• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Mind "Full" Mom
  • ingredient
    • Pasta
    • Beef
    • Poultry
    • Pork
    • Seafood
    • Vegetarian
    • soups
    • burgers
  • course
    • Beverages
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Main Courses
    • Sides
    • Salads
    • Snacks
    • Desserts
    • Condiments
  • method
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • Grilling
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Air Fryer
  • All Recipes
    • Main Courses
      • Beef Recipes
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Soup, Stew, and Chili
      • Vegetarian
    • Breakfast
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Kid-Friendly
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Snacks
    • Pantry Staples
    • Allergy Friendly Recipes
      • Plant-Based
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • All Recipes
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Homemade Applesauce

    Homemade Staples Dairy-Free Recipes Gluten Free Plant Based Recipes Side Dishes August 21, 2022 | By Kristen Chidsey | 10 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    The easiest, no-peel, naturally sweetened, recipe for Applesauce. And the flavor is PERFECTION!

    This recipe for Homemade Applesauce is so simple to make, naturally sweetened, and better tasting than any store-bought applesauce!

    Bowl of applesauce with cinnamon sticks next to fresh apples.


    If I want to see my kid's faces light up, I just need to announce I am making homemade applesauce.

    And I don't blame them! NOTHING beats homemade applesauce.

    From the taste to the texture to the aroma of applesauce cooking, homemade trumps store bought any day of the week.

    But my recipe for applesauce is truly the best for a couple of reasons.

    • Naturally sweetened. No sugar is added or needed in this recipe for applesauce. And I promise you it is plenty sweet.
    • No peeling is required. That's right! The peels will break down and become plenty soft to blend right into the applesauce. Not only does this make this recipe easy to make, but it also adds fiber and nutrients to the applesauce.

    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 variety of apples. 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 Fuji, Courtland, Gala, and/or Golden Delicious. I will also sometimes throw a couple of Granny Smith apples into the mix for a bit of tartness.

    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. 

    Variety of apples on cutting board.

    How to Make Homemade Applesauce

    • Thoroughly clean 3 pounds of apples.
    • Core the apples and chop them into large chunks and place the apple chunks into a heavy bottom stock pan.
    • Add in apple juice, apple cider, or pineapple juice and cinnamon, if using.
    • Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce it to a simmer.
    • Simmer for 1-2 hours until apples are soft and broken down into nearly a soft mush.
    pot of apples before and after cooking.
    • Using a slotted spoon, transfer the apples to a blender or food processor fitted with an s-blade, leaving the cooking liquid in the pan.
    • Be sure to allow steam to escape by loosening the shoot on the lid. I find it is also helpful to place a kitchen towel over the top, to prevent any splatter.
    • Blend until smooth, adding cooking liquid if needed.
    Applesauce Blended in blender.

    Storing Homemade Applesauce

    Once your applesauce is blended, allow it to cool slightly and then transfer it to an airtight container or jar. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

    To freeze applesauce, allow the applesauce to cool completely. Place into 1-quart freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving about 1 inch of room for expansion. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw out the applesauce in the refrigerator overnight. Serve cold or heat gently over low heat before serving.

    Recipe Modifications

    • Cooking Liquid: Instead of apple juice, you can use apple cider or pineapple juice as the cooking liquid. Either of these options helps to naturally sweeten the apples as they cook. Of course, feel free to use water if that is all you have on hand, but your applesauce will not be as sweet or flavorful.
    • Peeling Apples: You can certainly peel the apples if you prefer. I like the ease of not peeling plus the added nutrition that the peels provide.
    • Cinnamon Applesauce: For Cinnamon Applesauce, add 1-2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon to apples before cooking.
    • Sweetened Applesauce: I find this recipe plenty sweet, but if you like your applesauce on the sweeter side, add in 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup, granulated sugar, or brown sugar.
    • If you have an Instant Pot, you may want to try my recipe for Instant Pot Applesauce. It comes together in just 30 minutes.

    Serving Suggestions

    Obviously, applesauce makes a wonderful snack or healthy addition to breakfast or lunch. However, you can use this homemade applesauce for baking as well. Try it out in one of the following recipes.

    • Applesauce Muffins
    • Zucchini Bread
    • Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
    • Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

    If you made this homemade applesauce, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below. 

    Bowl of homemade applesauce.

    Homemade Applesauce

    An easy recipe for naturally sweetened, no-peel homemade applesauce.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours hours
    Total Time: 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 73kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 3 pounds apples
    • 1 cup apple juice
    • 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon optional
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • 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. 
    • Using a slotted spoon, transfer the apples to a blender or food processor fitted with an s-blade, leaving the cooking liquid in the pan. Leave the shoot on the blender or food processor cracked or open, and blend until smooth, adding the cooking liquid if needed.
    • Serve warm or cool to room temperature and then transfer to an airtight container or jar and store in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    Apples: 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. 
    Storage: Applesauce will last for 5-6 days in the refrigerator and for 3 months in the freezer.
    Liquid: 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.
    Peeling Apples: I do not peel apples, because I blend applesauce to be smooth and I want the added nutrients found in the skins. If you don't want to blend your applesauce and prefer it to have a chunky consistency, you will want to peel your apples.  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 5.5mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.2mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!
    « Instant Pot French Onion Soup
    Green Bean Casserole from Scratch »

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Anna

      September 29, 2021 at 6:19 pm

      5 stars
      My kids will only eat homemade applesauce. It's just the best! I make this at least once a week. It's so easy!

      Reply
    2. Kristyn

      September 29, 2021 at 3:49 pm

      5 stars
      My kids love applesauce! This will be fun to make with them during fall break. They especially love adding the cinnamon.

      Reply
    3. Katie

      October 15, 2019 at 7:28 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 16, 2019 at 6:57 am

        I am so glad you enjoy this recipe Katie! It is such a healthy homemade treat.

        Reply
    4. Marjory

      October 15, 2019 at 7:02 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 16, 2019 at 6:58 am

        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.

        Reply
    5. chanelle

      October 31, 2014 at 4:14 pm

      I agree- red delicious is NOT my thing either! But fresh applesauce with the peel? Sounds great- and simple.

      Reply
    6. Shirley Wood

      October 31, 2014 at 8:34 am

      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

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 31, 2014 at 11:13 am

        Thanks Shirley. I stopped by your party and checked it out 🙂

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    The easiest, no-peel, naturally sweetened, recipe for Applesauce. And the flavor is PERFECTION!

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

    Instant Pot Favorites

    • jar of plain yogurt next to instant pot
      Instant Pot Yogurt
    • Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs Sliced Open on cutting board
      Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
    • Instant Pot Pot Roast sliced up on white platter with carrots and potatoes.
      Instant Pot Pot Roast
    • Whole seasoned chicken on trivet inside inner pot.
      Instant Pot Whole Chicken
    • Bowl of Cold Start Yogurt
      Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt
    • Inner pot of instant pot filled dried beans
      Instant Pot Beans
    • How to use the instant pot as a slow cooker
      How to Use Your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker
    • 4 chicken breasts cooked inside instant pot.
      Instant Pot Chicken Breast (Fresh or Frozen)

    Reader Favorites

    • Bowl of creamy coleslaw made with shredded green cabbage.
      Easy Homemade Coleslaw
    • Homemade Chicken Tenders on platter.
      Homemade Chicken Tenders
    • Baked Instant Pot Sweet Potato on white plate topped with pat of butter.
      Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
    • Chili seasonings labled on wooden board
      Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • 3 Salmon Fillets on green plate topped with limes.
      Easy Baked Salmon
    • Instant Pot Chicken Wing being dipped into ranch dressing.
      Instant Pot Chicken Wings
    • Latte in glass mug with coffee beans on the counter.
      Easy Homemade Latte Recipe
    • Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice in yellow casserole dish
      Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice

    Footer

    The easiest, no-peel, naturally sweetened, recipe for Applesauce. And the flavor is PERFECTION!

    Featured on:

    Websites AMind"Full"Mom has been featured on

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me

    DISCLAIMER: THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR TREATMENT. AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I GENUINELY LOVE ARE OFTEN INCORPORATED IN MY POSTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

    Copyright © 2020 · A MIND "FULL" MOM