Sponsored By SDSU Extension

This article was originally printed in the September/October 2025 issue of ‘hood Magazine. To see this article in print, and to read the rest of the issue, check out our digital issue.

Fall is here! Many families are heading out to enjoy their local orchard to pick some apples. Preserving apples is a wonderful way for families to spend time together, create memories, and stock their pantry with delicious snacks. Here are some fun, family-friendly ways to preserve apples! 

Selecting Your Apples 

When selecting apples, choose firm and crisp varieties. You can mix up the flavor by choosing sweet apples, tart apples, or a combination of both. Avoid apples that show signs of spoilage. 

Preparing Your Apples 

Always begin by washing your apples under cool, running water. Apples can discolor and darken when cut and exposed to air. Pre-treatments help prevent darkening. Ascorbic acid is an effective pre-treatment. It can be found in powdered or tablet form in grocery stores. Mix 1 teaspoon (or six tablets) in 2 cups of water and soak fruit for 3 to 5 minutes. Another popular way to pre-treat is to soak apple slices in a fruit juice high in vitamin C such as orange, pineapple, or lemon juice. Cover your apple slices in juice and soak for 3 to 5 minutes. The fruit juice may add its own color and flavor to the apple slices. 

Applesauce 

Applesauce is a simple recipe that is always a hit with kids! It can be made in a slow cooker, pressure cooker, or on the stove top. Add cinnamon for a fun twist! Store your applesauce in the refrigerator and eat within 7-10 days. You can freeze or can your applesauce to help it last longer. If you are canning your applesauce, choose a research-tested recipe to ensure proper processing and a safe food product. 

Kid-Friendly Tip: Let kids help wash apples. They can even mash the cooked apples with a potato masher! 

POP-OUT: New to canning? Check our website for guides, videos, and resources to learn how to can your applesauce with confidence! (QR code to preservation page) 

Fruit Leathers 

Homemade fruit leathers have little to no added sugar – making them a healthier option than store-bought fruit leathers. They are chewy, dried fruit rolls that make a tasty, kid-friendly snack. Simply use applesauce to make your fruit leather or any combination of pureed fruit! Pour your pureed fruit onto a flat tray for drying in your oven or a dehydrator. Two cups of pureed fruit will make one large (13”x15”) fruit leather. When fully dried, peel the fruit leather off the flat tray, slice, and roll. 

Kid-Friendly Tip: Let your children choose different fruit combinations. 

Apple Chips 

Apples are a great fruit to dry into “chips”! To get started, wash your apples. Peel (optional), core, and slice your apples. Cut into ¼ – ½ inch thick slices or rings. For extra flavor, sprinkle cinnamon on top of the slices. Dry at 135°F until pliable (6-12 hours). 

Kid-Friendly Tip: Kids can arrange apple slices on the trays and sprinkle cinnamon on top. 

Freezing Apple Slices 

Freezing is one of the easiest ways to preserve apple slices. To freeze plain apple slices, wash, peel, and core your apples. Slice them to your desired thickness. Freeze the slices on a tray. Once frozen, transfer them to a container or freezer bag. 

Kid-Friendly Tip: Children can lay apple slices on tray before freezing. Count the apple slices for some math time fun!