Homemade Applesauce Recipe (Easy, No Sugar Option)

Name: Homemade Applesauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 8 apples (peeled, cored, then chopped); ⅓ cup water; ¼ cup maple syrup (optional (you can make this unsweetened as well)); 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 2 Tbsp lemon juice

This homemade applesauce is cozy, simple, and so much better than store-bought. You only need 4 ingredients and about 30 minutes on the stovetop. 👇👇

A bowl of homemade applesauce with cinnamon sticks and apples surrounding the bowl.

What Makes This Recipe Great

It's the perfect way to use up apples that are a little soft or bruised. The smell of cinnamon and apples simmering will make your whole kitchen feel like fall.

Only 4 ingredients - apples, cinnamon, lemon juice, and water.
Sweetened or unsweetened - skip the maple syrup if you prefer it naturally sweet.
Smooth or chunky - you choose the texture.
Kid-friendly - a snack my family eats right out of the jar.
Freezer-friendly - make a big batch and save for later.

Next up - Recipe ingredients are below 👇👇

A bowl of apples, some lemons, and small bowls of maple syrup, cinnamon and water.

Recipe Ingredients

8 apples - peeled, cored, then chopped (any style of apple will work, but see my "tips section" for some favorites)
⅓ cup water
¼ cup maple syrup - honey or granulated sugar (This is optional. Skip the sweetener if you want your applesauce unsweetened)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp lemon juice

➡️ Watch How To Make Easy Homemade Applesauce 👇👇

See the simple stovetop method that makes your house smell amazing.

Kitchen Equipment Used

Apple peeler slicer and corer tool - This is what I used in the photos below to prepare my apples. It's such a great tool and under $20!
Immersion blender or food processor to puree the applesauce.

Best Apples for Applesauce

You can use almost any variety of apples - but different apples give slightly different flavors:

Gala or Fuji: naturally sweet and smooth.
Honeycrisp: crisp and juicy with great flavor.
Granny Smith: tart, less sweet, perfect if you don't want to add maple syrup.
Golden Delicious: soft and sweet, cooks down quickly.

👉 Mix and match varieties for more depth of flavor!

An apple being peeled by an apple peeler corer tool. Then the apples are place in a bowl.

Step-By-Step Instructions 👇👇

STEP 1: Prep the Apples

Wash and peel 8 apples. Remove the cores, then cut into small chunks. Smaller pieces will cook faster.

A pot with sliced raw apples and cinnamon sprinkled on top. Then the same pot with the apples cooked and softened.

STEP 2: Add Ingredients to Pot

Place the apple chunks into a medium pot. Add ⅓ cup water, ¼ cup maple syrup (optional), and 1 tsp cinnamon. Stir everything together.

STEP 3: Simmer on the Stove

Cover and cook over medium heat for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The apples should become very soft and easy to mash.

Three images of a white pot, first two are with an immersion blender blending the applesauce. Last image is a spatula and smooth applesauce in the pot.

STEP 4: Add Lemon Juice

Remove from heat and stir in 2 Tbsp lemon juice. This balances the sweetness and keeps the applesauce fresh.

STEP 5: Blend or Mash

Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth, or leave a little chunky if you prefer. (A food processor or even a potato masher also works.)

STEP 6: Serve or Chill

Serve warm right away or refrigerate for 2 hours to enjoy cold.

Mason jar of apple sauce with a spoon and apples in the background.

Recipe Variations

No Sugar Applesauce: Skip the maple syrup and let the apples' natural sweetness shine. Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp apples work especially well unsweetened.
Chunky Style: Mash with a potato masher instead of pureeing for a rustic texture.
Instant Pot Option: You can cook applesauce in an Instant Pot on high pressure for 5 minutes, then quick release and puree. (I stick with stovetop for simplicity, but both work!)
Baby Food: Make it unsweetened and puree until extra smooth. Perfect for little ones starting solids.

Recipe Tips

Use any apples you have. Gala, Honeycrisp, and Fuji are sweet; Granny Smith adds a little tartness.
Skip the sweetener. Apples are naturally sweet, so you don't need the maple syrup if you prefer unsweetened.
Mash for texture. Use a potato masher for a chunkier applesauce.
Cook longer if needed. If apples are still firm, give them another 5-10 minutes.

Fun Serving Ideas

Spoon over pancakes or waffles.
Swirl into oatmeal or yogurt. Would be a great addition to my apple cinnamon overnight oats.
Use in baking as a natural sweetener. Works great in my apple bread recipe or applesauce oatmeal muffins.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Pack into lunchboxes for an easy fruit side.

How To Store Leftovers

Refrigerate - Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Just give it a good stir before using as it can sometimes separate.
To Freeze - To keep this lasting longer, consider freezing it in an ice cube tray and then adding it to a freezer bag.

Bowl of applesauce with two cinnamon sticks poking out. Some fresh apples are behind the bowl.

FAQs

Do I have to peel the apples?

No - peeling gives smoother texture, but you can leave skins on for extra fiber.

Can I make applesauce without sugar?

Yes! Just skip the maple syrup. Using sweet apples like Gala or Fuji gives plenty of natural sweetness.

Can I can applesauce for long-term storage?

Yes, but you'll need to follow safe canning guidelines. This recipe is written for stovetop + freezing, not canning.

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely! Just use a larger pot. Cooking time will be about the same.

What if I don't have an immersion blender?

Use a food processor or potato masher. The texture may be chunkier, but still tasty.