No Sugar Added Homemade Applesauce

An applesauce recipe that’s full of flavor and not loaded with added sugars. This recipe is a staple in our home and soon to be yours too!

Creating this applesauce recipe

Hi!! I have been MIA forever it seems like! I went to the CAND Annual Conference and the night I got home, my 93-year-old grandmother took a fall and the ambulance rushed her to ER. Thankfully everything is OK and she’s being transferred to a facility where she will receive 24 hour care.

Then the next day, I had a minor surgery on my wrist to remove a ganglion cyst. That sucker hurt and I hope it does not come back! All last week I was in recovery mode, and this week the stitches come out so I am happy about that.

For some weird reason I have been craving applesauce — during my recovery time it has basically been the only thing I’ve wanted to blog about next.

I think homemade applesauce is so fun to make because it fills the house with a wonderful cinnamon-y smell and you can pretty much eat it at breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert. If you’re feeling crazy, a little bit of this applesauce warmed up with some vanilla bean ice cream is h.e.a.v.e.n. 

Homemade applesauce ingredients

You guys won’t believe how insanely easy this applesauce recipe is! To make stovetop applesauce, all you need is:

• Apples
• Spices (I used cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves)
• Lemon juice
• Water
• Orange juice
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon sticks (optional)

For the best flavor, make sure you’re using freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice. The pre-bottled stuff isn’t nearly as good, and buying an extra orange and lemon at the grocery store won’t run up your bill too much.

What are the best apples for applesauce?

You can use any apple you’d like in this homemade applesauce. I like to use a combination of apples.

Personally, I prefer firmer, slightly tart apples in my homemade applesauce (think: Pink Lady and Granny Smith). You should also feel free to use a blend of apples when making this recipe.

How to make this homemade applesauce recipe

To make this unsweetened applesauce, simply peel and core the apples and then slice them. Cutting them into large chunks works well.

Add the apple slices/chunks to a large pot and throw in the rest of the ingredients. Place lid on and set a timer!

Cook everything together on low heat until the apples break down, stirring occasionally.

You want to make sure you stir so the bottom doesn’t burn and also to prevent apples from sticking to the bottom.

I like my applesauce on the chunkier side and mash it a few times using a potato masher.

If you prefer smooth applesauce you can easily puree it using an immersion blender. Or, you can (very carefully!) puree the hot applesauce in a food processor or blender.

Can you freeze applesauce?

Yes, applesauce freezes really well! To freeze applesauce, let it cool to room temperature before dividing it amongst freezer-safe containers or bags. When you’re ready to eat the frozen applesauce, let it thaw in your fridge overnight.

Can I sweeten my applesauce?

Of course! But if you use in-season apples you likely don’t need to add sweetener. If you do use a sweetener, I highly recommend pure maple syrup — it has a rich flavor that perfectly complements the sweet apples.

Tips for the best homemade applesauce recipe

You can make this unsweetened applesauce in a slow cooker or on the stove. I just decided to use the stove this time for faster cooking.

I like to make my homemade applesauce with both cinnamon sticks and ground cinnamon, but you can omit the cinnamon sticks if you don’t have any on hand.

This applesauce recipe is easily customized to suit your own tastes, so have fun with the spices!

You can use homemade applesauce in so many different ways — as a pancake topping, a smoothie ingredient, in BBQ sauce, served with a scoop of ice cream or mixed into your oatmeal! It’s tasty warm or cold — whatever you prefer!

More easy apple recipes:

• Homemade Cranberry Applesauce
• Apple Cinnamon Rum Monkey Bread
• Apple Pie-Stuffed Pitas
• Instant Pot Pumpkin Applesauce
• Apple Galette

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