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Published May 29, 2020 | Last Updated July 10, 2021 By Barbara Bianchi 1 Comment

How To Make Homemade Applesauce

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

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

homemade applesauce sprinkled with cinnamon in a rustic white dish

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 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.

white bowl of assorted 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.

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.

collage of apples in a white bowl and apples in the pot with water poured in

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.

picture showing a dish of chunky and a dish of smooth

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.

woman's hand holding up a jar of applesauce

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.

dish of applesauce in front of jarful

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 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!
Here’s the pin.

More healthy desserts you’ll love

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!

 
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

How To Make Homemade Applesauce

Applesauce is one of the easiest recipes to make from scratch. It only takes thirty-five minutes from start to finish. Make it chunky or smooth; it's the perfect comfort food.
Course Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword 15 minute meal, applesuace recipe, homemade applesauce, how to make applesauce, non-fat dessert
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 3 cups
Calories 58kcal
Author Barbara Bianchi

Ingredients

  • 6 assorted apples
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

  • Wash your apples. Core and chop the apples up into one-inch cubes.
  • Place apples in a heavy-bottom pot with a half of a cup of water. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer to cook the apples. Stir occasionally.
  • After about 10 minutes, test them with a potato masher. If they begin to crumble, cook them for about 5 more minutes. When they're plump and translucent, you're ready to mash the apples.
  • You can use your wire masher or immersion blender right in the pot.
  • Keep blending, checking ever 10 seconds until your applesauce has the consistency you like. Skins and all are emulsified and your applesauce is pink!
    Then add some cinnamon, stir and you're done.
  • Maybe you're like me and you like it smooth, then whirl it through your food processor or blender.
    Carefully now. It's 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.

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 my grandmother'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.
  • 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.
  • Some people like to swirl it into hot cereal like oatmeal or mixed in a little cottage cheese or yogurt. 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 potato latkes.

Nutrition

Calories: 58kcal
did you make this recipe? We want to see! Take a pic, and tag @glutenfreehomestead on Instagram.

 
 
  • About the Author
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About Barbara Bianchi

Barbara loves to bring fun into the kitchen and healthy food to the table. She also enjoys drinking coffee, eating a little chocolate, reading a good novel, going for walks and spending time with her family and friends.
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  • Gluten Free Baked Ziti Recipe - November 17, 2022
  • Dr. Ted Naiman’s P:E Potatoes Au Gratin - August 5, 2022
  • Frozen Strawberry Protein Pops - July 28, 2022
  • High-Protein Smoothie With Strawberries - July 15, 2022
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Filed Under: Appetizers & Side Dishes, Dairy free, Desserts, Nut free, Paleo, Recipe, WHOLE 30 Recipes

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  1. Caramelized Bosc Pears With Coconut Whipped Cream says:
    August 30, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    […] How To Make Homemade Applesauce: Homemade applesauce is a fun, super easy recipe to make and it tastes so much better than store bought. […]

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