Homemade Applesauce Recipe {Slow Cooker} - Belly Full (2024)

This slow cooker Homemade Applesauce recipe, flavored with brown sugar and cinnamon, could not be easier or more delicious and so much better than store bought! Great used as a condiment or side dish.

We finally made our way to Emma Krumbees – I had been hearing about this place ever since my daughter was born. It did not disappoint! A true treasure trove of all things apple – caramel apples, apple cider donuts, applesauce, and apple pie. Plusso many different varieties of apple, of course.

We wondered around the apple orchard for almost two hours and picked…and picked…and picked. I walked away with about 15 pounds of apples, knowing full well some of it would go towards making homemade applesauce.

Homemade Applesauce – Slow Cooker

Have you ever made applesauce? It’s SO easy. It’s so easy, that I actually can’t remember the last time I even bought it from the store. What’s even easier is making crockpot applesauce!

All you need are 4 ingredients: apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla (and water.) The aroma from slow cooking in your house all day is practically intoxicating, and served warm is the bomb, you guys.

Best Apples For Homemade Applesauce

This is truly one of those recipes where you can’t go wrong with any type of apple. Having said that, we know that not all apples have the same flavor. This is a condensed and rough guide from the Washington Apple Commissionto help you decide which apple will be best for you, keeping in mind that not all varieties are available year round or countrywide.

• Very Sweet – Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Ambrosia
• Mildly Sweet – Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, SweeTango
• Sweet-Tart – Cameo, Jonagold, Lady Alice

All apples will break down and are capable of being mashed after slow cooking for several hours.

How To Make Applesauce

It could not be easier to make applesauce, especially in your slow cooker. Here’s a brief summary of what to do (scroll down for the detailed printable.)

• Peel, core, and dice the apples; discard peel and core.
• Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker; stir to mix. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6 hours.
• When done, use a potato masher or immersion blender to reach the desired consistency.
• Serve and enjoy!

Is Applesauce Good For You?

Applesauceis a great source of fiber and vitamin C and makes a healthy snack, side dish, or condiment!
How many calories in applesauce? For this recipe, there are 151 calories per serving. (You can decrease this amount by adding less brown sugar.)
How many carbs in applesauce? In this recipe, there are 40 carbs per serving.

Recipe Variations

• Use different apples: Try different apples for a variety of flavor.
• Cut back on the brown sugar: If you’re using an ultra sweet apple, feel free to cut back on the brown sugar amount.
• Combine brown sugar and granulated sugar: We only use brown sugar in our recipe, since we tend to use sweet apples. But the combination of granulated and brown sugar is delicious, too!
• Replace the water with apple juice for an extra apple flavor.
• Season with apple pie spice: Swap out the cinnamon for our homemade apple pie spice!

How to Store

How long does homemade applesauce last? Applesauce is a great treat for any time of year, but once you prepare it, it only lasts one week in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze applesauce? Yes! Wait until it’s completely cooled, then pour into a firm, freezer-safe container, such as a mason jar, or a resealable plastic freezer bag. (If you’re using a firm container, leave a 1-inch gap between the applesauce and lid to avoid difficulty opening after freezing, since the sauce will expand. If using a freezer bag, flatten it out and squeeze out any excess air. This also make it easier to store.) Either way, make sure to label your container with the recipe name and storage date. Typically, frozen applesauce will last for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then use within 3-4 days.

How to can applesauce: my understanding is applesauce is inherently safe to can in a water bath due to apple’s high acidity and sugar content. But this particular applesauce recipe has not been tested that way and is not shelf stable.

What to eat with Applesauce

You can serve it as a snack, side dish, or condiment! I love it with breaded pork chops, homemade pierogi, and potato latkes.

More Apple Recipes:

• Homemade Apple Pie Filling
• Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies
• Apple Fritter Rings
• Easy Apple Dumplings
• Caramel Apple Sheet Cake

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onFacebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!