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Homemade Applesauce (Stovetop, Instant Pot, Slow Cooker)

Your guide for making homemade applesauce in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop. Homemade applesauce is made from a few simple ingredients and is easy to make!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword homemade applesauce, instant pot applesauce, slow cooker applesauce, stovetop applesauce
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 1 quart
Calories 84kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs. apples Gala, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, etc.
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (more or less depending on taste)
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 3 Tbsp. sugar (optional)

Instructions

HOW TO MAKE APPLESAUCE IN A SLOW COOKER

  • Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples.
  • Place apple slices in a slow cooker.
  • Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
  • Pour water over the apples.
  • Cover the slow cooker and cook apples on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 6 hours.
  • Mash apples with a potato masher or use an immersion blender for a smooth sauce.

HOW TO MAKE APPLESAUCE ON THE STOVE

  • Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples.
  • Place apples in a large stock pot.
  • Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
  • Pour 1/3 cup of water over the apples.
  • Cover the pot with a lid and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to LOW and simmer for 20 minutes or until apples are tender and fall apart easily.
  • Mash apples with a potato masher or use an immersion blender for a smooth sauce.

HOW TO MAKE APPLESAUCE IN AN INSTANT POT (PRESSURE COOKER)

  • Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples.
  • Place apples in an Instant Pot pot.
  • Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
  • Pour 1/3 cup of water over the apples.
  • Secure the lid and cook on HIGH (manual) pressure for 8 minutes.
  • Allow pressure to release naturally.
  • Mash apples with a potato masher or use an immersion blender for a smooth sauce.

Video

Notes

  1. You don't need a lot of sugar in homemade applesauce. I generally use 3 Tablespoons, or none at all depending on the type of apple that I use. 
  2. Applesauce will thicken as it cools. If you mash it down and think it's too runny, don't fret. It'll be just fine.
  3. Store applesauce in the refrigerator in a jar or container.
  4. If making a large batch, store applesauce in freezer containers in the freezer. Allow at least 1/2" headspace in the container to allow for expansion in the freezer.
  5. You can also process the applesauce in a water bath canner to make it shelf-stable.
  6. Applesauce is delicious served warm or cold.
Calories are based on a 1/2 cup serving.
Cooking time is based off of the stovetop method.

Nutrition

Calories: 84kcal