Homemade Slow Cooker Applesauce: The Easiest Recipe Ever
If you’ve never experienced the simple pleasure of warm, homemade applesauce, now is the time. Seriously, stop what you’re doing and head to the store for a dozen of your favorite apples. This easy slow cooker applesauce is unbelievably good and requires minimal effort.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Homemade Applesauce Recipe
- Simple Ingredients for the Best Applesauce
- How to Make Homemade Applesauce in a Slow Cooker
- Tips for Perfect Homemade Applesauce
- Storage and Freezing Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions About Making Applesauce
- More Delicious Apple Recipes You’ll Love
- Slow Cooker Applesauce Recipe Card
This versatile slow cooker applesauce is perfect for any occasion. Whether it’s a healthy snack for the kids, a delightful side dish for lunch, or a comforting dessert (try serving it warm with a scoop of No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream), this recipe has you covered. Be warned: once you try homemade applesauce, you might never buy the store-bought kind again. The fresh, natural flavor is simply unmatched.
This recipe requires only four simple ingredients – or just three if you want to skip the sugar (the natural sweetness of the apples is often enough!). The hardest part is patiently waiting for the slow cooker to work its magic. The aroma alone will tempt you to sneak spoonfuls of warm applesauce before it even makes it to the serving bowl.
If you’re looking for more ways to use apples, give my Cinnamon Applesauce Pancakes or Easy Caramel Apple Monkey Bread a try!
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Applesauce Recipe
- Minimal ingredients: This simple recipe requires just a few ingredients, making it easy to keep your shopping list short and sweet.
- Effortless cooking: The slow cooker does all the work! Just add the ingredients, set the timer, and let it cook.
- Freezer-friendly: Make a big batch and freeze it for up to six months, ensuring you always have delicious homemade applesauce on hand.
- Healthy and delicious: Skip the added preservatives and sugars found in store-bought applesauce and enjoy a naturally sweet and wholesome treat.
- Customizable: Adjust the sweetness and spices to suit your taste preferences.
- Perfect for any occasion: Serve it as a snack, side dish, or dessert.
- Family-friendly: Kids and adults alike will love this comforting and flavorful applesauce.
Simple Ingredients for the Best Applesauce
- Apples: You’ll need about 12 apples for this recipe. This is a great way to use up a bountiful apple harvest or your favorite variety from the store.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon and apples are a perfect pairing. A touch of cinnamon adds warmth and depth to the applesauce.
- Lemon juice: A splash of lemon juice brightens the flavor and enhances the natural sweetness of the apples. It also helps to prevent browning.
- Sugar (optional): Adding sugar is completely optional. If you prefer a sweeter applesauce, you can use granulated sugar, brown sugar, or even maple syrup. Experiment and find your perfect level of sweetness.
Refer to the recipe card below for exact ingredient measurements.
How to Make Homemade Applesauce in a Slow Cooker
- Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and cut the apples into approximately 8 pieces each. Uniformly sized pieces will ensure even cooking.
- Combine ingredients in the slow cooker: Add the prepared apples, cinnamon, lemon juice, and sugar (if using) to the slow cooker. Stir well to coat the apples evenly with the spices and lemon juice.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours, or until the apples are very tender and easily mashed.
- Mash and serve: Once the apples are tender, mash them with a fork or a potato masher to your desired consistency. For a smoother applesauce, use an immersion blender or transfer the cooked apples to a regular blender in batches. Taste and add more cinnamon or sugar if needed. Serve immediately, either warm or chilled, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Pro Tip: For an extra smooth applesauce, you can puree it using a blender, food processor, or immersion blender after cooking. Start with small batches to avoid splattering, especially when the applesauce is hot.
Tips for Perfect Homemade Applesauce
- Choosing the right apples: The best apples for making applesauce are those that are naturally sweet and break down easily when cooked. Honey Crisp, Gala, Fuji, and McIntosh are all excellent choices. Consider using a mix of different varieties to create a more complex flavor profile.
- Adjusting the sweetness: The natural sweetness of the apples will determine how much, if any, sugar you need to add. Taste the applesauce after it has cooked and add sugar gradually, until you reach your desired level of sweetness.
- Cooking on low: If you want to cook the applesauce on low while you are at work or running errands, cook it on low for 7-8 hours.
- Spice it up: Besides cinnamon, you can experiment with other warm spices like nutmeg, cloves, or ginger to add a unique twist to your applesauce.
- Add some tang: A little extra lemon juice can brighten the flavor and balance the sweetness of the applesauce.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
To store: Let the applesauce cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
To freeze: Allow the applesauce to cool completely. Transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving a little space at the top to allow for expansion. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw the applesauce in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Applesauce
Which apples should I avoid when making applesauce?
While most apples will work well, it’s best to avoid Red Delicious apples. They tend to become too mushy when cooked and don’t offer as much sweetness as other varieties.
Can I overcook applesauce in a slow cooker?
Yes, it’s possible to overcook applesauce. Overcooked applesauce can lose some of its sweetness and may also dry out. However, a slow cooker’s gentle heat and moist environment make it less likely to happen compared to stovetop cooking.
Do I need to peel the apples before making applesauce?
You don’t necessarily have to peel the apples. Leaving the peels on will result in a more rustic applesauce with a slightly coarser texture. The red skins of some apples can also add a beautiful color to the finished product. If you choose to leave the peels on, be sure to wash the apples thoroughly before using them.
More Delicious Apple Recipes You’ll Love
- Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread
- Easy Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- 30-Minute Apple Fritters
- Muffin Tin Mini Apple Pies
- Easy Apple Turnovers
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Slow Cooker Applesauce
Kelly Senyei
