Homemade Applesauce is the absolute best way to enjoy applesauce! This applesauce recipe is so simple to make, naturally sweetened, and better tasting than any store bought applesauce! PERIOD!
Do you have an instant pot? If so, you may prefer to make Instant Pot Applesauce. Both recipes for Stove Top Applesauce and Instant Pot Applesauce are equally delicious and easy to make!
Homemade Applesauce
If I want to see my kid’s faces light up, I just need to announce I am making homemade applesauce.
NOTHING beats homemade applesauce. The taste of homemade applesauce is a million times better than store bought applesauce. Truly! The taste, the texture, the smell, it is so much better than any jarred applesauce.
And thankfully, making applesauce at home is incredibly easy. In fact, Applesauce is one of the first recipes I learned to make. I remember standing on a step stool stirring in cinnamon to my aunt’s homemade applesauce. Oh that smell—absolutely divine!
This recipe for applesauce has been a staple in my house for decades, and I believe it needs to be one in yours as well!
Selecting Apples for Applesauce
You can truly make applesauce out of any apple. I recommend sweet, soft apples for homemade applesauce, as they cook down easily and naturally sweeten the applesauce so that there is no need to add sugar to the applesauce.
I also find that a combination of apples works to give applesauce incredible flavor as well.
I typically opt for some sort of combination of the following apple varieties:
- Fuji
- Courtland
- Gala
- Golden Delicious
Money Saving Tip: Scan the manager’s specials for apples that are almost past their prime. They are typically marked drastically down and they make the perfect base for applesauce! I have even found great specials at my local orchard on bruised apples.
Preparing the Apples
- Thoroughly clean 3 pound of apples using my tips on how to naturally wash produce.
- Core the apples and chop into large chunks.
You read that correctly, I did NOT mention peeling the apples. It takes too much time and that is where most of the nutrients are!! Plus we are going to blend this later, so the peels will not affect the texture.
How to Make Homemade Applesauce
- Place apple into a heavy bottom stock pan.
- Add in apple juice, apple cider, or pineapple juice and cinnamon.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
- Simmer for 1-2 hours until apples are soft and broken down into nearly a soft mush (What a description!!)
- The amount of time that your apples need to simmer is based on the varieties you used, but I find it is typically between 1 and 2 hours.
- Blend the apples until completely smooth.
How to Blend Applesauce
You can blend applesauce to be somewhat chunky or completely smooth. If you prefer chunk applesauce, you can simply use a potato masher. Keep in mind that unless you plan to blend your applesauce, you may want to peel your apples.
Using a Blender:
- Depending on your blender, you may need to blend in smaller batches.
- Be sure to allow steam to escape by loosening the top cup on the lid and placing a kitchen towel over the top and blend until smooth.
Using a Hand Held Immersion Blender:
- If you are using a stainless steel stock pan, you can use a hand-held immersion blender and blend right in your pot for homemade applesauce.
- Do not use a immersion blender on delicate cookware like enamel cookware.
Using a Food Processor:
- Working in batches, transfer the cooked apples into a food processor fitted with the serrated blade.
- Process until smooth.
How to Freeze Applesauce
Nothing is better than fresh, warm applesauce. But especially during the holiday season, I find myself making this weeks in advance. When
- Allow the applesauce to cool completely.
- Place into 1 quart freezer safe bags or containers.
- Store in the freezer for 3-6 months.
- Thaw out the applesauce and heat gently over low heat before serving.
Notes on Homemade Applesauce
- You can certainly peel the apples if you prefer. I like the ease of not peeling plus the added nutrition.
- Instead of apple juice, you can use apple cider or pineapple juice as the cooking liquid. Either of these options help to naturally sweeten the apples as they cook.
- For Cinnamon Applesauce, add in 1-2 teaspoons of cinnamon to apples before cooking.
- If you need your applesauce to be sweeter, add in 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup, granulated sugar, or brown sugar.
More Easy DIY Homemade Recipes
- Homemade Granola
- Homemade Gogurts
- Dairy Free Fudgesicles
- Homemade Larabars
- Homemade Cheese Crackers
- Instant Pot Yogurt
- 3 pounds apples
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon optional
- Wash and dry your apples. Remove core from apple and cut into 2 inch chunks.
- Place apples in heavy duty stock pan. Pour in 1 cup apple juice and sprinkle with cinnamon if using.
- Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce heat.
- Simmer for 1-2 hours until apples have completely broken down and skin is soft.
- Either mash applesauce with potato masher, immersion blender, or transfer to a blender or food processor to blend into smooth.
- Any variety of apples can be used to make homemade apples. Personally, I prefer a combination of sweet, soft apples such as Gala, Fuji, Courtland, and Golden Delicious.
- Applesauce will last for 5-6 days in refrigerator and for 3 months in the freezer.
- Instead of apple juice, you can use apple cider or pineapple juice as the cooking liquid. Water can be used as well, but will not add as much natural sweetness to the applesauce.
- I do not peel apples, because I blend applesauce to be smooth and I want the added nutrients found in the skins. If you plan to have chunkier applesauce that is simply, you will want to peel your apples.
- Easy Mulled Wine - November 21, 2019
- Gluten Free Sweet Potato Waffles - November 20, 2019
- Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Sweet Potatoes - November 20, 2019
Homemade Applesauce
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Kristen Chidsey
Love love love this recipe! Nothing is worse to me than overly sweet applesauce from a package at the store. We all love this one!
I am so glad you enjoy this recipe Katie! It is such a healthy homemade treat.
Love, love, love that there’s no added sugar in this. I use this as a natural sweetener in some baked muffins too! So good!
Great idea to add to this applesauce to muffins Marjory! I love doing the same. And thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
I agree- red delicious is NOT my thing either! But fresh applesauce with the peel? Sounds great- and simple.
A simple and easy to follow recipe. Your fresh homemade apple sauce sound really good! Would love to have you share with our readers at Home Matters Linky. http://wp.me/p4fJXd-18f
Thanks Shirley. I stopped by your party and checked it out 🙂