This recipe for Crockpot Applesauce is very low in sugar, allowing the fall’s best fresh apple flavor to shine through.
I have been making crockpot applesauce since my son was two years old – that’s 11 years now. I’ve tried various methods for making applesauce – cooking it on the stovetop, using a food mill, even a microwave method. Once the apples are peeled and sliced I really think using a slow cooker is the best way to go. It concentrates the flavor of the apples so just a small amount of sugar is needed for this recipe.
I like making this applesauce best with local apples. And I usually try to add at least a couple of different varieties in each batch of applesauce. But in a pinch I’ll just buy apples from my grocery and make some. My kids’ inhale this applesauce and turn up their noses at the store bought variety. They’ll eat an entire crockpot full of my applesauce within just a few days. Which is fine with me because of the low sugar content!
Tips for Crockpot Applesauce:
- Leave the cinnamon out if you are not a fan of cinnamon.
- For an 8-quart size crockpot, I use about 18 to 20 apples. If you have a smaller crockpot, use less apples (and less sugar).
- We like our applesauce on the chunky side and so I just gently break up the apples with a wooden spoon or spatula once the apples are cooked.
- If you like a smoother applesauce, use an immersion blender to blend the apples after they are cooked.
- I use this serrated knife to peel and slice my apples.
- Here’s a helpful chart to show which apples are best for applesauce. Some of the best choices are Gala, Fuji, Melrose, Jonathan and Cameo.
Foodtastic Mom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Any highlighted, clickable Amazon link you see is an affiliate link that I may earn advertising fees on.
Thank you so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of Foodtastic Mom. Be sure to PIN and print this recipe!
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 8-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 wooden spoon or spatula. For smoother applesauce, blend the apples with an immersion blender.
- Transfer the applesauce to an air tight container. Refrigerate overnight before eating.
Nutrition
More Apple Recipes:
- Applesauce Baked Pork Chops
- Kentucky Apple Skillet Cake
- Apple Crisp
- Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin
- Pork Apple Burgers
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!