Whether you enjoy it warm straight from the pot, spooned over oatmeal, used as a natural sweetener in baking, or frozen for later, this homemade applesauce recipe is a cozy and versatile fall staple you’ll want to make again and again.
It seems to happen every fall. We go apple picking, and I come home with more apples than I know what to do with. On our last trip to Ellijay in North Georgia, I thought I had planned better, but once again, we returned with bags and bags of apples.
That is when I turn to this homemade applesauce recipe. The slow cooker does all the work, and the best part is that no sugar is needed.
As the apples cook low and slow, their natural sugars become richer and sweeter, giving you an applesauce that tastes just right without any extra sugars.
Over the years, I have tried this recipe with many different apple varieties and found that a mix of sweet and tart apples gives the best flavor and balance, which is why this is the version I keep coming back to.
Notes on the Ingredients You’ll Need
You really only need three main ingredients to make this applesauce crock pot recipe: apples, water, and some lemon juice. Everything else is optional.
You can find the exact measurements in the recipe card below, but here are some notes from my testing on base ingredients:
Apples: Any type of apple will work here, so use the ones you love most or mix a few. Apples like Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Gala are sweeter, while a Granny Smith apple or Cortland are a bit more tart.
I usually go with a mix of Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Gala, and add one Granny Smith. And you do not need all of those. One or two types are sufficient.
You’ll need about 3 pounds total (6-8 medium apples), which makes around 4 cups of applesauce. If your apples are very different in size, weighing them is the easiest way to make sure you have enough.
I peel my apples because I prefer a creamy and smooth applesauce. However, if you prefer to cook them with their skin on, you certainly could, but just know your applesauce won’t be as smooth.
Water: You only need about 1/2 cup for 3 pounds of apples. If you want a sweeter applesauce, you can swap the water for apple juice.
Lemon juice: A little squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the flavor and keeps the applesauce from browning as it cooks. I’ve tested this recipe with and without it, and the version with lemon offered a more complex flavor.
Spices: Since I like to use this applesauce in baking and cooking, I keep the spices to a minimum, but feel free to pick and choose as you prefer. I find that a couple of cinnamon sticks, cloves, and a pinch of freshly ground nutmeg work beautifully.
Sweetener (Optional): Since the cooked apples are already sweet, I prefer not to add any sugar. However, if you want yours sweeter, you can sweeten it with granulated or brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup after it is cooked. Start with a small amount (about ¼ cup), taste, and adjust from there.
How to Make Applesauce in a Crockpot: Step-by-Step Instructions
The beauty of making applesauce in a slow cooker is that it’s almost completely hands-off. Simply peel and chop the apples and toss them into the crock pot, and let it do its thing. Here’s how I make it, step by step:
Step 1 – Prep the Apples: Peel, core, and chop about 3 pounds of apples. While you do not need to cut them perfectly, it is best to aim for medium chunks. This way, they can cook evenly and soften without turning mushy too quickly.
Step 2 – Load the Slow Cooker: Add the apples, lemon juice, water, spices, and a pinch of salt to the crockpot. Give everything a quick toss so the apples are coated. It may look like there is not enough liquid at first, but the apples will release a lot of their juices as they cook.
Step 3 – Cook: Cover with the lid and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours. Use high heat if you want applesauce ready the same day, or low heat if you prefer to set it in the morning and come back to it later. If you can, stir it once or twice to keep the apples cooking evenly.
Step 4 – Mash or Blend: Once the apples are soft and falling apart, it is time to blend. The tool to use depends on the texture you are going for. Use:
- A potato masher, if you prefer a chunky applesauce
- An immersion blender, if you want it to be smooth. I usually do this right in the crock pot.
- A Vitamix if you want it to be extra silky and smooth.
I have tested all three, and it really comes down to what you like best.
Step 5 – Taste and Adjust: This applesauce is usually sweet enough on its own. But if you prefer a sweeter flavor, add a little sugar, honey, or maple syrup at this stage. I would recommend starting with a small amount, tasting it, and adding more if needed.
Step 6 – Let it Cool: Enjoy warm, or let it cool completely before transferring to mason jars or airtight containers.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Your Applesauce
Chances are you will end up with more applesauce than you can eat in one sitting, and personally, that is the best part. It keeps so well that you can enjoy it all week or even freeze it for later.
Storage: Bring your applesauce to room temperature and scoop it into glass jars. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Divide it into smaller portions (I usually do 1 cup) and store in freezer-safe containers. I like using Weck jars because, unlike mason jars, they can be used to freeze food. Alternatively, you can use reusable bags (such as Stasher Bags) to save space in your freezer.
Thawing and Reheating: To enjoy, just thaw it overnight in the fridge. When you are ready to eat, warm it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until it is heated through.
Notes from My Kitchen: What I Learned Making This Recipe
While this slow cooker applesauce recipe is simple, here are a few things I learned during testing that will help you get the best results:
- Flavors get more intense as they cook: As apples cook down, the flavors concentrate. The apples become sweeter, lemon juice tastes more sour, and cinnamon gets stronger. Keep add-ins minimal at first. You can always add more later, but you cannot remove it.
- Whole spices vs ground spices: In my first recipe testing, I used a small amount of ground cinnamon, but in the finished applesauce, the flavor was overpowering. Whole spices, such as cinnamon sticks or cloves, provide a more balanced result. If you only have ground spices, start with just a pinch and adjust to taste after blending.
- Make it your own: Store-bought applesauce often comes in different flavors, but you can easily flavor your homemade version. My favorites are Maple-Vanilla (a splash of maple syrup and vanilla, which I love with pancakes on the weekend) and Pumpkin Spice (just a pinch is enough for a cozy fall twist).
- Baby-friendly: If you are planning to serve this applesauce to your baby, keep it simple by skipping the spices and blending until very smooth. Freeze in silicone trays or small cubes for easy single servings. Always check with your pediatrician for feeding guidance.
Favorite Ways to Use Crockpot Applesauce
You can enjoy your slow cooker apple sauce warm straight from the pot with a spoon, or simply eat it on its own as a snack. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Here are a few more ideas:
- With yogurt or oats: Swirl some applesauce into Overnight Oats with Yogurt for a creamy, grab-and-go breakfast, on top of Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats for something more cozy, or mix it into Oatmeal with Chia Seeds for an easy morning bowl.
- With chia pudding: Try it on top of Chia Pudding with Yogurt. The applesauce makes it sweeter while still keeping it quick and simple.
- Sweeten your muesli: Mix a spoonful into your morning Muesli for a natural way to sweeten it. It blends in smoothly with the oats, nuts, and seeds, requiring no extra sugar.
- As a baking swap: While the amount will depend on the exact recipe, you can use applesauce to replace oil or eggs in baked goods to keep them soft and moist. It also sweetens them in a natural way. I use it in my Cinnamon and Apple Baked Oatmeal recipe to keep oats moist and sweet.
- Ice cream topping: Add a spoonful of applesauce over vanilla ice cream and top it off with a handful of pecans for a fall twist.
FAQs
Any type of apple will work, but for the best flavor, I recommend using a mix of sweet and tart varieties. Fuji, Gala, and Honeycrisp add natural sweetness, while Granny Smith brings just enough tartness for balance.
It depends on the texture you are after. If you prefer a super smooth applesauce, it is best to peel them. However, some people prefer to leave it on to get more texture and fiber.
Yes, you can. If you do, I recommend skipping the addition of any sugar so it won’t be overly sweet.
Yes, you can cook it on the stovetop by simmering the apples with the same ingredients in a large pot over low heat until they soften (about 25 to 30 minutes). You can also use an Instant Pot on the manual setting for about 5 minutes, then quick-release and mash or blend.
While applesauce is pretty forgiving, it can overcook if left in too long. The sauce will become thicker, darker, and may start to stick to the bottom if there isn’t enough liquid left. To avoid this, keep an eye on the cooking time and check that there is always some liquid in the slow cooker as it cooks.
When applesauce is frozen, the water content forms ice crystals. After thawing, those crystals melt and can make the applesauce a little more watery. For best results, I recommend giving it a good stir.
More Apple Recipes to Try
During the apple season, I make this slow cooker applesauce recipe on repeat, but I also love finding new ways to use apples throughout the week. Here are a few that I make often:
- My Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is a quick stovetop breakfast that comes together in just 15 minutes with oats, apples, almond milk, and some maple syrup.
- For dessert, try my No Butter Apple Crisp. Made with oats and almond flour, it features a crispy topping that is dairy-free and refined sugar-free.
- If you are looking for something fresh, my 15-minute Kale Apple Slaw is tossed in a tangy maple Dijon vinaigrette, making it the perfect side dish for your favorite protein.
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Crockpot Applesauce Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch cubes – 6-8 apples depending on their size
- ½ cup water
- 1 tbs lemon juice
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- pinch ground nutmeg, optional
Instructions
- Layer sliced apples in the bowl of a slow cooker. Pour in the water and lemon juice.
- Add in the cinnamon sticks, salt, and ground nutmeg. Stir to combine.
- Cook in high heat setting up to 3-4 hours, or in low heat setting for 5-6 hours. Depending on your slow cooker the timing might be slightly different so keep a close eye after the 3-hour mark. I also recommend giving it a stir a few times during the cooking process.
- Transfer the now-softened-apples into a high power blender (such as Vitamix) and puree until smooth. Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender, but it might take longer for it to be completely pureed.
- Let it cool completely and then divide it amongst jars.
Notes
- Yields: This recipe makes about 4 cups of applesauce. The nutritional values below are per cup.
- When you first put all the ingredients in the crockpot, you might think that there is not enough liquid. During my recipe testing, I found that if you add more than 1/2 cup of water, the applesauce becomes too watery.
- I intentionally used cinnamon sticks instead of ground cinnamon. As the apples cook, the flavors of every ingredient amplify. I found that ground cinnamon was a bit overpowering, whereas a cinnamon stick provided a more subtle cinnamon flavor. If you do not have cinnamon sticks, you can use ground cinnamon, but I recommend starting with a small amount, no more than 1/4 teaspoon.
- Storage: Leftovers will keep fresh in airtight containers for up to 5 days in the fridge.
- Freezing: Portion your applesauce into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Simple and delicious. I prefer a little texture so I mixed it really well by hand and skipped the mixer.
So happy to hear that you liked it Tracey. Thanks for coming back and leaving a comment. I really appreciate it.
Cheers!
That sounds really easy to make!
So yummy! I love fall for this exact reason! Applesauce!