Homemade Applesauce Recipe

This Homemade Applesauce Recipe is made with just 5 simple ingredients and is ready in just over 30 minutes. Enjoy this easy and delicious Homemade Applesauce as a simple snack, healthy dessert, or alongside more savory dishes such as this Meal Prep Skillet Kielbasa with Bell Peppers and Pork Chops with Apples and Butternut Squash.

This homemade applesauce recipe remains one of my favorite snacks. Light, healthy, and loved by all ages, applesauce can be enjoyed year round and is loved by me, my son, and my husband. Every time I prepare a big batch of this homemade applesauce it’s like digging into a big slice of apple pie.

What are the ingredients in this Homemade Applesauce Recipe?

• Apples
• Water
• Sugar or another sweetener (optional)
• Ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• Lemon juice

In other words, you’re eating apples. But that’s the point, right?

And, if you’re like me, a person who has the tendency to impulse buy in large amounts, then this homemade applesauce recipe is just what you needed!

You’ll notice that I made a little note that adding sugar to this recipe is completely optional. I am a person who prefers things that are less sweet. Don’t get me wrong- I love ice cream and cookies and chocolate, but when it comes to applesauce, I actually really love the taste of apples so I don’t feel the need to drown them in sugar.

If you, on the other hand, prefer a sweeter applesauce, then I definitely recommend adding some sugar. To this recipe, I added 1/4 cup. I feel like this amount is a happy compromise which makes everyone happy, so use that as a guide when deciding how much sugar is right for your applesauce recipe.

How to make Homemade Applesauce

1. To make homemade applesauce gather a bunch of apples– whichever apples you want (see above). In nearly all apple recipes I use Pink Lady Apples because they’re tart, crispy and so pink. Basically, the only thing that matters when picking apples. Just kidding…but, that’s how I do things.
2. Peel and core the apples. If you’re handy enough with an apple peeler, that will definitely help speed the process along. Unfortunately, I have never been clever enough to figure out how to use mine (true story) so I stick to my favorite paring knife. Peel, core, and slice the peeled apples into large slices.
3. Transfer the apples to a large pot. Add the water, lemon juice, sweetener, cinnamon, and salt and mix to combine. You don’t need a lot of liquid, however, you will need approximately 1/2 cup to help steam the apples and move things along. Some people use apple juice or apple cider instead of water, but I just see that as more sugar, so I’ll let you decide.
4. Bring liquid to a boil, reduce heat, and cover. Now the hard part is over (since, you know, that was super hard). Allow the apples to cook for approximately 25-30 minutes. Your apples should be broken up, buy partially intact, and very soft. Remove those sweet apples from heat.
5. Make into applesauce. Mash or puree, which will you choose?

Chunky or Smooth Applesauce?

Once your apples have cooked, now it’s time to decide- will you enjoy chunky or smooth applesauce? Fortunately, there are no wrong answers here. All applesauce is good applesauce.

To make a chunkier applesauce, I recommend using a potato masher. However, for a smooth applesauce, you’ll want to process in a food processor or blender.

If you try this Applesauce, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.

For more apple recipe check out,

• Healthier Cinnamon Apple Muffins with Cinnamon Sugar Topping
• Autumn Rosé Sangria with Apples and Pomegranates
• Herbed Apple and Pumpernickel Stuffing
• Marinated Salmon Apple Salad
• Sweet Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Stuffed Acorn Squash with Almond Butter
• Apple Pie Overnight Oats
• How to Make Fried Apples

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Homemade Applesauce Recipe

This recipe for easy and delicious Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce is ready in just 30 minutes and makes the perfect sweet snack or healthy dessert.

author: Jessica Randhawa

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time40 mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 225kcal

Ingredients

• 3 pounds apples - approx. 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, quartered and chopped into smaller chunks.
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Place the peeled, cored, quartered and chopped apples in a large pot.  Add the water, lemon juice, sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir well.  Bring to a boil on high heat, then turn to low and cover.  Maintain a low simmer for 30 minutes or until the apples are completely soft and cooked through.
• Once fully cooked, remove from heat.  For a chunky applesauce, mash the apples in the pot with a potato masher. For a smooth applesauce, add to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth (if using a blender, work in batches and allow time to cool).
• Delicious served warm or cold.

Jessica's Notes

I used Pink Lady apples for this recipe because that is what I had laying around.  Other recommended apples are Granny Smith, Mcintosh, Fuji, Gravenstein, Jonagold, and Golden Delicious.  Or, even better, you can always mix and match!

You can adjust sugar amount according to personal preference.  As I don't usually love lots of added sugar (unless we're talking cookies or cake), I will probably cut the sugar in half next time I make this recipe.  Of course, Pink Lady apples are known for being sweet, so perhaps my opinion will change with a different apple.

Makes approx. 1.5 quarts

Nutrition

Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Sodium: 152mg | Potassium: 364mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 47g | Vitamin A: 185IU | Vitamin C: 15.7mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.4mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Best Apples for Applesauce, Homemade Applesauce Recipe

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(originally posted on October 5, 2015)