This easy Applesauce recipe is so fresh, delicious, and has no added sugar! Make smooth or chunky homemade applesauce with just a couple of ingredients on your stovetop, slow cooker, or Instant Pot.
This fresh and delicious Homemade Applesauce is such a simple treat for snacks and desserts and can even be used in baking. It is easy to make with just two ingredients and by two methods – either by stovetop or Instant Pot – so it’s no wonder it’s such a favorite for all who have tried it and love it!
Since this is made with only two ingredients, it is simple to prepare and have ready in minutes. You can make it smooth or chunky, and I give options for adding spices to customize your homemade applesauce if you wish. It’s naturally sweet from the apples, so I don’t add any sugar. But you can add a bit of sugar if you’d like it sweeter. I can’t wait for you to try it!
Table of contents
How to Make Applesauce
To make it, you’ll only need two ingredients, but there are optional ingredients too. This recipe makes about 1 1/2 quarts.
Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
- Apples – Use six large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced. Use three sweet apples and three Granny Smith apples for the BEST flavor! I give many examples of the best apples for applesauce to follow, but as a rule of thumb, use your favorite sweet “eating apple” as your sweet apples for this recipe.
- Apple cider, apple juice, OR water – Use one of these liquids to cook the apples. Of course, the applesauce will have even greater apple sweetness when made with apple cider or apple juice.
Optional Ingredients
- Brown Sugar – add 1/4 – 1/2 cup brown sugar to apples and liquid in your Dutch oven or Instant Pot
- Cinnamon – add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to apples and liquid in your Dutch oven or Instant Pot
- Apple Pie Spice – add 1/2 teaspoon to apples and liquid in your Dutch oven or Instant Pot
What Are the Best Apples for Applesauce?
I use a blend of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor. This results in the perfect combination and gives my applesauce a crisp sweetness without adding any sugar or sweeteners to my recipe.
For the sweet apples, I like to use Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala.
For the tart apples, I use Granny Smith.
Step-by-Step Instructions
You can use your favorite method for making this applesauce recipe: Stovetop or in the Instant Pot.
Stovetop Applesauce
- Place apple slices and the liquid of choice (apple cider, apple juice, OR water) into a Dutch oven. Then simmer the apples until they are easily mashed with the back of a spoon, about 30 minutes.
- Remove cooked apples from the heat and use an immersion blender to blend the applesauce to the desired consistency – from chunky to smooth. You can alternately use a potato masher for chunky applesauce or mash until smooth if desired or a food processor or blender for a smoother consistency.
Slow Cooker Applesauce
- Place the apple slices and the liquid of choice into the Slow Cooker.
- Secure the lid and cook for 4 hours on High, stirring twice while cooking.
- Check that the apples are easily mashed with the back of a spoon. Use an immersion blender, potato masher, food processor, or blender to reach the desired consistency.
Instant Pot Applesauce
- Place apple slices and the liquid of choice (apple cider, apple juice, OR water) into the Instant Pot.
- Secure the lid and cook the apples for 5 minutes at high pressure. Allow the pressure to Naturally Release for 10 minutes. Move the venting to Quick Release to release any additional pressure, and then carefully remove the lid.
- Check that the apples are easily mashed with the back of a spoon. Use an immersion blender, potato masher, food processor, or blender to reach the desired consistency.
Storage Tips
To store – Once it’s cooled, scoop applesauce into a container(s) with an airtight lid(s) or portion into individual airtight containers and place in the refrigerator. It will last about one week in stored properly in the refrigerator.
To freeze – Once cooked, allow to cool completely. Portion into a freezer-safe container(s) and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To serve – Thaw frozen applesauce in the refrigerator overnight. Stir to combine and serve.
How to Use Applesauce as Substitute in Baking
Applesauce makes a great substitute for some other baking ingredients. Whether it’s for egg sensitivity and you want to make my Best Banana Bread without eggs, or you ran out of butter, you may need to make a substitution in the middle of baking something.
I’ve included a list of how you can use applesauce as a substitute:
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce = 1 egg
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce = 1 cup oil
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce = 1 cup butter
Other Ways To Enjoy Applesauce
Top your vanilla ice cream with a dollop of applesauce, or try it on top of buttermilk pancakes. It tastes great, from breakfast to dessert!
Frequently Asked Questions
This applesauce recipe, as written, is healthy. It has no added sugar unless you modify the recipe and is a good source of vitamin C and other vitamins. It is also a good source of soluble fiber.
Homemade applesauce should be refrigerated in airtight containers and should last in the refrigerator for about 4 to 6 days.
You can also freeze homemade applesauce. When placed in an airtight, freezer-safe container(s), it should be good for 3 months.
Here’s my homemade applesauce recipe. I hope you love it as much as we do!
Homemade Applesauce Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot Optional to use instead of Slow Cooker
- Immersion Blender Optional
Ingredients
- 6 large apples, 3 sweet apples and 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
- 1 cup water, apple juice, or apple cider
Instructions
Stovetop Applesauce Recipe
- Add apple slices to a large Dutch oven. Add apple cider, apple juice OR water, and simmer on low until apples are easily mashed with the back of a spoon. Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender, potato masher, food processor, or blender to process until the applesauce reaches the consistency you prefer.
Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe
- Add apple slices to Instant Pot. Add apple cider, apple juice OR water. Secure the lid to the Instant Pot and cook for 5 minutes at high pressure. Allow the pressure to naturally release. Carefully remove the lid. Check that the apples are easily mashed with the back of a spoon. Use an immersion blender, potato masher, food processor, or blender to process until the applesauce reaches the consistency you prefer.refer.
Slow Cooker Applesauce Recipe
- Add apple slices to the slow cooker. Add apple cider, apple juice OR water. Secure the lid to the slow cooker and cook for 4 hours on High, stirring twice throughout cooking. Check that the apples are easily mashed with the back of a spoon. Use an immersion blender, potato masher, food processor, or blender to process until the applesauce reaches the consistency you prefer.
Notes
- Brown Sugar – use 1/4 to 1/2 cup as you add your apples in liquid to cook.
- Cinnamon – add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon as you add your apples in liquid to cook.
- Apple Pie Spice – add 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice as you add your apples to in liquid to cook.
Storage Tips
To store – Once it’s cooled, scoop applesauce into a container(s) with an airtight lid(s) or portion into individual airtight containers and place in the refrigerator. It will last about one week in stored properly in the refrigerator. To freeze – Once cooked, allow to cool completely. Portion into a freezer-safe container(s) and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To serve – Thaw frozen applesauce in the refrigerator overnight. Stir to combine and serve. Makes about 1 1/2 quarts.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Love this applesauce! It is so easy to make in the slow cooker.
Thanks, Annie. I’m glad you loved this applesauce.