Making homemade unsweetened applesauce 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.
This unsweetened applesauce recipe has directions for both crockpot and stovetop methods, as well as with or without cinnamon!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This healthy sugar free applesauce is sure to be a hit with everyone in your family - get ready for some delightful meals ahead! I’ll walk you through the simple process of creating an unsweetened applesauce that you'll be sure to enjoy - no matter if served as breakfast or dessert.
Another reason you will love this homemade unsweetened applesauce is that you can use sugar free applesauce as a replacement for eggs in vegan or gluten free baking! It's also a healthy low calorie replacement for the oil in a muffin, cookie, or quick bread recipe.
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Ingredients for Sugar Free Applesauce
Any apples are perfectly fine for applesauce, especially if you will be adding cinnamon or apple pie spice to it. However, some apples are tart, and some are naturally sweeter.
I usually have a mixture of a few Granny Smith and some inexpensive lunch box type of apples I buy in bulk for school lunches. It's a nice combination of sweet and tart. Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, or the new Cosmic Crisp apples are more expensive but fabulous.
I use a slow cooker (crockpot) to make this unsweetened applesauce recipe. I simply toss everything in, turn it on, and forget about it. It turns our perfect every time.
If you use the stove top method, keep a close eye and stir periodically so you don't scorch your homemade applesauce!
For Unsweetened Applesauce:
- Apples - fresh, any variety. The best apples for homemade applesauce include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Winesap, Fuji, and Cosmic Crisp.
- Water - needed for processing.
For Unsweetened Cinnamon Applesauce:
- Cinnamon - Ceylon cinnamon is preferred, as it's sweeter and does not add a bitter note with with stewing or simmering. You can use ground, which will darken your homemade applesauce a bit, or simmer with whole cinnamon sticks.
- Apple Pie Spice Blend - you can also use Apple Pie spice blend instead of cinnamon. Apple Pie Spice Blend includes a balanced combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger. See our recipe for Apple Pie Spice blend if you want to make your own!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Unsweetened Applesauce
You will love the comforting aroma that fills your home when you make this unsweetened applesauce recipe!
You can make this sugar free applesauce using the crockpot or stovetop method, just follow your guidelines below. I've also linked to trusted pasteurizing canning instructions at Ball's Water Bath Canning tutorial.
Step 1. Wash, Peel, Core, and Chunk Apples
Wash the apples, especially if they are waxed. Then peel and core. Note: Peeling is optional. 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.
Slice apples into quartered chunks for a chunky applesauce, or slice thinly for a smoother applesauce.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 2. Add Apples to the Pot
Crockpot: Add the apples and water to the crockpot. Set the crockpot for 4 hours on high, or 8 hours on low.
Stovetop: If cooking on the stovetop, add the apples and water and bring the pot of apples and water to a simmer. Lower heat to low and cover and cook for 15 minutes, until the apples are fork-tender.
PRO TIP: If using the stovetop method, you will need 1 cup additional water, as the stovetop will cook it away faster than the crockpot, and it will reduce chances of stovetop scorching.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 3. Stir Cooked Apples
Crockpot: 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.
Stovetop: Remove from heat and allow to cool 15 minutes, until the apple mixture has thickened. Using a potato masher, mash the apples to your desired consistency.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 4. Add Optional Ingredients
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 methods.
If you want your cinnamon applesauce to be lighter in color, add whole cinnamon sticks instead of ground cinnamon. Add the whole cinnamon sticks earlier or keep on warm for an additional 30 minutes.
Note: Taste test your sugar free applesauce. If you think your unsweetened applesauce is not sweet enough you can add some sweetener. Use a conservative hand and add about ½ cup of maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, agave, or white sugar for every 9 to 12 apples used. You can also use a small amount of Monkfruit for a low calorie sweetener.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 5. Canning and Storage Options
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.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this homemade unsweetened applesauce on pancakes or waffles, as a replacement for oil in muffins and cookies, and as a substitute for whole eggs when making cupcakes or cakes.
It's also perfect just by itself, topping Potato Latkes, or with Almond Vanilla Granola!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Substitutions
Substitute the recommended apples for any you have available. If you don't want to use the cinnamon or the Apple Pie Spice blend, try Pumpkin Pie Spice blend.
And remember this recipe for unsweetened applesauce is itself a substitute ingredient for gluten free cooking, egg free cooking, and to replace oil in many baked goods recipes.
Variations
Applesauce is not the only 'sauce' to consider in the Autumn! Below are a few additional options to try if you get any lovely Autumn fruits or vegetable windfalls!
- Pearsauce - Prepare and cook exactly like making applesauce, unsweetened. Pears tend to be sweeter than apples, so you won't need sugar!
- Crab Applesauce - This was my first applesauce to ever make, when I was 19. It's tart, so you may want to add a little sweetener to it! Or, toss in a few pears to sweeten it up naturally.
- Autumn Fruitsauce - Use this unsweetened applesauce recipe to cook up a blend of apples, pears, cranberries, and persimmons and cook up like applesauce. It's amazing!
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. To make this unsweetened applesauce recipe you will need the following tools:
- Crockpot 6 quart
- Dutch Oven - 6 quart
- Ball 12 oz Quilted Canning Jars
- Ball Water Bath Canning Method Tutorial
Storage
Store jars of fresh homemade applesauce in the refrigerator for 10 to 14 days, with lid on. Unpasteurized applesauce can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. Store pasteurized canned, homemade unsweetened applesauce in your pantry for up to 18 months.
Tips for Success
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applesauce is a great source of fiber and vitamin C. Nutrient information varies based on quantity eaten.Is unsweetened applesauce a good source of fiber?
Replace one egg with ¼ cup of applesauce in sweet desserts. If you want a lighter texture, add an extra ½ teaspoonful of baking powder, as fruit purées tend to make the final product denser than the original recipe.
Freeze applesauce for up to 6 months, possibly longer, in air tight freezer containers. The texture will likely be a little more watery due to separation from the freezing and defrosting process, but simply stir it up. You can also reheat it and cook off a little of the excess moisture.
Fresh made, or unpasteurized homemade applesauce stored in jars or covered containers will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 10 to 14 days. If you use the Ball Water Bath Canning Method to pasteurize your jars of canned homemade applesauce, you can store the jars in a pantry cupboard for up to 18 months.
Either is correct. The United States tends to prefer the term 'applesauce', where the UK often uses 'apple sauce.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Unsweetened Applesauce
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
- Crockpot: Add the apples and water to the crockpot. Set the crockpot for 4 hours on high, or 8 hours on low. Stovetop: If cooking on the stovetop, add the apples and water and bring the pot of apples and water to a simmer. Lower heat to low and cover and cook for 15 minutes, until the apples are fork-tender.½ cup water
- Crockpot: 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. Stovetop: Remove from heat and allow to cool 15 minutes, until the apple mixture has thickened. Using a potato masher, mash the apples to your desired consistency.
- 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 sugar free applesauce.
Nutrition
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