Homemade Applesauce

The Best Applesauce Recipe

From the taste to the texture to the aroma of applesauce cooking, NOTHING compares to homemade applesauce.

And this recipe for homemade applesauce is the very best (and easiest) for two key reasons.

• First, this a sugar-free applesauce recipe. Instead of adding refined sugar, honey, or maple syrup, this recipe relies on the combinations of apples with a bit of 100% apple juice to naturally sweeten and enhance the flavor of the the applesauce.
• Second, you don't have to peel the apples. Which let's be honest, that is the MOST time consuming part of making applesauce. As the applesauce cooks, the peels will break down and become plenty soft enough to blend right into the applesauce, while adding fiber and nutrients to the dish. Talk about win-win!

Tips for Perfect Homemade Applesauce

The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Select the Best Apples for Applesauce. You can truly make applesauce out of just about any variety of apples, but for the best flavor, I recommend using a combination of sweet, crisp apples, like Honeycrisp, Fuji, Courtland, Gala, and/or Golden Delicious, along with a few Granny Smith apples to balance out the sweetness. 
• Wash the apples WELL! Because we are not peeling the skins of the apples, it is especially important to clean the apples well. 
• Chop the apples into even cubes. You don't need to be exact, but it is best to keep the chunks of apples similar in size so that they cook evenly. Remember, there is no need to peel the apples unless desired, simply cut around the core, discard the cored, and chop the apples into large, even chunks. 
• Select a naturally sweet cooking liquid. Cooking the apples with apple juice or apple cider will compliment the natural flavor of the apples and work to naturally sweeten the applesauce without the need to add sugar. 
• Simmer until apples are soft. You want to simmer the apples, covered, until the apples are super tender and the skin has softened.
• Blend the Apples into Applesauce. Instead of using a potato masher or immersion blender, I recommend blending the apples using a food processor of blender, which will break down the apple skins. To do this, use a slotted spoon to transfer the apples a blender or food processor fitted with an s-blade, leaving the cooking liquid in the pan. Blend until you reach the desired consistency, adding cooking liquid if needed.

How to Store Homemade Applesauce

• Refrigerate: 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.
• Freeze: 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.

Serving Suggestions

Obviously, applesauce makes a wonderful healthy snack, but there applesauce is good for so much more. 

• In Baking: Applesauce is a great substitute for oil in baking. I use it in Apple Quick Bread, Banana Breakfast Cookies, Baked Oatmeal Cups, Zucchini Bread, Peanut Butter Banana Muffins, and Chocolate Zucchini Muffins. 
• For Breakfast: Applesauce is delicious swirled into overnight oats, as a topping for pancakes or waffles, especially sweet potato pancakes and sweet potato waffles. 
• As a Side Dish: Applesauce is a natural pairing with pork. We love serving it on the side of air fryer pork chops, breaded pork chops, bacon-wrapped pork chops, and crockpot pork and sauerkraut.