Crockpot Applesauce | No Sugar Added

How to make homemade applesauce 2 different ways in a crockpot with no added sugar.

I love making my family’s meals here at home, but making snacks sometimes tends to take the back burner: it’s so much easier to just buy something convenient and individually packaged in bulk to have on hand in the pantry. Unfortunately, those snacks on the grocery store shelves are normally filled with ingredients you can't even pronounce and have sugar by the truckload in them. What if I told you that there is a way to make applesauce at home, without all the sugar and weird stuff added, and it’s practically effortless? 

Having control over what our family eats is a great way to support a healthy lifestyle. Making your snacks at home gives you that power and peace of mind. I serve this applesauce as a snack to my baby and feel no guilt or worry regarding its contents, I even use it when cooking and baking! Today I'm going to share two simple methods for making this applesauce in your crockpot. The first method includes apples, the juice from one lemon, a small amount of water, and a dash of cinnamon. Our second method is made up of apples, a small amount of your choice of unsweetened apple juice OR apple cider, and cinnamon to taste. Cinnamon is obviously optional based on your own personal preference or dietary restrictions, but if you can have it I highly recommend trying it out, I think it makes the applesauce absolutely delicious! 

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Homemade Crockpot Applesauce: Variation 1

Ingredients:

• 10 apples (more or less depending on the size of your crockpot!)
• Optional: 1 lemon’s juice
• ¼ cup water
• ½-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions: 

1.) Optional: Squeeze the juice from one lemon and place it off to the side.

2.) Peel, core, and cut your apples into chunks.

3.) Place the apple slices into your crockpot.

4.) Optional: Pour your fresh squeezed lemon juice over the apple slices.

5.) Sprinkle the ground cinnamon over the apple slices.

6.) Pour the water over your apple slices.

7.) Take a large spoon or rubber scraper and mix it all together.

8.) Place the lid on the crockpot and put it on set to the HIGH setting. Allow it to cook down for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.

9.) Once your apples are cooked down to a very soft texture, take a potato masher and mash it all up to your desired consistency OR ladle your softened apples into a blender and blend them to a texture of your liking.

10.) You are all done! Ladle your applesauce into small individual storage containers, reusable pouches, or into a large container and store it in the fridge to enjoy with your family!

Homemade Crockpot Applesauce: Variation 2

Ingredients:

• 10 apples (more or less depending on the size of your crockpot!)
• ¼ cup unsweetened apple juice OR apple cider
• ½-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1.)  Peel, core, and cut your apples into chunks.

2.) Place the apple slices into your crockpot.

3.) Sprinkle the ground cinnamon over your apple slices.

4.) Pour the unsweetened apple juice OR apple cider over the apple slices.

5.) Take a large spoon or rubber scraper and mix it all together.

6.) Place the lid on the crockpot and put it on set to the HIGH setting. Allow it to cook down for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.

7.) Once your apples are cooked down to a very soft texture, take a potato masher and mash it all up to your desired consistency OR ladle your softened apples into a blender and blend them to a texture of your liking.

8.) You are all done! Ladle your applesauce into small individual containers, reusable pouches, or into a large container and store it in the fridge to enjoy with your family!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is this applesauce canning friendly?

• Please always use canning specific recipes from a trusted source, such as Ball or the USDA, when looking to store long term. Safety is so important! I have never canned this, we tend to eat this as fast as I can make it. 

What kind of apples should I use in my applesauce?

• Any that you like! When making a recipe like this with no added sugar, sweeter varieties will help the flavor. I used a combination of honeycrisp, granny smith, and gala apples. Using a variety of apples creates a really special flavor.

Why do you add lemon to homemade applesauce?

• One of the recipes includes the juice from one lemon. This is to help preserve the color and it slows down oxidation. Of course, the cinnamon may make your applesauce turn brown anyway, especially if you add a lot of it.

How long does homemade applesauce last in a jar in the refrigerator?

• Your homemade crockpot applesauce can last from one week up to ten days in the fridge!

Helpful Tips for Making Crockpot Applesauce:

• Storing your homemade applesauce in smaller size individual containers or reusable pouches adds the convenience element that store-bought applesauce has. Being able to grab it as you rush out the door easily is a game-changer when dealing with little ones! When I make a big batch in a large crockpot, I will store it in individual containers as well as in a gallon size glass jar in the fridge. I will replenish the containers as they empty to keep up the convenience and remove the hassle of scooping it out each time we are eating some.
• If either recipe is not sweet enough for you, play around with the apple varieties you use! You have so much control over the flavor when you make it yourself. If you are using the second method, you can of course also choose to use sweetened apple juice or apple cider but be sure to read the label first to ensure you are okay with what you are adding into your applesauce!

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This simple, homemade, sugar-free applesauce is a staple snack in our home and now it can be in yours too! 

What apple varieties are you using in your homemade crockpot applesauce? Leave a comment below to let us know! Be sure to tag me, tulipsandtwill, in your photos on Instagram and use the hashtag #tulipsandtwill so I can see your delicious applesauce!