Homemade applesauce is a quick and easy treat that we start craving every fall. This simple recipe requires just 3 ingredients to make and very little time and effort. Serve it as a healthy snack or dessert, either hot or cold. It's kid-friendly and a totally great way to get in some extra nutrients. So take advantage of apple season and make a big batch because applesauce is easy to make ahead well and is freezer-friendly!
Why You'll Love Homemade Applesauce
- It contains your daily servings of fruit. This homemade applesauce makes about four servings but contains nine servings of fruit. That means you can get your daily dose of fruit (which is two servings, by the way) in just one serving of this healthy sweet snack!
- So much better and healthier than storebought. Homemade applesauce is loaded with apples that contain potassium, fiber, and vitamins A, E, B1, B2, B6, C, and K—which are important for your body to, well, function. But many store-bought versions are loaded with preservatives, filler ingredients, and lots of sugar, making it not so healthy. By making applesauce from scratch you avoid these kind of ingredients.
- It’s a great way to get rid of leftover apples. Buying those big bags of apples is cheaper than buying them individually. But sometimes when you buy in bulk, you end up with too many apples than you can eat before they start going bad. Homemade apple sauce is my favorite way to use up extra apples.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make this easy homemade applesauce, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in recipe card below):
- apples
- water
- ground cinnamon
- brown sugar - optional, for a sweetened version.
You will also need: measuring cups and spoons, medium saucepan, and an immersion blender or stand-up blender. A potato masher or a fork will also work.
How to Make the Homemade Applesauce:
- Add ingredients. Combine apples, water, cinnamon, and brown sugar (if using) into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until apples are soft and tender.
- Purée the sauce. Purée the applesauce using an immersion blender directly in the saucepan, or transfer the sauce mixture to a stand-up blender and purée until smooth, about one minute. For a chunkier consistency, mash the apples using a potato masher or fork instead.
- Serve. Serve warm or chilled.
How to Serve
There are so many different ways to serve applesauce. The most common is by just grabbing a spoon and enjoying it on its own. Some other ways to enjoy it are:
- serve it with Vanilla Ice Cream
- stir it into Yogurt
- top it with granola. Try Cinnamon Apple Granola, Pumpkin Pie Granola, or Coconut Maple Walnut Granola.
- serve it on meats like Roast Chicken or Roast Pork.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to store: Store homemade applesauce in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
- How to reheat: If you choose to serve applesauce warm, you can easily reheat it on the stovetop over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes until warmed through.
- How to customize: Classic applesauce is made with cinnamon and brown sugar, but there's a lot more you can add to totally customize it and create a new flavor. Consider adding strawberries for strawberry applesauce, peaches for peach ginger applesauce, or blueberries for blueberry vanilla applesauce.
More Apple Dessert Recipes
- Baked Apple Chips
- Cranberry-Apple Cobbler with Biscuits
- Easy Homemade Apple Hand Pies
- Braided Lattice Apple Pie
- Easy Cinnamon Apple Granola
- Spiced Apple Oatmeal Muffins with Crumb Topping
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Recipe
Homemade Applesauce
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Homemade applesauce is a quick and easy fall treat with just 3 ingredients and very little time and effort. Serve it as a healthy snack or dessert.
Ingredients
- 6 medium apples, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- ½ cup water
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional, for a sweetened version)
Instructions
- Combine apples, water, cinnamon, and brown sugar (if using) into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until apples are soft and tender.
- Purée the applesauce using an immersion blender directly in the saucepan, or transfer the sauce mixture to a stand-up blender and purée until smooth, about one minute. For a chunkier consistency, mash the apples using a potato masher or fork instead.
- Serve warm or chilled.
Notes
How to store: Store homemade applesauce in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
How to reheat: If you choose to serve applesauce warm, you can easily reheat it on the stovetop over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes until warmed through.
How to customize: Classic applesauce is made with cinnamon and brown sugar, but there's a lot more you can add to totally customize it and create a new flavor. Consider adding strawberries for strawberry applesauce, peaches for peach ginger applesauce, or blueberries for blueberry vanilla applesauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade applesauce, how to make homemade applesauce, easy homemade applesauce, stovetop applesauce
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