Easy Homemade Applesauce that is perfectly spiced and so comforting! It’s a healthy snack that is sugar-free, full of fiber, and flavor! Directions for slow cooker, instant pot, and stove top!
Easy Homemade Applesauce
Fall is just around the corner and what better way to greet it with some easy homemade applesauce! My kid’s love applesauce but we are always doctoring it up with some spices because let’s face it, that store bought stuff isn’t the most flavorful. I never realized how easy it was to make it at home and I won’t be buying it from the store anymore!!
A few other easy snack ideas: How to Make A Vegetable Tray, How to Make A Fruit Tray (my kids love it when I make these trays for a snack!!), Easy Zucchini Pizza Bites.
Instant Pot Applesauce
Ok, this will be my first official Instant Pot recipe on the blog. To be honest I am not completely sold on my Instant Pot but I am determined to give it more time and hopefully come to love it. I have had many failed recipes and not many successes and honestly, I feel most things can be made just as fast on the stove top and taste better even.
I know I am probably on the minority on this but if you share the same feelings please let me know! Or if you were once not in love with your Instant Pot then converted I beg you to share your story!! Maybe it will help those of us struggling with it.
I will say making this Instant Pot Applesauce was pretty easy. While it doesn’t take less time than the stove top if you count the time it takes to pressure up and natural release (I don’t recommend doing a quick release right away) it is pretty hands off.
Slow Cooker Applesauce
If you don’t want to buy an Instant Pot and still want a pretty hands-off version your crockpot is going to be your option. Just toss everything into the crockpot, set it, and forget it. I will always and forever love my slow cooker and I still use it more than any other appliance.
Tips about Easy Homemade Applesauce
- You can make this as chunky or smooth as you like. Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon for chunkier applesauce and for smoother use an immersion blender or food processor.
- To peel or not: this is completely up to you. If you are using an immersion blender or food processor they will just disappear into the applesauce. Otherwise, you will need to peel them if you don’t have one of those options.
- This recipe is for unsweetened applesauce. I recommend using apples you enjoy snacking on by themselves. However, if your apples are tart feel free to add brown sugar, honey, or even maple syrup to sweeten. Add this along with the other ingredients and cook as directed.
Uses for Easy Homemade Applesauce:
- As a healthy snack
- Use it to make a yogurt parfait. Top yogurt with applesauce, chopped fruit, and granola.
- Spoon over ice cream! (this applesauce tastes like the inside of an apple pie)
- Serve over hot cooked oatmeal, pancakes or waffles.
- Use it in place of applesauce in any baked goods. (just remember if you added the spices to the applesauce you may want to lower them in the recipe you are using.)
- Great served alongside pork.
Easy Homemade Applesauce
Ingredients
- 4 pounds (1670g) apples
- 3/4 cup (177ml) water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla, optional
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, optional
- hefty pinch of salt (just trust me)
Instructions
Instant Pot:
- Wash, core, and quarter your apples. (peel if you don't have a high powered immersion blender or food processor)
- Place all ingredients into a 6qt or larger Instant Pot and stir to combine. Close the lid and turn valve to sealing. Cook at high pressure for 8 minutes and do a natural release. I don't recommend doing a quick release but if the pin hasn't dropped after 15 minutes you can do a quick release to release the remaining pressure.
- Blend apples with potato masher, blender, food processor, or food mill to desired consistency. Allow to cool completely before transferring to a container to store.
Slow Cooker:
- Wash, core, and quarter your apples. (peel if you don't have a high powered immersion blender or food processor)
- Place all ingredients into a 6qt slow cooker and stir to combine. Close lid and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Blend apples with potato masher, blender, food processor, or food mill to desired consistency. Allow to cool completely before transferring to a container to store.
Stove Top:
- Wash, core, and cut your apples into small chunks. (peel if you don't have a high powered immersion blender or food processor)
- Add apples and remaining ingredients to a large stock pot. Stir to combine. Cover and bring to a simmer. Cook for 25 minutes stirring often or until the apples are very soft and mushy.
- Blend apples with potato masher, blender, food processor, or food mill to desired consistency. Allow to cool completely before transferring to a container to store.
Notes
- Don't be alarmed the applesauce will thicken considerably once it cools. It will also taste differently once it has cooled.
- To store: Place cooled applesauce in a container and refrigerate for up to 10 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months. You can also can applesauce but I haven't tried it with this recipe so I can't provide instructions. A good reference is Ball.
- If you prefer plain applesauce just leave out the spices.
- I suggest using apples you like to snack on plain. I also recommend using a variety of apples for better flavor. If you are using really tart apples you may want to sweeten the applesauce. Just add whatever sweetener you desire to use and continue to cook as directed.
This turned out just amazing and the whole house smelled like fall too. Delicious!
I love it when I can bake and make the house smell amazing!! 🙂
This looks absolutely delicious and can be used in so many wonderful ways. Love apple season!
Thank you so much Danielle!!
My mom used to make applesauce when we were kids, but I have never tried it. So awesome that you gave us so many different ways to do it!
Thank you Melissa!! You definitely need to try it, it’s so much better than store bought. Just be sure to use apples you already like to eat. 🙂
My apples are just getting ready off my tree and my husband wanted applesauce. I tried your slow cooker version and it’s now my go to recipe!
Thank you so much and I am so glad you enjoyed the applesauce!! 🙂
Thank you so much for giving us THREE cooking options for this delicious apple sauce! I made it in the IP and my kiddos LOVED it!
Thank you so much!! So glad you enjoyed it!!
I made the apple sauce yesterday using my instant pot. It really is very good. When I buy applesauce I always buy the unsweetened as I think the sweetened is so sweet and you don’t have a good apple taste. Since I like plain apple sauce I left out the spices. I used Jonathan apples, which is what I usually use, especially in pies. I just put the apples, water, vanilla and salt in the pot and processed it for 9 minutes on high and used natural release. When it was finished it was the right texture and beautiful color but a little too tart, so I stirred in 1/4 cup sugar and it was perfect. I love a dish of apple sauce with a sandwich. Definitely is better after chilled.
Thank you Grandma!! I agree that it tastes better once chilled. I think it gives it time for the flavor to develop more. Thanks!! 🙂
Looks good. I like your ways to use applesauce. I will try the crock pot method.
Thanks Aunt Lori!!
I always make my apple sauce on top of the stove but will have to try making it in my instant pot one of these days and see how I like it that way. Love applesauce but prefer plain over the spiced.
Thanks Grandma! Let me know how it turns out in the Instant Pot for you!