If you live in the northern hemisphere, apples are one of the easiest fruits to grow and harvest.
With good adaptability to different soil conditions and terrains, an impressive nutritional profile, the ability to be kept for long periods, and highly versatile as an ingredient, the humble apple is a self-sufficiency staple.
Let’s look at eleven ways to store apples long-term – from months to decades.
Keep Apples for Months (or Even Years!) with These Long Term Storage Ideas
1. Root Cellar Storage
Root cellars are a traditional and very effective way to store apples long term, taking advantage of a cool, dark, humid environment to slow down the aging process.
Here’s how to preserve apples this way.
Step 1: Choose the Right Apples
The first thing you will need to do is choose firm, unblemished apples that are free of bruises. Late-season varieties like Fuji, Rome, or Granny Smith are ideal as they have a longer storage life.
Step 2: Prepare Your Root Cellar
Root cellar temperature should be between 30°F to 40°F (around -1°C to 4°C) with high humidity (around 90%). Try to use crates, wood boxes, or baskets to help aid airflow.
Step 3: Layer the Apples
Apples should be stored in single layers, ideally separated by newspaper or straw. Avoid stacking them too high to prevent ones lower down in the pile from bruising.
You can also wrap your apples in paper to prevent them from touching each other, which helps stop the spread of rot if one apple spoils.
Use plain, uncoated paper like newspaper or kraft paper and avoid glossy or colored paper that may contain inks or dyes harmful to food.
Step 4: Monitor Your Apples Regularly
You should make a point of checking in on your apples every few weeks, getting rid of any that show signs of rot or softening to prevent it from spreading.
How Long Will Apples Last In A Root Cellar?
In ideal conditions, apples in a root cellar should last you up to 6 months.
2. Storing Apples In A Cool Basement
If you don’t have access to a root cellar, a cool basement can be a great alternative for storing apples long term.
Here’s how to ensure your apples keep well in a basement.
1. Cool Down the Basement First
As mentioned above, the storage temperature should be between 30°F to 40°F (around -1°C to 4°C) with high humidity (around 90%) for optimal freshness. Make sure there is proper ventilation to prevent mold growth.
2. Store in Breathable Containers
Put your apples in cardboard boxes or crates lined with newspaper and avoid plastic containers, as they trap moisture and speed up rot.
3. Maintain Humidity
You can increase the humidity by placing a shallow pan of water in the storage area, which prevents the apples from drying out.
4. Inspect regularly
As with root cellar storage, check in on your apples every couple of weeks to make sure you are catching spoilage early and minimizing the spread of rot.
How Long do Apples Last in the Basement?
Stored properly, apples will keep for around five months in a cool basement. Apples stored at 60F will degrade six times faster than apples stored at 32F.
3. Refrigeration
Refrigerating apples is one of the simplest and most accessible methods for storing apples long term (provided you have a refrigerator, of course), particularly for smaller quantities of apples.
Here’s how to optimally store apples in a refrigerator:
- Choose the right apple varieties. Late-harvest apples are better as they last longer in storage.
- Prepare for refrigeration. Store apples in the crisper drawer of your fridge, where the humidity is higher. Keep them in perforated plastic bags to allow airflow while reducing moisture loss.
- Keep them separate. Apples emit ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening in other fruits and vegetables, so store them separately if possible. If, on the other hand, you want to speed up the ripening process of fruit (e.g., summer peaches) so you can eat it quicker, keep it in a paper bag with a piece of ethylene-emitting fruit.
How Long Will Apples Last in the Fridge?
Depending on the variety, apples stored in the refrigerator should last between 4 to 6 weeks.
4. Freezing Apples
Freezing apples is another great method for preserving their flavor and texture for later use in pies, sauces or smoothies.
My family used to go apple picking every fall and freeze many lbs for use throughout the year.
Let’s look at how to properly freeze apples.
Step 1: Prep the Apples
Wash, peel (optional), and core the apples first. You can then slice them into wedges or dice them, depending on how you plan to use them later.
Step 2: Prevent Browning
Soak your apple slices in lemon juice and water (1 tablespoon of lemon juice per cup of water) for a few minutes to prevent browning (i.e., oxidation). If you don’t have lemons, any citrus fruit will do.
Step 3. Freeze on a Tray
Lay the apple slices on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze for 2-3 hours.
Step 4. Transfer to Bags
Once frozen, you can now transfer the apple slices to freezer-safe bags, remove as much air as possible, and label them with a date.
How Long Will Frozen Apples Last?
If you follow the steps outlined above, frozen apples should last up to 12 months in the freezer.
5. Dehydrating Apples
Dehydrating apples gets rid of moisture and allows them to be stored for a long time, making them a great snack.
Here’s how you dehydrate apples:
1. Slice Apples Evenly
- Wash, core and slice the apples into uniform pieces.
- The thinner the slices, the faster they will dehydrate.
2. Optional Pre-treatment
- Soak the slices in the same lemon juice and water solution we mentioned above (1 tablespoon of lemon juice per cup of water) to avoid browning.
3. Dry the Apples
- You can use a dehydrator at around 135°F (57°C) or place them in an oven at the lowest setting for 6-8 hours. Apples should be leathery and flexible when done.
If you don’t have electricity, you can also sun-dry apples.
Here’s a great video from a YouTube creator I really like, showing you how he does it (both dehydrator and sun-dried methods):
4. Store in Airtight Containers
- Once you’ve dried your apples, store them in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags.
How Long Will Dehydrated Apples Last?
Dehydrated apples can last you 6-12 months when stored in a cool, dark place.
6. Apple Sauce
Another practical way to extend the shelf life of apples is turning them into delicious apple sauce.
Apple sauce is really easy to make, here’s how:
- Cook the apples. Wash, peel, and core your apples. Then, cut them into chunks and cook in a pot with a little water until soft.
- Blend and season. Mash or blend the apples into a sauce. You can add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg if you like.
- Store in jars. Pour the apple sauce into sterilized canning jars, leaving ½ inch of headspace. Process in a water bath for 15-20 minutes to seal.
Check out our full recipe for canning apple sauce here.
How Long Does Apple Sauce Last?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says home canned goods should be eaten within one year. There are reports on forums from people claiming it lasts a lot longer.
7. Dehydrating Apple Sauce
Did you know that you can go one step further with your apple sauce and preserve it even more by dehydrating it?
You’re essentially making fruit leather – anyone who grew up in North America no doubt ate their fair share of fruit leather as a kid.
Here’s another great video from that same YouTube creator mentioned above showing you how he dehydrates apple sauce:
These are the steps.
Step 1. Make Your Apple Sauce.
Refer to the steps we just outlined above in the apple sauce method.
Step 2. Spread Your Apples Sauce.
Line a tray (or multiple trays) with parchment paper or a non-stick mat to prevent sticking. Spread the apple Sauce evenly over the tray or mat in a thin layer (about ⅛ to ¼ inch thick) so that they dehydrate faster.
Step 3. Dehydrate
Set your dehydrator to 135°F (57°C) or your oven to its lowest temperature setting. Allow the apple sauce to dry over the course of 8-12 hours, depending on the thickness of the layer and humidity.
It will be ready when the apple sauce is no longer stick to the touch and has a leathery texture.
4. Cut and Store
Once the apple sauce is fully dehydrated, carefully peel it off the trays and cut it into strips or squares for easy snacking.
You can roll it into fruit leather or store the pieces flat. Place the dehydrated apple sauce in airtight containers, vacuum-sealed bags, or jars with oxygen absorbers to keep out the moisture and extend its shelf life.
How Long Will Dehydrated Apple Sauce Last?
Dehydrated apple sauce, can last up to a year in the freezer, several months in the refrigerator, and a couple of months at room temperature. If vacuum-sealed or stored in an oxygen-free environment, it can last even longer.
8. Freeze-Drying
Freeze-drying is one of the most effective ways to store apples long-term, and it allows them to last up to 25 years when done correctly.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1. Prep the Apples
- Wash and peel the apples.
- Remove the cores
- Slice them into even pieces.
Step 2. Stop Oxidation
- Soak your apple slices in lemon juice and water (1 tablespoon of lemon juice per cup of water) for a few minutes to prevent browning (i.e., oxidation).
- When ready to tray up, drain the liquid.
Step 3. Place in a freeze-dryer
- Arrange the apple slices on the trays of your freeze-dryer.
- Follow the freeze dryer’s instructions for timing and temperature.
Step 4. Store in Mylar Bags
- Once freeze-dried, store the apples in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers.
How Long Do Freeze-Dried Apples Last?
As we mentioned earlier, freeze-dried apples can last up to 25 years when stored in a cool, dark place.
9. Canning
Canning is another great way to preserve apples so that you can enjoy your harvest year-round. Here’s how to can apples.
Start by peeling, coring and slicing the apples. Following that, prepare a syrup using water, sugar or fruit juice.
Then, pack the apple slices into sterilized jars, leaving some space at the top. Finally, fill the jars with the hot syrup, then process them in a boiling water bath for 20 to 30 minutes.
How Long Will Canned Apples Last?
Canned apples can last up to one year when stored in a cool, dark place.
10. Apple Jelly
Apple jelly is a great way to preserve the flavor of apples for long-term storage.
It’s a delicious spread that can be enjoyed for months when properly sealed and stored, which is great for homesteaders or anyone with a bountiful apple harvest.
Here’s how to make apple jelly.
Step 1. Gather Ingredients and Prepare Apples
To make apple jelly, you’ll need apples, sugar, water and pectin (a natural thickening agent found in fruits).
Start by washing and cutting your apples, leaving the skins and cores intact. The pectin in the skin helps the jelly set.
Step 2. Cook the Apples
Place your apples in a large pot with enough water to just cover them. Simmer the mixture until the apples are soft and have released their juice (about 45 minutes).
Then, strain the mixture through a jelly bag or cheesecloth to separate the juice from the apple solids.
Step 3. Add Sugar and Pectin
Measure the apple juice and add it back to the pot. For every cup of juice, add about ¾ cup of sugar. If you’re using powdered pectin, follow the package instructions to determine the correct amount.
Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
Step 4. Test for Doneness
Continue boiling the apple juice and sugar mixture until it reaches the gel point (around 220°F/104°C). To test if your jelly is ready, place a spoonful on a cold plate. If it wrinkles when pushed, your jelly is done.
Step 5. Store Your Apples Jelly
Pour the hot jelly into sterilized jars, leaving a little headspace. Seal them with lids and process them in a boiling water bath for 5-10 minutes to ensure a proper seal.
Essentially, what you’re doing when boiling the jars is:
- Heating up the contents slightly and pushing out any remaining air and
- Molding the sealing compound in the jars (rubber) to the rim and c) creating a vacuum when the heated contents cool and shrink, pulling the lid tight.
How Long Does Apple Jelly Last?
Properly made, apple jelly can last up to two years when kept in a cool, dark and dry place.
11. Apple Butter
Apple butter is a delicious and long-lasting way to preserve apples.
It’s a concentrated form of applesauce that’s cooked slowly until the sugars caramelize, resulting in a thick, spreadable condiment with a rich flavor.
Step 1: Prepare Applesauce
- Make applesauce using the recipe provided earlier in this article.
Step 2: Cook Down the Applesauce
- Transfer the applesauce to a slow cooker or a heavy-bottomed pot.
- Add spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to taste.
- Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reduces and turns a deep brown color.
Step 3: Test for Doneness
- The apple butter is ready when a small amount placed on a chilled plate holds its shape without liquid seeping around the edges.
Step 4: Store the Apple Butter
- While hot, ladle the apple butter into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace.
- Wipe the rims clean and seal with sterilized lids.
- Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
- Remove and let them cool undisturbed. Check seals before storing.
How Long Will Apple Butter Last?
When properly canned and stored in a cool, dark place, apple butter can last up to 1 year. Once opened, refrigerate and use within 1 month for the best quality.
