Slow Cooker Applesauce
Naturally sweet and delicious, nothing is easier to make than Slow Cooker Applesauce. All you need are apples and some cinnamon to make this incredibly simple and flavorful side dish. Makes 8 servings.
Love apple recipes? You’ve got to try Chicken Spinach Salad with Apples and Strawberries and Cinnamon Apple Pork Chops!
I feel like a fraud for even sharing this recipe because, well, it’s not really a recipe.
It calls for one ingredient or two, tops. But only if you’re feeling fancy.
While you can dress this applesauce recipe up, I honestly love it as it is because the apple flavors shine.
Why I love this recipe:
Homemade applesauce is so simple to make and absolutely delicious. Also, it’s way better than the store bought stuff.
It’s also a family favorite recipe.
I’m a sucker for unsweetened applesauce and tend to use it in a lot of baked goods. I also love it for an easy snack.
When our older daughter Lady became interested in solid foods, I researched and made a lot of purees for her. They included this applesauce.
I love this recipe because you control the flavors added, as well as the sweetness.
So whether you’ve gone apple picking and are looking how to use up some of that apple goodness or if you just bought a giant bag at the store, this is an excellent recipe to try!
Other recipes with apples that we adore this time of year: 40 Fall Apple Recipes for Apple Season | Vegan Breakfast Apple Crisp | Apple Chai Spiced Yogurt Parfaits | Spiced Apple Upside Down Cake with Bourbon Caramel Glaze | Shredded Applesauce Chicken Sliders with Brussels Sprouts Apple Slaw
Need more fall food inspiration? Check out my Fall Recipe Index for more ideas.
What you need to make this recipe:
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- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Apple corer
- Vegetable peeler
- Slow cooker
Let’s talk ingredients!
In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Apples — you’re going to need a lot of ’em.
- Cinnamon sticks — these are totally optional, but they add delicious flavor to the applesauce if you want to use them!
What are the best apples to use for applesauce?
You can basically use whatever type of apples you’ve got on hand for applesauce. Softer apples will cook down faster while apples that are more firm take more time.
That being said, you’re making this applesauce in the slow cooker… so it’s going to cook low and slow for however long you need.
Use your favorite apples. (Mine are Granny Smith apples and Fuji apples.)
How to make Applesauce in the Slow Cooker
Prepare the apples. Use a vegetable peeler for peeling the apples. Core them and dice them.
I like to use an apple corer to core and cut the apples at the same time, though you can use a knife if you’d rather.
Place the apples in the slow cooker. If you want, now is the time to add the cinnamon sticks.
You may also add some lemon juice to help the apples keep their color and not brown.
Cook on low for 8-12 hours, or until the apples are falling apart.
You will not need to use an immersion blender to combine these apples because they will become so soft that they will fall apart.
How to store homemade applesauce:
Once cooked through, store in a food safe container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
You may also freeze the applesauce into cubes (like Souper Cubes* affiliate link) if desired and defrost in the refrigerator before eating.
You could also can the applesauce, though I have no experience with this and would suggest you look up how to do this elsewhere so you can do it safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can overcook applesauce. While I like mine to be falling apart, I know that not everyone loves that and suggest keeping an eye on yours as it cooks down to where you can stop the cooking at the consistency you like.
This applesauce cooks in the slow cooker and will cook for 8-12 hours, depending on the apples, your slow cooker itself and the desired consistency.
While you don’t *have* to peel apples for applesauce, I really like the end result better when the apples have been peeled.
Tips and tricks for the best Crockpot Applesauce
- Use your favorite apples. Since they cook down in the slow cooker, the initial softness of the apples doesn’t really matter. Choose something that has flavor that you like.
- Have fun with the flavors. I suggest using cinnamon sticks to add cinnamon flavor. You could also add a few tablespoons of brown sugar for sweetness.
- If you peel and core the apples early, add a little lemon juice to prevent browning before the cooking process begins.
Here’s how you can make this homemade applesauce recipe at home:
Slow Cooker Applesauce
Ingredients
- 7.5 lbs. apples your choice of variety!
- 2 sticks cinnamon optional)
Equipment
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Instructions
- Peel, core and dice the apples.
- Place the apples in the base of a slow cooker.
- Add the cinnamon sticks, if desired.
- Cook for 8-12 hours on low, or until apples have fallen apart and are the desired consistency.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze into cubes/plastic containers.
Nutrition
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
Yes! Isn’t it the best!!! I’m so glad I made some this year!
It REALLY is the best! And it’s so darn easy! And so darn delicious! I’m glad you made some this year, too. I’m totally doing this yearly now. Maybe even more often than yearly because homemade applesauce is the best.
Genius is always simple! Yum!
Right?! Major yum. And the more I cook, the more I learn that simple is always wonderful.
You are brilliant!! I have one of those fancy apple peeler corer slicer gadgets we got for our wedding that I pretty much only use for making apple pies or fancy french fries. They will make quick work of the 5 lbs of honeycrisp apples I have in my fridge, so I’m totally making this overnight tomorrow!
Thanks, Stephanie! I’m excited that you’re gonna get to use your fancy apple peeler corer slicer gadgets when you whip up this homemade applesauce! And honeycrisps? THE BEST. I used those for this — and have since made it twice — and it’s so good and easy and delicious. And I love that my daughter adores it, too! Enjoy!
Just got a slow cooker and I’m totally making this!
I hope you enjoy it, Sybil! A slow cooker is the BEST thing to have in your kitchen!
I love homemade applesauce and creating it in a slow-cooker is a brilliant idea. I can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Aarika! Slow cooker stuff is just so easy, as is this applesauce recipe. If you give it a try, I hope you enjoy it!