Can you freeze apples? Slices, sugar pack and dry pack
Can you freeze apples? Yes. NCHFP syrup, sugar and dry pack methods, how to stop browning, how long frozen apples keep and what to bake with them.
Yes, you can freeze apples. Peel, core and slice them, stop browning with ascorbic acid or a short steam, then freeze in sugar, syrup or dry. Frozen slices hold their best quality about 8 months and suit pies, crisps and sauce better than eating raw. The National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) spells out each pack.
Can you freeze apples?
Yes. The NCHFP apple method is simple: choose full-flavored, crisp, firm apples that aren't mealy, then wash, peel, core and slice. Slice medium apples into twelfths and large ones into sixteenths.
Frozen apples go soft once they thaw. That's fine in a pie or crisp, but they won't be crunchy out of the bag. A tip from the extension folks: frozen apples are best in cooked apple dishes.
How can you freeze apples?
NCHFP says syrup pack is preferred for apples you'll use in uncooked desserts or fruit cocktail, and sugar or dry pack is good for pie making. Pick the pack that matches how you'll use them.
| Pack | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Syrup pack | Slice into cold 40 percent syrup, with 1/2 teaspoon ascorbic acid per quart of syrup. Press down, cover with syrup and hold fruit under with crumpled water-resistant paper. | Uncooked desserts, fruit cocktail |
| Sugar pack | Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon ascorbic acid in 3 tablespoons water and sprinkle over slices, or steam blanch slices 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Mix 1/2 cup sugar with 1 quart (1 1/4 pounds) of fruit. | Pies |
| Dry pack | Same as sugar pack without the sugar. Or freeze treated slices on a tray first, then bag them. | Pies, cooking, baking |
Treated slices frozen on a tray first won't clump into a block, so you can scoop out what you need. For rigid containers, NCHFP's headspace chart calls for 1/2 inch in a wide-top pint and 1 inch in a wide-top quart of fruit packed in syrup, and 1/2 inch for a dry pack. Illinois Extension adds that you should press the air out of freezer bags. Six apples make about a quart of slices.
Skip the browning treatment and the slices turn brown in the freezer. It doesn't make them unsafe, but it looks unappetizing and the flavor flattens.
How long do apples keep in the freezer, and how do you thaw them?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Best quality | NCHFP gives fruit 8 to 12 months at 0°F and says to use the shorter end for best quality (NCHFP). USDA FoodKeeper and Illinois Extension both say 8 months |
| Safe to eat after that? | Yes. Frozen food at 0°F stays safe indefinitely |
| Thawing | In the refrigerator, or bake straight from frozen in pies and crisps |
| Texture | Soft after thawing; best cooked |
Our apples storage page shows about 240 days in the freezer, which is 8 months and matches the short end of that range and USDA FoodKeeper's figure. Aim for 8 months.
When in doubt, throw it out. USDA guidance is that frozen food kept at 0°F stays safe, so the time limits here are about quality. If something smells off, looks slimy or was thawed on the counter, don't taste-test it.
What changes when you freeze apples, and what are they good for?
Freezing ruptures the fruit's cells, so thawed apples release juice and turn tender. Use them where that helps: apple pie and crisp, muffins and quick breads, oatmeal, or cooked down into sauce.
If you're making a pie, our guide to freezing the whole apple pie covers baked versus unbaked. For leftover sauce, see can you freeze applesauce.
Other foods you can freeze like apples
See the full can-you-freeze-it guide, or try:
- Can you freeze peaches?
- Can you freeze applesauce?
- Can you freeze cantaloupe?
- Printable freezer storage chart
Apple freezing FAQ
Can you freeze apples without peeling them?
Nebraska Extension recommends tray freezing treated slices if you leave the skin on. NCHFP's own method peels the apples, so for the best-documented results, peel.
How do you keep frozen apples from turning brown?
Dip or sprinkle slices with an ascorbic acid solution, add ascorbic acid to the syrup, or steam blanch slices for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes before a sugar pack.
How long can you freeze apples?
NCHFP gives 8 to 12 months at 0°F, but USDA FoodKeeper and Illinois Extension both say 8 months for the best quality. Use the shorter figure.
Want to keep track of what's in your freezer?
Frozen food gets forgotten fast. Add what you have to Well Stockd and it estimates an expiration date for fridge and pantry food from typical shelf life, with the food closest to expiring at the top of your list. Freezer items don't get an estimated date, so write the freeze date on the package. Try it free and add three foods from your kitchen to see what you can cook. Our guide to the best apps for tracking expiration dates compares the options if you want to shop around.
Sources: NCHFP, Freezing Apples, NCHFP, How Long Can I Store Frozen Foods, NCHFP, Headspace to Allow, USDA FoodKeeper, Illinois Extension, Apples, Illinois Extension, Preserving Apples handout, FoodSafety.gov cold storage chart.