ShelfLife
How long do apples last?
Apples keep about 3 weeks at room temperature from the day you buy them, and 4 to 6 weeks in the fridge. Cooked apples, like applesauce or pie filling, freeze for about 8 months.
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| ApplesFreezer time is for cooked apples (sauce, pie filling). | 4–6 weeksfrom purchase | 8 months | 3 weeksfrom purchase |
Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to tell if apples have gone bad
- Mold, or a soft brown rotten patch spreading from a bruise or the stem.
- Mushy, wrinkled or very soft flesh, or juice leaking from the skin.
- A fermented or vinegary smell.
- Wrinkled skin and soft but not rotten flesh mean an apple is past its best for eating fresh: use it in cooking.
How to store apples
- The fridge keeps apples crisp for twice as long as the fruit bowl. Keep them in the crisper drawer, ideally in a bag with a few holes.
- Apples release ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening: keep them away from other fruit and vegetables, especially leafy greens.
- One rotten apple does spoil the bunch: check them regularly and remove any bruised or soft ones.
- Keep cut apples in the fridge in a sealed container, with a squeeze of lemon juice to slow browning.
Can you freeze apples?
Raw apples turn soft and mushy when thawed, so the USDA's freezer time is for cooked apples: applesauce, stewed apples or pie filling keep about 8 months. You can also freeze raw slices tossed in lemon juice for baking and smoothies, where the texture matters less.
Questions
Should apples be kept in the fridge?
Yes, if you want them to last. They keep about 3 weeks at room temperature and 4 to 6 weeks in the fridge.
Is a brown apple safe to eat?
Browning on a cut surface is oxidation, not spoilage. Brown patches under the skin are usually bruises, which you can cut away. A soft, brown, rotten area with mold or a bad smell means the apple should go.
How long do cut apples last?
A few days in a sealed container in the fridge; they soften and lose crunch quickly. A little lemon juice or salted water keeps them from browning.
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Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.