Crockpot applesauce made with four simple ingredients in the slow cooker! Once you’ve made this easy homemade version, you’ll never go back to store-bought.
If you have an abundance of apples, you will also love this crockpot apple butter and homemade apple cider also made in the slow cooker!
Table of Contents
Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce
I love all things fall, especially all the delicious apple desserts. You just can’t beat a slice of Dutch apple pie, a plate full of apple cobbler, or simply an applesauce muffin!
One great way to use apples is by making crockpot applesauce. Applesauce in the slow cooker is so easy to do! Stick it all in the crockpot and a few short hours later, the most flavorful, delicious homemade applesauce you could ever imagine.
Recipe Ingredients
Simple ingredients make the best applesauce using this crockpot recipe!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Apples: In my opinion, the best apples to use are golden and delicious. They are sweet, firm, and crisp, which makes them perfect for applesauce.
- Sugar: Although the applesauce is naturally sweet, I like to add in a small amount of sugar for an extra boost of sweetness. Feel free to add as much or as little sugar as you prefer.
- Water: This is added to help give it the perfect consistency. The juices from the apples will also create some liquid, so you don’t need to add a lot of water.
- Lemon juice: This helps to brighten and balance out the flavors.
- Cinnamon: Mixing in spice is optional, but I love the flavor it adds. Cinnamon is my favorite, but feel free to mix in others like nutmeg, allspice, apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, cloves, or cardamom.
How to Make Homemade Crockpot Applesauce
Peel and core the apples. Then slice them into fourths and place them in the crockpot. Toss the apples in lemon juice and then add in sugar and cinnamon (if desired), stirring to combine. Pour in water and cover with the lid.
Cook the crock pot applesauce on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, or until apples are very soft.
Allow crockpot applesauce cool slightly and then mash with a potato masher or put in the blender for a smoother texture.
Helpful Tips and Variations
- Size of apples. I used 12 medium apples, which weighed about 4 to 5 pounds in total. Because the size of each apple can differ so greatly, you may want to weigh your apples to ensure you have enough. You should be able to make about 6 cups of crockpot applesauce with this amount.
- Consistency. For a smoother consistency, transfer the apples to a blender (or use an immersion blender in the crockpot). For a chunkier consistency, mash the apples with a potato masher.
- Sweetness. I like to add in a small amount of sugar to give it the perfect sweet taste. Start with about 1/4 cup, then taste and adjust as needed. If you add too much at first, it could be overly sweet for your taste and then you can’t fix it. You could also omit the sugar altogether for a sugar-free version.
- Add-ins. There are so many ways to make this recipe your own. Try it with maple syrup or honey, add dried fruit (like apricots or cranberries), cayenne pepper or ginger, or browned butter.
Favorite Ways to Use Applesauce
- Snack time. Place in small cups and bring out for snack time or pack in lunches.
- Apple sauce. Add 1/2 cup crockpot applesauce to my favorite apple cinnamon pancakes.
- Substitute. I love that homemade applesauce replaces some of the oil in these apple muffins, morning glory muffins, and chocolate chip pumpkin bread.
- Extra soft. Make your cookies extra soft with a 1/2 cup like I use in my oatmeal raisin cookies.
Storing
This crock pot applesauce will stay fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks. Store in an airtight container or a mason jar that is sealed. I like to write the date on the lid so that I know how long it will keep, although my family usually eats it right up in a couple of days!
This apple sauce can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months. Both these options are great for storing homemade crockpot applesauce.
More Fresh Apple Recipes
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Crockpot Applesauce
Video
Ingredients
- 12 medium golden delicious apples (about 4-5 pounds)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4-1/2 cup granulated sugar (more if you prefer sweeter)
- ½ cup water
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon , optional
Instructions
- Prep apples. Peel and core 12 medium apples. Cut into quarters and place in crockpot. Toss apples in 1 Tablespoon lemon juice. Stir in 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, if using, until combined. Add 1/2 cup water and cover with the lid.
- Slow cook. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or until apples are very soft.
- Mash or puree. Let cool slightly and mash with a potato masher to reach the desired consistency or blend in the blender for a smoother texture. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
There are so many ways to make this recipe your own. Try it with maple syrup, dried fruit (like apricots or cranberries), cayenne pepper, or browned butter.
The two are made from the same ingredients, but apple butter is cooked longer, which removes water content and leads to a richer, creamier product.
You could, although it will make it a lot sweeter. If you do, I would cut out the sugar.
The best apples for crockpot applesauce are fuji, red delicious, granny smith, pink lady, gala, or Honeycrisp apples. You can even mix two or three of the types of apples together for a sweet and savory flavor!
This slow cooker applesauce recipe shouldn’t overcook. You don’t want to cook the applesauce too long in the slow cooker. It is a simple recipe that is 3 to 4 hours then mash the softened apples to form the applesauce consistency.
Categorized as: American, Condiments, Crockpot, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Sauces, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Perfect! My son had three bowls and added bonus the house smells so good while they slow cook!
This was my first attempt at making my own applesauce and I loved the results! A lot easier than I imagined it would be. A great recipe.
Such a perfect applesauce! Thanks for this easy to follow recipe!
Made this and it came out really good. Adjusted sugar for sweetness. It’s a delightful, comforting snack or side dish.
Homemade applesauce is always the best and this is soooo easy to make! Love it!
So easy and delicious.
Nothing beats homemade applesauce! This tasted amazing and I will have to make it again.
So glad to hear it was a hit, Kristen! Thanks for your comment and review :)
I love apples! And this is the best applesauce I have ever tasted. They are so fresh and easy to make.
I’m so happy to hear you loved it, Sharina! Thanks for your comment and review :)
after slow cooking applesauce can it be canned in jars.thank you
I believe it could, but I have not experimented with canning very much. Let us know if you try it out!
Hi do I need the lemon juice? Do I need some sort of blender ?
The lemon juice helps to brighten and balance out the flavors, but you can make it without if you prefer. A blender creates a smoother texture, but if you don’t have one – you can use a potato masher to mash the apples. The consistency just may be a bit chunkier.
Could you use apple juice instead of water.
I haven’t tried, although it may make it a lot sweeter if you do. You may want to cut back on sugar a little bit if using apple juice.
So simple and delicious! Can you freeze it?
Hi! It should freeze well for up to 3 months.
Can this recipe be doubled?
If your crock pot is large enough, definitely! :)
Would all the ingredients just double or would that be too much sugar or water?
Yes, I would just double the recipe as listed. :)
Can this be canned?
I haven’t tried before, so I’m not sure!
Have you ever canned this recipe? Would it work?
Hi Tauna! I haven’t canned this recipe before so I’m not sure the changes that would need to be made.
I’d like to try this, can I skip the added sugar though?
Yes you can skip the sugar, it will cut the sweetness.
This is literally the best! There is nothing better than homemade applesauce! The kids LOVED it!
This applesauce is the best ever! Love how it comes out. so much better than anything from the store