Crockpot applesauce made with four simple ingredients in the slow cooker! Once you’ve made this easy homemade version, you’ll never go back to store-bought.

Bowl of homemade crockpot applesauce with a spoonful resting on top, surrounded by golden apples and a jar of sauce.

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Slow Cooker Applesauce Recipe

I love all things apple in the fall! One of my favorite ways to use up a big apple haul is with this easy crockpot applesauce. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and a few hours later your kitchen will smell amazing and you’re rewarded with the most flavorful, cozy applesauce.

If you love this, try my slow cooker apple butter or crockpot apple cider next!

Ingredient Notes

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Apples: In my opinion, the best apples to use are golden and delicious. They are 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 you prefer.
  • 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. Cinnamon is my favorite, but feel free to mix in others like nutmeg, allspice, pumpkin pie spice, cloves, or cardamom.

How to Make Crockpot Applesauce

Peel and core the apples. Then slice them into fourths and place them in the crockpot. Toss the apples in lemon juice and then add in sugar and cinnamon (if desired), stirring to combine. Pour in water and cover with the lid.

Peeled and quartered apples in crockpot with cinnamon, sugar and lemon juice.

Cook the crock pot applesauce on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, or until apples are very soft.

Cooked apple slices softened in the crockpot, ready to be mashed into homemade applesauce.

Allow crockpot applesauce cool slightly and then mash with a potato masher or put in the blender for a smoother texture.

Overhead shot of applesauce in a spoon, scooped directly from a slow cooker after cooking and mashing.

Helpful Tips

  • Size of apples. I used 12 medium apples, which weighed about 4 to 5 pounds in 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 crockpot 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 altogether for a sugar-free version.
  • Add-ins. There are so many ways to make this recipe your own. Try it with maple syrup or honey, add dried fruit (like apricots or cranberries), cayenne pepper or ginger, or browned butter.
Jar of crock pot applesauce in a glass mason jar, showing thick, rustic texture and golden brown color.

Favorite Ways to Use Applesauce

Spoonful of slow cooker applesauce held over a white ramekin, with a golden apple in the background.

I love all things fall, especially all the delicious apple desserts. You just can’t beat a slice of Dutch apple pie or a plate full of easy apple crumble!

More Fresh Apple Recipes

Crockpot applesauce in a white bowl with a spoon.

Crockpot Applesauce

4.99 from 52 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours
Servings: 12
Crockpot applesauce made with four simple ingredients in the slow cooker! Once you've made this easy homemade version, you'll never go back to store-bought.
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Ingredients 

  • 12 medium golden delicious apples (about 4-5 pounds)
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/4-1/2 cup granulated sugar (more if you prefer sweeter)
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon , optional

Instructions

  • Prep apples. Peel and core 12 medium apples. Cut into quarters and place in crockpot. Toss apples in 1 Tablespoon lemon juice. Stir in 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, if using, until combined. Add 1/2 cup water and cover with the lid.
  • Slow cook. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or until apples are very soft.
  • Mash or puree. Let cool slightly and mash with a potato masher to reach the desired consistency or blend in the blender for a smoother texture. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Puree: You can also use a food mill or food processor to puree the apples, if you prefer. 
Quantity: Makes about 6 cups. 
Storage: This applesauce will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks if stored in a sealed container (I prefer mason jars).

Nutrition

Calories: 111kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 0.5g, Fat: 0.3g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 2mg, Potassium: 196mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 23g, Vitamin A: 99IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Storing

This crock pot applesauce will stay fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks. Store in an airtight container or a mason jar that is sealed. 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!

This apple sauce can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months. Both these options are great for storing homemade crockpot applesauce.

Recipe FAQs

What else can I add to this applesauce?

There are so many ways to make this recipe your own. Try it with maple syrup, dried fruit (like apricots or cranberries), cayenne pepper, or browned butter.

What is the difference between applesauce and apple butter?

The two are made from the same ingredients, but apple butter is cooked longer, which removes water content and leads to a richer, creamier product.

Could you use apple juice instead of water?

You could, although it will make it a lot sweeter. If you try this, I would cut out the sugar.

What kind of apples are best for homemade applesauce?

The best apples for crockpot applesauce are fuji, red delicious, granny smith, pink lady, gala, or Honeycrisp apples. You can even mix two or three of the types of apples together for a sweet and savory flavor!

Can you overcook applesauce?

This slow cooker applesauce recipe shouldn’t overcook. You don’t want to cook the applesauce too long in the slow cooker. It is a simple recipe that is 3 to 4 hours then mash the softened apples to form the applesauce consistency.