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Who knew that Slow Cooker Applesauce could be so easy? Just four ingredients and a few hours of cooking yield delicious applesauce that is perfectly sweet and sure to be loved by all on the receiving end.
Want to try apples a different way? Have a go at making a batch of my Slow Cooker Red Hot Apple Slices for an old-fashioned dessert grandma used to make!
Table of Contents
Can I make applesauce in the crockpot?
Ever been hesitant about making something like applesauce in the crockpot? Let me ease your worries because you can make applesauce in your slow cooker, especially with my super easy applesauce recipe. If you’ve been apple-picking or given a plethora of apples, this is your recipe!
Not to mention, it tastes much better than the store bought applesauce, and you can make a variety of flavors. Making homemade applesauce seriously doesn’t get any easier than this! No food processor, food mill, or standing over a hot stove! All you need is this easy crockpot recipe! Your entire house will smell like apple pie. — Also try my slow cooker apple dump cake.
Recipe Ingredients
- Apples: I used 12 Granny Smith apples for this recipe. Though you can use your favorite apple here! Be sure to peel them well.
- Sugar: Just a touch of sugar adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the applesauce.
- Lemon: Lemon juice acts as both a preservative and flavor enhancer.
- Water: Needed to help make the applesauce more “saucy.” You can use apple juice or cider instead if desired. (The full recipe is in the recipe card below the photos).
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Peel and cut the apples using an apple corer.
Step Two – In a medium-sized bowl, add the sliced apples, lemon juice, and sugar. Stir.
Step Three – Add the apple mixture to the slow cooker bowl. Pour over the water.
Step Four – Cook on HIGH for 3 hours or until the apples are very soft to the desired consistency. Use a spoon, whisk, or potato masher to break up the apples; it won’t take much effort!
How to serve applesauce
- Homemade applesauce can be served warm and as-is right out of the crockpot. It makes for a delicious sweet treat, especially if you have a sweet tooth.
- Crock pot applesauce can also be served cold with a slice of toast or English muffin topped with butter. Make it into a full meal by adding some extra fruit on the side.
- Give your applesauce a boost in taste by adding any of the following: cinnamon sticks, pumpkin pie spice, or ground cinnamon. Here is my Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apple Sauce recipe.
- If you’ve never tried applesauce with a scoop of vanilla ice cream – try that too! Don’t forget to add a few apple chunks on top!
- Applesauce is often used in baking in place of oil to make recipes healthier.
Recipe FAQs and Variations
No, this is NOT a canning recipe.
Although Granny Smith is the go-to apple for this recipe, you can also use Fuji apples, Honey Crisp, golden delicious, or Gala apples.
Yes! Brown sugar (light brown sugar or dark brown sugar) works the same as white sugar as far as sweetness and has a 1:1 ratio.
If you’re using this for baby food, I suggest leaving out the sugar and lemon.
Mason jars are one of the best storage solutions for applesauce, though this is not a canning recipe. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Yes! Be sure to choose the proper container (freezer storage bags, ice cube trays, glass jars, etc.). Leave room for expansion and enjoy your frozen applesauce for up to a year.
You can use an immersion blender or regular blender to get a smooth applesauce. Though if you pulverize it too much, you will end up with apple butter.
More Slow Cooker Apple Recipes:
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Slow Cooker Applesauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 Granny Smith apples
- 1 lemon, (juiced)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water, or apple juice or apple cider
Instructions
- Peel and cut the apples using an apple corer.
- In a medium sized bowl, add the sliced apples, lemon juice and sugar, and stir.
- Add the apple mixture to the slow cooker bowl, pour over the water and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 8 hours or until the apples are very soft.
- Use a spoon, whisk or potato masher to break up the apples, it won't take much effort at all!
- Serve warm or chill and enjoy!
How to Video
Sarah’s Notes
- Store in a sealed container such as a mason jar for up to 7 days in the refrigerator. Note that this is NOT a canning recipe, for canning recipes need special ingredients and care.
- Although Granny Smith is the go-to apple for this recipe, you can also use Fuji apples, Honey Crisp, or Gala apples.
- If you’re using this for baby food, I suggest leaving out the sugar and lemon.
- If you are using squeeze bottle lemon juice, only use a teaspoon.
- Serving suggestions: On toast, on ice cream or just as is!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Can this recipe be frozen?
Yes! Applesauce freezes very well.