Crockpot applesauce made with only a few ingredients and SO delicious! Once you’ve made this homemade version, you’ll never go back to store bought. So easy and fresh!
Fall is just around the corner! Can you believe it? I am utterly in love with all things fall, especially the delicious apple desserts. There are so many great apple varieties for great prices at the supermarket during the fall months. One great way to use those apples is by making homemade applesauce.
Have you ever made applesauce in the slow cooker? It is SO easy. Like, ridiculously easy. Apples plus a few other easy ingredients, only FIVE to be exact. Stick it all in the crockpot and a few short hours later, the most flavorful, delicious homemade applesauce you could ever imagine. So much better than store bought. It can double as a dessert or snack and is super family-friendly. My kids love it!
Ingredients
- Apples: In my opinion, the best apples to use are golden delicious. They’re sweet, firm and crisp, which makes them perfect for applesauce.
- Sugar: Although the applesauce is naturally sweet, I like to add in a small amount of sugar for an extra boost of sweetness. Feel free to add as much or as little sugar as preferred.
- Water: This is added to help give it the perfect consistency. The juices from the apples will also create some liquid, so you don’t need to add a lot of water.
- Lemon juice: This helps to brighten and balance out the flavors.
- Cinnamon: Mixing in spice is optional, but I love the flavor it adds. Cinnamon is my favorite, but feel free to mix in others like nutmeg, allspice, pumpkin pie spice, cloves or cardamom.
How to make applesauce in crockpot
Scroll down for the printable recipe.
- SLICE. Peel and core the apples. Then slice them into fourths and place in the crockpot.
- MIX. Toss the apples in lemon juice and then add in sugar and cinnamon (if desired), stirring to combine. Pour in the water and then cover with the lid.
- COOK. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until apples are very soft.
- BLEND. Allow to cool slightly and then mash with a potato masher or put in the blender for a smoother texture.
Helpful tips
- Size of apples. I used 12 medium apples, which weighed about 4 to 5 pounds total. Because the size of each apple can differ so greatly, you may want to weigh your apples to ensure you have enough. You should be able to make about 6 cups of applesauce with this amount.
- Consistency. For a smoother consistency, transfer the apples to a blender (or use an immersion blender in the crockpot). For a chunkier consistency, mash the apples with a potato masher.
- Sweetness. I like to add in a small amount of sugar to give it the perfect sweet taste. Start with about 1/4 cup, then taste and adjust as needed. If you add too much at first, it could be overly sweet for your taste and then you can’t fix it. You could also omit the sugar all together for a sugar-free version.
Storing
This applesauce will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks if stored in a sealed container (I prefer mason jars). I like to write the date on the lid so that I know how long it will keep, although my family usually eats it right up in a couple of days!
More fresh apple recipes:
Crockpot Applesauce
Ingredients
- 12 medium golden delicious apples (about 4-5 pounds)
- 1/4-1/2 cup granulated sugar (more if you prefer sweeter)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Peel and core apples. Cut into fourths and place in crockpot. Toss apples in lemon juice and then add in sugar and cinnamon (if desired), stirring to combine. Add in water and then cover with the lid.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or until apples are very soft.
- Allow to cool slightly and then mash with a potato masher or put in the blender for a smoother texture. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Hi do I need the lemon juice? Do I need some sort of blender ?
The lemon juice helps to brighten and balance out the flavors, but you can make it without if you prefer. A blender creates a smoother texture, but if you don’t have one – you can use a potato masher to mash the apples. The consistency just may be a bit chunkier.
Could you use apple juice instead of water.
I haven’t tried, although it may make it a lot sweeter if you do. You may want to cut back on sugar a little bit if using apple juice.
Looks simple and I’ll give it a try. Can you freeze it?
Hi! It should freeze well for up to 3 months.
Would all the ingredients just double or would that be too much sugar or water?
Can this recipe be doubled?
If your crock pot is large enough, definitely! :)
Would all the ingredients just double or would that be too much sugar or water?
Yes, I would just double the recipe as listed. :)
Can this be canned?
I haven’t tried before, so I’m not sure!
Have you ever canned this recipe? Would it work?
Hi Tauna! I haven’t canned this recipe before so I’m not sure the changes that would need to be made.
I’d like to try this, can I skip the added sugar though?
Yes you can skip the sugar, it will cut the sweetness.