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Homemade applesauce doesn’t have to take all day in the kitchen! From the instant pot to the crock pot to the stovetop, we have all the easiest methods to making this homestyle applesauce in no time.
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Who knew that making your own applesauce could be so easy and taste so good? In a family taste-test, this homemade recipe was the unanimous favorite over store-bought applesauce. It is smoother and has more flavor, and LESS sugar, than the store-bought stuff. It can be used as an after school snack, served over vanilla ice cream for dessert, or keep it to bulk up your food storage . Put it in these re-useable pouches for easy snacking/day trips with kids, as a baking ingredient, or even baby food!
Ingredients for Applesauce
The ingredients to make this Instant Pot applesauce recipe couldn’t be easier. All you need are some apples, a little water, and a squeeze of lemon juice. That’s it! Sugar can be added for sweetness, but most apple varieties are plenty sweet without it. If you are using super tart apples you can add a little big of sugar but don’t overdo it. After the apples cook they are nice and sweet. You can get all fancy and add other ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, etc… but honestly we love it best as-is.
Best Apples To Use For Applesauce
According to Stemilt World Famous Fruit, the apple growers in Wenatchee, WA, the best apples are softer varieties like Golden Delicious, Fuji, and McIntosh. These apples will break down easier when cooked. Here are some more of our favorites:
- Gala
- Honeycrisp
- Pink lady
- Granny Smith apples
- Jonathan
- Crispin
- Cortland
Instant Pot Method
Making applesauce (especially in the Instant Pot) is a breeze. Just a few easy steps and you can be enjoying fresh applesauce in a matter of minutes.
- Peel, core, and slice apples. This is SUPER easy with an apple peeler/corer (THIS is the one that I have) or you can also use a paring knife or potato peeler.
- Place apples in the Instant Pot. Add ¾ cup water and 2 teaspoons lemon juice. Place the lid and set the valve to “sealing”.
- Pressure cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then do a quick steam release. You can also cook for 5 minutes and allow to do a natural release.
- Mash with potato masher or pulse in a food processor until smooth.
CrockPot Method
You can easily make applesauce in a Crock Pot if you don’t have an Instant Pot. To make it in the slow cooker, place all the ingredients in your crock pot and cook on HIGH for four hours, stirring occasionally.
Stovetop Method
Place all ingredients in a medium sauce pan, cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until apples are soft and easy to mash. Serve it room temperature or store in the referigerator.
Tips for this Recipe
- Use a variety of apples (tart and sweet) for a better flavor. If you use a combination of both tart and sweet apples, you lessen the need for added sugar.
- Make your life easier and use an apple peeler / corer.
- For extra flavor, add nutmeg, a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, or any other spice you like.
- Don’t add cinnamon or brown sugar if you are wanting to use as a baking ingredient or as a substitution.
- For a chunky applesauce, mash until you reach your desired consistency. For a smoother applesauce, use a an immersion blender, regular blender or food processor. Pulse until you reach the desired consistency. Blending the sauce more will result in a smoother texture. But if you like it more chunky, just give the mixture a couple of quick pulses.
- Make your applesauce last longer by freezing or canning (see tips above)
Freezing Applesauce
Did you know you can freeze applesauce? You can freeze it in an airtight container or in gallon-sized freezer bags. If freezing in a freezer bag, I like to fill it half-way full, press the air out, and then seal it. Then I like to lay it flat and place it on a baking sheet to freeze. This way it freezes in a flat square rather than a bulky brick. It is easier to store and takes less time to thaw. Store the leftover applesauce for up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, give it a good stir, then enjoy!
Substituting With Applesauce
Did you know you can use applesauce in place of different baking ingredients such as oil, butter, and eggs? You can swap out oil and butter at a 1:1 ratio in many baked goods like muffins, sweet/fruit breads (such as zucchini bread, banana bread, or pumpkin bread), cakes, and cookies. You can also use ¼ cup applesauce in place of 1 egg.
After making this homemade apple sauce recipe, you will want to put it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days. If you want it to last longer, you can always pressure can it. Here is a helpful resource and chart from the National Center for Home Food Preservation on how to pressure can applesauce.
YES! In fact, applesauce freezes great! Just place your cooled applesauce in a freezer safe, air-tight container such as a Tupperware or even a Ziplock freezer bag. You can freeze homemade applesauce for up to a year, but for maximum freshness you will want to use it within 2-3 months. To thaw, place the applesauce in the refrigerator overnight. Just give it a good stir after thawing and it will be ready to serve!
I like using a mixture of sweet and tart. For this recipe I used Fuji and Granny Smith.
How To Make Applesauce in the Instant Pot
Instant Pot Applesauce
Equipment
- pressure cooker
- apple peeler
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples (about 8-9 medium apples)
- ¾ cup water
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Optional:
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Peel, core, and slice apples.
Instant Pot Method
- Add apples and remaining ingredients to Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then quick release. Mash with a potato masher or pulse in a food processor until smooth.
CrockPot Method
- Place all ingredients in the Crock Pot and cook on HIGH for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Stove Top Method
- Place all ingredients in a medium sauce pan, cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until apples are soft and easy to mash.
- Allow to cool at least 10 minutes before serving.
This is so good and delicious! I’m glad to find a new way to enjoy apples!
So fresh and delicious. I will never buy store bought again!
I never knew making homemade apple sauce could be this easy! This turned out so delicious and is way better than any store bought version I have had; loved every bite!
I am so glad you shared all the different ways to make this. My kids love applesauce, so this will be fun to make with them!
My kids love it! It’s so easy and really love the low amount of sugar that is optional for it!