Wondering how to keep apples from browning in the lunchbox? Look no further – here are three ways to keep sliced apples fresh!
Apples are a favorite school lunch addition for many children and moms love their year-round availability and budget friendly prices. But, one question I often get when I share the school lunch menus is “How do you keep the apples from browning?”.
In this quick video, I show you the secret to keeping apples fresh:
Fortunately, there are several options for preserving fresh apples, keeping them as crisp and white as the moment you cut them.
These methods will let you cut and store sliced apples for the entire week, saving you time as you pack lunches for your children. Who doesn’t love that idea?
And after you’re done keeping all your apples all crunchy and delicious, be sure to check out my easy method to keep berries fresh!
The main ingredient to preserving apples and keeping them from oxidizing is simple: citric acid. In its very basic, natural form it is found in lemons, limes, oranges, pineapple, and other citrus fruits.
It is also dehydrated and crystalized for a shelf-stable preservative and, in a variety of forms, is perfect for keeping sliced apples ready for lunch or an easy snack!
I use these methods for fruit cups and sliced apples that I send to school in the lunchbox.
How to Keep Apples Fresh
I use this step-by-step method for pre-slicing apples I can store in the fridge all week long, here’s what to do:
- Wash and Slice
Gently rinse your apples under luke warm water and pat dry with a towel. Use a pairing knife to slice the apples into wedges. - Choose your Solution
Combine the sliced apples with your choice of lemon or citrus juice, citric acid, or produce wash. If using a produce wash, follow the package directions. - Refrigerate
Store the sliced and prepped apples in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Three Ways To Keep Apples From Browning
1) Citrus Fruit Juice: lemon juice is our family’s favorite as we love the flavor combo of tart lemon and sweet apple. But, if your children don’t like lemons, pineapple juice is yummy on apples!
Simply squeeze the juice of one lemon (or other citrus, if desired) into a bowl of sliced apples.
Toss lightly to coat and then store the apples in a sealed container within your refrigerator for 4-5 days.
2) Fruit-Fresh: this powdered, natural preservative is made from citric acid and is most often used by home-cooks when canning fruits and vegetables. It can also be used on fresh produce to halt the oxidation process.
If using it on a few sliced apples, simply sprinkle it lightly on the fruit. To preserve up to 2 cups of sliced apples, mix 2 teaspoons of Fruit-Fresh with 2 tablespoons of water, and then toss the sliced fruit with the liquid. Refrigerate in an airtight container.
3) Eat Cleaner: an all-natural, tasteless and odorless produce and food cleaner that was created by a family dedicated to creating a safe product that would remove wax and residue from the items sold at our grocery stores.
Because it has citric acid in it, it also keeps produce and fruit from browning! This is a 2 in 1 product: you can clean your produce from nasty pesticides, waxes and dirt (even organic!) and use it to keep the food fresh. Win-win.
There are a variety of wipes and products in the Eat Cleaner family; follow the package guidelines for spraying and keeping your apples fresh.
The best way to keep apples fresh
I laid out slices of apples treated each way side by side. This way, you can see for yourself which method works best for the amount of time that you need your apples to be fresh. Here are the apples one hour into our test:
And here is what the treated and untreated apples look like after six hours. There’s a visible difference at hour six, and this is around the time your child is probably opening up the lunchbox and pulling out their apples.
In the interest of science (of course), our family tried out the three afore-mentioned methods for keeping apples fresh.
After six hours of sitting on the kitchen tables, the treated apples were all brighter and whiter than the apples that had been left untreated.
I now cut my apples on Sunday night, treat them and then I have easy “grab-n-go” apples for the duration of the week!
Regardless of which method works for your family and budget, you will find each to work perfectly at saving your apples from turning brown!
More healthy lunch ideas with fruit
While the possibilities are truly endless, some of my absolute top healthy lunch ideas using fresh apples, berries, and other fruits are Rainbow Fruit Skewers, Fruit & Yogurt Parfait, and Strawberry Fruit Leather!
Isabel says
Great tip thanks!
Abdul ali says
Very nice video I like it
Brenda Atkins says
Thank you so much for sharing, I’ve been searching the website for information on how to store fruits and vegetables and your site has been the most useful, thanks again!
Kate says
I use Fresh Sliced. It is quick, easy, and doesn’t leave a sour aftertaste. I love it!!! I buy it at https://freshsliced.com/
Marsi Gomez says
Hi, newbie here :) love these helpful tips! Thank you, one question though: if I use limes instead of lemon, would it leave a bad combo-flavor on the apple? Or does the lemon/lime juice leave no flavor at all? Does that make sense? :) let me know please and thank you so much for your time.
MOMables - Laura says
Limes/lemon they both have the vitamin C that slow down browning. Enjoy!
mary says
do you think a can sprite would help with apples from turning brown
MOMables says
I’ve never tried it with Sprite.
Angela says
I just want to say thanks. Now I can send apples along for a great snack.
barbara says
I see this is an old post, but just wanted to say how much your thoughts have helped. I am making fresh fruit cups for a shower and have been trying to figure out the best way to do it w/o sugar (glaze), keeping the fruit fresh (citric acid et al), etc. I was surprised to hear it wouldnt work on bananas – does honey work on its own or do folks add it to citrus to moderate the flavor?
Thanks so much!
MOMables says
the citrus provides citric acid which helps the slowing down process of oxidation.
sal2 says
WOW how can a conversation about apples become so wicked!?! Thanks for the great ideas all! No nasty talk needed!
MOMables says
Thanks!:)
Margo says
If I use the eat cleaner product , do you spray on cut apple insides and then rinse? Or can you spray and send like that? Thanks
MOMables says
I spray and send like that. The product is 100% natural and edible. Check their website for more. If you buy the liquid, you can just soak the apples in a water + concentrate bowl (about 1/2 lid cap + 2 cups water) for about 5 minutes then pack.
Becca Odom says
I don’t know how that works for you! The untreated apple looks wonderful to me… Our apples brown within minutes of slicing! If we left them out for 6 hours, they’d be a slimy, brown mess!
MOMables says
the methods you see in this post are all the ones we tested.
Debra says
I believe some of the comments are questioning the 6 hr untreated apples looking so good. I agree with other comments, the apples I leave untreated turn brown within minutes.
Tamara says
I thought the untreated apple looked grat at 6hrs too. Ours definitely do not look this good. I am going to give the citrus a try as my kids wont eat the apples one they start to turn brown which is much before lunchtime. If I can slice up and store apples for the week I would be A SUPER HAPPY MOMMY!
Off to browse the rest of your posts :D
Andrea says
What about bananas any tricks to keep them from browning in a lunch box?
MOMables says
Keep them inside the peel. That’s it!
Sandy says
Thank you for all the tips…I especially like the orange slices with the apples..I’ll try this one..
Ryo says
When I cut apples they turn brown in less than five minutes… I dont know how yours didn’t!
MOMables says
the post shows you how I do it.
Marisa says
My kids do not like lemon on their apples, so I soak them in orange juice and then dry them with a paper towel before packing. Then I use the leftover (apple enfuzed ;) ) OJ for smoothies.
Julie says
Great idea!!! Thank you!
Alicia says
What kind of apples are those? The untreated ones still look great, even after 6 hours!
MOMables says
those are fujis but it works in any apple.
Kim says
My mother-in-law taught me this one, works better than lemon juice and my kids never complain about brown apples. Sprinkle a dash or 1tsp salt in a medium bowl if cold water, soak foa few minutes, drain and dry, then pack. We always have salt on hand, it works, and the small amount doesn’t leave a salty taste.
Carson says
We usually use apple or orange juice (anything with vitamin c). Alternatively, you can just sprinkle apples with cinnamon and then not worry because then they are SUPPOSED to be brown. My kids like them that way, too.
Natalie Benham says
we take the lemon juice and put it in ice water and cut up all of our apples. This makes the lemon taste less noticeable. I will have to try all of the other options.
Lee says
2 tbsp of honey in a cup of water works nicely too!
John says
Will lemon (or – hopefully – lime) juice keep sliced avocado from turning brown?
These are all great tips! Thank you!!
MOMables says
it sure will!
Glendeen says
When I send apples to school for my daughter I put them in a small container with orange slices and they don’t turn brown :)
MOMables says
Brilliant!
Tamara says
So Smart!
Millie Roberts says
thanks..i will try this…
Darcy says
You can also use regular or diet gingerale or lemon-lime soda : )
Faith's Daddy says
Yup, because nothing says “healthy snack” like taking perfectly good fruit and soaking it in soda.
Tanya says
And aspartame!
GonnaTry7Up says
I don’t recall the title of the article people are replying to having said anything about “How to make a healthy snack”. The title I saw said “How to keep an apple from browning”. What makes you the judge and jury of anything I give my children?
Amy says
Oh be quiet. At least kids will eat the more appealing looking fruit, as it will not be brown.
LMAO in Lockport says
OMGoodness…you cracked me up with these posts…taking this way to serious-all…don’t knock a perfectly legitamate suggestion…to each his own!!! Thanx ALL for great fixes for my slices love the “real people” tried and true methods!!!
MOMables says
Glad you liked the tips!
Jackie says
I have a jar of pectin in my cupboard that I use for blending my own gf flour. Is that the same as powdered citric acid?
Faith's Daddy says
No. Pectin is something else entirely. It’s what makes jam thick.
KeeleyMcGuire says
We typically use apple juice! It works great too and doesn’t affect the taste. :)
A and Js Mom says
You can also use Sprite or Seven Up to keep apples from turning brown.
Faith's Daddy says
Why on earth would you take a healthy snack, and bathe it in corn syrup?
Jen says
Maybe that is all someone has on hand at the moment :) Sometimes, moderation in life is needed.
MOMables says
:) if you are reading our recipes Jen.. you doing a great job looking for healthier options for your family.
#IFEELBADFORFAITH says
I doubt a small amount of citrus soda will be that harmful to your child.
becky says
My daughter wont eat the apples if I soak them in lemon. She says they taste funny. Do any other other options have a less noticeable taste?
MOMables says
becky, the EatCleaner or the pectin option don’t affect the taste.
Faith's Daddy says
Pectin won’t work. You have to use an antioxidant like citric acid or vitamin C.
Julie says
I don’t care for lemon juice either but we use oj and it works well.
Joyful_2010 says
Another tip is to buy smaller apples. You can slice them, put them back together and place a rubber band around each one. This works well for older children and adults that can eat a larger portion.
Sue R. says
I use a small can of pineapple juice in a gallon sized zip bag of apple slices and we are good for the week! The small cans come in a six pack so they last me awhile.
Isra {TheFrugalette} says
I’ve never heard of eat cleaner! Thanks!
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
These are all such great tricks! i usually have lemons laying around that would likely keep my daughter’s apples from looking so brown. And I no longer have an excuse not to make apple slices for my own snacks!
Rachel - A Southern Fairytale says
I have those bowls :-)
LOVE this! we’ve done the fruit juice, will now look into the other options, too!
Laura says
The EatCleaner spray is my secret weapon. I use it for cleaning my produce and keeping it fresh ;)