Learn how to store apples, both whole and sliced, for ultimate freshness to enjoy at home, pack in lunches, and serve as snacks—with no browning!
How to Store Apples
I am forever looking for easy ways to store produce so I can cut up more than one serving at a time and to keep leftovers fresh to reduce food waste. Apples usually brown so easily after slicing—but a few easy tricks can totally eliminate that issue.
That means we can slice apples for a whole week at the same time and send them to school or preschool without worrying they’ll turn brown. Which means more likelihood that they’ll be eaten!
I will share the method for keeping sliced apples fresh, plus how to generally store apples (which is great if you have a local apple source to buy them from in the fall), and how to freeze apples for future smoothies and baking.
How to Keep Apples Fresh
Apples store best in a cool, dry place. Depending on the storage options you have, that could be the fridge or in a cool area of your home such as a basement.
They will spoil faster if left out at room temperature, so for any storage longer than about a week, it’s best to keep them cool or cold and dry.
How to Store Apple Slices for a Week in the Fridge
This tip has been a total game changer in my house. This is a really easy way to prep sliced apples and store them in containers in the fridge.
You’ll need lukewarm water and salt. Once the salt is dissolved, add sliced apples and let sit for about 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water, pat dry, and store in airtight containers for up to 5 days.
The texture of the fruit stays the same, there’s no salt taste, and they don’t brown. Win!
How to Store Apples in Freezer
To store fresh apples in the freezer for future Apple Smoothies or baking, you can simply slice them in the size of slice (or dice) you plan to use them in. Which is to say, if you want them for a pie, slice them as if you were going to make the pie. If you want them finely diced for an apple muffin, prepare them that way.
Add to a freezer bag in one layer, remove as much air as you can, and seal. Freeze for up to a year.
When ready to use, add them straight into your recipe still frozen.
Recipes for Frozen Apples
Below are some of our favorite ways to use frozen apples in recipes to share with the kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
They store best in the coldest part of the refrigerator, rather than the counter.
You can store apples in the crisper drawer of your fridge or in a box in a cool, dry place. You can further lengthen the storage of apples by wrapping each one in paper.
Yes, apples store best when stored in the fridge. If you plan to eat them within a few days, it is totally fine to store them on the counter.
The best option is to store them in a box in a cool, dry place such as a very dry basement.
How to Store Apples for Winter
Apples store best in a cool, dry area if you don’t have space to store them in your fridge. Some people invest in a second fridge for cold storage for apples if they’ll have a large amount. You can also store in boxes, with each apple wrapped in paper, in a cool, dry area such as a basement.
How to Store Applesauce
Shelf-stable applesauce can be stored on the shelf in a pantry until the expiration date. Home-canned applesauce is typically good for about a year. Fresh applesauce can last in the fridge in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks.
Best Tips for Success
- Store apples in a cool dry place such as the fridge or the basement.
- If storing in a basement or another cool, dry area, you can wrap each apple in paper to extend the freshness.
- Freeze sliced apples for up to a year and use in recipes including smoothies, baked goods, applesauce, and more.
- See below for how to store sliced apples for up to a week in the fridge for lunches or snacks.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please comment and rate below!
How to Store Apples (Keep Sliced Apples Fresh)
Ingredients
To Store Sliced Apples
- 2 apples
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup lukewarm water
To Freeze Apples
- 2 apples
Instructions
To Store Sliced Apples
- Add the water and salt to a bowl and stir until the salt is dissolved. Add the apple slices, stir, and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Drain in a colander and rinse quickly with cold water.
- Pat dry and store in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-5 days.
To Freeze Sliced Apples
- Slice or dice your apples as desired. (Cut them in the shape that will work for the recipe you plan to use them in.)
- Add to a freezer bag in one layer. Remove as much air as possible and seal. Freeze for up to 12 months. Add directly to recipes still frozen.
This worked amazing! They were so easy to serve the next day and the kids ate them up!
Just as sweet and crisp as when I sliced them 🙂
Thank you very much for this Amy!
As per usual you are a life saver!
The apple “browning” is definitely annoying so thank you for this wonderful tip.
Thanks for all these recipes and tips. Keep them coming because I read them all!!!!!