Homemade applesauce is easy to make with fresh apples, water, and lemon juice in about 25 minutes. Cook the apples until tender, then mash them for a chunky texture or blend until silky smooth. Enjoy it warm right from the pot or chilled, serve it with pork, or spoon it over oatmeal or yogurt.
Homemade applesauce was one of my mom's fall traditions when I was growing up, and I still remember eating it warm right from the pot. Somehow I let that tradition disappear from my own kitchen. Recently I made a batch to serve with roast pork and immediately wondered why I'd waited so long. It's so simple, delicious, and versatile that I'm bringing it back.
Applesauce Recipe Snapshot
- Quick and easy - Homemade applesauce in about 25 minutes with just 3 ingredients.
- Smooth or chunky - Blend until silky smooth or mash for more texture.
- Naturally sweet - Honeycrisp apples may need no added sweetener.
- Versatile - Enjoy warm or chilled, with pork, oatmeal, yogurt, or alone.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Apples - Use naturally sweet, flavorful apples. I use Honeycrisp, which makes a delicious applesauce without any added sugar. Other good choices are Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady, or a combination of varieties.
- Water - Just enough to get the apples cooking and prevent them from sticking.
- Lemon juice - Brightens the apple flavor and balances their natural sweetness.
Please see the recipe card for measurements and salt.
Optional add-in's
- Vanilla extract - Adds a soft, warm sweetness; stir it in after cooking.
- Spices - Cinnamon is classic, or try a little nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, or allspice.
Chef's Tip: Apple Peel or No Peel?
For silky-smooth applesauce, peel the apples before cooking. Prefer less prep and don't mind a little more texture? Leave the peels on for added color, fiber, and nutrients. A high-speed blender will break the skins down more completely than a regular blender or food processor.
How to Make Homemade Applesauce
You'll need a heavy 3 ½ - 5 quart pot or pan with a lid.
- Peel the apples, then remove the cores.
- Cut the peeled apples into small, fairly even pieces so they cook evenly.
- Add the apples, water, lemon juice, and salt to the pan. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook over low heat until very soft, about 20 minutes.
- Once the apples are tender, if they've released more liquid than you want, set the lid slightly ajar and cook for a 1-2 more minutes to allow the excess liquid to evaporate.
- Add the cooked apples to a blender.
- Puree into a smooth, silky applesauce. For chunky applesauce, skip the blender and mash them to your preferred texture. Stir in the optional cinnamon and vanilla, if using.
How to Serve Homemade Applesauce
- Alongside roast or smoked pork or pork chops.
- Spooned over oatmeal, with overnight oats, or chia breakfast pudding.
- With Greek yogurt, or built into a Greek yogurt parfait.
- On its own as a simple snack or side dish.
- With pancakes or gluten-free waffles.
Storage
Let the applesauce cool completely, then refrigerate it in a covered container or jar for up to 5-7 days. For longer storage, freeze in an airtight freezer-safe container, leaving a little room for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and stir before serving.
Recipe FAQs
Naturally sweet, flavorful apples that soften well when cooked are ideal. Honeycrisp is my favorite, but Fuji, Gala, and Golden Delicious are also good choices. For a more tart applesauce, add a Granny Smith or combine sweet and tart varieties.
No. Naturally sweet apples such as Honeycrisp can make delicious applesauce without added sugar. Taste your applesauce after cooking and add sweetener only if you think it needs it.
Yes. Cool it completely, transfer it to an airtight freezer-safe container with room for expansion, and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and stir before serving.
Yes. Naturally sweet apples such as Honeycrisp don't need any added sweetener, so taste the applesauce first. If you're using a tart apple or prefer a sweeter applesauce, add a little maple syrup, honey, or sugar to taste. For a no-sugar-added option, monk fruit-allulose blend works well too.
More Recipes With Apples
Have more apples to use? Here are a few more delicious apple recipes to try.
If You Make Homemade Applesauce
Please leave me a comment and let me know how you're enjoying it. I love hearing from you and your comments help other readers as well.
📖 Recipe
Homemade Applesauce
Equipment
- Large pot 3 ½ -5 quarts with a lid
Ingredients
Simple applesauce
- 2-2 ¼ pounds honeycrisp apples more apple notes below
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 pinch fine salt
Optional additions
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
- ½ teaspoons vanilla optional
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Instructions
Prep the apples
- Peel, core, then chop the apples small.
Cook apples
- Add the apples to the pot or pan, stir in the water and lemon juice. Bring the pot to a simmer. Put the lid on and cook until apples are very soft, about 20 minutes. Watch your heat and turn down if needed to prevent scorching the apples.
Make applesauce
- Add the apples to a blender container and pulse to puree as smooth as you would like. You can also not puree it and leave it chunkier. If adding the optional cinnamon and/or vanilla, do it now.
Notes
Nutrition
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