- Add apples to slow cooker.
- Add water (or juice), lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add sweetener if using.
- Stir briefly to coat.
3) Cook
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or on HIGH for 2.5–3.5 hours.
- Apples are ready when they’re very soft and easily mash with a spoon.
4) Mash or blend
- Chunky: mash with a potato masher.
- Smooth: use an immersion blender or blend in a regular blender in batches.
- Stir in vanilla extract (optional) at the end.
5) Taste and adjust
- Taste your applesauce and adjust sweetness, cinnamon, or lemon as needed.
Serving and Storage:
Serve warm or chilled. Warm applesauce is especially cozy with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top, but chilled applesauce is
refreshing and snackable.
- Refrigerate: Store in airtight containers up to 7 days.
- Freeze: Freeze in freezer-safe containers up to 3 months (leave room for expansion).
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop or microwave; add a splash of water if needed.
Tips:
- Don’t overdo the water: apples release juice; a little liquid prevents sticking but too much makes it watery.
- Use mixed apples: sweet + tart makes applesauce taste more complex.
- Salt matters: a pinch makes the apple flavor pop.
- For thicker applesauce: cook uncovered for the last 20–30 minutes to let moisture evaporate.
- For extra smooth: peel apples and blend thoroughly.
Variations:
- Caramel applesauce: stir in 2 tbsp caramel sauce at the end.
- Cranberry applesauce: add 1 cup cranberries during cooking.
- Apple pear: replace 2–3 apples with ripe pears.
- No-sugar added: skip sweetener and use naturally sweet apples like Fuji or Gala.
- Spiced chai: add cinnamon + cardamom + ginger (small pinches) for a warming twist.
Tips:
- For babies/toddlers: keep it unsweetened and lightly spiced (or no spice).
- For baking: use this applesauce to replace part of the oil in muffins, cakes, and quick breads.
- Serve with dinner: applesauce pairs beautifully with pork chops, roast chicken, or turkey.
- Make it fancy: stir in a little vanilla bean paste for a bakery-style aroma.
Conclusion:
Slow cooker applesauce is the easiest way to make homemade applesauce that tastes fresh, cozy, and comforting. It’s hands-off,
flexible, and perfect for using up apples. Whether you like it chunky or silky smooth, sweetened or naturally sweet, this is
a simple recipe you can make again and again—especially when you want your home to smell like cinnamon and happiness.
FAQ:
Do I have to peel the apples?
No. Peels add fiber and nutrients. If you blend the applesauce well, peels become less noticeable. For the smoothest sauce,
peel them.
Why is my applesauce watery?
Some apples release more juice, or too much water was added. Cook uncovered for 20–30 minutes to thicken.
Can I make it with no sugar?
Yes. Choose naturally sweet apples (Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious) and skip sweetener.
How do I make applesauce smoother?
Peel the apples and use an immersion blender or regular blender until silky.
Can I freeze slow cooker applesauce?
Absolutely. Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
