Description
This homemade unsweetened applesauce recipe is so easy to make and it’s naturally sweet. The only ingredients are apples and water, that’s it!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds apples, cored and chopped into 1-inch pieces (about 7-8 medium apples)
- 1/4-1/2 water
- 1-2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon or 2 cinnamon sticks, optional
Instructions
Slow Cooker Method
- Add the apples, water, and cinnamon (if using) to a slow cooker. Use 1/4 cup of water for thicker sauce and 1/2 cup for thinner sauce.
- Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks (if using) before blending. Stir 1-2 times if cooking on the low setting and at least once if cooking on the high setting.
- Use an immersion blender for a smooth consistency or a potato masher for a chunkier consistency.
Stovetop Method
- Combine the apples, 1/4 cup water, and cinnamon (if using) in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook covered, stirring occasionally for about 20-30 minutes or until the apples have softened and can mash easily.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks (if using) before blending.
- Use an immersion blender for a smooth consistency or a potato masher for a chunkier consistency.
Instant Pot Method
- I don’t add water to my instant pot with apples because I like thicker applesauce. That may cause a burn warning in some pressure cookers. If your instant pot is prone to “burn warnings” start with 1/4 cup of water.
- Add the apples, water, and cinnamon (if using) to the instant pot and pressure cook on high for 5 minutes, turn off the keep warm function. It takes about 10 minutes to come to pressure.
- Once the timer has gone off, let the instant pot naturally release the pressure, which may take about 20 minutes.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks (if using) before blending.
- Use a potato masher, or immersion blender to mash the apples into a sauce.
- If there is too much liquid, turn on the sauté mode and stir frequently to evaporate any excess liquid. This can get messy from the applesauce splattering.
- Press cancel to turn off the sauté function when your desired consistency is reached.
Notes
Cutting the apples into uniform pieces helps to cook the apples evenly.
Please see the blog post for more tips.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Snack
- Method: slow cooker, stove top, instant pot
- Cuisine: American