Slow Cooker Unsweetened Applesauce
Making slow cooker applesauce for your family couldn't be easier! Not only is it healthier than store-bought applesauce since you can omit the sugar added and use organic apples, but it's also a great way to use up excess apples that are past their prime.
Servings: 8 cups
Calories: 175kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 large apples medium to large, any variety
- ½ cup water (1½ cup if using the stovetop method)
Optional Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon or Apple Pie Spice Blend
Instructions
- Wash the apples, especially if they are waxed. Then peel and core. Slice apples into quartered chunks for a chunky applesauce, or slice thinly for a smoother applesauce.12 large apples
- Add the apples and water to the crockpot. Set the crockpot for 4 hours on high, or 8 hours on low.½ cup water
- After the crockpot of apples are cooked, use potato masher and mash the cooked apples to the texture and consistency you prefer. You can leave it super chunky, or make it a smooth puree.
- If you want to add cinnamon or Apple Pie Spice blend to this unsweetened applesauce recipe, do so after cooking and mashing for both the crockpot method or the stovetop Dutch oven method.1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Simmer the applesauce and spices on low for another 15 to 20 minutes. Then, remove any whole spices if you used them.
- For short term storage, simply transfer the hot applesauce to plastic containers. When cooled, refrigerate or freeze.
- For long term storage transfer the hot applesauce to clean hot Ball canning jars, like the 12 oz quilted jars. Pasteurize using the Ball Water Bath Canning Method to process for long term storage.
Notes
- Be sure to cut any dark spots off the apples.
- When coring, get all the seeds out, as they turn bitter in the cook pot.
- Add any spices at the end of the cooking.
- Use whole spices to prevent discoloration.
- Peeling the apples is optional. Especially for fresh, farm grown apples. For the most nutrition, leave the apple skins on, but dice the apples so the skins are less obvious in the final cooked applesauce. Kids tend to prefer applesauce without skins though.
- If you decide you need sugar, start with just ½ cup maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, agave, or granulated sugar. Sweeten to taste if you don't want unsweetened applesauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 359mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 181IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.4mg