Can You Freeze Homemade Applesauce? Here's How You Can Do This the Right Way

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One thing you can bet on is that kids will love applesauce. What’s not to love, right? It’s sweet, it’s easy to eat even for the youngest of kids, and it’s also somewhat healthy as you convince yourself that your kid actually ate some type of fruit that day. What happens when you have too much of it, however? Can you freeze applesauce?

If you buy your applesauce, it’s likely that it has an extended shelf life thanks to all the extra ingredients, so it may not need to be put in the freezer at all. However, if you make your own it doesn’t last that long as you won’t want to have your hard work go to waste.

Can You Freeze Applesauce?

Whether or not you can freeze applesauce and what happens when you do is also something one of our readers wanted to find out. One of the messages we received was exactly on this topic. Here it is:

I love taking my kids to the local apple orchard in the fall to go apple picking. We bring home bags full of apples, and then spend the weekend baking, making pies, tarts, and muffins. I also always cook up a huge batch of apple sauce, to preserve for the winter. I usually can my applesauce, and keep it in the pantry in glass jars. This year my schedule is busier than usual, and I really don’t want to have to go through the fuss of canning all that applesauce. I have a huge chest freezer, and would prefer to just freeze the applesauce instead, but I don’t want it to taste bad when I thaw it out. Can you freeze applesauce?

Yes, you can certainly freeze applesauce! In fact, applesauce freezes incredibly well, and lasts longer than many frozen sauces since it doesn’t contain any milk ingredients. Freezing applesauce is quick and easy, and will ensure you have great tasting sauce all winter long.

Any freezer-safe container will work for freezing the sauce. However, if you are planning on freezing a large quantity but only eat small amounts at a time, freezing the sauce in smaller serving sizes might be a better idea than freezing it in large batches. Small freezer bags would work well here.

How to Freeze Homemade Applesauce?

To freeze your applesauce you simply have to go through a few steps.

Start by making your sauce according to your recipe.
Allow the sauce to cool completely, and then give it a good stir for consistency.
Measure your servings according to how much you would use at one time. For example, for a family of four, 1 cup might be a good serving. Using a measuring cup can make the process easier.
Place the freezer bags in a bowl and fold the bag over the edge for easier handling.
Scoop the applesauce into the bags, then unfold the edges and squeeze out the excess air.
Seal the bag, then label and date it.

How to Keep Homemade Applesauce Longer?

If you want to make sure that your applesauce is good for a longer time, you may want to look into a vacuum sealer. These appliances can safely take out all the air in the bags and great a perfect seal on them so your applesauce lasts for longer.

Our favorite is the FoodSaver V4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine as it works with both freezer bags and various other containers, extending the shelf life of your applesauce considerably. Of course, we also have other suggestions for great vacuum sealers, if you want to check them out.

How Long Is Applesauce Good For?

Frozen applesauce will keep for up to a year. Lay the bags flat in the freezer stacked on top of each other to save space.

Otherwise, fresh applesauce can keep up to about a week in the fridge. Canning or freezing it makes the most sense if you make a lot of it and want to keep it for longer.

Store-bought applesauce will keep for as long as it is written on the label, if you respect the instructions.

How to Thaw Frozen Applesauce?

To thaw frozen applesauce, you need to respect a few things.

First, remove the bag from the freezer and place it in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
The water may separate a little bit from the apple, but giving the applesauce a good stir will reincorporate the liquid and return the applesauce to its original texture.

Can You Refreeze Applesauce?

No, it is not advisable to refreeze applesauce once it has thawed out. Once you’ve thawed the applesauce, keep it in the fridge and consume it within a week.

Applesauce Recipe

Making applesauce is super easy and you’ll get a delicious dessert to share with your family anytime you want.

Ingredients

4 apples
cup of water
sugar
cinnamon

Steps

Peel your apples, take out the core, and chop them in smaller pieces.
Place a saucepan on the stove.
Put the apples, about a half cup of water, and a few tablespoons of sugar in the saucepan. Depending on how sweet the apples are, you may want to adjust the quantity here.
Sprinkle some cinnamon over them.
Cover the saucepan and allow them to cook for about 20 minutes on medium heat. Stir occasionally. You may need to add in a bit of water if too much has evaporated.
Once the apples have gone soft, take the saucepan off the stove.
Use a hand blender to mash the apples together and create a sauce. Add more cinnamon if desired.

Can You Freeze Homemade Applesauce? Here’s How You Can Do This the Right Way