This easy crockpot apple butter is amazing and tastes just like fall in a jar! Plus it’s healthy and has no sugar added. It makes the perfect spread to add on top of toast, biscuits, oatmeal…you name it!
Table of Contents
Homemade Apple Butter
We love to go apple picking in the fall. Somehow we always end up with countless amounts, which is the perfect excuse for me to make all of my favorite apple desserts! This delicious recipe is always high on my list, as well as my brown bag apple pie and an easy apple crisp.
This delicious apple butter tastes just like fall in a jar and is amazing on top of toast, homemade biscuits, mixed in your oatmeal, yogurt, or cottage cheese. I love putting the apples in the crockpot at night and letting the mixture simmer all night long. In the morning, your home will smell like pure heaven.
I made this recipe without sugar since I’ve been adding it to my oatmeal in the mornings, but you could definitely add sugar to sweeten it a bit. It’s so easy to make and is great to have stored in the fridge. I’ll definitely be making multiple batches this fall!
Recipe Ingredients
You only need apples, spices, and water, that is it! This version has no sugar added, but feel free to mix some in if you’d like to sweeten it up even more. Try starting with 1/4 cup sugar, then add any extra sugar to taste.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Apples: I prefer to use fuji apples. They are a sweeter variety, making them perfect for this recipe especially since there’s no sugar added. You can peel the apples with an apple peeler or peel and cut them.
- Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are my favorite. A homemade apple pie spice made with cinnamon, nutmeg, and all-spice also tastes great.
- Water: You don’t need a lot, only about 1/3 cup. The natural juices from the apples will also be released, creating even more liquid.
How to make Apple Butter in Crockpot
This crock pot apple butter recipe is known to be the best handdown! Puree the apples in the slow cooker for a smooth and thick consistency. Take your apple sauce to the next level with this slow cooker apple butter that is quick and simple to make!
- Mix. Place apples in the bottom of the crockpot and sprinkle the spices over top. Pour water in and then stir to combine.
- Cook. Turn to low setting and cook for 8 to 10 hours, or until the mixture has thickened and turned dark brown.
- Blend. Place the apples in a blender and blend until the mixture reaches your desired consistency. You can also use an immersion blender too. Taste and adjust seasonings or add sugar if desired. Then cook for 1 more hour.
TIP: I like to cook mine overnight so that when I wake up in the morning it’s pretty much ready.
Favorite Ways to Use It
Apple butter is similar to applesauce, but it is cooked for a longer period of time in the crockpot. Cooking it longer allows it to be more concentrated and thick. It is great for spreading over bread, adding to breakfast, or enjoying by the spoonful! The options are endless!
- Bread: We love to spread it on warm homemade bread, homemade biscuits, or breakfast muffins. It also adds a delicious sweet touch to my favorite cinnamon apple muffins.
- Oatmeal: Mix it in with your morning oatmeal or overnight oats and add some sliced apples, nut butter, chopped nuts, yogurt, and chocolate chips (picture below). Seriously delicious.
- Yogurt or cottage cheese: Add a couple of spoonfuls on top of your yogurt or cottage cheese to help sweeten it up. I like to sprinkle some extra cinnamon on top too.
- Baked Brie: This is the perfect topping for baked brie. The sweetness tastes amazing with the savory cheese. You could even add some chopped nuts for a small crunch.
Recipe FAQs
You may be wondering what the difference is between apple butter and applesauce. Both require slow-cooking apples and spices, however apple butter cooks for longer – which makes a thicker and caramelized dark brown spread that’s packed with a ton of flavor. Apple butter is basically just applesauce that’s been concentrated.
I like to use fuji apples for their tart flavor, but you can use a mixture of your favorites, such as Golden Delicious, Gala, Granny Smith, McIntosh, or Jonagold.
Nope. Not in a slow cooker. The butter will only get more flavorful and thicker.
Great for Gifting
This apple butter makes a great gift. I put it in a mini mason jar and added a sticker on top with a ribbon. It’s the perfect homemade fall treat to gift your neighbors, friends, or family!
5 star review
“I made this recipe several times and it tastes wonderful. I used it on my pancakes, toast, and oatmeal. I have also eaten it as cooked apples prior to putting in the blender. Any way you eat it you can’t go wrong.”
-Karen S.
Storing Easy Apple Butter Recipe
Pour into a mason jar or any container with a lid. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about two to three weeks, or up to four months in the freezer.
More easy homemade condiments with fresh fruit we love to make include blueberry jam, peach jam, and this strawberry jam recipe.
More Apple Recipes for Fall
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Apple Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds fuji apples , peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅓ cup water
- pinch of salt
Optional: 1/4 cup sugar or brown
Instructions
- Place the apples in the bottom of the crockpot. Sprinkle the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves (and sugar if desired) over top. Pour in water and stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the mixture is thickened and dark brown.
- In a blender, blend apples until it reaches your desired consistency. Taste and add any seasonings or sugar, if desired. Cook for 1 more hour.
- Carefully spoon the mixture into containers and seal with a lid. It will keep for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator and 4 months in the freezer.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Condiments, Crockpot, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
This apple butter sounds divine! I can’t wait to make this during the Fall as well. I want to try this on ice cream!
I hope you enjoy! :)
This recipe is so easy! The spices are well balanced and the finished product was amazing!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
This came out delicious! I didn’t add any sugar and my boys still loved it on their morning toast.
So glad to hear! :D
Just made this. Have been looking for a recipe with little or no sugar. My new favorite! Instead of putting in blender, I used an immersion blender. A little less work and clean up. Will definitely make this again!
So glad you enjoyed this! Thanks for your tips Jan! :)
Question, I don’t care for Cloves, would it be as good WITHOUT 1/4 tsp ground cloves? Just thought I’d ask. It’s a small quantity so may not make any difference at all.
You can definitely leave them out! :)
UMM yes please. This is everything I need!
Looks delicious and so easy to make! !
to make this even better, use cider instead of water. Pure flavor! I’ll be using apples from our tree which makes it even more fun.
Great idea! Thanks for sharing! :)
I bet this makes your house smell so good! I love that there is no sugar added in there!
Wow this sounds and looks absolutely amazing!!
Laura & Bailey | https://cavapaws.com
Hope you enjoy! :)
This is a dream for apple season!
Oh my goodness, this sounds ahhmaaazing!! I LOVE that its sugar free!!
Wow, how amazing does that look! I’m sure this is incredibly delicious!
Wow, this recipe looks great. Very interesting combination of ingredients. I really like. THANK YOU!
What size slow cooker did you use? Thanks! Definitely making this weekend.
This looks amazing!!! I can’t wait to try it! Have you tried making this in the Instant Pot too?
I haven’t tried making this in the instant pot but have seen several recipes floating around for it, so I would definitely say to give it a try! :)
What a great gift to give during the holidays! That is… if there is any left ;)
Totally making this today with the apples from our tree!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Hope you enjoy! :)