Can you freeze applesauce? Yes, cool it first
Can you freeze applesauce? Yes. How to cool, pack and label it, how much headspace to leave, how long it keeps and how to use thawed applesauce.
Yes, you can freeze applesauce. Cool it completely, pack it in rigid containers with headspace, seal and freeze. It keeps about 8 to 12 months at 0°F for best quality. Thaw it in the refrigerator. It freezes well plain, chunky, smooth or lightly spiced, and sugar is optional.
Can you freeze applesauce?
Yes. Illinois Extension says homemade applesauce can be frozen safely and packed without sugar if you want. Penn State Extension calls freezing sauce a great way to begin if you're new to home preserving, and says it can be plain, seasoned, smooth, chunky or mixed with other fruit.
That works for store-bought applesauce too, once you've opened a jar and you won't finish it. Pour what's left into a freezer-safe container rather than freezing the glass jar.
How can you freeze applesauce?
- Make the sauce, or open the jar. To improve the color of homemade sauce, add ascorbic acid, lemon juice or a commercial color-keeping mix.
- Cool it fast. Illinois Extension says to set the pot in a sink of cold water or ice water, stirring and changing the water as needed, and to cool the sauce completely before it goes in the freezer.
- Fill rigid containers, leaving headspace (see below). Wipe the rim so the lid seals tightly.
- Seal, label with the date and freeze.
| Container | Headspace |
|---|---|
| Pint, wide-top | 1/2 inch |
| Quart, wide-top | 1 inch |
| Pint, narrow-top | 3/4 inch |
| Quart, narrow-top | 1 1/2 inches |
Those figures match NCHFP's headspace chart for crushed or pureed fruit. Applesauce expands as it freezes, so a full container can crack or push its lid off. Freezing a few small portions in muffin tins or in freezer bags laid flat is handy too: pop out a single-serving puck whenever you want one.
How long does applesauce keep in the freezer, and how do you thaw it?
| 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 also lists 8 to 12 months for homemade applesauce |
| Safe to eat after that? | Yes. Frozen food at 0°F stays safe indefinitely; the limit is quality |
| Thawing | In the refrigerator (Penn State) |
| Serving it half-thawed | Sauce served before it's completely thawed tastes similar to a slushy (Penn State) |
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 applesauce, and what is it good for?
Almost nothing, which is why it's one of the easiest things to freeze. The sauce may look a little watery after thawing. Stir it and it comes back together.
Use thawed applesauce on oatmeal and pancakes, as a side for pork, or stirred into yogurt. It also works in baking: it can stand in for oil or eggs in muffins and quick breads. See how much applesauce replaces one egg before you try it.
If you froze whole apples instead of sauce, see can you freeze apples. Our apples storage page covers how long fresh ones last first.
Other foods you can freeze like applesauce
The can-you-freeze-it guide has the basics. More fruit options:
- Can you freeze apple pie?
- Can you freeze peaches?
- Can you freeze orange juice?
- Printable freezer storage chart
Applesauce freezing FAQ
Can you freeze applesauce in a glass jar?
Only in a jar made for freezing, with proper headspace. Colorado State says narrow-mouth jars need extra headspace to avoid breaking at the shoulder (see the table above), so a rigid plastic container or a wide-mouth freezer jar is the easier choice.
Do you have to add sugar before freezing applesauce?
No. Illinois Extension says applesauce can be packed without sugar. Add it for taste if you like.
How long can you freeze applesauce?
NCHFP gives 8 to 12 months at 0°F and says the shorter end gives the best quality. It stays safe after that, but the flavor fades.
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: Illinois Extension, Apples, Penn State Extension, applesauce freezing tips, NCHFP, Headspace to Allow, NCHFP, How Long Can I Store Frozen Foods, FoodSafety.gov cold storage chart, USDA FoodKeeper.