This is such a great homemade applesauce recipe that anyone can make at home!
Homemade Applesauce Overview
This is an easy homemade applesauce recipe that smells absolutely incredible while it cooks on the stove. Only four simple ingredients are needed, and it’s a great way to use up some delicious apples, even if they’re soft and bruised!
This recipe couldn’t be easier to make. Just add ingredients to a pot heated on the stove. Let everything simmer for about 20 minutes until the apples are nice and soft. Now use an immersion blender or food processor to make the applesauce a smooth pureed texture, and stir in the lemon juice. So doable!
You can make this recipe sweetened or unsweetened depending on your preference. If you don’t want to add the maple syrup, just skip it and follow the instructions without it. Unsweetened applesauce is also lovely as apples have a natural light sweetness to them.
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
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.
- White cast iron dutch oven pot – This pot heats so evenly, I love it. But any medium pot you already have will also work!
- Measuring spoons – this is a magnetic set that sticks together in the drawer to keep organized.
How To Make Homemade Applesauce
Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
STEP 1: Wash the apples. Then peel off the apple skin using a pairing knife, vegetable peeler or an apple peel, core slicer tool (this is what I used in the photos above).
STEP 2: Break the 8 sliced apples into small pieces (this will help them soften faster) and add them to a large pot. Now add ⅓ cup water, ¼ cup maple syrup (optional ingredient), and 1 tsp ground cinnamon.
STEP 3: Heat the pot over medium heat and bring it to a low simmer. Cover with a lid and let this cook for 20-25 minutes, until the apples are very soft. Stir occasionally during the process.
STEP 4: Remove the pot from the heat and stir in 2 Tbsp lemon juice.
STEP 5: Using an immersion blender, blend the ingredients until they turn into a smooth puree. You can also use a food processor for this step. Now the applesauce is ready to serve warm or place in the fridge 2 hours to serve cold.
Recipe Tips
- For this recipe I prefer gala or honeycrisp apples for their smooth texture and sweetness. But really you can use any apples you have! For a slightly tart and less sweet flavor, try using granny smith apples.
- The applesauce can be pureed by hand using a potato masher. But I would recommend cooking the apples for at least 30 minutes or a bit longer so that they are extra soft.
- You can leave the applesauce texture a bit chunkier too! Just stop pureeing before it gets too smooth.
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.
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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
Instructions
- Wash the apples. Then peel off the apple skin using a pairing knife, vegetable peeler or an apple peel, core slicer tool (this is what I used in the photos above).
- Break the 8 sliced apples into small pieces (this will help them soften faster) and add them to a large pot. Now add ⅓ cup water, ¼ cup maple syrup (optional ingredient), and 1 tsp ground cinnamon.
- Heat the pot over medium heat and bring it to a low simmer. Cover with a lid and let this cook for 20-25 minutes, until the apples are very soft. Stir occasionally during the process.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in 2 Tbsp lemon juice.
- Using an immersion blender, blend the ingredients until they turn into a smooth puree. You can also use a food processor for this step. Now the applesauce is ready to serve warm or place in the fridge 2 hours to serve cold.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving.