If you're lucky enough to own an orchard tree bearing lots of homegrown apples, or maybe you bought a bag that is starting to turn brown - fear not! We know how difficult it can be to use them all up so we've asked our expert for advice on how to freeze them so you'll never waste them again.
How to freeze apples
British apples are in abundance come September. Whether you’ve scored a glut from the supermarket or had a windfall at home, if you’re looking for ways to preserve them, we’ve got a handy guide to freezing apples…
Can you freeze fresh raw apple?
Yes, you can freeze fresh raw apple, however because of the high water content, you’ll find that the apple will be soft when defrosted (the water inside the fruit expands when it freezes into ice and the crystals breaks the delicate cell structure). Therefore, it’s best to use frozen apple for cooking or smoothies.
You can freeze fresh apples whole and unpeeled (if you’re short of time and rich in freezer space), in chunks (great for smoothies/juicing/crumbles) or slices (perfect for adding to the top of cakes or pastry tarts).
Prepare the apple however you prefer. If you’ve cut them, toss them in a little lemon juice to stop them browning, then arrange the whole fruit/chunks/slices slightly spaced apart in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray that fits in your freezer, and freeze for 1-2hr until solid. Bag the frozen apple up, expel as much air as possible and then freeze for up to two months.
Do I need to blanch apples before freezing?
Blanching apples before freezing them is another way to stop them going brown upon defrosting. It works best for apple slices. Bring a pan of water to the boil, then add a handful of apple slices at a time, cook for 30sec, then lift the apples out of the water and put into a bowl of iced water to stop them cooking. Drain and follow the freezing technique above.
How do you freeze apples without getting them mushy?
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to freeze fresh raw apple without it losing its crunch. Thankfully, unlike berries or other soft fruits, you don’t need to worry about apples going off soon after you’ve bought them. As long as they aren’t bruised or damaged, apples can last up to 8 weeks (sometimes longer if they’re purchased from a UK grower and in season), providing they are stored in a cool, dark place or in the salad drawer in a fridge.
What is the best way to freeze apples?
The best way to ensure that your defrosted apple will be the same quality as what you froze is to cook it first. Eating apples (varieties such as Braeburns, Cox and Pink Lady) keep their shape when cooked, so you can cook them in chunks or slices, but cooking apples (like Bramleys) become a purée. Cooking lessens the water content, and has the bonus of intensifying their flavour. To do this put the chunks or slices in a pan with a few drops of water, cover and cook over a medium heat until soft/pureed, uncovering the pan once the apples begin to soften.
You can also roast the prepared apple in the oven until soft. Depending on how large the chunks are, cooking in a roasting tin at 200°C (180°C fan) mark 6 for 25-30min should do the trick. Tip puree into a sealable container or open freeze the chunks on a parchment-lined tray and then bag up once frozen solid.c
Can I eat defrosted apples as they are as a snack?
Once defrosted, frozen fresh apples and apple slices will be softer – from a food safety perspective, they’re perfectly safe to eat - but they will be a little mushy, a bit like you’ve cooked it.
If you’re not a fan of soft apple, and prefer crunch, if sliced thinly enough, you can enjoy frozen apple slices as a snack straight from the freezer.
How can I use defrosted fresh apples?
Defrosted fresh apple works well as a breakfast time topper for yogurt (especially sprinkled with cinnamon) or can speed up making pies or crumble as you don’t have to spend the extra time cooking the fruit to get it to soften. You can also use it in smoothies or for juicing.
Cooked frozen apple also works in crumbles, cobblers, apple pies, cakes, tarts or any recipes you’d have cooked the apple.
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