How to Keep Apple Slices from Turning Brown (This Tip is SO EASY!)

This trick is so easy if you’re slicing apples for lunch boxes, healthy snacks, or party trays. Here’s how to keep apple slices from turning brown!

How to Keep Apple Slices from Turning Brown – the Easy Way!

If you eat apples, you’ve probably asked yourself (or the internet) the age old question: “how do I keep my apple slices from turning brown?”.

We can all agree there are few things less appetizing to eat than an apple slice that has gotten all brown and mushy. Luckily, we’ve got the EASIEST and most fool-proof tip for how to keep apple slices from turning brown (and it doesn’t involve soda or lemons!).

Packing apple slices for lunch and want more ideas? Check out our Ultimate Lunchbox List here!

Using Salt To Keep Apple Slices from Browning

If you’re slicing up a bunch of apples to keep on hand as healthy snacks, pack in lunch boxes, or put on a tray for a party – this is the easiest way to keep them from browning.

Start by slicing however many apples you need – use an apple slicer like this to make quick work of it.

Then, place your apple slices in a large bowl and fill with cold water. Add 1 teaspoon table salt PER APPLE you sliced. So, if you sliced 5 apples, add 5 teaspoons of salt. Give it a good mix and let sit for 10-15 minutes.

After they’ve soaked, rinse well under cold, running water. Pat dry and store in an air tight container in the fridge. Boom – crispy, not-brown apples for days! There is NO salty taste once the slices are rinsed.

Using Sprite to keep apple slices from browning

Another method that has been popular for ages is to use Sprite or lemon juice to keep apples from browning. This method still works, although we’ve found there is usually a slight after-taste of the soda or lemon so we still prefer the salt water method.

If you’re using Sprite, you’ll soak the apples in about a 50/50 mix of soda and water for 5 minutes and rinse. For lemon juice, fill a bowl with cold water like above, and add about 1 teaspoon lemon juice for every 2 apples. Soak, and rinse well.

Use rubber band to keep apple slices fresh

Here’s a fun way to keep apple slices from browning when packing a whole apple for lunch (this would also be so handy for road trips!). Using your apple slicer, slice down but not all the way. Stop when the skin is still intact at the bottom.

Then, gather the slices back up to the core so you see basically a whole apple with lines on the outside. Place a rubber band around the apple to keep it together. Since the air isn’t touching the apple to start the browning process, it will stay fresh until eaten that day.

P.S. If your kids are like mine, that rubber band is getting shot across the classroom in about .5 seconds so you might use a string instead. 😉

Our Favorite Apple Recipes

We love to use apples when they’re in season – they do create some of the yummiest desserts and dishes! Here are some of our favorites:

• Caramel Apple Nachos
• Crustless Apple Pie
• Apple Spinach Salad
• Slow Cooker Apple Crumble