How to Freeze Apples For Pies

2. Prepare Sugar Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine 3 cups of water and 1 cup of sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.

3. Blanch Apples: Drop the apple slices into the simmering sugar syrup. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring gently. Blanching helps preserve the color and flavor of the apples and inactivate enzymes that cause them to brown.

4. Cool Apples: Drain the apple slices from the sugar syrup and transfer them to a colander. Let them cool completely. This will help prevent the apples from becoming mushy when frozen.

5. Dry the Apple Slices: Pat the apple slices dry with paper towels to remove any excess liquid. Moisture can cause the apples to clump when frozen.

6. Prepare Freezer Bags: Lay out a few freezer-safe storage bags on a clean work surface.

7. Pack Apples: Place a single layer of apple slices in each freezer bag. Pack the slices loosely to allow air circulation.

8. Remove Excess Air: Gently press on the bags to remove excess air. Seal the bags tightly, leaving about 1-inch of headspace at the top to allow for expansion.

9. Label and Freeze: Label the bags with the date and the contents. Place the bags in the freezer and freeze for up to 8-12 months.

Additional Tips:

- Use fresh, firm apples that are free of bruises or spots.

- When cutting the apple slices, try to keep them uniform in thickness to ensure even cooking.

- Adjust the amount of sugar syrup depending on your preference. For sweeter pies, use more sugar; for tart pies, reduce the amount of sugar.

- Use frozen apple slices directly from the freezer in your pies. There's no need to thaw them. Simply add the frozen apple slices to your pie crust with the other ingredients and bake according to the recipe.