Homemade Crockpot Applesauce 🍎

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon picking apples on a friend’s property. There’s something special about gathering food straight from the tree — crisp fall air, a basket full of apples, and the simple joy of connecting with where your food comes from. I came home with more apples than I knew what to do with, which sent me searching for the perfect recipe.

That’s how this homemade crockpot applesauce came to life. It’s the kind of recipe that makes your kitchen smell incredible, like cinnamon and fall coziness wrapped up together. Best of all, it’s hands-off and nourishing — just a few ingredients and a slow cooker, and you’ll have a batch of delicious applesauce ready to enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 10–12 medium apples (a mix of sweet and tart, such as Honeycrisp, Gala, and Granny Smith works beautifully)

• ½ cup water

• 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice (helps preserve color and adds brightness)

• 1–2 teaspoons cinnamon (optional, but highly recommended!)

• 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (optional, depending on sweetness of your apples)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and roughly chop the apples.

2. Load the crockpot: Place the apples, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon in the crockpot. Stir to combine.

3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the apples are very soft.

4. Mash or blend: For chunky applesauce, mash with a potato masher. For smooth applesauce, blend with an immersion blender until creamy.

5. Taste & sweeten: Taste your applesauce. If needed, stir in maple syrup or honey to adjust sweetness.

6. Cool & store: Let cool completely, then store in jars or containers. Keeps in the refrigerator for about 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Tips:

• Flavor Boost: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or ginger for a warm fall spice blend.

• Unsweetened Version: Skip the sweetener entirely if your apples are naturally sweet.

• Apples with Skins On: If you want more fiber, cook the apples with skins and blend well at the end for a smooth texture.

Storage & Freezing Tips:

• Refrigerator: Store homemade applesauce in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

• Freezer: Applesauce freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers, glass jars (leaving 1 inch of space at the top), or resealable freezer bags. It will keep well for 3–4 months.

• Thawing: Defrost in the refrigerator overnight or place sealed bags in a bowl of cool water for quicker thawing. Stir well after thawing, as some separation can occur.