My recipe for Crockpot Applesauce is sweetened with just a bit of sugar, allowing the fall’s best fresh apple flavor to shine through.
(Originally published 8/12/2018 and updated for content 12/2/2024)
If you like this recipe, check out my Air Fryer Apples and Pork Chops and Applesauce next!
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I have been making this easy crockpot applesauce since my son was two years old and he’s almost 20 now! I’ve tried various methods for making a homemade version of applesauce – cooking it on the stovetop, using a food mill, even a microwave method. Once the apples are peeled and sliced I really think your slow cooker makes the most delicious homemade applesauce. It concentrates the flavor of the apples so just a small amount of sugar is needed for this recipe.
More recipes with apples
Ingredients for homemade crockpot applesauce
- Apples – This is the perfect recipe for making during apple season. Especially after a trip to a local apple orchard. However, you can use any types of apples at any time of year. Mix and match your favorites. Some of mine are honeycrisp apples, pink lady, red delicious, mutsu apples and granny smith apples.
- Granulated Sugar – I use between 2 tablespoons and 1/4 cup of sugar in the entire recipe, depending on the natural sweetness of the apples I’m using. This can easily become an unsweetened applesauce by simply leaving out the sugar completely! Your slow cooker concentrates the apples natural flavors so you really won’t miss it. Or instead of sugar you could sweeten your applesauce with maple syrup or brown sugar.
- Cinnamon – I’m a big fan of crockpot cinnamon applesauce and so are my kids. I use ground cinnamon but you could also use cinnamon sticks. Choose to leave it out if you aren’t a fan of cinnamon. Or substitute it with apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice.
- Variations – Some people add lemon juice but I don’t find it to be necessary.
Instructions for slow cooker apple sauce
Core, peel and cut the apples into bite-sized pieces. Layer half of them in the Crock-Pot. Sprinkle evenly with the sugar and cinnamon. Layer on the remaining apples and cover with the lid. Your slow cooker will be full to the top. Cook the applesauce on LOW power for about 6 hours, or until the apples are fall apart tender. You could also cook the applesauce on HIGH power for 3-4 hours. Scroll to the bottom for my free, printable recipe card!
Pro tips
- Your applesauce texture is up to personal preference. For a chunky applesauce that is more rustic, gently break up the apples with a potato masher. For a smooth applesauce, use an immersion blender to blend the apples.
- Want to make apple butter? Just keep cooking your apples. Cook the apples for 10 hours. Then cook them an additional 2 hours, uncovered. Add in a pinch of ground cloves and blend until smooth.
Serving suggestions
Spoon warm applesauce over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Serve it cold as a side dish, healthy dessert or snack. It’s also great to have on-hand for holiday dinners. Here’s some of my recipes to serve along with this slow cooker apple sauce recipe –
Storage directions
Store your applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. It also freezes well. You can store it in a freezer-safe container or Mason jar in the freezer for up to one month.
Kitchen tools
- I use a 6-quart slow cooker to test all of my recipes
- These are my favorite air-tight containers for storing food
- Use an immersion blender to blend the applesauce until smooth
- Or use a potato masher for a chunky, more rustic applesauce texture
Crockpot Applesauce
Ingredients
- 20 apples
- 1/4 cup sugar or less
- 1 tsp cinnamon optional
Instructions
- Core, peel and cut the apples into about 1-inch pieces.
- Add the apples and sugar (use less sugar if your apples are really sweet) to an 6-quart crockpot. I use anywhere between 2 tablespoons and 1/4 cup of sugar.
- Add the cinnamon if desired.
- Cover and cook the apples on LOW heat for 6 hours.
- For chunky applesauce, gently break up the apples with a potato masher. For smoother applesauce, blend the apples with an immersion blender.
- Transfer the applesauce to an air tight container. Refrigerate overnight before eating.
Nutrition
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Annie Lim says
Hi Jill, thank you for sharing the recipe. May I know what do you use the applesauce for? Are there many recipes out there using applesauce? I hope to try them out one day. Please teach me how to store them if we cannot finish it in a short period of time. Thank you and God bless.
Darlene @ Dip Recipe Creations says
I’ve never made applesauce, but this crockpot version sounds wonderful. I really love local apples too and can’t wait for the fall to get here so I can go to my favorite apple orchard.
foodtasticmom says
Yes I always love the applesauce best with local apples – so good!
linda spiker says
I loved apple sauce as a kid. Bet I would love this recipe as an adult!
foodtasticmom says
I really think you will.
Kristi says
I just got a message from my Mom that my Grandma’s apples are ready so this is perfect. Looks a great way to make applesauce in the crockpot.
foodtasticmom says
Awesome – perfect timing!
Sara Lehman says
Love homemade applesauce, but never thought about making it in the crock pot. I know this would make my house smell amazing as it cooked!
foodtasticmom says
Yes it does make your kitchen smell really good!
Ellen says
That texture looks perfect! I would definitely add the cinnamon.
foodtasticmom says
Yay for cinnamon! Thank you!
Kelli Kerkman says
Easy peasy! Love recipes like this – will be perfect when the large boxes of apples are available at the farmer’s market!
foodtasticmom says
Exactly! It’s so good.
Jenni LeBaron says
This recipe is really perfect timing for all of the beautiful apples arriving this season. It looks so easy an tasty!
foodtasticmom says
I’m so glad you agree. Thank you Jenni!
LynDuh51056 says
As I’m sitting here I have a slow cooker full of Michigan fuji apples, awaiting that wonderful aroma. This is the second time I’ve made this recipe and can’t tell you how much everyone just loves this applesauce. This is my favorite time of the year, with this being one of the reasons! Easy peasy and so tasty!!!
foodtasticmom says
So happy to hear this! There is nothing like homemade applesauce. Thank you for commenting!
Holly says
Homemade applesauce is so much better than store-bought. What a great way to use apples this season!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Holly!
Chef Markus Mueller says
Great recipe! Making Apple sauce is so much better then buying store bought. Less garbage, healthier and tastier! Have you tried making it in a pressure cooker!? I just did some in my instant pot!! Turned out great!
foodtasticmom says
Yes! I just posted a recipe for Instant Pot applesauce recently. I liked it too!
Traci says
What a simple, functional recipe! Why am I not making this on the regular?! I think that’s about to change…thanks for sharing this beauty. Just pinned!
foodtasticmom says
Exactly. Make it all the time 🙂 And thank you so much for the Pin!
Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites says
I have a MASSIVE bag of apples we picked at the orchard and just made apple butter. Barely put a dent in the bag. So glad to have found this recipe – apple sauce is up next!
foodtasticmom says
I just went apple picking for the first time this year. I can’t believe I’d never been. It’s the easiest to pick of all the fruits, LOL So little time spent and I came home with SO many apples. I’ve only made apple butter a couple of times. But it’s so good. So glad to hear that you’ll be trying this applesauce!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
We don’t really do apple sauce here in the UK. We use our apples to make chutney, apple pie or apple crumble. The sauce does look tasty.
foodtasticmom says
That’s interesting to know! I love a good chutney, pie or crumble – so those sound great as well!