Can You Freeze Applesauce?

Can You Freeze Applesauce? Easy, Quick, and Healthy

Can you freeze applesauce? Yes, and it’s easy to freeze, which is great news for busy parents with little ones to feed. We’ll guide you thru it.

Freeze-ability Index
Freezability Index of Five

How Long in Freezer
2 to 3 months

Best Stored In…
Airtight container or Mason Jar or freezer bag

How to Thaw
Refrigerator

What to Expect
No change
Added spices taste stronger

Can I Re-Freeze?
Yes, but not for baby food

can Applesauce be frozen?

Can applesauce be frozen? The answer is yes, you can freeze applesauce and you won’t even notice that it was frozen. This is an excellent choice for batch cooking and freezing, especially if you have a baby to feed.

Can you freeze applesauce in glass jars?

You can safely freeze applesauce in glass jars (aka Mason jars). Here are step-by-step instructions on how to freeze food in Mason Jars. This guide will help you avoid broken glass in your freezer and a ruined batch of applesauce.

How To Freeze Applesauce (Homemade or Store-Bought) In A Container or Mason Jar

Use smaller containers or jars for faster freezing and thawing.
If you're using a Mason Jar, here's a short guide on using Mason Jars for freezing.
Print Guide Pin Guide
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Equipment

  • A spoon
  • Clean airtight, freezable containers* OR a glass jar/Mason jar
  • A wide-mouth funnel (if you’re freezing applesauce in a glass/Mason jar)
  • Freezer labels
  • A permanent marker
  • Space in your freezer

Instructions
 

  • Let the applesauce come to room temperature. If you put hot applesauce straight into the freezer, the container can break because of a quick change in temperature.
  • Fill the container with applesauce. Important: leave 1.5 inches of space at the top of the container or Mason Jar to let the frozen applesauce expand.
  • Seal the container. If you're using a Mason Jar, don't screw the jar completely shut.
  • Write today’s date on a freezer label and stick it to the container or Mason Jar.
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Can You Freeze Applesauce In Freezer Bags?

You can freeze applesauce in freezer bags. Freezer bags are my go-to over other choices because they’re stackable. Plus, they take up less space in the freezer.

Plastic freezer bag

How To Freeze Applesauce In A Freezer Bag

You can stack resealable freezer bags of frozen applesauce in the freezer. This helps you save space in the freezer. It's also faster to defrost freezer bags of applesauce compared to applesauce frozen in a container or Mason Jar. Tip: Use small bags for faster freezing and thawing.
Print Guide Pin Guide
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Equipment

  • A spoon
  • Medium-sized, resealable freezer bags
  • Freezer labels
  • A permanent marker
  • Space in the back of your freezer

Instructions
 

  • Let the applesauce come to room temperature.
  • Fill the freezer bags with applesauce.
  • Gently squeeze the air out of the bag before sealing it.
  • Write today's date on a freezer label and stick it to the bag.
  • Store the bag(s) in the freezer.
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Freezing Applesauce for baby Food

The freezer can quickly become a new parent’s best friend. Here’s a clever way for freezing applesauce for baby food using an ice cube tray:

Ice cubes

Freezing Applesauce For Baby Food – A How-To Guide

Here's a clever way for freezing applesauce for baby food using an ice cube tray to freeze smaller portions.
Print Guide Pin Guide
Prep Time 5 minutes
Freezing Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes

Equipment

  • A spoon
  • An ice cube tray
  • A large, resealable freezer bag
  • Freezer labels
  • A permanent marker
  • Space at the back of your freezer

Instructions
 

  • Spoon the applesauce into the ice cube tray(s).
  • Put the ice cube trays in the freezer. Set a timer to go off in 6 hours (or leave the tray in the freezer overnight.)
  • Take the trays out of the freezer and pop out the applesauce. If the cubes are stuck, fill your sink with a little hot water, place the ice cube tray in the hot water for a few seconds, remove it, and pop the cubes out.
  • Put the cubes into a resealable freezer bag.
  • Write today's date on a freezer label and stick it to the bag. Put the bag in the freezer.

Notes

Important: We strongly recommend defrosting applesauce for baby food in the refrigerator. Letting the applesauce come to room temperature on the counter increases the risk of bacterial contamination. Bacteria can multiply fast at room temperature.
Also, if you defrost the applesauce in the microwave, it may heat up unevenly and scald your baby’s mouth.
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Can you freeze applesauce? If you're freezing applesauce for baby food, the easiest, safest way to defrost it is in the fridge.
If you’re freezing applesauce for baby food, the easiest, safest way to defrost it is in the fridge.

How Long Can I Freeze Applesauce?

Applesauce can stay in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to Thaw Frozen Applesauce

There are several ways to defrost applesauce with a few factors to keep in mind:

If you’re defrosting applesauce in a glass jar (Mason Jar), let it thaw in the refrigerator. A major change in temperature may cause the jar to shatter.

If you froze the applesauce for baby food, the best way to defrost it is in the refrigerator.

Here’s a chart to keep things simple:

Applesauce is frozen in…RefrigeratorMicrowaveCold WaterCookingOn the Counter
Airtight, freezer-friendly containerYesYesYesYesNo
Freezer BagYesYesYesYesNo
Ice Cubes (Baby Food)YesNoYesYesNo
Glass jar (Mason Jar)YesNoNoNoNo

Do not do thisHow NOT to Defrost Applesauce

Don’t allow applesauce to thaw on the counter. You’ll risk bacterial contamination and bacteria can multiply fast at room temperature.

Don’t let applesauce come to temperature if you’re defrosting it for a baby. Defrost applesauce for baby food in the refrigerator. Letting the applesauce come to room temperature on the counter increases the risk of bacterial contamination. Bacteria can multiply fast at room temperature.

Fridge

How to Defrost Applesauce in the Refrigerator

Defrosting applesauce in the fridge is the best option if you used Mason Jars to freeze the applesauce, or if you are defrosting applesauce for your baby.
Print Guide Pin Guide
Defrost Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours

Equipment

  • A plate OR a towel
  • A bowl (for defrosting frozen applesauce cubes only)
  • Plastic wrap (for defrosting frozen applesauce cubes only)

Instructions
 

  • Put the container(s), freezer bag(s), or Mason jar(s) of frozen applesauce onto a plate or towel. Place it into the refrigerator.
  • If you made applesauce ice cubes, pop a few into a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and put it in the fridge.
  • Leave the applesauce to thaw in the fridge overnight.
  • Empty the thawed applesauce from the container, freezer bag, or Mason jar into a bowl.
  • Stir well and serve directly or reheat further as needed.
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Equipment Shopping List

I put together a quick list for you—it’s the kind of stuff I tend to run out of (freezer bags, labels) and a few things I thought you might enjoy checking out, like wide mouth funnels.

The prices and number glowing of reviews of these items are why I’ve used them or added them to my cart. Pop them into your next Amazon order!

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Microwave

How To Defrost Applesauce In The Microwave

Important: Don't use this method if you froze the applesauce in a glass jar. Running warm/hot water over a frozen glass jar will crack the glass.
Print Guide Pin Guide
Prep Time 2 minutes
Defrost Time 10 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes

Equipment

  • A microwave-safe bowl
  • Waxed paper OR a microwave-safe cover
  • A spoon

Instructions
 

  • Run the container(s) or freezer bag(s) under warm/hot water to loosen the applesauce. Do not do this if you froze the applesauce in a Mason Jar or other glass jar—you risk cracking the jar!
  • Empty the container(s) or freezer bag(s) into a microwave-safe bowl.
  • Place the bowl in the microwave and cover it with waxed paper or a microwavable cover.
  • Microwave the applesauce at 30% power for 5 minutes.
  • Take the applesauce out of the microwave and stir.
  • Microwave the applesauce again at 100% power for 1 minute, take it out and stir again. Repeat Step 6 as often as you need until the applesauce is fully thawed.
  • Stir well and serve directly or reheat further as needed.
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Defrosting in cold water

How To Thaw Applesauce In Cold Water

Important: Don't use this method if you froze the applesauce in a glass jar. If the water isn't cold enough, you risk shocking the glass, and it'll shatter.
Print Guide Pin Guide
Prep Time 5 minutes
Defrost Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes

Equipment

  • A resealable plastic bag (for applesauce ice cubes only)
  • A large bowl OR a clean sink
  • Cold water
  • A smaller bowl

Instructions
 

  • Take as many bags/containers of applesauce as you need from the freezer, or pop a few applesauce ice cubes into a resealable, plastic bag.
  • Fill your sink or a bowl with cold water (not warm). Put the bag(s) or container in the water.
  • Set a timer for 1 hour. Check on the applesauce. Replace the water with fresh, cold water and re-set the timer for 1 hour. Repeat this step as often as needed.
  • Empty the thawed applesauce from the container or freezer bag into a smaller bowl.
  • Stir well and serve directly or reheat further as needed.
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Blanching MethodHow To Thaw Applesauce – Cook It

Important: Don’t use this method if you froze the applesauce in a glass jar. Running warm/hot water over a frozen glass jar will crack the glass.

  1. Run the container(s) or freezer bag(s) under warm/hot water to loosen the applesauce.
  2. Empty the applesauce into a pot and let the heat from the stove defrost it.
  3. Stir well and serve at whatever temperature you like.

What to Expect After Defrosting Applesauce

If you defrost the applesauce slowly in the refrigerator, you’ll never know it was frozen. The texture and taste will not change.

If you added spices to your applesauce, like cinnamon or nutmeg, those flavors will become stronger after freezing.

Eat your applesauce or use it in a recipe within 3 days of defrosting it.

Can you freeze applesauce? Yes, and added spices will taste stronger after they're frozen.
Spices intensify in the freezer. If you added cinnamon to your batch of frozen applesauce, it may taste stronger after you thaw it.

Can You Re-Freeze Applesauce After Thawing?

Don’t re-freeze applesauce if it’s baby food. If you plan on re-freezing it applesauce, it should always be kept cold in the fridge and refrozen within the same day of defrosting it the first time.

Ok, But What About…

Do you know a better way to freeze applesauce? Or are you looking for info on something else? Leave a comment below or email us—we’d love to hear from you!

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