This homemade unsweetened applesauce recipe is bursting with sweet and tangy flavours and the best thing is, you can enjoy it without worrying about added sugar. This wholesome and delicious sauce can be used in so many different ways, use in pancake batter, to sweeten chia pudding, serve with pork chops or use as a first food for baby and so much more.
Making your own applesauce is so easy and so much more nutritious then store-bought applesauce. Some recipes use apple juice to cook the apples in, however this adds additional sugar and isn’t necessary as the apples are sweet enough already.
This sauce can be made using all sorts of different varieties of apples, like granny smith, fuji apples or pink lady apples. Making this easy homemade applesauce is such a great way to use up all of those extra apples from apple picking season.
I’ve used this smooth applesauce in my Healthy Carrot Cake Pancakes recipe as well as my Applesauce Overnight Oats and they both turned out so well.
This simple recipe is really easy to make but I’m going to run you through step-by-step to make it even easier, as well as any other details you might need to know, including the health benefits!
What You’ll Love About My Homemade Apple Sauce Recipe
This super easy recipe is a great one to have in your back pocket for when apple season hits. Here’s what I think you’ll love about this recipe.
- my homemade applesauce is filled with pectins, which are beneficial for promoting gut health.
- this recipe uses just two simple ingredients, with some optional add-in’s.
- this recipe is free from added sugars, containing only the natural sugars from apples.
- perfect to use in sweet or savory dishes.
Ingredients Notes
For this recipe you will only need two ingredients, apples and water. You can really use any variety of apples that you choose, they all work well! I’ll list some apple varieties below that work well.
- granny smith apples
- fuji apples
- pink lady apples
- royal gala apples
- golden delicious apples
- cortland apples
- red delicious
You get the idea, any apple will do really. Whatever fresh apples you can find at the grocery store will be fine.
Variations
I’ve made this homemade applesauce recipe without adding in extra flavourings so that you can use it in either sweet or savoury recipes. Below are some optional ingredients that you can add in.
- cinnamon – either add a little cinnamon powder (ground cinnamon) or a cinnamon stick to the pot before cooking. Remove the cinnamon stick before blending.
- pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice
- pure maple syrup or honey – add in a little maple syrup or honey and taste after blending to see if you want to add more.
- fresh lemon juice – for a more tart applesauce add fresh lemon juice to taste.
How to Make my Homemade Applesauce (no sugar)
The first step is to cut up the apples. I like to dice my apples when making applesauce but you can cut them thinly if you prefer. At the end of the day it doesn’t really matter as they will be cooked until tender, whichever way they are cut.
Start by cutting the apple in half from the top to the bottom. Cut each apple half in half again from top to bottom. Using a sharp knife, very carefully remove the core. A safer way of doing this is by using an apple corer before slicing.
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Now dice the apple quarters and set aside.
Note: I choose to keep the apple skins on as it adds extra pectin into the applesauce, which is really great for gut health! For an even smoother texture you can peel the apples. You can use the apple peels and cores to make this homemade apple cider vinegar!
Add all of the diced apple into a large pot. I like to use a dutch oven but you can use a large saucepan or large pot with a lid. Add the water and place onto the stovetop. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
Keep the lid on but remove to stir occasionally with a wooden spoon to help the apples to cook evenly.
After 15 minutes, remove the lid and turn the heat up to a medium heat. Stir the apples frequently and keep a close eye on them for the next 15 minutes or so, or until the apples are tender and falling apart and most of the liquid has reduced.
If using an immersion blender, remove the apples from the heat and blend straight away. If you are using a stand up blender or food processor, it is best to wait until the apples are room temperature before blending, to prevent injury.
Now blend the applesauce until you reach a smooth consistency. If you would like a chunky applesauce you can use a potato masher to mash. Or pulse to your desired consistency.
Making Applesauce in the Slow Cooker
If a more hands off approach is more your speed then cook your applesauce in the slow cooker! Just add the ingredients to the slow cooker. Place the lid on, set the slow cooker to low to cook for 4 hours. Make sure you stir the apples a couple of times during cooking.
Storage
To refrigerate add the applesauce into a clean glass jar or airtight container, place the lid on and refrigerate for up to four days.
Applesauce freezes really well! To freeze, freeze in a freezer-safe container or spoon into ice cube trays. Place the ice cube trays into the freezer and once frozen, pop the cubes out into freezer bags and place back into the freezer for up to 6 months.
How to Use Homemade Applesauce
There are so many ways to use applesauce, whether that’s in a sweet or savoury dish, or eating just is as a healthy snack! Here are some of my favourites:
- stir through chia pudding
- serve with barbecued pork chops or a side dish for roast pork.
- use to top yoghurt or vanilla ice cream
- spoon over porridge.
- add to smoothies or use as a natural sweetener in baking.
- make my Carrot Cake Pancakes.
Homemade Apple Sauce (No Sugar)
Equipment
- Dutch oven or large saucepan with lid
- Chopping Board
- Sharp knife
- Wooden Spoon
- Immersion blender or food processor
- Measuring Cups
Ingredients
- 6 large apples, any variety
- 1 cup water
Optional Add-in’s
- cinnamon stick, or ground cinnamon
- pure maple syrup
- vanilla extract
- pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Slice each apple into quarters, carefully remove the core and dice.
- Add the diced apple to a large saucepan or pot along with the water. Place the lid onto the saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce to the lowest heat, stirring the apples from time to time. Cook with the lid on for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes remove the lid, turn the heat up to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally to cook evenly. Once the apples are soft and falling apart and most of the liquid has evaporated, remove from the heat.
- Puree the cooked apples using a handheld blender or by transferring them to a high-speed blender once cooled to room temperature. Blend until smooth.
- Store the applesauce in clean glass jars in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
How to Use Applesauce
Read onto see some of our favourite ways to use applesauce.– Serve with pork roast or pork chops.
– Use in baking as a sweetener and for binding.
– Use to top porridge or overnight oats.
– Stir through chia pudding.
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