the tray is full, place it in your freezer.
- After a couple of hours, remove the tray and place the frozen apple pieces into a sealable bag before putting them back in your freezer. This keeps them from taking up too much space.
Now, you can remove the apple pieces to use and enjoy whenever you like. For a delightful meal idea, check out some apple recipes, or try our pork schnitzel & zingy apple-bacon slaw panini. This tasty dish is the perfect way to enjoy apples in a savoury context.
How to freeze apples to make pie
When you need slices for apple pie, you can also freeze apples using a baking tray. Alternatively, you can cook apples by heating them in a non-stick saucepan, along with a little butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Once the apples have reached the desired consistency for a pie filling, allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Next, place the apples into an airtight container and store them in the freezer.
To cook an apple pie with frozen apples, simply remove the container a couple of hours before using them and allow them to defrost. For balanced snacking options, consider our carb and calorie-smart meal kits.
Is it better to freeze apples raw or cooked?
Neither method is better than the other. They will produce different results, depending on how you intend to use your frozen apples once removed from the freezer. Cooked apples are ideal for making desserts, while you might want to use frozen apples to add to smoothies or salads. One benefit of freezing apples from raw is that you can better preserve their nutrients with this method.
Tips for successfully freezing apples
- Core the apples to remove the stalk and pips.
- Work fast, making sure the apples don't turn brown and begin to lose flavour before they've been frozen.
- Squeeze some lemon juice onto the apple pieces. This will help the fruit stay fresher while preparing them for the freezer.
- Turn your freezer up to freeze your apples as quickly as possible. Remember to turn your freezer back down to its usual setting afterwards.
- Keep apple pieces — and whole apples — apart from one another until they're frozen and can be bagged up together.
For smaller portions, freezing apples is perfect, especially for recipes like beef strips and crushed potatoes with apple slaw.
Frozen Apples FAQ
What is the best way to freeze fresh apples?
For optimal freshness and flavour after thawing, slice apples and promptly freeze them on baking parchment with a splash of lemon juice.
Is it better to freeze apples cooked or raw?
Neither method is better than the other, but they do produce different results. Once defrosted, cooked apples will have a cooked taste and texture. Freezing raw apples, on the other hand, will allow you to defrost the fruit into something much closer to a fresh apple.
Can you freeze apples without lemon juice?
Yes, you can. Freezing apples without lemon juice will make them oxidise faster, so you must work quickly or place the apples into an airtight container to slow down deterioration. That said, use lemon juice if you have it available.
Can you freeze whole apples?
Yes, you can freeze whole apples without taking the skin off or coring them. This is a good way to freeze apples when you don't have much time. However, keep in mind that you'll need more freezer space to store the apples when they're whole.