The most popular fruit around the world is apples. This fruit is very versatile and can be eaten fresh, cooked, or baked. If you enjoy making a delicious apple pie or apple crumble, you’ll probably use cooked apples. For that reason, you may wonder if you can freeze cooked apples or not.
So, can you freeze cooked apples? Yes, you can freeze cooked apples, and they freeze extremely well. With proper storage, cooked apples can last for up to 5 months in the freezer.
Do Cooked Apples Freeze Well?
Yes, cooked apples freeze very well. One of the things that most people are concerned with is the fruit will go bad over time. While it’s true for fruits, you don’t need to worry about cooked apples.
When the apples are cooked, they will become soft. Since the texture is softer, it will preserve well in the freezer.
If you’re still concerned about the apples going brown while frozen, you can add a small amount of lemon to it. Doing so will preserve their color longer.
How To Freeze Cooked Apples
When it comes to freezing cooked apples, extra precautions are needed. The fruit will usually be cooked in the oven or heated first before it’s frozen.
As such, you should be careful as you are dealing with heat. Also, you may want to add the spices or any other fruits into the mixture before preparing them for the freezer.
Below are the steps with instructions to freeze cooked apples:
Step 1: Allow Cooked Apples to Cool
After baking the apples, allow them to cool down first. Let it sit on the countertop for about an hour until it’s cooled to room temperature.
Do not try to freeze the cooked apples while it’s still hot or warm. Doing so will cause condensation to form in the container, which will destroy the fruit. Also, the heat from the warm apples will cause other food around it to prematurely thaw and freeze again.
Step 2: Portion Them
It’s recommended to portion the cooked apples into several small containers. This way, you’ll only need to remove what you need without having any leftovers. Once it’s thawed, you cannot refreeze it again.
On the other hand, if you plan to use the cooked apples all at once for a pie or crumble, you can freeze them in one large container.
Step 3: Store In Airtight Containers
After the cooked apples are separated into appropriate portion sizes, place them into an airtight container. Leave a small space at the top of the container.
For an added protection from the freezing temperature, you can cover a layer of cling film on the container. Then secure the lid to the container tightly.
Besides airtight containers, you have the option to use a freezer bag. This will work fine if you don’t have any available airtight container. After placing the cooked apples into the bag, press on it to remove any excess air, and seal it tightly.
Step 4: Label and Freeze
Write the date of freezing on the container or freezer bag. Then place it into the freezer for storage.
How Long Can You Freeze Cooked Apples?
Cooked apples can be frozen for about 5 months. It can last for much longer and still safe to eat.
However, after 5 months, the cooked apples will start to deteriorate in quality. It will start to lose some of its flavors and the texture will become even softer.
To ensure the fruit is of the best quality, make sure to use the apples within 5 months. The earlier you use cooked apples, the better it will taste.
How Do You Defrost Cooked Apples?
There are a couple of ways to defrost cooked apples. However, the best way to thaw them while the taste and texture are retained is to place them into the fridge. Remove the cooked apples from the freezer and place them onto a plate. Then place it into the fridge overnight or for at least 6 hours.
Once it’s thawed completely, you will be ready to use them to bake.
If you’re short on time, you can take the bag of cooked apples out of the freezer and place them into a bowl of water. Make sure the water is either warm or cold. This will thaw the fruit without affecting its quality.
If you’re planning to use the microwave, I recommend that you do not do so. Placing frozen cooked apples in the microwave will thaw them out too quickly. This will cause the fruit to dry out and lose its flavor.
Can You Refreeze Cooked Apples?
You can refreeze cooked apples, but only under one condition. The fruit should not be thawed completely. Once it’s thawed, freezing them again will cause the texture and flavor to be altered.
Therefore, once it’s thawed, it’s best to not refreeze them.
How To Tell When Cooked Apples Goes Bad
Cooked apples will go bad whether it’s stored in the freezer or in the fridge. When it does go bad, the fruit will show some signs of spoilage.
If it’s stored in the freezer past 3 months, more than likely, it will get freezer burn. The apples will become dry and turn brown. While it’s still safe to eat, the fruit will not taste very good.
Cooked apples that are stored in the fridge will have mold growing on them when it goes bad. Also, it will start to become mushy. Cooked apples that show these signs should be thrown away to avoid food poisoning.
Other Questions about Cooked Apples
Can you freeze stewed apples?
Stewed apples are similar to cooked apples, except that it’s allowed to break down further until it becomes a little more liquid.
The good news is that you can freeze stewed apples. The process of freezing it is similar to those of cooked apples. Stew the apples, let them cool, portion them in freezer bags, remove excess air from the bags and seal it tightly. Then place it into the freezer for storage.