No added sugar for this crockpot applesauce recipe. Slow cooking the apples in a crockpot brings out their natural sweetness.
Our apple trees are not treated and as you can see the apples are not perfect. But once peeled and the bad areas trimmed out they are ideal for crockpot applesauce.
I was happy to find freshly fallen apples after heavy wind and rain rolled through the area the previous evening. We had picked all the apples that we could reach, but there were still a lot on the upper branches. Thanks to the wind storm, these were now scattered beneath the trees. I gleefully gathered all I could to make another batch of applesauce.
My time was limited, so I thought I would allow the crockpot to cook the apples for me while I worked on other things. I am glad I gave crockpot applesauce a shot because after tasting the results I will never make applesauce on the stove again.
How to Make Homemade Crockpot Applesauce:
I washed, peeled, cored, and sliced my apples and trimmed out bad areas. The apple pieces were placed into the crockpot and filled to the very top. I added a little water, placed the lid on, and set it to cook on high.
After the delicious aroma of apples filled the house for a few hours, I lifted the lid and gave the apples a stir. As my spoon hit the apples, they dissolved into a thick and chunky mash. I lifted my spoon for a taste and was quite surprised how sweet the flavor was. I sprinkled a bit of cinnamon on top, stirred again, placed the cover on, turned the crockpot to low, and allowed the flavors to mingle for several more hours.
I turned off the crockpot and allowed the applesauce to cool, then ran it through a food mill to create a smooth sauce.
I was going to can it, but quite frankly I think we will eat this up quickly so I stored it in the refrigerator. The filled crockpot made about 4 pints of applesauce.
Canning Instructions: Double the recipe to 6 pounds of apples. Follow the canning directions here: Homemade Applesauce for Canning. Makes 2 quarts or 4 pints.
No added sugar for this crockpot applesauce recipe. Slow cooking the apples in a crockpot brings out their natural sweetness.
- 3 pounds of Apples peeled, cored and sliced
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or to taste
- Add apples and water to the crockpot, cover, and cook on high until apples are soft and you can smell the apples.
- Add cinnamon and stir to combine. Cover and turn crockpot to low and allow the flavors for mingle for several hours.
- Pass through a Food Strainer or Food Mill for a smooth applesauce. Makes 2 pints. Refrigerate and consume within a week.
Calories based on 1/2 cup serving.
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- Spiced Apple Jelly Recipe (No Added Pectin)
- Homemade Applesauce for Canning
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Angie Runyan says
My crock pot has, literally, been sitting on my counter next to a peck of apples, we picked at a pick your own orchard, for about a week. It has been just waiting for me to try this idea. So glad I saw your post because now the crock pot apple sauce idea is happening here, today!
FeathersInTheWoods (@la_murano) says
I need to try this! I just got a new crockpot (mine had 2 settings, off and boil. lol) and this would be a great way to break it n!
Thanks for linking up with Green Thumb Thursday. I hope to see you back this week.
Lisa
Jennifer A says
I messed up one year and left the peels on our apples (I read in a recipe to leave the, that we wouldn’t notice). I think I’ll try again using your method, this sound so good the way you describe the smells and texture! And the crock pot would be so easy. Thanks for sharing on the Homestead Blog Hop! I’ll be pinning!
©Rachel Arsenault says
Jennifer, Some people like the peels and like a chunkier applesauce. I prefer mine smooth.
Deborah Smikle-Davis (@debsmikdav1) says
So simple and natural. This is truly one of my favorite kinds of desserts! I could eat it every day! In fact, tonight’s dinner was quite similar. Thank you for sharing this healthy and delicious Homemade Crockpot Applesauce recipe with us at the Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party Blog Hop! I’m pinning and sharing. I can’t wait to see what you share with us next!
Angela @ Setting My Intention says
Love this! I might buy a bushel of apples from the local farm by us to make apple sauce and apple butter. My kids loved it when I did one year. Visiting from Let’s Get Real
humblelittlehomestead says
Looks good and so easy! I’m going to have to try that next year. Our apple tree got apple cedar fungus and didn’t produce many apples this year…. miss making apple sauce!
Karen says
Apples don’t grow very well where we live, but pears certainly do and I’ve made pearsauce quite a few times – but never in the crockpot. I imagine the smell is divine, and the effort much easier. Yet another reason to love the crockpot!
©Rachel Arsenault says
Karen, Pear sauce would work wonderfully in the crock pot. 🙂
Deborah Smikle-Davis says
It’s apple-pickin’ season and what better way to use up a lot of those apples! Thank you for sharing this lhealthy and delicious crockpot applesauce at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I appreciate it!
Sami says
Yum and from your own apple tree! I love it! I love homemade apple sauce!
Rachel says
Sami, it is pretty amazing to gather apples from our property.
Joanne from Co. says
I just got a new crock pot & going to try it. When I make A.S instead of sugar I put raisin in.