Apples are a beloved staple in kitchens all over the place, however their abundance can generally result in waste. As an alternative of letting additional apples soften on the counter, freezing is a superb method to lock of their taste and stretch their usefulness. This easy preservation technique ensures you possibly can benefit from the fruit’s pure sweetness even months later in pies, sauces or smoothies.

Why freezing apples is price it
Apples are a splendidly versatile fruit, excellent for snacking, baking or including a contact of pure sweetness to savory dishes. Nevertheless, they don’t final perpetually, and when you’ve gotten a surplus, discovering methods to make use of them rapidly is usually a problem. Freezing helps forestall waste and allows you to reap the benefits of seasonal harvests with out the stress to make use of them .
Whereas freezing barely alters the feel of apples, it doesn’t diminish their taste. They work fantastically in cooked recipes like pies, cobblers or oatmeal. Having frozen apples readily available makes meal prep extra environment friendly, particularly throughout busy weeks while you wish to put together one thing scrumptious with out additional effort.
Getting ready apples for freezing
Begin by choosing agency, recent apples. Wash them completely beneath chilly working water to take away any filth or wax. Peel the apples if the recipe you’ll use them for requires it however you possibly can go away the pores and skin on for smoothies or sauces.
Subsequent, resolve find out how to minimize the apples. Slices are perfect for pies and crisps whereas chunks work effectively in sauces or soups. Core the apples and slice or chop them into your most well-liked dimension.
To forestall browning, soak the apple items in a mix of water and lemon juice for a couple of minutes. This step is non-compulsory however extremely advisable for maintaining the apples visually interesting after freezing.


Packing and freezing apples
Dry the apple items completely with a clear towel earlier than freezing to stop ice crystals from forming. Unfold them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze till the apples are agency. This step, generally known as flash freezing, retains them from clumping collectively.
As soon as frozen, switch the apples to freezer-safe baggage or containers. Take away as a lot air as doable to keep away from freezer burn. Flattening the luggage saves area and permits for even freezing. You’ll want to label the luggage with the date and portion dimension for simple use later. Use frozen apples inside six to 9 months for optimum taste and texture.
“My favourite trick for freezing apples is to slice them, toss them in lemon juice and freeze them flat on a tray earlier than bagging them up. Honeycrisp apples are my prime choose — they maintain their taste fantastically and are prepared for pies or crisps every time I would like them.”
— Bitty, Eight Recipes
Utilizing frozen apples
Frozen apples are extremely versatile. You should utilize them straight from the freezer for many recipes. Toss them into pies, crisps or cobblers with out defrosting, or add them on to smoothies for a naturally candy, icy texture.
In case you want thawed apples, place them within the fridge in a single day for a delicate defrost or use a microwave for faster outcomes. Thawed apples will likely be softer, making them superb for baking or cooking.
Keep away from utilizing frozen apples in recipes requiring a agency texture similar to salads. For these, follow recent apples.
Suggestions for freezing success
Strive freezing apples within the parts you sometimes use to make cooking less complicated and mixing apple varieties so as to add depth of taste to your dishes. Organized cooks additionally usually create a freezer stock. This helps you profit from your provide and keep away from forgetting meals buried at the back of the freezer.
Recipes that work effectively with frozen apples
Frozen apples shine in cozy, comforting recipes. Use them in basic desserts like apple pie, turnovers or crisps. They’re additionally excellent for apple butter, compotes or chutneys.
For breakfast, toss frozen apple chunks into oatmeal, pancakes or muffins. Apples are additionally a beautiful addition to savory meals, like sluggish cooker pork roast or roast rooster. Strive including them to seasonal root greens and roasting them for a festive taste close to the vacations.
Ultimate ideas
Freezing apples is a superb method to protect their taste and flexibility. With correct preparation and storage, you possibly can benefit from the comfort of getting ready-to-use apples yr spherical. Whether or not you’re baking a vacation dessert or making a fast smoothie, frozen apples assist scale back waste and simplify meal prep.
Gen is knowledgeable chef, author and editor dwelling in Southern California. She is the proprietor and recipe creator behind Two Cloves Kitchen, a meals website that includes up to date, California-inspired recipes. She has edited over 20 novels, quick tales and essays for publication.
This text initially appeared on Meals Drink Life.