3 Ingredient Homemade Applesauce In Crockpot
Learn how to make easy, 3-ingredient homemade applesauce in a crockpot with these simple steps!
Fall is the perfect time for apple picking, and we often end up with excess apples. This easy applesauce takes just 10 minutes to prep, and the slow cooker does the rest of the work!
Jamie’s Recipe Summary: 3 Ingredient Crockpot Applesauce
- Taste: Slightly sweet, warmly spiced apple flavor.
- Texture: Soft, moist with small chunks of fruit.
- Total Time: 4 hours in the slow cooker, 15 minutes prep.
- Skill level: From beginner to seasoned cook.
- Dietary Info: Vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free.
- Tools needed: A large crockpot and an apple peeler (you can also peel the apples by hand)
- Why is this the best? This easy applesauce is made in the slow cooker with just a few simple ingredients. It warms up the home with it’s delicious aroma while it cooks and gives you a wholesome, delicious snack for the kids!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This recipe is flexible and easy, the perfect treat for busy days. Besides water, you only need 3 ingredients: apples, cinnamon, and a little bit of sugar.
- This easy fall snack is also so easy to make with your kids, we use it during our homeschool studies.
- Slow cooker applesauce can be frozen for a year, the perfect way to store apples!
- This recipe smells amazing as it simmers… like stepping into an apple orchard in peak fall season!
Looking for more cozy fall recipes? Check out my delicious caramel apple muffins or apple crumble muffins here and my favorite sourdough discard pumpkin bars here.
Ingredients
You need just a few simple ingredients for this recipe:
- Apples: you can use any variety of apples. Tart apples like Granny Smith will give more sour flavor, while sweeter apples like Gala or Fuji will give you a sweet applesauce flavor. Use a combination of sweet and sour for a fun depth of flavor.
- Sugar: I use white sugar in this recipe, but you can use brown sugar if you prefer.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds the warm, distinct flavor found in old fashioned applesauce.
Use any kind of apples you like: Honeycrisp apples, pink lady, and Gala are all good options. Keep in mind that softer apples like Red Delicious may cook faster.
Personally, I think a combination of sweet and tangy makes the best applesauce!
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Variations + Substitutions
- Add cinnamon sticks on top of the apples for a festive touch and more robust flavor.
- Substitue maple syrup for the sugar for a natural option.
- We have used pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon and it is DELISH!
- Add a pinch of nutmeg for even more fall flavor and complexity.
- Leave out the sugar! For a no sugar option, simply leave it out! The applesauce will be less sweet.
How To Make Easy Crockpot Applesauce
Step 1. Peel and core apples and chop them into pieces. We like to use an apple corer/peeler, but you can use a sharp knife as well.
Step 2. Place the chopped apples in the crockpot and sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon over the top. Pour the water into the crockpot and cook the apples on high for 4 hours.
Step 3: Stir the apples with a whisk or spoon until desired consistency is achieved. For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender. Texture is personal preference- you can go for a chunk or smooth applesauce!
Jamie’s Recipe Tips
- For chunky applesauce simply stir the cooked apples for a shorter time period, leaving chunks in the sauce.
- For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to mix the apples.
- To cook on low setting, extend the cooking time to 7-8 hours- this is perfect if you are going to work for the day.
- Experiment with spices to make your own custom flavor! You can always add more or less cinnamon and nutmeg- seasonings are flexible and up to your tastes.
Storage
Transfer to ziploc bags or an airtight container and refrigerate for 10-14 days.
To freeze, first let the applesauce cool completely. Place in a freezer-safe container or mason jar and store for up to one year. Thaw by placing in the refrigerator for a day or two.
Homemade Applesauce In A Crockpot FAQ’s
To make the best homemade apple sauce add two or more kinds of apples to add complexity of flavor, and sprinkle in spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice.
Crockpot applesauce takes 3-4 hours on high heat, and 7-8 hours on high heat. For chunkier applesauce, decrease the cook time.
You do not have to peel apples for applesauce. If you leave the peels on, the sauce will be a bit chunkier and have a little extra tang.
You do not have to add lemon to applesauce – it cooks up fine without it. If you’d like to add a little lemon for a zesty flavor contrast to the apples, however, you can.
More Fall Snacks
For more delicious homemade fall snacks try these sourdough cheese crackers, paleo hot chocolate, caramel apple dip, or pumpkin streusel muffins.
If you tried this easy homemade apple sauce recipe or any other recipe on my blog please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting! 🙂
3 Ingredient Crockpot Applesauce
Equipment
- 1 Crockpot
- 1 Apple peeler or a small, sharp knife
- Measuring cups
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples I used Granny Smith + Gala
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg optional
Instructions
- Peel, core, and cut your apples into 1/8 inch slices. You can use a sharp knife to do this, or an all in one kitchen and apple corer.
- Place the chopped apples into the crockpot. Sprinkle the cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg over the apples and add water. Cook on high for 4 hours.
- Stir the apples with a spoon until a smooth consistency is formed. Enjoy!
Notes
- For quicker prep time, skip the peeling of the apples- the applesauce will just be chunkier!
- For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender.
- Cook on low setting by extending the cook time to 7-8 hours.
- Any type of apple will work for this recipe: sweet apples will give a sweeter flavor, while tart apples will lend a more sour flavor to the applesauce. I like to use a mixture of both!
- Adjust spices to your personal preference as desired- you can add more cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg, or even try pumpkin pie spice.
We love this easy to make homemade apple sauce and hope you do as well!
Turned out perfect thank you!
This looks so good and simple! I hope to go apple picking this fall and will have to come back to this. Thanks for sharing!
This sounds so easy to do. I love the slow cooker idea, no burning, yes!
we love crockpot applesauce! so simple and easy!
I have never made applesauce in a crockpot before. Love that!