How to Keep Apples from Browning with This 5-Minute Hack
Updated: Mar. 14, 2024
Want to learn how to keep apples from turning brown? Follow this tip to keep apple slices looking fresher for way longer.
Snacking on perfectly crisp, fresh apples (or baking them into one of these incredible apple desserts) is one of the greatest pleasures of eating, but if you’re slicing them, you know you’re on the clock to get them served up before those unappetizing brown spots appear. (Cue sad-trombone sound.)
The good news is there’s a crazy-easy way to keep those apples looking white and wonderful for a couple of hours. And the best part? All you need is five minutes, some tap water and something you definitely already have in your pantry: good old table salt! (Here are some genius ways to use salt around the house.)
Dunk Your Apples in These Delish Fruit Dips
Creamy Caramel Fruit DipThis creamy, melt-in-your-mouth dip, served with assorted fruits, makes a refreshing accompaniment to a holiday cheese tray. —Trish Gehlhar, Ypsilanti, North Dakota
Crunchy Peanut Butter Apple DipMy mom got this peanut butter dip recipe from a neighbor years ago. She always made it for us kids in the fall when apples were in season. Now I make it for my children. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
Lemony Fruit DipAs a way to encourage my kids to eat more fruit, I prepare this fluffy dip several times a month. Partygoers also appreciate a more nutritious snack option. —Sonja Whitchurch, St. Thomas, Ontario
Butterscotch Fruit DipIf you like the sweetness of butterscotch chips, you'll enjoy this warm rum-flavored fruit dip. I serve it with apple and pear wedges. It holds up for up to two hours in the slow cooker. —Jeaune Hadl Van Meter, Lexington, Kentucky
How it’s done:
After slicing each apple, place it in a bowl filled with cold, salted water (a good rule of thumb is to use ½ teaspoon salt per cup of water). Let the slices soak for five to 10 minutes, then drain. If you won’t be serving the apples right away, store them in an airtight container or plastic baggie until you’re ready to use. When it’s serving time, give the apples a quick rinse with tap water, which will wash away any slight salty flavor that may remain on the apple slices. Don’t worry—even if you rinse the apples, that short soak in the salt water will still keep them from browning right away.
Editor’s Tip: Whether you picked apples at an orchard or bought them at the store, learn how to store apples to keep them crisp.
Why it works:
Oxidation is the main cause of browning in fruits, and the one-two punch of submerging apple slices in cold water and salt interferes with oxygen reaching the fruit’s surface and turning it brown.
Of course, there are other tried-and-true methods for slowing browning on apples. Here are a few more tricks that can help keep your slices looking fresh for longer:
- Mix ½ teaspoon honey with 1 cup water. Add apple slices and soak for five minutes. Rinse and store until ready to serve.
- Soak apple slices in lemon-lime soda for five minutes. Rinse and serve.
- Add a tablespoon of lemon juice per cup of water and soak apple slices for five minutes. Rinse and serve.
Sure, after an hour or two, you’ll notice some browning beginning, but these quick tricks are the easiest ways to keep apple slices looking crisp, fresh and tasty on fruit platters, in lunch boxes or in fresh salads for way longer than when they’re untreated.
50+ Ways to Love Apples NOW!
Grilled Apple Tossed SaladThe grilled apples in this salad combine so well with the blue cheese, walnuts and balsamic dressing. I like to serve it on pink Depression glass dessert plates from my great-grandmother. —Paul Soska, Toledo, Ohio
Apple Dumpling BakeI received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana
Apple PieI remember coming home sullen one day because we'd lost a softball game. Grandma, in her wisdom, suggested that maybe a slice of hot apple pie would make me feel better. She was right. —Maggie Greene, Granite Falls, Washington
Apple Chicken QuesadillasMy sister came up with an easy recipe that can be served as a main course or an appetizer. People are surprised by the combination of chicken, apples, tomatoes and corn inside the crispy tortillas, but they love it. —Stacia Slagle of Maysville, Missouri
Easy Homemade Chunky ApplesauceHere's a comforting, home-style treat that never loses its appeal. Dish up big bowlfuls and wait for the smiles! —Marilee Cardinal, Burlington, New Jersey
German Apple PancakeIf you're looking for a pretty dish to make when having guests for brunch, try this. Everyone I've served it to has enjoyed it—except for one time, that is, when my husband tried to make it following my recipe, which I'd written down incorrectly! If you don't leave out the flour as I did, it'll turn out terrific! —Judi Van Beek, Lynden, Washington
Pork Medallions with Sauteed ApplesPork and apples are such a good match, and this down-home supper is proof. I really like that the lean cut of meat is tender and juicy, but healthy, too. —Clara Coulson Minney, Washington Court House, Ohio
Apple-Pecan Baked BrieAs family arrives for a get-together, I make sure this fruity and savory Brie is in the oven so the aromas of cinnamon and apples fill the house. —Alicia Gower, Auburn, New York
Apple Pie a la ModeI was planning a dinner party and wanted a dessert that wowed. My caramel apple ice cream pie certainly does the trick. Now it's a family favorite. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Spicy Applesauce CakeThis picnic-perfect cake travels and slices very well. With chocolate chips, walnuts and raisins, it's a real crowd pleaser. —Marian Platt, Sequim, Washington
Apple-Cranberry StuffingI leave out the giblets my mom used in her stuffing and bump up the fruit and wild rice instead. The result is this delicious apple cranberry stuffing. —Miranda Allison, Simpsonville, South Carolina
Rice Pilaf with Apples & RaisinsI love making bulgar pilaf with apricots. So glad I tried it with dried apples and golden raisins! —Elizabeth Dumont, Madison, Mississippi
Chunky Apple CakeAfter taste testing lots of apple cakes, I've found this apple cake recipe the best. Full of old-world comfort, the yummy brown sugar sauce really makes the cake special. For a festive occasion, top with a dollop of whipped cream. —Debi Benson, Bakersfield, California
Broccoli and Apple SaladEven my picky daughter loves this one! My yogurt dressing on crunchy veggie salad makes a cool and creamy side dish. —Lynn Cluff, Littlefield, Arizona
Apple Crisp PizzaWhile visiting the bakery at a Wisconsin apple orchard, I tried this tempting treat. At home, I put together this recipe. As it bakes, the enticing aroma fills my kitchen, and friends and family linger waiting for a sample. —Nancy Preussner, Delhi, Iowa
Apple Squash SoupI add a little ginger and sage to this creamy butternut squash apple soup. My family loves it when autumn rolls around. —Crystal Ralph-Haughn, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Apple Salsa with Cinnamon ChipsBoth my husband and I were raised on farms, and we prefer home cooking to eating out. That works out fine since I love trying new recipes! I've served this apple salsa as an appetizer and a snack. Plus, it's sweet enough to be a dessert. It's easy to transport besides. —Carolyn Brinkmeyer, Golden, Colorado
Quick Crunchy Apple SaladPair crunchy toppings with smooth vanilla in this apple salad with yogurt recipe. You'll love this creative combination! —Kathy Armstrong, Post Falls, Idaho
Curried Chicken TurnoversWhenever I have leftover chicken, these turnovers are on the menu. The tasty secret is in the curry. —Laverne Kohut, Manning, Alberta
Raisin-Studded Apple StuffingThis is the only stuffing my family will permit on our holiday table. With Italian sausage and a blend of so many great flavors, it's almost a meal in itself. No wonder it won first prize in a local recipe contest! —Teri Lindquist, Gurnee, Illinois
Originally Published: September 24, 2018
