
Ah, nothing beats a good old apple—it’s the go-to snack and a perfect pie filler, the very fruit that sparked all this fuss. But here’s the real puzzle: how do you keep apples from turning brown? We’re not always in a rush to slice and eat them before they change color. So, stick around as I share a foolproof trick to keep your apples looking fresh without relying on citrus shortcuts that often fall short.
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❤️ Why You'll Love This Tip on How Do You Keep Apples from Turning Brown!
It looks like you’re all set with snack prep, ready to avoid time-wasting and make smart choices during the week. But then, you peel an apple, exposing its inside to the air, and bam – it starts to brown. This happens because of enzymes. When these enzymes in the apple react with oxygen, you get that brown coloring. It’s a bit of a reminder that nothing stays perfect forever – not even that smooth slice of Honey Crisp. But don’t worry, we’ve got some clever tricks to stop those apples from turning brown after peeling! for 15 seconds
You've set aside time to plan your meals and snacks for the week, getting ready to make smart choices and save time. Then you peel an apple, let its inside meet the air, and suddenly it starts turning brown. That change happens because a natural substance in the apple reacts with oxygen, creating that unwanted color. It's just nature's way of showing that nothing stays perfect forever—not even a beautifully sliced apple.
Don't worry, though—we've got a few tips to help keep your apple slices looking fresh after you peel them!
🍲 Ingredients

Photo by Bakers Plus
Apples - An "apple sweetness chart" is a handy tool for anyone who loves apples but wants to choose the perfect variety based on their preferred level of sweetness. This chart ranks different apple varieties from tart to sweet, helping you find the best apple for snacking, baking, or cooking. Whether you're craving a crisp, tangy Granny Smith or a sweet, juicy Fuji, the apple sweetness chart makes it easy to pick the right one every time.
Salt - Ever notice that when you swap table salt for kosher salt, the recipe can taste different? That’s because a tablespoon of table salt is much denser than a tablespoon of kosher salt, which is lighter and coarser. In other words, if you use them interchangeably without adjusting the amount, you might end up with a dish that's either too salty or not salty enough. It's a handy tip to keep in mind when following recipes! One tablespoon of table salt is roughly equivalent to one tablespoon plus three-fourths teaspoon of coarse kosher salt
👩🍳 How do you keep apples from turning brown?
Trust me when I tell you I’ve tested citric acid, lemon water, lemon juice, plain water, and even honey water. But the clear way to keep apples from getting brown was….
Salt Water!
You heard me, the way to keep apples from getting brown is a basic kitchen ingredient salt and water! We had the solution all along. Salt water is the secret ingredient in how you stop sliced apples from turning brown!
The best way to prevent sliced apples form browning is to soak then in a saltwater solution (¾ teaspoon of kosher salt per cup of water) for 10 minutes, then drain and store until ready to use. The mild salt flavor can be rinsed off with tap water before serving. The best part is that even after rinsing, the browning is still just as effectively reduced.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- One tablespoon of table salt is roughly equivalent to one tablespoon
🗒 Substitutions
- Substitute ½ teaspoon of table salt for the ¾ teaspoon of kosher salt per cup of water.
- This works with any type fo apples.
🗒 Bonus Tip: Apple Snack Ideas



Photo by Bakers Plus
- Peanut Butter: Slather those slices with peanut butter for a protein-packed snack that will make your taste buds dance.
- Cheese and Apple: Pair your apple slices with a sharp cheddar or brie for a sophisticated yet effortless snack.
- Yogurt: Dip your slices in yogurt and add a sprinkle of granola for a wholesome treat that feels like a guilty pleasure.
- Caramel: Drizzle some caramel on your apple slices – because life is too short to skip dessert.
- Almond Butter + Orange Marmalade
- Ricotta + Lemon Zest + Chopped Pistachios
- Balsamic Vinegar + Brown Sugar + Ground Pepper
- Arugula + Bacon
👝 How to Store Leftovers
Store drained apples in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
🤔 Common Questions
Apples soaked in salt water can last in the refrigerator for up to a week when stored in an airtight container.

How do you Keep Apples from Turning Brown
Ingredients
- Sliced Apples
- Kosher Salt see note
- Water
Instructions
- Mix about ¾ teaspoon of Kosher salt into each cup of water. (I make 2 cups for 2 apples)
- Immerse your apple slices in this salty water for 10-15 minutes.
- Drain
- The salt flavor is very mild on the apple's surface—in testing, tasters didn't even notice it. The good news is that a quick rinse under cold running water washes away any traces of salt, but I don't bother with the rinse.
- Store in an air-tight container, and they will last days in the refrigerator!
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