How to store apples so they stay fresh for weeks
Quick answer
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Room temperature
Keeps for 3 weeks
Keep whole apples in the pantry and use them within 3 weeks of buying them.
Watch out Choose apples that aren't bruised or damaged, and throw away any that look rotten.
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Fridge
Keeps for 4-6 weeks
Keep whole apples in a clean fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below and use them within 4 to 6 weeks of buying them.
Whole apples last 4 to 6 weeks in the fridge and 3 weeks in the pantry, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Its 8-month freezer time applies to cooked apples, and it gives no freezer time for raw ones. Homemade applesauce keeps 3 weeks in the fridge and 8 to 12 months in the freezer.
Buying apples this week?
On a Listonic list, every item gets the amount you need and a note on when to use it by.
- Quantity and unit on every item
- A note like “fridge, use within a week”
- One list shared with everyone at home
USDA FoodKeeper gives whole apples 3 weeks in the pantry and 4 to 6 weeks in the fridge. Both times count from the day you buy them.
This guide covers where to keep apples, what FoodKeeper says about freezing them, and how long applesauce, apple juice, and cider last. It also covers washing apples and handling bruised ones.
How to store apples
Keep whole apples in the pantry for 3 weeks or in the fridge for 4 to 6 weeks. The FDA advises choosing produce that isn’t bruised or damaged.
Should apples be refrigerated?
You don’t have to refrigerate whole apples, but the fridge gives you more time. FoodKeeper lists 3 weeks in the pantry and 4 to 6 weeks in the fridge, both counted from the day you buy them.
How long do apples last in the fridge?
Whole apples last 4 to 6 weeks in the fridge, counted from the day you buy them. The FDA says to keep perishable fresh produce in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below.
How long do apples last in the pantry?
Whole apples last 3 weeks in the pantry, counted from the day you buy them. If you won’t finish them in that time, put them in the fridge, where they keep 4 to 6 weeks.
Can you freeze apples?
FoodKeeper gives cooked apples 8 months in the freezer, but it gives no freezer time for raw whole or sliced apples.
Homemade applesauce is a cooked option, and it keeps 8 to 12 months in the freezer.
How long do apples and apple products last?
Whole apples last 3 weeks in the pantry and 4 to 6 weeks in the fridge, and apple products have their own times. This table shows the FoodKeeper times for each.
| Food | Pantry | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole apples | 3 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks | 8 months, cooked apples only |
| Homemade applesauce | Not listed | 3 weeks | 8 to 12 months |
| Store-bought applesauce, unopened | 12 to 18 months | Not listed | Not listed |
| Store-bought applesauce, opened | Not recommended | 7 to 10 days | Not listed |
| Fresh squeezed apple juice | Not listed | 6 days | 12 months |
| Fresh apple cider | 2 to 3 days | 2 to 3 weeks | Indefinitely |
How long does applesauce last?
Homemade applesauce keeps 3 weeks in the fridge and 8 to 12 months in the freezer. Unopened store-bought applesauce keeps 12 to 18 months in the pantry, counted from the day you buy it. After you open it, FoodKeeper doesn’t recommend pantry storage, and it keeps 7 to 10 days in the fridge.
How long do apple juice and cider last?
Fresh squeezed apple juice keeps 6 days in the fridge and 12 months in the freezer. Fresh apple cider keeps 2 to 3 days in the pantry, 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge, and indefinitely in the freezer.
How to handle apples safely
Wash apples under plain running water before you eat or cut them, even if you won’t eat the skin. Rinsing keeps dirt and bacteria on the surface from carrying onto the fruit when you peel or cut it. Gently rub the apple under the water, then dry it with a clean cloth or paper towel to reduce bacteria further.
You don’t need soap or a produce wash, because produce is porous and can absorb them. Washing reduces bacteria but does not eliminate them.
Cut away bruised or damaged areas before you prepare or eat an apple, and throw away any that look rotten. If you buy pre-cut apple slices, choose a package that’s refrigerated or surrounded by ice, and refrigerate it at home.
Frequently asked questions
Do apples last longer in the fridge?
Yes. FoodKeeper gives whole apples 4 to 6 weeks in the fridge and 3 weeks in the pantry, both counted from the day you buy them.
Can you freeze applesauce?
Yes. FoodKeeper gives homemade applesauce 8 to 12 months in the freezer.
How long does opened applesauce last?
Opened store-bought applesauce keeps 7 to 10 days in the fridge. FoodKeeper doesn't recommend keeping it in the pantry after you open it.
Can you eat a bruised apple?
Cut away the bruised area before you eat the apple. Throw away any apple that looks rotten.
Should you wash apples before you peel them?
Yes. Rinse them under plain running water first, so dirt and bacteria on the surface don't carry onto the fruit when you peel or cut. You don't need soap or a produce wash.
