Homemade Applesauce Recipe
This homemade applesauce recipe is one of those little things that just make life a bit sweeter. It’s perfect for those mornings when you’re rushing around but still want something warm and comforting. It’s easy to make, and honestly, the flavor is so much better than what you get from the grocery store.
All you need is a bunch of apples, a little cinnamon, and a squeeze of lemon juice, and you’ve got yourself a delicious treat. It’s simple, but it tastes like a hug from grandma in a bowl.
Great Reasons You Will Want to Make This Homemade Applesauce
This easy homemade applesauce recipe is the perfect breakfast because it’s quick to make and feels like a cozy start to your day. Plus, it’s naturally sweet, so you can skip the sugary stuff and still get a yummy, wholesome bite to fuel you up.
- Sweetly comforting: This recipe just tastes so much better than store-bought applesauce. You get a fresh, sweet, and slightly tart flavor that gives you that homemade, cozy vibe in every bite.
- Super easy to make: You don’t need any special skills, just 3 ingredients (apples, cinnamon, and lemon juice) and a saucepan. To prepare, simply chop, cook, and mash. That’s it!
- Can be made in advance: This easy recipe is quick to whip up and can be made ahead of time. You can make a big batch and store it in the fridge, so you’ve got a sweet, ready-to-go breakfast or snack that just needs a quick scoop. No need to fuss over complicated meals when you’ve got this on hand.
- Budget-friendly: Apples are super affordable, especially when it’s apple season. You can make a big batch without breaking the bank and keep it for days.
- Skip the peel for shorter prep time: Want to save more time? Keep the skins on the apples! Not only does it save time, but it gives your sauce extra fiber and nutrients.
- Customize ingredients: Try mixing different varieties of apples—sweet and tart ones make the best combo. You can even get creative and add a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of maple syrup for a fun twist.
- Serving suggestions: Serve it warm over oatmeal, as a side with pancakes, or as a topping for toast or yogurt. You could even drizzle it on top of waffles for a sweet breakfast treat.
Here’s Your Grocery List For Homemade Applesauce
Take a quick peek at the ingredients, it’s all stuff you probably already have in your pantry or fridge. It’s so easy to find that you’ll be surprised at how something so simple can taste so delicious!
- Apples: Go for a mix of sweet and tart apples for the best taste of homemade applesauce. Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp apples are great for sweetness, while Granny Smith is the best kind of apple to give that nice tart kick. If you can, buy them when they’re in season for the best price and flavor.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice is your best option, so pick a fresh lemon with a firm and smooth skin. Avoid any that have dry, wrinkled spots. Try to press it gently; it should have a little bit of give to make sure it’s juicy.
- Cinnamon: For convenience, stick with ground cinnamon. It loses its flavor over time, so check the expiration date for freshness.
Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Homemade Applesauce
Step 1: Prep Apples
First, grab your apples and give them a quick rinse. Using a knife, peel them—if you want to save time and add extra fiber, you can keep the skins on! Next, cut them in half, remove the cores, and slice them into about 1-inch chunks. It doesn’t have to be super precise, just make sure they’re small enough to cook down easily.
Pro tip: Use an apple peeler and an apple corer to prep the apples easily if you’ve got one.
Step 2: What We Are Doing
Toss those apple chunks into a large saucepan. Add in water, fresh lemon juice (this helps keep the apples from browning and adds a nice tang), and cinnamon. Stir everything together so the apples get evenly coated with the flavor boosters. Then, bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
Once it starts bubbling, lower the heat to a simmer. Let it cook for about 30 minutes, stirring once in a while. The apples will soften up and start breaking down, which is exactly what you want.
Pro tip: If the mixture looks a bit dry while simmering, add a little water to keep everything soft and steamy.
Step 3: Mash Or Blend
At this point, your apples should be super soft and almost mushy. If you prefer a chunkier applesauce, grab a potato masher and mash it up to your desired texture. If you want smooth applesauce, use an immersion blender to blend it right into the pan or carefully transfer it to a regular blender or food processor. Blend it until it’s nice and smooth.
Pro tip: Mash the apples while still warm. If you’re blending, let them cool slightly before using a blender or food processor because hot applesauce can create a mess.
Step 4: Serve Or Store
Once your applesauce is ready, you can serve it warm straight from the pot—there’s something so comforting about warm applesauce! Or, if you’re prepping ahead, let it cool down, pop it in the fridge, and enjoy it chilled for up to 3 weeks. Either way, it’s a perfect snack or topping for breakfast dishes like oatmeal, pancakes, or yogurt.
Pro tip: Freeze portions in airtight containers or silicone molds for quick snacks down the road. They should last for up to 7 months in the freezer.
Tips and Variations
- Add a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or allspice for extra warmth, dried cranberries for a twist, or a splash of vanilla extract after blending for a touch of sweetness.
- Replace cinnamon with pumpkin spice or a few pinches of powdered ginger for a different flavor profile.
- Use lime juice or apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice to balance the sweetness of apples.
- To follow the low-sugar diet, use naturally sweet apples like Fuji or Gala.
- Leave some chunks for a rustic vibe or blend thoroughly for a velvety texture that’s perfect for spreading or swirling into yogurt.
- Skip the cinnamon and add a pinch of salt to serve alongside pork chops or roasted veggies.
My Favorite Tools For Making For Making Homemade Applesauce
Immersion Blender (Top Rated KitchenAid)
Buy Now →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a slow cooker is an excellent tool for making applesauce. Toss all the ingredients in the cooker, set it on low, and let it cook for several hours until the apples are soft and the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
If you like a thicker applesauce, you can cook it longer to allow more water to evaporate, concentrating the flavors and thickening the texture. Alternatively, you can add a small amount of cornstarch or arrowroot powder mixed with water to thicken the sauce.
Serving Ideas
Serve on top of a warm bowl of pumpkin spice oatmeal, sourdough discard pancakes, pumpkin muffins, or blueberry toast for a cozy, fall-inspired breakfast treat.
Top with chopped nuts, whipped cream, or Greek yogurt to elevate the flavor of the applesauce.
Pair with turmeric coffee, chai latte, or strawberry almond milk to improve your breakfast experience.
If you prefer it warm, serve applesauce in a slow cooker on the “low” setting or thermal food carrier.
If you like to keep it chilled, serve it in small glass jars or bowls that you’ve prechilled in the fridge.
Use mason jars or small plastic containers to serve applesauce on the go. For a crowd, serve in a large bowl to let guests scoop it out easily.
Homemade Applesauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 pounds apples a mix of Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Gala or your preferred varieties
- ¾ cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Prep the Apples
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1-inch chunks.4 pounds apples
Cook the Apples
- In a large saucepan, combine the apples, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Stir to coat the apples evenly.¾ cup water, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very tender and start to break down.
Mash or Blend
- Use a potato masher for a chunky texture or an immersion blender (or food processor) for a smoother applesauce.
Serve
- Serve warm or chilled.
Notes
- Add a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or allspice for extra warmth, dried cranberries for a twist, or a splash of vanilla extract after blending for a touch of sweetness.
- Replace cinnamon with pumpkin spice or a few pinches of powdered ginger for a different flavor profile.
- Use lime juice or apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice to balance the sweetness of apples.
- To follow the low-sugar diet, use naturally sweet apples like Fuji or Gala.
- Leave some chunks for a rustic vibe or blend thoroughly for a velvety texture that’s perfect for spreading or swirling into yogurt.
- Skip the cinnamon and add a pinch of salt to serve alongside pork chops or roasted veggies.