Homemade Applesauce Recipe

16 Comments

5 from 6 votes
Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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.

Smooth applesauce in a spoon ina. glass bowl.

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!

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
Glass measuring cup of apple cider beside whole Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples.

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.

Glass bowl with peeled and sliced apples.

Step-by-Step Instructions

You can use your favorite method for making this applesauce recipe: Stovetop or in the Instant Pot.

Stovetop Applesauce

  1. 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.
  2. 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

  1. Place the apple slices and the liquid of choice into the Slow Cooker.
  2. Secure the lid and cook for 4 hours on High, stirring twice while cooking.
  3. 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

  1. Place apple slices and the liquid of choice (apple cider, apple juice, OR water) into the Instant Pot.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
White bowl with slightly chunky applesauce in a spoon.

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!

White bowl with smooth applesauce and a spoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applesauce a healthy food?

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.

How long will homemade applesauce last?

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

5 from 6 votes
This easy Homemade Applesauce is fresh, delicious and has no added sugar! Simple to make smooth or chunky applesauce with just two ingredients on your stovetop, slow cooker, or Instant Pot.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Equipment

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

Sweet Apples – Use your favorite sweet-eating apples such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala.
Optional Add-ins Ingredients:
  • 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

Calories: 58kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Welcome to Add A Pinch

About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Review




16 Comments

  1. Lora Jo says:

    This was incredibly easy and the end result was so much better than buying applesauce in the store. I used only water and a mixture of red delicious, golden delicious and Jonathan apples.

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Lora Jo, thanks. I love the mixture of apples you use.

  2. Jennifer Sheldon says:

    5 stars
    This is so amazing. I’ve been there. I’m going to make a bunch of applesauce and freeze some and can some.

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Thanks Jennifer! I hope you enjoy all the applesauce! It’s so good – I love the taste of homemade! xo

  3. Janice Koontz says:

    5 stars
    I can my applesauce like this. If I want any seasoning I will put it on when I open a jar. I just heat it for a minute or so that way the seasoning can blend. I do this because the apples are fresh. Nothing better than a fresh apple off the tree.

  4. Nola says:

    I make applesauce often. I use Royal Gala apples. I peel,core and slice the apples. I spread the apples onto s cookie sheet pan and roast at 350 till soft. You can sprinkle with cinnamon. Once they are soft you can process to desired consistency in a food processor. No sweetener added.

  5. Rita says:

    Just went to the orchard! I cannot wait to make this applesauce!

  6. Cassandra Eldridge says:

    I would definitely buy your cookbook series if you had one!!! So glad I found your Blog! Thank you!!

  7. Gaby says:

    I love homemade applesauce, this looks wonderful!

  8. Carol at Wild Goose Tea says:

    I think store bought applesauce tastes like crap. Just like store bought soup. I am not sure what they have to do to it to get it passed regulations, but it takes the flavor out. Darling darling loving story about your baby. There isn’t a parent reading this who won’t know exactly what you are talking about, nodding their head as they are reading.

  9. Fran Triguero says:

    My husband and myself love applesauce so I’ll definitely be making this – it sounds delicious.
    I enjoy reading (and printing) so many of your recipes. Thank you for sharing your recipes with us, the foodies and homemakers out here in cyber land :).

  10. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says:

    5 stars
    There is no store bought applesauce that tastes as good as homemade. I loved the story about your little boy. I had one with colic and I think I went 2 months without sleeping.

    Your applesauce photo is SO inviting!