Easy Homemade Applesauce Recipe | Plus 2 Flavor Variations!

Learn how to make applesauce with this easy tutorial – you’ll have creamy, delicious homemade applesauce in less than 20 minutes! Pick your favorite flavor – classic, cinnamon, or mixed berry.

Applesauce is one of the most underrated side dishes.

There aren’t many foods that work for breakfast, lunch, dinner, AND snacks!

This homemade applesauce recipe is an inexpensive way to stretch a meal further and fill growing bellies! Plus, you can mix it up by adding different fruits to make fun-flavored applesauce – the possibilities are endless!

STORE-BOUGHT VS. HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE

I hadn’t really thought about making my own applesauce until recently. This is odd because I frequently evaluate what to make from scratch to save time and money.

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I’ve always bought organic unsweetened applesauce that was fairly affordable and had a short and simple ingredient list: apples, water, and vitamin C.

But, when the kids started asking me to buy colored store-bought applesauce, I did a quick label check and voted them down. High fructose corn syrup and MSG? I didn’t realize so much junk was in sweetened and flavored applesauce!

I knew I could do better and learn how to make applesauce myself.

WHY MAKE HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE

After making a few batches, I can assure you there are several good reasons to make your own applesauce:

• Homemade applesauce tastes really, really good! The depth of flavor was outstanding – far better than store-bought varieties.
• It’s easy. Quarter some apples, heat them in a pot with a few other goodies, and blend. Done.
• It’s fast. Literally 25 minutes, start to finish.
• It stores well. It keeps in the refrigerator for at least a week, and large batches can be frozen and defrosted as needed. There’s also the option to can applesauce for longer storage.
• You can control the flavor and sweetness. I had fun fine-tuning the amounts of each ingredient so that the end product came out just right! My cinnamon version tastes like apple pie!
• It’s a great way to put seasonal produce to good use. Apples picked in season will always cost less. You can even go to a you-pick farm for some really great deals and fun!

EASY HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE RECIPE INGREDIENTS

This applesauce recipe includes just 3 simple ingredients.

• Apples
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Apple juice

WHAT KIND OF APPLES SHOULD I USE?

I used Jonagold apples from my local grocery store. However, you can use organic apples if you prefer (just know that the cost will increase). As far as flavor goes, a more tart apple like Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Golden Delicious is often recommended. Sweet apples like Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, and Honeycrisp work too. Whatever apples you like eating, you’ll probably like in this apple sauce recipe!

TOOLS FOR APPLESAUCE MAKING

• Using a high-powered blender (I love my Blendtec) is the key to achieving a light and creamy texture.
• A regular blender or immersion blender will also work, but the texture may be a little different.
• A food processor like this one will also work to give you a silky-smooth apple sauce.
• If you like chunky applesauce, use a potato masher to mash the apples.
• Some people use a food mill, but I don’t think this is necessary if you have one of the above appliances.

HOW TO MAKE APPLESAUCE

Step 1: Quarter the apples, remove the core, and chop into 1-inch cubes.

Step 2: Place the apple cubes and other ingredients in a large pot and stir to mix.

Step 3: Heat over medium heat to medium-high heat until the mixture begins to bubble. Reduce heat to a low simmer and cook, partially covered, for around 15 minutes until apples are tender.

Step 4: Transfer the mixture to a high-powered blender. Blend on the lowest speed for about 20 seconds, then gradually increase speed until the entire mixture is completely smooth (2-3 minutes total). Alternatively, use your immersion blender or food processor to blend until the applesauce reaches your desired consistency.

Store homemade applesauce in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 4 months.

HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE RECIPE VARIATIONS

This is where it really gets fun!

The flavor possibilities for homemade applesauce are endless. Developing flavors got me thinking about all the different varieties we could make using seasonal produce or my kids’ favorite fruits.

To make my two favorite apple sauce recipe variations, follow the directions for the unsweetened applesauce recipe, but add in the additional ingredients when you cook the apples.

Cinnamon Applesauce

• 2 ⅔ lbs apples (I like Jonagold)
• 1 Tbsp orange juice
• 2 Tbsp apple juice (or apple cider)
• ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp orange zest
• 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup

Mixed Berry Applesauce

• 2 lbs apples (I like Jonagold)
• ½ cup fresh or frozen berries (no need to defrost)
• 1 Tbsp orange juice
• 1 Tbsp raw honey

HOW TO SERVE HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE

Applesauce is a great snack for kids. Or it can be used as a side dish to finish out lunch or dinner.

Other ways to enjoy applesauce:

• Spoon it over Vanilla Ice Cream for a sweet treat!
• Substitute applesauce for oil in baked goods, or use it as an egg substitute
• Use in this recipe for Korean Beef
• Pan-fry pork chops with a bit of apple sauce for a quick dinner!
• Stir homemade applesauce into oatmeal or yogurt
• Top potato pancakes with a dollop of applesauce

APPLE SAUCE RECIPE FAQS

MORE YUMMY APPLE RECIPES

WATCH HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE