This homemade applesauce recipe is fun and super easy to make and it tastes so much better than store bought.

Applesauce always brings back fond memories of my grandma who my family affectionately called “Nanny”. Whenever I visited Nanny as a child, she was always in the kitchen cookin’ up something yummy.

There was the heavenly aroma of homemade applesauce simmering on the stove along with her signature fried chicken or delicious chicken soup.

I always felt welcome in her kitchen where the main ingredient was love.

Now this was the very best part: at the end of our visit, Nanny would gift us with our very own jar of applesauce to take home.

Then all week whenever I opened the fridge and saw the jar of applesauce, I was taken back to the warmth of Nanny’s kitchen.

Applesauce holds a special place in my recipe collection—it’s not just one of my tasty gluten free desserts, but also shines as a delightful addition to your appetizer or side dish lineup.

And applesauce is one of the easiest recipes to make from scratch. It only takes thirty-five minutes from start to finish.

Ready to whip up your own batch of homemade applesauce? Let’s get started.

Ingredients

All you’ll need are apples, water to help them stew, and some cinnamon.

Today I used a combination of Fuji, Gala, and Honey Crisp apples. You can use any combination of types of apples that you like.

It’s nice to use two or three kinds for a more complex taste. You can even use golden delicious apples or granny smith, but I use red apples to give the applesauce a pink color.

So if you want that pink color too, make sure to choose your favorite red apples.

I also always recommend using organic apples for a healthier choice. Apples are listed as one of the dirty dozen and frequently found to be contaminated with toxic insecticides. Read more in this Dirty Dozen list.

Instructions

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

Links are affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission if you buy the item at no extra cost to you.

All right, let’s make that applesauce!

Remember how I said my applesauce has a pink color?

Here’s Nanny’s secret for making sure the finished applesauce is pink: Don’t peel the apples. The red skin gives the applesauce its lovely pink color.

So, first, without peeling, chop the apples; cutting away from the core and dispose of the cores. Then, cut your slices into one inch pieces.

Next, place the slices into a heavy-bottom pot and add your water. Bring your water to a boil and then cover and simmer. Stir the slices occasionally so that you’ll cook the apples evenly.

Check the slices after about ten – fifteen minutes. When the apples are soft and they look translucent and a little puffy, you’re ready to mash the apples.

Mmm! Right about now, it will smell so good in your kitchen.

Nanny would use a food mill to puree the apples while separating the skins.

You can use a wire masher or immersion blender which emulsifies everything, skin and all. You’re getting all the nutrients. Keep blending, checking every ten seconds until your applesauce has the texture you like.

Then add some cinnamon, stir, and you’re done.

But maybe you’re like me and you like your applesauce smooth instead of chunky applesauce.

Whirl it through your food processor or blender. Be careful because it will be hot. Just pulse it a few times until you get the consistency you like.

Finally, transfer it to a jar. Pouring through a funnel like this will make it easier and less messy. Refrigerate it for a few hours and enjoy.

Pro tips and recipe notes

My applesauce was sweet enough with the apples that I used in this recipe. If your apples are tart or you prefer to add brown sugar, white sugar, or stevia, go ahead. It’s up to you.
This is Nanny’s authentic rustic homemade applesauce recipe (although I made mine less watery than hers). Would you like to add other ingredients? You could smooth it out with a tablespoon of butter or add a splash of vanilla extract or lemon juice. How about a dash of nutmeg or even mix in some raisins?
Some people use unsweetened apple cider or apple juice instead of water. That’s up to you too.
Want to can it or freeze for later? This recipe is for a small batch with just six assorted apples. It will make three cups that you can keep in your fridge for two weeks to enjoy throughout the week. You can scale the recipe up if you wish to make more. Then when it’s cooled, you can freeze portions in freezer bags or can it in a water canning bath following proper canning procedures.
This recipe only takes thirty-five minutes to make on your stovetop. It can also be made in your slow cooker for those set-it-and-forget-it days.

What goes well with applesauce?

Applesauce is delicious as a low fat, no-sugar-added healthy treat. My son Michael says it tastes like apple pie. Really any time is a good time for applesauce: Breakfast, snack, dinner, or dessert. Comfort food heaven.

Some people like to swirl it into hot cereal like oatmeal or mix it in a little cottage cheese. I stirred some into my brother’s plain yogurt when he was visiting. He liked that. And some folks even use it as an ingredient in home-baked goods.

Traditionally, it’s delicious with pork like this savory spice-rubbed pork roast.

But the absolute favorite way to enjoy it in our house is with my slow cooker beef brisket and crispy potato latkes. I’ll share a secret with you.

I promised Peter when he shot the cooking video for this post, I’d make a plate of latkes. Done deal. So I’m off to make latkes.

finished spoonful above dish and blue checked napkin

Happy cooking! And if you have any questions, please reach out to me in the comments or shoot me an email, and I’ll respond ASAP!

If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on social media and with a friend who you think might find it helpful too. Thanks for reading!

More healthy desserts you’ll love

Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts: Love apples? Enjoy the cozy goodness of these donuts that are quick and easy to make!

Easy Orange Posset: This easy orange posset recipe combines cream, sugar, and fresh orange juice and zest to create a smooth, creamy dessert. Serve chilled for a refreshing treat!

Caramelized Bosc Pears With Coconut Whipped Cream: This no-guilt recipe is so easy to make and I show you how to make dairy-free coconut whipped cream, too.

Gluten Free Blueberry Muffins (Paleo, Grain Free): Get your ingredients together, and you’ll be taking these gluten-free coconut flour blueberry muffins out of the oven in just 25 minutes. So good.

Dark Chocolate Drizzled Coconut Macaroons: These macaroons are every coconut lovers dream cookie: a ball of crispy shredded coconut, moist and chewy on the inside, golden on the outside, sweetened with raw honey, and drizzled with decadent dark chocolate.

Watch how to make it!

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