Can You Eat Frozen Apples?

Apples are well-loved by everyone. Although usually abundant during autumn, apples are good for any season and occasion. Freezing is a suitable option if you want to have fresh apples for the months to come. There are endless possibilities of using frozen apples. Freezing apples help reduce preparation time when you want to use apples in recipes. With the purpose of freezing, we have researched expert tips on how to make the most of frozen apples.

Yes, you can eat and use frozen apples! With proper preparation and storage, you can preserve the freshness and taste of apples longer. When properly stored, frozen apples can last up to one year in the freezer. You can store apples in slices or whole. In most cases, raw apples are usually used for freezing. Even so, you can freeze cooked apples that you can use for sauces and fillings. These are some delicious ideas using frozen apples in a variety of recipes:

  • Bread, pies, and other pastries
  • Ice cream
  • Smoothies
  • Applesauce and pie filling

Even though freezing might seem easy, apples are very vulnerable to discolorations and freezer burns. That is why it is important to start with the proper storage and handling of apples for freezing. Read along to know ideas on how to freeze and use frozen apples.

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red frozen fruit sliced apples in a package. Can You Eat Frozen Apples

What can you do with frozen apples?

There is so much that you can do with frozen apples all year round! From simple applesauce to apple butter, you can also use frozen apples in recipes for ice cream, jams, pies, cakes, and other baked dishes. Since apples will have a softer texture after thawing, frozen apples are also good for making smoothies and juices. These are some common uses of frozen apples that you can try.

Applesauce

Applesauce is a must-have in the pantry. You can never go wrong with adding applesauce to your recipes. You could use applesauce in so many desserts, pastries, and even in making condiments. Likewise, you can also enhance the flavor of applesauce by adding spices like cinnamon or some fruit. Applesauce can even be a stand-alone snack your family will always crave. You can also freeze applesauce for future use.

Pies

The most common way of using frozen apples is for pies! Adding apples into pies is a common autumn treat. Instead of regular-sized pies, you can make mini apple pies. Eating smaller portions of this well-loved treat will not make you feel guilty when eating. Learn more on how you can freeze apples for baking pies.

You can also prepare apple pie filling beforehand. Freezing the ready-made apple filling will save you time when making pies. You can follow these steps so that you can stock up apple pie fillings for other desserts.

Apple pie on a plate with fresh red apples from the garden, delicious summer baked fruitcake flat on the rustic wooden table

Freezing Apple Pie Filling

For the apple pie filling, these are the steps you can follow for freezing:

  1. Peel, core, and slice apples. Add sugar and spices. Cook as instructed.
  2. Mix and pour the filling into an aluminum foil-lined pan.
  3. Freeze.
  4. When already frozen, transfer the filling to a freezer bag.
  5. If you are ready to use the filling, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Smoothies

If you are health-conscious, making smoothies is an enjoyable way to use apples. Apple smoothies are perfect to drink at any time of the day. The softer texture of apples after thawing is ideal for making smoothies. You can also add fruits like strawberries, cherries, or pears. You can even include juice, cinnamon, or even oatmeal to enhance your smoothies.

Ice Cream

Another way to use frozen apples is to use them for frozen desserts like ice cream. It would be easier to churn ice cream when the ingredients are also cold. You can cook the apples first and freeze them overnight before making ice cream. Freezing the apples will surely help reduce the churning time.

If you really love apples, you can try other recipe ideas that you will surely love making again and again:

How long can you keep frozen apples?

First and foremost, proper cleaning and storage of apples greatly affect the freezer shelf-life. Frozen apples can last from six to twelve months in the freezer. Freezing will not affect the taste of the apples, but it is better to use it as soon as possible. The apples will gradually lose nutrients after one year. If you want to use apples for seasonal desserts, use your frozen apples within three to six months of freezing.

Furthermore, use apples with bruises immediately to avoid spoilage. Most of the time, it is still okay to use bruised apples. If there are apples that have bruises, do not put them near apples with unblemished skin. Also, discolorations make apples unappetizing to eat.

How To Keep Your Apples From Browning

Apples will easily discolor, especially when already cut. The oxidation of the enzymes causes the browning of apples when exposed to air. Follow any of these tips to prevent browning:

  • Soak apples in the brine solution. You need 2 cups of water mixed with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Rinse the apples before storing them.
  • Toss apple slices in lemon juice. Store immediately within a few hours to avoid re-browning.
  • Soak apple slices in lemon-lime soda for about ten minutes. Drain before storing.

Find out if you can freeze your apples with the skin on.

What is the best way to freeze apples?

Frozen apples. Harvesting products for a long shelf life

The suitable temperature for freezing apples is at 0° Fahrenheit. Freeze apples in air-tight containers to preserve the texture, taste, and color. If you want to keep your apples frozen longer, choose smaller apples instead of big varieties. Freezing apples that are not in season can preserve the taste and flavor for a longer time. There are also varieties of apples that will freeze well. These include the following:

  • Jonagold
  • Golden Delicious
  • Cortland
  • Empire
  • Bramley

Aside from the variety of apples you wish to freeze, how you store the apples is also important. You can try "tray freezing" sliced apples if you won't likely use your apples in the next few weeks.

Tray Freezing

These are the steps in tray freezing:

  1. Cut apples into slices. You can also leave the skin on. The thickness can vary depending on your needs.
  2. Treat the apples with anti-browning procedures.
  3. Place the apples in a single layer on a metal baking pan. Freeze for a few hours.
  4. When frozen, transfer the slices into a freezer bag. Let as much air out before sealing.

For cooked apples, like applesauce and apple filling, you can store these in freezer bags. Before freezing, allow the cooked apples to cool down, especially if using glass containers. You can also freeze apples in freezer bags which won't take much freezer space. Apple fillings or sauces can also last up to a year.

Can you put whole apples in the freezer?

Freezing whole apples is tricky. Most slice their apples instead of freezing the whole. Whole apples after thawing might be difficult to slice and will also change the texture. Nonetheless, you can still freeze whole apples by doing the following steps:

  1. Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. Do not peel the apple.
  2. Place the whole apple on a baking pan. Let it freeze.
  3. If already frozen, you can now transfer it to a freezer bag.

How do you thaw frozen apples?

If using frozen apples for your recipes, let them thaw in the refrigerator for at least eight hours or overnight. With slow thawing, this retains the texture of the apples. Slow thawing also minimizes any excess moisture that makes apples have a mushy texture. The apples may get bruised if you quickly thaw them after freezing. Moreover, if using frozen apples for apple sauce, butter or jelly, place the apples in lukewarm until completely thawed.

Thawing apples In the Refrigerator

The best way to thaw apples is by letting them defrost in the refrigerator. Even though this process needs more time, this helps the apples maintain their shape and texture. For frozen whole apples, this will take more time to thaw than sliced apples. These are the easy steps you can do to thaw apples:

  1. Transfer the frozen apples to the refrigerator.
  2. Let it stay in the refrigerator for at least overnight.

In Closing

After all, frozen apples are delicious to eat. Because of the versatility of apples, there are so many recipes you can make for any occasion. If you love to make recipes using your favorite apples, freezing is a practical way to stock up on seasonal varieties. Remember that properly freezing apple maintains the freshness and taste, even if kept in the freezer for a year. Start freezing apples now, and you will definitely enjoy making delicious treats all year round!

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