Can You Freeze Apple Sauce? Top Tips For Doing it Right The First Time
Freezing applesauce is a great way to preserve it for the winter. It also makes for easy cooking during the busy holiday season. But how do you freeze applesauce without ruining it? Here are some important questions and answers that will help guide you through this process so your applesauce freezes successfully.
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Contents
What Is Applesauce?
Apple sauce is a fruit sauce made from apples. It can be sweetened with brown sugar or left unsweetened for use as a condiment on sandwiches, pork chops, and other delicious dishes.
Applesauce tastes like an incredible fruity pie without the crust. It is a popular fruit for baking and making desserts with, and it’s also great to eat as a snack or even on its own!
If you’ve been apple picking, have plenty of mason jars, or simply want to make some baby food or chunky applesauce for the family then why not try making homemade applesauce on the stovetop or sloIs Applesauce A Puree Food?
Yes, applesauce is a pureed food in which the fruit has been cooked with sugar and spices until it becomes soft. Pureed foods are great for bariatric patients, the elderly, people with swallowing problems, and babies.
Unsweetened applesauce is a staple puree food that is great after surgery when someone is recovering from a stomach operation.
Is Applesauce The Same As Apple Puree?
No, applesauce and apple puree are two different things. Perfectly smooth applesauce is generally a fruit sauce made from cooked and mashed apples and spices whereas apple puree is an unsweetened purée of raw grated or chopped apples with no added sugar.
Most people refer to applesauce and apple puree as the same and either can be used for baking, pie fillings, or tasty dishes such as roast pork.
Is Applesauce Good For Bariatric Patients?
Yes, applesauce is a great pureed food for bariatric patients. It’s packed full of vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, B-vitamins (especially niacin), calcium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.
Whether making perfectly smooth sauce or chunkier applesauce, it can be frozen for later use in small portions which are perfect for the bariatric diet. You can freeze the applesauce in different sizes and use ice cube containers if you’re a gastric bypass patient.
Using Applesauce In Baked Goods
Homemade applesauce is great to use in baked goods. You can use it to replace oil or substitute applesauce in the place of butter. This makes a healthier option and is perfect for bariatric patients.
Applesauce works well as an egg replacer because of its binding properties so you could even try replacing the eggs in your recipes! This means you can make cakes, muffins, and other desserts without eggs or butter.
If you love homemade applesauce then it’s a great idea to use it to add natural sweetness to your recipes.
How long does applesauce puree last in the fridge?
Applesauce can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. However, this is only if it has been cooked and allowed to cool before being placed into an airtight jar or container that’s suitable for the fridge.
Don’t forget to label your big batch of applesauce when placed in the fridge. If you want to store it for longer then you will need to use the freezer.
So now you know all about apple sauce let’s take a look at how you can freeze it successfully.
Can You Freeze Applesauce
Yes! To freeze homemade applesauce it must first be cooked to ensure that all harmful bacteria are destroyed by high heat before the jar or container is sealed to prevent contamination.
Make to the desired consistency and pop into the food processor if you need a puree or well-blended sauce.Freezing Applesauce: The Basics
The applesauce should be cooked until the sauce reaches an internal temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit which can be measured with a cooking thermometer.
Once cooked through you can store your frozen applesauce in the freezer. Freezing homemade applesauce is quite easy with the following steps:
How To Freeze Applesauce The Correct Way
There are several ways to freeze homemade applesauce including using ice cube trays, freezer bags, or containers.
To use ice cube trays put a few tablespoons in each compartment and place them on the top shelf in your freezer.
Make Applesauce Cubes
Once frozen you can take out the cubes and store them together in an airtight container for easy access when cooking.
Freezer bags and containers are other great ways to store apple sauce.
Simply portion out the applesauce into whatever size your container or bag will allow, then seal it up and put it in the freezer for up to six months.
Can You Refreeze Applesauce?
If the frozen applesauce has been defrosted then it cannot be refrozen for safety reasons because of bacteria that may have grown since it was first placed in the freezer.
Make Delicious Applesauce
You can also cook down fresh applesauce first which is a method often used by chefs as it allows you to store the apple sauce in a jar without it going watery.
Add sugar and spices to taste, cook down until thickened then pour into your airtight jar or container.
I love these reusable jar-shaped food storage bags…they are perfect for applesauce! And I love the different colors too!
How Long Does It Take For Applesauce To Freeze?
Once your applesauce is in the freezer it will take between six and twelve hours to freeze.
Make sure your airtight container or bag is sealed tightly before placing it into the freezer so that no water gets inside which could cause ice crystals to form.
How Long Can You Store Applesauce In The Freezer?
Applesauce can be stored in the freezer for up to six months. After this time it is no longer safe to eat and should be thrown away as a precautionary measure.
How To Freeze Applesauce – The Benefits
There are so many benefits of freezing homemade applesauce which is why more people should consider doing this at home instead of buying it from the store.
Freezing applesauce is more convenient and less expensive than buying ready-made in a jar and allows you to use it for different recipes like cakes, muffins, or even ice cream!
You can also freeze applesauce puree which is great news if you’re following a low FODMAP diet.
Top Tips For Freezing Apple Sauce
My top 3 tips to ensure you freeze your applesauce well are:
- Cook the applesauce to a high temperature before freezing
- Freeze in ice cube trays, freezer bags, or containers for easy access when cooking.
- Label and date your container or freezer bag with what you’re putting inside so you know exactly what it is and how long it will last.
Why Homemade Applesauce Is Best
Homemade applesauce is a great option when you’re wanting to cut back on processed foods.
A homemade version can contain far less sugar depending on what you are using it for and you have control over how much sweetness there is in each jar.
How To Defrost Applesauce
To thaw applesauce correctly, you need to place it in the fridge and allow it to defrost overnight.
Alternatively, you can place your frozen applesauce into a microwave-safe container and microwave on high for one-minute intervals until thawed.
You should never try to refreeze or reheat applesauce after it has been thawed as this may cause harmful bacteria which could make you ill.
Defrosting applesauce in the microwave is not recommended as it can cause a loss of nutrients and increase levels of sugar. It’s best to allow the mixture to thaw naturally in the freezer bag, whilst sitting in the fridge.
Can You Feed Dogs Apple Sauce?
Yes, according to a study done by the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association dogs can safely eat applesauce.
Applesauce is low in calories and rich in antioxidants which are good for your dog’s health.
It does have quite a high sugar content however so it should be given as an occasional treat or mixed into their food instead of as a source of fiber.
if you’re making applesauce specifically for your pet pooch then you can make it without any extra sugar. Dogs tend to love applesauce.
What Foods Can You Combine With Applesauce?
Applesauce goes great with many different foods such as:
- Desserts like cake, apple pie, and muffins.
- Breakfast dishes such as pancakes or waffles.
- Main meals include chicken, roast pork, and burgers.
Top Tips For Cooking With Apple Sauce In Recipes
Using apple sauce as a replacement for oil or eggs in recipes is one of the most common ways to use it.
You can also use it to top meatloaf, casseroles, and vegetarian dishes if your recipe calls for extra moisture such as gravy.
You may like to add a spoon of cinnamon to your apples instead of sugar when cooking your sauce.
Favorite Recipes That Use Applesauce
Here are some fantastic recipes that use Applesauce as an ingredient.
- Apple Pie Filling
- Apple Muffins
- Crockpot Chicken With Apple Sauce
- Stuffed Pork Chops with Apple Sauce
- Apple Crumble Cake
- Apple Spice Cake With Caramel Topping
Yes! You Can Freeze Apple Sauce!
Applesauce is a staple in our home. It tastes delicious and it’s easy to make from scratch! I grew up eating apple sauce on freshly baked bread, and now I’m a mother, my daughter loves the stuff too…as does our Bichon Casper.
More Ideas
You can keep homemade applesauce in the freezer for quick and easy use. It’s easy to freeze and defrost and super tasty.
Recently my husband was craving some old-fashioned apple pie so he grabbed a container of frozen applesauce out of the freezer for his dessert – yum!
Now your turn – what do you use applesauce for? Do you like to freeze applesauce? Are you a fan of chunky sauce or the perfectly smooth type? Let me know in the comments below!
About Angela Milnes
Angela Milnes is a Qualified Early Years Teacher who has specialised in teaching. She has a wealth of experience teaching young children and adults. Angela has also taught cooking classes and loves to share both family recipes and easy instant pot recipes here on The Instant Pot Table. Follow her on Pinterest!
