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apple storage

How to Store Apples to Keep Them Crisp and Sweet for Longer

Refrigerate whole apples in the crisper for longer keeping. Learn how to manage refrigerator humidity, what to do with bruised fruit, and when counter storage makes sense.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 2 min read
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For apples that stay crisp longer, refrigerate whole fruit in the crisper drawer. If your refrigerator is dry, use a perforated or unsealed bag, or a loosely covered container. Keep apples on the counter only for a few days, and use bruised or deteriorating fruit first.

Refrigerator or counter: where should apples go?

Storage place Best for What to know
Refrigerator crisper Keeping apples in good condition longer Cold slows quality loss. University of Minnesota Extension recommends a home-storage range of about 33–38°F and approximately 85% humidity; apples begin freezing around 28–28.5°F. University of Minnesota Extension
Counter Apples you expect to eat within a few days At room temperature, apples lose crispness and flavor sooner and may shrivel. Utah State University Extension

University of Minnesota Extension says apples stored near 33°F may last as much as 10 times longer than at room temperature. That is a qualified comparison, not a guaranteed shelf life: variety, maturity, existing damage, temperature and humidity all affect how long apples keep.

How to refrigerate apples

  1. Choose sound fruit. Store mature, firm apples in good condition. Handle them gently; bruises and other damage can reduce quality and storability.
  2. Put them in the crisper. The crisper is the practical home-storage location. Utah State University Extension also recommends an unsealed plastic bag for apples.
  3. Adjust the covering to your refrigerator. If apples seem to be drying out, use a perforated bag or loosely covered container to help limit moisture loss while allowing ventilation. Do not seal wet apples airtight. An existing crisper or container may be enough; special storage bags are optional.
  4. Check them periodically. Use bruised or deteriorating apples first. Excess humidity can encourage decay, while low humidity can cause shriveling; a check helps you spot changes in the fruit.

Should apples be stored in a plastic bag?

A bag can help if refrigerator air is drying the fruit, but it should not be airtight. Choose a perforated or unsealed bag, or use a loosely covered container. If the crisper keeps your apples in good condition, an extra bag is not necessary.

Can apples be stored with other fruit and vegetables?

Apples release ethylene, which can damage some other fruits and vegetables. When practical—especially if storing produce for a longer period—keep apples apart from items known to be ethylene-sensitive. This does not mean every neighboring item responds in the same way, or that apples must always be isolated from all produce.

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Why storage temperatures can differ

University of Minnesota Extension’s household recommendation is about 33–38°F with approximately 85% humidity. Utah State University Extension lists 30–32°F and 90% humidity as ideal general storage conditions for apples, but that guidance is not necessarily a household refrigerator setting. A domestic refrigerator may not hold a uniform temperature, and apples begin freezing around 28–28.5°F, so do not simply turn the refrigerator colder to pursue longer storage.

Neither recommendation guarantees a particular number of weeks. Apple varieties differ in how well they tolerate storage, and the University of Minnesota’s variety-specific guidance discusses differing storage disorders and tolerances. University of Minnesota Extension, September 10, 2026

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