Made with just 4 ingredients, this slow cooker applesauce is so easy to throw together. It frees up so much time for me to multi-task, and my kids absolutely love it!
What’s in This Crockpot Applesauce Recipe?
Apples: Choose an apple variety that works well in cooking recipes. I like Fuji, Granny Smith, or Gala. Apple Cider: I prefer cider over juice since it is less processed and has a stronger apple flavor, but juice also works well. Just make sure not to use apple cider vinegar! Sugar: Brown sugar adds depth to the sauce while also sweetening it. Feel free to adjust the amount to suit your personal tastes. Cinnamon: Using a whole cinnamon stick infuses the sauce with a delicate cinnamon flavor. If you can’t find sticks, use ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon instead.
Tips for Success
Sweeten with brown sugar to taste. The sweeter your apples are, the less sugar you will need. Try mixing together different varieties of apples to subtly change the taste, or experiment with spices such as nutmeg, allspice, ginger, or cardamom. You can even add other fruits to create flavor blends like raspberry, mixed berry, strawberry, or pear applesauce. Depending on the varieties of apples available, I sometimes feel like this sauce needs a little something extra. If you get that same sensation, try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. It brightens up the flavor and gives it that extra zip! For a smoother applesauce, transfer the mixture to a food processor and process until smooth.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover crockpot applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days. I do not recommend freezing applesauce, as it is prone to freezer burn.
Serving Suggestions
My kids ask for this homemade crockpot applesauce with almost every meal, so I always make a big batch on Sunday for the week ahead. It pairs perfectly with ham and cheese sliders, homemade baked chicken nuggets, or fish sticks. Applesauce also makes a great baking ingredient. It helps to boost the flavor of my favorite apple cinnamon bread and works as an egg replacer in these applesauce chocolate chip cookies.
How to Make Applesauce in a Crockpot Step by Step
Cook the Sauce: Add 4 pounds of peeled, cored, and cubed apples, ¾ cup of apple cider, ¼-½ cup of brown sugar, and 1 cinnamon stick to your crockpot. Stir, cover, and cook on high for 4 hours. Mash the Sauce: Discard the cinnamon stick and use a potato masher to mash the applesauce to your desired consistency. Serve warm or refrigerate before serving.
More Sauce Recipes To Try
Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce Mustard Cream Sauce Fry Sauce Homemade Alfredo Sauce Homemade BBQ Sauce Bang Bang Sauce Burger Sauce Homemade Buffalo Sauce
