The Easiest Way to Make Homemade Applesauce

Do you love homemade applesauce but hate the time it takes to prepare? Make delicious applesauce the quick and easy way, with no added sugar!

I love fall – the clothes, the smells, the beautiful landscape… Everything except the cold temperatures! The arrival of fall also means it’s apple season, and that means lots of yummy apple treats! And one of our family’s favorites is homemade applesauce.

Related Post: My Fall Favorites

For several years I avoided making homemade applesauce because ugh. all that peeling!

Then one day my mother-in-law got me an apple peeler/corer, and cooking with apples suddenly became a snap! Not only that, but I discovered the slow cooker method of cooking applesauce, and it suddenly became a staple in our house!

You won’t believe how unbelievably easy and yummy this applesauce is. And the best part is, if you get the right kind of apple, it doesn’t require any added sugar! (Or any other ingredients, for that matter, except the optional cinnamon. It truly could not get any simpler!)

Seriously, this is the PERFECT applesauce for busy moms (or anyone!)

**Links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that if you click that link and purchase the product, I will receive a small compensation. I am, however, committed to honestly assessing the products mentioned. My opinions are my true feelings and are not affected by my participation in the program!**

First things First – Choosing the Right Apple

Which Apple Do You Choose?  <– This is a wonderfully handy chart for deciding which apples are best for eating, baking, or cooking

Our favorites for applesauce have been Jonagold & Pink Lady. 

And now, on to the main event!

---

Homemade Applesauce in the Slow Cooker

There are two methods that I have found, and I’ve tried both. Method 2, which uses a Foley food mill, produces a much finer applesauce, similar to what you would find in the store (but way better!). We prefer Method 1 because we like chunky applesauce!

Method 1: (Using an apple peeler/corer)

1. Use an Apple Peeler/Corer to peel and core your apples.
   (Psst, this is the exact peeler I have, and I love it!)
2. Put the apples in your slow cooker.
3. Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top (Optional! Can also add any other spice you like.)
4. Cook on HIGH for 3 hours.
5. Mash (a potato masher works well) until desired consistency, or use an immersion blender to get really smooth applesauce.

Method 2: (Using a food mill)

1. Cut apples into slices, about 1/2” or so.
2. Pull all apple slices in the slow cooker.
3. Sprinkle with cinnamon (and/or other desired spices. Again, this is optional!)
4. Cook on HIGH for 3 hours.
5. Run apples through a Foley Food Mill .

---

 

It is seriously that easy! No endless peeling and chopping. No stovetop cooking. No watching the pots. Just throw ‘em in and go! Voila! Easy, simple, DELICIOUS applesauce with NO added sugar!!

Of course, you only save yourself the endless peeling and chopping if you get an Apple Peeler/Corer or a Foley Food Mill . I HIGHLY recommend you get either one … or both!

If you have to choose, I would go with the apple peeler. I LOVE mine. If you do a lot of cooking with apples in the fall (applesauce, apple crisp, apple bread … mmmmm), you should definitely invest in one. It will save you so much time, energy, and pain in your hands!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy those apple harvests!

As always, feel free to share with your friends! I’m sure you know plenty of busy moms who would love this tip!

****Update!****
Now that I have my super awesome, extremely versatile Instant Pot, I now make my applesauce in that. If you can believe it, the Instant Pot makes it even EASIER to make delicious homemade applesauce. Here’s how:

1. Peel/core/slice apples – 10 minutes, tops, with my apple peeler/slicer.
2. Put it all in the Instant Pot
3. Add 1/2 cup water (or 100% apple juice)
4. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon. (Optional, though highly recommended.)
5. Set the pot to MANUAL for 8 minutes. Yeah … 8 MINUTES!!! 
6. Release the pressure. 
7. Smash it up a little & enjoy! 

From start to finish, I can make homemade applesauce in about 30 minutes. Maybe 45, depending on how long it takes to reach pressure. How easy is that???

You Might Also Like:

• 15 Perfect Fall Foods You Need to Make This Year
• 6 Instant Pot Resources – Everything You Need to Get Started
• The Easiest Way to Make Boiled Eggs
• 7 Favorite Healthy{er} Pumpkin Recipes