Whether it is homemade or for Shop storage, freezing applesauce is a good choice. If you are confused about how you can freeze applesauce, this way only increases the shelf life of applesauce, but you can eat it for a long time.
It is crucial to know the correct process for freezing applesauce. In this blog post, I will discuss my method of freezing applesauce. With the help of this process, you can use apple sauce for a long time.
Contents
- 1 How to Freeze Applesauce? – Step-By-Step Process
- 2 How to Thaw Freeze Applesauce?
- 3 Does Freezing Affect The Texture Of Applesauce?
- 4 What’s the impact of Freezing on Applesauce? Nutrition
- 5 Can I Store Applesauce Cubes in a Freezer bag?
- 6 Sings of Applesauce Freezer Burn
- 7 Instant Solution For Freezer Burn Applesauce
- 8 Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Which is Better for Freezing?
- 9 Canning vs. Freezing: Which Method is Best for You?
- 10 Related Queries
- 11 Conclusion
How to Freeze Applesauce? – Step-By-Step Process
Completely cool: Before freezing the applesauce, first check that the process is excellent. If you put the garlic applesauce in the freezer, it will burn in the freezer.
Divide Applesauce: After cooling the applesauce, the next step is to divide it. Divide the applesauce into suitable portions as per your requirement. These are some standard methods for storing applesauce.
Freezer Bags: It should be noted that it is necessary to push the air out as much as possible before the seal.
Mason Jars: Wide-mouthed Jars should be used, and there should be about half an inch of space left at the top because they expand when freezing.
Ice Cube Trays: Especially useful for food preparation for a baby/child or when serving small portions. If you freeze the snacks, place them in a clean freezer bag once it is frozen to reduce their storage.
You can easily store applesauce in whatever type of container you like, but keep one thing in mind. Whatever kind of container you store applesauce in, mention the date on the freezing bag.
How to Thaw Freeze Applesauce?
Do not use frozen apple sauce immediately after taking it out of the freezer. Freeze applesauce needs to be kept in the refrigerator overnight to use it.
You can also keep it at room temperature overnight if you want to use it immediately after taking it out of the freezer. You can also thaw it in the microwave. But the microwave temperature needs to be low.
After thawing you will be able to use it, and easily use it for up to 2 weeks and store it in the refrigerator.
Does Freezing Affect The Texture Of Applesauce?
When you freeze applesauce, its texture will change due to the formation of ice crystals. Quick freezing produces smaller crystals that do not harm the texture.
The soft texture is typical, but it’s minor when used. Freezing the flavor of the meal preserves it, and the taste remains unchanged for a long time.
What’s the impact of Freezing on Applesauce? Nutrition
Freezing applesauce can reduce little bit nutrient value of the applesauce. It’s a good preservation technique. Here are the key points:
Freezing preserves most of the vitamins and minerals, although some of the vitamin C can be lost. One thing that can be done to prevent this is to include a portion of vitamin C before freezing.
If applesauce is cooked before it is frozen, some vitamins could be filtered out in the process of cooking. However, freezing is not known to drain out many nutrients.
The method of using fast freezing is preferred to slow freezing because it results in the development of tiny ice crystals. Which in turn helps in the retention of food quality in terms of texture and nutrients.
Overall, freezing is an excellent method to preserve applesauce with a high nutritional value.
Can I Store Applesauce Cubes in a Freezer bag?
Yes, you can make its cubes and store them in a freezer bag. I would recommend that you should follow this process because it has many advantages.
You can store apple sauce in an ice-cube tray. It helps you to store it in single-serve size as well. And then you can use whatever quantity of applesauce you require.
Faster Freezing: small size cubes take a shorter time to freeze, hence keeping the applesauce’s texture and taste.
Space-Saving: After freezing, you can un-mold the applesauce cubes from the trays and then put them into a freezer bag. This means that instead of leaving the trays in, it takes less freezer space and is helpful in saving the same.
Versatility: These frozen cubes are suitable to put in smoothies, oatmeal, and any baking recipes in which you would like to include fruits.
They can also be freeze-thawed and the mixture is again proper as a snack or baby food.
Sings of Applesauce Freezer Burn
If applesauce is frozen correctly then the chances of it burning are meager. But still, if you see this sign, then it means that your applesauce cubes are burning:
- Color changes: If the color of the applesauce is dark or light, then this could be one main reason. The main reason for the color change could be a lack of water. In case of air in your freezer bags, then it could still burn.
- Ice cubes on applesauce surface: If ice cubes are made on the surface of the applesauce then it means that the water is evaporating.
- Change taste: The texture of freezer-burnt applesauce could become hard. You will feel a change in taste as well.
Instant Solution For Freezer Burn Applesauce
- Cut affected areas: Areas that are burnt in the freezer, cut them immediately.
- Blending: If you want to use burnt applesauce, then blend it well first. With this method, applesauce will have a better texture.
- Different uses: You can cook applesauce or use it in other recipes. You can use it in baking, too.
Read also: Can You Freeze Risotto?
Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Which is Better for Freezing?
Homemade Applesauce
- Flavor and Freshness
Store-bought applesauce simply doesn’t taste as good as homemade. For this, you get the liberty to pick your favourite apples, and you can even add some spices to make them taste better.
Creating a delicious product relies heavily on the freshness of the ingredients.
- Control Over Ingredients
Making your applesauce means you can choose what goes into it. You can adjust the sweetness using natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup to suit your requirements.
Homemade applesauce is, therefore, a healthier option than commercially prepared applesauce because you don’t have added sugars and preservatives.
- Freezing Potential
When made correctly, applesauce freezes well for up to six months. But cool it completely first, then starve your fridge by transferring it to air-tight containers. It is important to store it right.
Store-bought Applesauce
- Easiness
The convenience of store-bought applesauce is one of the main advantages. From the container, it’s ready to use; no need to prepare. Brands come in various flavours and styles — some are organic or no-sugar-added.
- Food Preservatives
Applesauce from the store may be convenient, but most brands contain preservatives that can change the texture upon freezing. Still, the overall quality may degrade when compared to homemade applesauce – though it’s still frozen.
- Freezing Considerations
You can also freeze store-bought applesauce, but again check packing for specific storage instructions. It can also typically last in the freezer for about six months, though keep in mind that texture may change.
Canning vs. Freezing: Which Method is Best for You?
Canning
Applesauce canned provides excellent shelf stability and can be stored at room temperature for over a year. This works fine to preserve flavour and nutrients but needs special equipment and careful sterilization, so it’s time-consuming.
Freezing
Freezing is a simple method that requires little or no equipment. You make the applesauce and let it cool, and put it in freezer-safe containers. The texture of frozen applesauce might not be perfect out of the freezer, but it is convenient and can be thawed quickly.
This decision will depend on what you prioritize between convenience & shelf life.
Related Queries
Can I add spices before freezing applesauce?
- Freezing is best done without spices; add them on when you’re going to serve.
How should we freeze applesauce?
- Smaller portions use freezer bags, plastic containers, or an ice cube tray and they need to be airtight.
Can you bake with frozen applesauce?
- Yes, frozen applesauce can be used instead of oil or eggs in many baked goods.
Can I freeze store-bought applesauce?
- Sure, even store-bought applesauce also freezes well and prolongs its shelf life.
How do you choose what kind of apples make the best applesauce?
- Good sweet varieties such as Fuji or Gala; combine granny smith add additional flavour.
What Should I Do to Freeze My Homemade Applesauce?
- When you have your homemade applesauce portioned to the size you generally use, common portions are ½ cup & 1 cup. Place in freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, labelling each as to date and portion size for easy Thaw.
Conclusion
There are many benefits of storing applesauce. This process is as easy as it is beneficial. You can use it for the long term. Also, food can be saved from being wasted. However, it is important to know the correct process for freezing applesauce.
If you store applesauce the wrong way, it might burn in the freezer. This will not only spoil the texture but will also affect the taste.
I hope it will be clear to you from this blog how you can freeze applesauce.