I have always liked apples in just about ANY form. Apple juice, applesauce, apple PIE! :-) But, in the past, I haven’t been much of a fan of fresh, whole apples because I have a “thing” about biting into them. I just don’t like to do it. I know, I know — I’m weird. I have a lot of food texture issues. For example, I’m the only person I know that doesn’t like watermelon. But, once again, it’s not because of the TASTE, it’s a texture thing.
Bottom line, with my food texture issues, I don’t do a lot of munching on whole apples, but I DO enjoy apple slices — a lot! They are awesome for sticking in lunches for school or work and are a great snack when the afternoon munchies hit. When they first started prepackaging apple slices and selling them at places like McDonald’s and grocery stores, I was all over it! That was until 2012 when there was a massive recall of prepackaged apple slices because of a listeria contamination. Yikes! I couldn’t look another one of those packages in the face. (I know — I have a long memory when it comes to food!)
I was forced to take matters in my own hands and started making my own sliced apple “packages.” Unfortunately, as we all know, apples will quickly turn brown (or oxidize) after slicing. This is the result of a chemical reaction that occurs when the enzymes in the apple come into contact with oxygen. However, I figured if McDonald’s could overcome this, I could too! I did some research and found a few different options, but the one that has works the best for me is this one:
How to Keep Apple Slices from Turning Brown
Slice whole apples into wedges and put in a medium-sized bowl.
Pour in enough lemon-lime soda to barely cover the apple slices. Carbonated drinks like lemon-lime soda and ginger ale contain citric acid which is an effective anti-oxidant.
Allow the apple slices to soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
Take the apple slices out of the soda and package in snack-sized plastic zipper storage bags. (You can rinse the apple slices, if you like. I don’t.)
Store these “goodie bags” in the fridge for easy-to-grab snacks or as a healthy part of a brown bag lunch you pack for yourself or your kids.
You will be amazed at how well this method works! My apples stay crisp and colorful (excluding the color “brown”) for days!
These little homemade prepackaged apples are my “secret weapon” for getting more fruits and fiber into my diet.
This is also a great way to keep your apple pieces for Snickers Salad fresh, ditto for the slices for Apple Nachos. I also like to treat my apple slices this way to put out for eating with my favorite Greek Yogurt Apple Dip! I’m sure you’ll love how this technique keeps apple slices looking fresh and appetizing!
What’s your favorite way to eat apple slices?
Adding a lot to bit of lemon juice to the slices is an age old tradition. If you taste the juice, you’ve used too much. My Gramma taught me this about 55 yrs sgo!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.For any cut fruit, if I’m eating it or getting it ready for canning, I use vitamin c powder, purchased at Trader Joe’s. A little goes a long way!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Anybody know where I can find the recipe for the dip as mentioned in the article. . . I’ve gone and looked in her search engine and it isn’t listed.
“Check back on Monday when I’ll share my recipe for this DELICIOUS peanut butter dip that is the so PERFECT with these fresh apple slices!”
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee…did you post the peanut butter dip recipe yet? I can’t find it on your blog. THANKS!! Love your blog!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, this is a great idea. I just want to alert everyone that, you need to clean the apples, with soap and running water so that they are really clean. Lysteria monocytogenes is a bug commonly found on cold produce that isn’t going to be cooked. Also e-coli, and others. And in case you get cross contamination on the apples at the store (very common) you need to really clean any food that will be eaten raw. Even if you plan to peel them, you still must wash them well because as you peel or slice, your knife/peeler will draw bacteria through the fruit. The citric acid in whatever form will help, to kill bad buggies. But, if the apples will be at room temp for a while (sitting in a lunch bag), you want to start out cleaner than ever.
Good old soap and water, running and lots of it, will do the job. There are also online recipes for homemade produce washes. But soap and water will fix most of the problems. Don’t panic; prepare.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am gonna do the same. I”ll let you know if it works
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t like watermelon either! Something about the sweet, watery, mushy taste I can’t get past. I do however enjoy watermelon Jolly Ranchers. I prefer sliced apples over whole. I dont like biting into the core, but will chow into a caramel apple sprinkled with peanuts without hesitation!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I recently read an article discouraging the act of soaking fruit in water (as a way to clean off chemical residue) because it causes nutrients to leach out. Do you know if the same is true with soaking in soda?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t Lori…I’m sorry :(
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When using the salt water method, do you then rinse the apples off? :) These ideas are all wonderful! Thanks Jillee, and readers for sharing!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have used the salted water method for years and it works great! Also use this method when making apple salad and for banana slices. No salty taste and fruit stays pretty! Thanks Jille for all your great tips. I use them and sharee with others too.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Since I never have soda in the house, I use a crushed up vitamin c tablet dissolved in water – works the same!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m the same way! No to watermelon and biting into apples! Great tip! I love your blog!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Dry jello can be sprinkled on sliced apples. My grandma used to peel and slice apples into salt water then take them out, put them in a freezer bag and freeze for pies. I really like the Sprite idea. Great post.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Don’t forget jello isn’t vegan. ..
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Didn’t know the soda or even salt water would work–good to know if in a pinch. I usually use lemon or apple juice. Sliced apples are my go to for BYO appetizer parties. I usually slice on demand (with the apple slicer shown in the picture posted); but have been known to pre-slice & soak ahead. I also bring a caramel or yogurt dip. I pick a variety of apples–they always disappear. Another advantage to slicing on demand is that the leftover whole apples don’t end up in the garbage like other leftover appetizers. Sometimes I add them to the dessert table instead of the appetizer table–just depends on which table needs it most.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for another great post!
So useful!
x
Please log in or create a free account to comment.http://thewearwithal.typepad.com/
even if soda is the best way – I don’t buy soda – so it’s not an option for me.
this website had a few methods (including soda)
http://www.wikihow.com/Keep-a-Cut-Apple-from-Turning-Brown
the salted water and rubber band methods seemed most reasonable.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use the salted water method when making applesauce. For apple slices I love using TRUE LEMON crystallized lemon. Just a little sprinkle on a slice. This really enhances the flavor and keeps the apple slice looking great. Website TrueCitrus.com These small packages are also great to carry in your purse to add to water at restaurants or work. Find this in the juice isle at the supermarket.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My favorite low calorie apple dip is:
Please log in or create a free account to comment.1 pkg fat free cream cheese, 1/2 to 1 t. maple flavoring, sweetener to taste. ( I use splenda), 1 T. Milk. Whip together till creamy. Slice apples and dip away.
Now this is something I can try! Thanks for sharing :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The best lemons to use are MEYER LEMONS, as they are sweeter tasting almost like eating an orange………They are more expensive, but oh-so worth it………Love apples and this idea to prevent browning is awesome, but the idea for using salt water sounds very promising too………….Don’t forget that an apple a day, keeps the doctor away………………
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use pineapple juice, mixed with some filtered water.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just use apple juice… works like a charm and keeps the apple flavor in.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My father-in-law always used apple juice, every Wednesday afternoon for Bible Clubs.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use 2 solutions for packing apples in my daughter’s lunch –
1 – a very little bit of salt sprinkled right on – But will taste salty, obviously! Not a favourite choice!
2 – honey – I pour a little blob – I know, so technical! – into my hand and add a bit of water and just rub the mixture over the cut parts of the apple…its probably 1/2 tablespoon of honey and water per apple.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jennifer–the salt sounds very inviting to me, especially if packing a caramel dip along.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Excellent. I’ll try this AND drink the rest of the soda. I enjoy apple slices too…..biting off the apple just gets wedged between my teeth. Since I’m the only one eating the apples, I can do up some for convenience.
I figure I’m not breathing filtered air and handled carts at Walmart this morning….a little soda won’t kill me. I’ve probably ingested fair worse accidentally. It simply washes the outside, if it soaked in the apples would be mushy.
I don’t like watermelon period. The texture is weird. The taste is, well, like stagnant water. I just don’t see the point. If its in a fruit salad and Auntie will be hurt if I don’t finish my fruit cup, I’ll eat it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love the sprite method! I also have whole apple eating issues. I like watermelon, but pears are the worst. I cannot stand their texture.
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