How Long Do Apples Last?
Whole apples last 4–6 weeks in the fridge and about 1–3 weeks on the counter. Cut apples keep 3–5 days refrigerated. Sliced apples freeze well for about 8 months for baking and sauce.
Apples — whole
shelf life- Cut: 3–5 days in the fridge
- Cooked: 3–5 days in the fridge
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below · freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Apples are one of the longest-keeping fresh fruits thanks to their dense flesh, waxy skin and natural acidity. They keep breathing after harvest, and at room temperature they soften and turn mealy many times faster than in the cold. They also give off ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening in produce stored next to them.
How to store apples
- Store apples in the crisper drawer in a perforated or loosely open plastic bag; the humidity keeps them from shriveling and the cold keeps them crisp for weeks.
- Keep apples in their own drawer if you can, because the ethylene they release makes leafy greens yellow, carrots bitter and potatoes sprout sooner.
- Check the bag every week or so and pull out any bruised or soft apple, since one rotting apple spreads decay to the ones touching it.
- Dip cut slices in water with a splash of lemon juice, or a light salt-water soak followed by a rinse, to hold off browning for lunch boxes.
- For freezing, peel, core and slice first, then freeze the slices on a tray before bagging so they do not clump.
How to tell if apples have gone bad
- Skin that is wrinkled and flesh that feels soft or spongy when pressed; mealy apples are safe but are best cooked.
- Large brown, sunken or mushy areas, or liquid seeping from the skin.
- Mold around the stem or blossom end, or a dusty, moldy core when you cut it open.
- A fermented, vinegary or musty smell.
- Holes with brown tunnels inside, which point to insect damage.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the look, smell or taste of food. Go by the time limits first, and the signs above second.
Apples shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole | 4–6 weeks | Not recommended | 1–3 weeks |
| Counter apples are at their best for about 1 week, then slowly turn soft and mealy. | |||
| Cut | 3–5 days | 8 months | Not safe |
| Cooked | 3–5 days | 8 months | Not safe |
| Baked apples, stewed apples and pie filling. | |||
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers or it serves no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Do apples last longer in the fridge or on the counter?
In the fridge, by a wide margin. Whole apples hold 4–6 weeks in the crisper drawer but only about 1–3 weeks on the counter, and they lose their crunch far faster at room temperature. Keep a few in the fruit bowl for the week and refrigerate the rest.
Is it OK to eat an apple that is brown inside?
It depends on the cause. Browning on a cut surface is harmless oxidation. A bruise can be cut away. Brown, soft flesh throughout the apple, a moldy core or an off smell means the apple has broken down and should be thrown away.
How do you keep sliced apples from turning brown?
Limit their contact with air and add a little acid. Toss slices in lemon, orange or pineapple juice, or soak them for a few minutes in lightly salted water and rinse. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge and eat them within 3–5 days.
Can you freeze apples?
Yes, for cooking. Peeled, sliced apples keep about 8 months at best quality in the freezer. They thaw too soft to eat fresh, but they work well in pies, crisps, muffins and applesauce. Whole raw apples are not worth freezing because they turn mushy and are hard to core afterward.
Why do apples make other fruit ripen faster?
Apples release ethylene, a natural ripening gas. In a closed bag or crowded drawer it builds up and speeds the ripening, and then the decay, of bananas, avocados, pears and leafy vegetables nearby. You can use that on purpose to ripen a hard avocado, but keep apples separate the rest of the time.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pears Ripe |
3–5 days | Not recommended | 1–2 days |
| Applesauce Opened |
7–10 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Apple Juice Opened |
7–10 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Fruit Pie Cooked |
1 week | 2–4 months | 1–2 days |
| Fruit Salad Homemade |
3–5 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Grapes Whole |
1–2 weeks | 8–12 months | 1 day |
Reviewed 2026-09-20. Times follow published USDA FoodKeeper / FSIS, FDA and CDC storage guidance; where sources differ we use the shorter time. How we compile this data.