Inside: Your kids love apple slices, but not brown, mushy ones? Use these clever hacks to pack apples in lunch boxes that won’t look brown by lunchtime.
Apples are a no-brainer for kids’ lunch boxes. They’re affordable, available everywhere, and kids love em.
Trouble is, some kids don’t like biting into a whole apple in their lunch–especially if they have new, sensitive front teeth (or braces!).
But many kids are turned off by sliced apples that have turned brown. And packaged, pre-sliced apples from the grocery store can taste a little funny.
So here are 4 different ways to pack cut apples in your child’s lunch box that don’t turn brown, so they’re fresh-looking and appealing at lunch time.
Why do cut apples turn brown?
When you slice an apple, the flesh of the apple is exposed to air. That oxygen exposure triggers a chemical reaction that causes browning.
Which apples don’t brown as quickly?
Some apple varieties don’t tend to brown as quickly as others. They include:
- Pink lady
- Granny smith
- Cosmic crisp
- Empire
- Cortland
- Honeycrisp
- Gala
Which apples brown the fastest?
These apples tend to brown more quickly than others:
- Red Delicious
- McIntosh
- Fuji
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The Best Way to Pack Apples In Lunch Boxes
Here are four most effective methods for packing apples in lunch boxes, so they don’t turn brown by lunchtime.
1. Soak apples slices in saltwater
This may sound strange: salty apples?! But the apples don’t retain a salty flavor, and this was the most effective, easiest method I tried. The apples looked and tasted fresh five days later!
Why this works: The chloride in salt blocks the enzyme that causes browning.
How to do it:
- Slice fresh apples into desired thickness
- Fill a bowl with 1 1/2 cups cold water and dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in it
- Soak cut-up apple in the salt water for 5 minutes
- Drain and rinse apples, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you’re packing them in a lunch box, pat them dry so they’re not drippy.
2. Toss sliced apples in citrus juice
Instead of sprinkling apple slices with lemon juice (which some kids find too sour), toss them in a combo of lemon juice and orange juice. It adds a great tangy flavor. This was my boys’ favorite way to have apples in their lunch boxes. In fact, I even packed an extra container of them after my kid told me how much his friend liked them!
Why this works: The vitamin C in the citrus inactivates the enzyme that causes browning (lime juice also works if your kids like that flavor).
How to do it:
- Slice apples thinly and place in a leak-proof airtight container
- Squeeze a little bit of lemon juice and orange juice over the apples (enough to coat all the slices)
- Shake gently to coat the apples and pack in a lunchbox in an airtight container (these will keep for 1-2 days in the refrigerator but are best eaten the same day).
3. Mix sliced apples with pineapple juice
Pineapple juice is another way to help prevent browning on apples. If your kids like the sweet, tropical flavor of pineapple juice, they may like this method best.
Why this works: The vitamin C in the juice inactivates the browning enzyme.
How to do it:
- Slice apples and place in a leak-proof container.
- Pour a little bit of pineapple juice over the slices
- Shake gently to coat the apples and pack in a lunchbox in an airtight container (these will keep for 1-2 days in the refrigerator but are best eaten the same day).
4. Sprinkle cut apples with cinnamon and sugar
My kids grew up eating what we called “apple pie apples”, which are just apple slices sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
Why this works: It doesn’t prevent browning–the cinnamon-sugar simply disguises it (and adds a yummy, fall flavor). Choose an apple that doesn’t brown as quickly, such as Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, or Cosmic Crisp.
How to do it:
- Cut apples into slices.
- Sprinkle cut sides with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar (or lightly dust with plain cinnamon)
- Pack in a lunchbox. These are best enjoyed the same day.
Other ways to pack apples in lunch boxes
- Spread apple slices with peanut butter: It’s a classic combo! Slice apples and spread one side with peanut butter (leaving room end to pick them up).
- Sprinkle with ascorbic acid powder: This may have a scary-sounding name, but it’s actually just vitamin C in tablet form, sold as brands like Ball Fruit Fresh. It works the same way that citrus juice does to stop the oxidation process. Read more about it here.
- Dip in sugar water: This method involves soaking apples in sugar and honey dissolved in water. It’s more costly that using salt water and not as effective. Get the how-to here.
FAQ About Packing Apples In Lunch Boxes
What’s the best way to cut apples?
Some people like using an apple cutter, which divides apples into eight equal wedges. My kids prefer more thinly-sliced apples, so instead of using an apple slicer, this is how I do it: Slice on either side of the apple core, then cut off the sides. Lay the flat side of the apple sections on a cutting board and cut into thin slices.
What about the rubber band trick?
I’ve seen this apple trick all over in social media: slice an apple, put it back together jigsaw puzzle-style, then wrap a rubber-band around it. But in my tests, the apple still turned brown inside.
Are sliced apples safe for younger children?
Pieces of hard, raw fruits and vegetables like apples are considered a choking hazard for kids under four. For babies, apples should be cooked soft and mashed, and grated when babies are ready for finger foods. Here are some baby-led weaning tips for serving apples. For toddlers, slice apples thinly. See a full list of choking hazard foods from the CDC.
Are apples healthy for kids?
YES! Apples are a good source of fiber for kids, something most kids need more of. An apple’s pectin can boost gut health because it feeds the healthy bacteria in the intestine. Apples pack potassium and even a bit of vitamin C. Apples are also filling, ranking higher on the “Satiety Index” (a scale of how satisfying different foods are) even above bananas and yogurt.
More ideas for packing school lunches
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Need simple, fun things to pack? Check out these simple, nourishing healthy lunch box recipes your kids (and you!) will love having in their lunch.
Lunch Box Ideas For Teens
Got a hungry teenager? Get healthy school lunch box ideas for teens, including hot, cold, and vegetarian options.
Lunch Box Ideas for Toddlers & Preschoolers
Got littles? Get 20 ideas for healthy packed lunches for the younger set, with a photograph for each one.
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