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    Home » Homemade Applesauce Recipe

    Homemade Applesauce Recipe

    Published: Aug 19, 2022 · Modified: Sep 23, 2022 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This homemade applesauce recipe is easy to make with 3 ingredients and no sugar or artificial ingredients! Learn how to make applesauce in the slow cooker that's more delicious than store-bought varieties.

    a spoon taking a scoop of homemade applesauce out of a bowl

    This Homemade applesauce recipe is easy to make with three ingredients and no sugar or artificial ingredients.

    In fact, it's easy to make this recipe organic by using organic ingredients and skip the additives, preservatives and sugar. You can even make a large batch in the fall when apples are the best (in season), and can or freeze it to use all year long.

    In this applesauce recipe, fresh, sweet apples are slow-cooked with the skins on (for more nutrition), blended until smooth and then spiced with a pinch of cinnamon.

    It's a well known fact that the peel contains most of the nutrients in an apple, which is why I prefer making this applesauce recipe that contains the peels! Did you know that unpeeled apples (with the skin in tact) contain 184% more fiber, 332% more vitamin K, 171% more iron, 300% more folate, 142% more vitamin A, 115% more vitamin C, 20% more calcium, and 19% more potassium than apples without the peel! I want my family to enjoy those nutrients!

    a bowl of homemade applesauce with apples around it

    Homemade Applesauce Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

    • Apples. I suggest using organic apples to ensure you are avoiding pesticides and preservatives. Make sure to wash all apple varieties well before using, since they are not peeled. You can pick your favorite variety or use a combination of different types of apples. I recommend pink lady, honey crisp, gala, jazz, granny smith, McIntosh, etc. A sweet/tart mixture is my favorite.
    • Water. I don't suggest making substitutions for water.
    • Cinnamon. Cinnamon is optional, but recommended for the best flavor. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg.
    the ingredients in this Homemade Applesauce Recipe

    How to make applesauce

    Let's walk through how to make applesauce step by step, and don't forget to watch the video.

    To begin, you can peel the apples, if desired. however, I prefer to leave the skins on for added fiber and nutrition, as discussed above.

    Next, quarter the apples and remove the seeds/core. Then, add ½ cup water and the cut/cored apples to the container of a slow cooker.

    How to Make Applesauce - apples in a crockpot before cooking

    Don't worry if it doesn't look like there is enough liquid. As you cook the apples on high for 2 hours you will see that there is enough and the apples will release some liquid as well.

    How to Make Applesauce - apples in the crockpot after cooking

    Once the apples are soft to the touch (easily mashed with a fork), add the contents of the slow cooker (liquid and all) to the container of a high powered blender.

    Blend, starting on low speed and increasing to high speed, until the mixture is smooth.

    two photos showing How to Make Applesauce in a blender

    Then, if desired, add the cinnamon and blend until combined (5 seconds).

    two photos showing How to Make Applesauce in a blender

    How to store applesauce

    Store the crockpot applesauce in an airtight container (I prefer a glass jar with a lid) in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can freeze the jars for up to 2 months. Or, if it's your thing, canning the applesauce is an option (here's a great article on how to can applesauce) to make it last even longer.

    Homemade Applesauce Recipe in a glass jar

    Enjoy!

    There are many ways to enjoy homemade applesauce! First, you can simply grab a spoon and dig in.

    It also makes a great baby food! Homemade applesauce is always one of the first purees I feed to my babies.

    You can also use this applesauce recipe in your favorite recipes. I use it in homemade breakfast bars, the best carrot cake, homemade waffles, etc.

    a bowl of homemade applesauce

    Homemade Applesauce Recipe FAQs

    What apples are best for applesauce?

    You can choose your favorite apple variety or use a combination. My top suggestions are:
    Honeycrisp
    Pink Lady
    Jazz
    Granny Smith (combined with a sweeter apple)
    Gala
    McIntosh

    Can I add sugar to this recipe?

    If you use fresh, sweet apples there is no need to add any sweetener. If you taste it and want it sweeter I'd suggest using honey or maple syrup.

    Can you can homemade applesauce?

    Absolutely! Canning is a great way to make applesauce last longer. I suggest checking out this article to learn how to can applesauce.

    a spoon taking a scoop of homemade applesauce out of a bowl

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    Homemade Applesauce Recipe

    Laura
    This homemade applesauce recipe is easy to make with 3 ingredients and no sugar or artificial ingredients! Learn how to make applesauce in the slow cooker that's more delicious than store-bought varieties.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 10 mins
    Course baby food, condiment, sauce, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 Servings (5 cups applesauce)
    Calories 71 kcal

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • Vitamix blender

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 3 pounds apples organic (about 10 medium apples)
    • ½ cup water
    • ½ tsp ground cinnamon optional
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • If desired, peel the apples (I prefer to leave the skins on for added fiber and nutrition).
    • Quarter the apples and remove the seeds/core.
    • Add ½ cup water and the cut/cored apples to the container of a slow cooker.
    • Cook on high for 2 hours.
    • Transfer the contents of the slow cooker (liquid and all) to the container of a high powered blender.
    • Blend, starting on low speed and increasing to high speed, until the mixture is smooth.
    • Add cinnamon and blend until combined (5 seconds).
    • Store in a glass jar or serve

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Notes
    • Apples. I suggest using organic apples to ensure you are avoiding pesticides and preservatives. Make sure to wash all apple varieties well before using, since they are not peeled. You can pick your favorite variety or use a combination of different types of apples. I recommend pink lady, honey crisp, gala, jazz, granny smith, etc. A sweet/tart mixture is my favorite.
    • Water. I don't suggest making substitutions for water.
    • Cinnamon. Cinnamon is optional, but recommended for the best flavor. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg.

    How to store applesauce

    Store the crockpot applesauce in an airtight container (I prefer a glass jar with a lid) in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can freeze the jars for up to 2 months. Or, if it's your thing, canning the applesauce is an option.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 71kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 146mgFiber: 3gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 74IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lynda T

      September 12, 2022 at 6:50 am

      5 stars
      I made this and it was delicious! I love applesauce and the fact you get all the extras because of the peel being left on but cannot tell at all is AMAZING!! I used Gala and Honeycrisp.

      Reply
      • Laura

        September 12, 2022 at 6:54 am

        I'm so glad you love it Lynda! I personally think it tastes FAR better than store bought! 🙂

        Reply

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    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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