How to Slice an Apple

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If you don't have an apple corer, then you will need to use a sharp chef's knife or paring knife. There are several ways to slice an apple, with varying degrees of efficiency. Above all, make sure that you remove the core! Apple seeds contain amygdalin, a chemical that releases cyanide when it comes into contact with human digestive enzymes. [1]

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Slicing Around the Core

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Slice an Apple
    The apple should rest upright on its own, but you may need hold it steady to ensure a clean cut.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Slice an Apple
    Hold a sharp knife in your dominant hand. Slightly offset the blade from the stem so that you avoid slicing through the core. Try, however, to cut as close to the core as possible. [2] Once the knife is in place, apply force to push the blade straight down to the cutting board. Slice through all the sides of the apple until only the core remains. [3]
    • Cut the apple into thirds or quarters – whichever is easiest for you. Quarters will preserve more of the edible apple around the core, but thirds may take slightly less time to cut.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Slice an Apple
    Compost the core, if possible. [4] If you don't have access to a compost bin, put the core into the garbage.
    • Feel free to nibble away any remaining apple that clings to the core. Avoid eating the seeds!
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Slice an Apple
    Place the flat side of each large slice face down on the cutting board. Then, use the knife to slice or dice the apple into pieces. You can make thin slices for snacking or baking. Try dicing the apple to mix into salads and other dishes!
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Slicing Into Quarters

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Slice an Apple
    First, arrange the apple upright on a cutting board. Then, use a sharp knife to cut the fruit in half directly through the core. Finally, slice each of these halves in half along the stem axis. You should have four roughly-equal quarters.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Slice an Apple
    Use your knife to scoop out the seeded portion of each apple slice. To preserve as much as the apple as possible, carve out only the small crescent that encases the seeds. Compost the core, or dispose of it the garbage. [5]
    • For a slightly quicker method, simply slice off the edge of the apple quarter that includes the core. You might lose some edible apple this way, but you won't need to be so precise. [6]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Slice an Apple
    Place the apple quarter skin-up on the cutting board. Then, slice or dice each apple quarter into pieces of your desired size and shape. For a snack-ready portion, try slicing each quarter into three wedges. [7]
    • Feel free to eat the apple quarters as they are. You have removed the core and the seeds, so the apple is perfectly edible in this form.
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Slicing in a Grid

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Slice an Apple
    Hold the apple upside-down, and slice vertically through the fruit a few centimeters away from the core. Make two parallel cuts: one on each side of the core, so that the apple falls into three pieces.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Slice an Apple
    Make two more vertical cuts in the apple, equidistant from the core but perpendicular to the first two cuts. The apple should be sliced into a neat grid with nine clean pieces. The central piece is the core. [8]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Slice an Apple
    The band should be tight enough to hold the apple solidly together. If the rubber band is loose, try double-wrapping it. Alternately, wrap the apple in saran wrap or anything else that will hold the pieces together.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Slice an Apple
    Now, you have an easy-to-eat apple snack that you can bring along with you on your daily journey. The band will hold the apple together without exposing the delicate insides to the air. This will keep the apple from browning. [9]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Slice an Apple
    6. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do you keep a cut apple from turning brown?
    Community Answer
    Sprinkle a little lemon juice on it, not too much because that will take away the flavour.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 39
  • Question
    Is it best to keep the skin of the apple on?
    Community Answer
    It is your preference, but much of the apple's nutrition is in its skin.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 27
  • Question
    Can I sprinkle salt on it?
    Community Answer
    Yes.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 47 Helpful 15
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Read Video Transcript

      Tips

      • Don't worry about eating a few apple seeds. You would need to finely chew and swallow about 200 apple seeds—roughly 20 apple cores—in order to receive a fatal dose of cyanide. It is better to spit out the seeds – but just a few won't hurt you. [10]
        Thanks
      • To avoid cutting yourself, slice away from your body. If you have to slice towards yourself, cut slowly.
        Thanks
      • Use a paring knife or a chef's knife. Make sure that the knife is sharp enough to easily carve through the apple.
        Thanks
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Don't slice yourself! Be careful not to place your fingers too close to the knife blade while you hold the apple.
        Thanks
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Keep a Cut Apple from Turning Brown
      How to Open a Coconut with a Hammer, Oven, or Microwave
      How to
      Cut a Mango
      How to Cut a Head of Iceberg Lettuce
      How to
      Cut Jackfruit
      How to
      Open a Pomegranate
      How to Slice Lemons
      How to
      Cut a Cantaloupe
      How to
      Dice Tomatoes
      How to
      Cube Potatoes
      How to
      Cut a Watermelon
      How to
      Cut a Honeydew Melon
      4 Easy Ways to Prep Your Pineapple (With and without a Corer)
      How to
      Cut a Passion Fruit
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/are-apple-seeds-poisonous
      2. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/preparation/how-core-apple
      3. ↑ https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/04/25/best-way-to-slice-an-apple_n_1452959.html
      4. ↑ https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/how-to-compost-kitchen-scraps/
      5. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/preparation/how-core-apple
      6. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-do-you-slice-an-apple-69276
      7. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-do-you-slice-an-apple-69276
      8. ↑ https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/01/apple-slicing-hack-how-to-slice-apples_n_7484220.html
      9. ↑ https://www.brit.co/how-to-carve-apples/
      1. ↑ https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/are-apple-seeds-poisonous

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To slice an apple, place it upright on a cutting board. Slightly offset the knife blade from the stem so that you avoid slicing through the core. Push the blade straight down through the apple to create your first quarter. Work your way around the apple and repeat the same motions to cut the remaining 3 quarters. If you want smaller pieces, cut each quarter into 3 wedges or dice them to your desired size.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 314,740 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement