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Crock Pot Applesauce (No Sugar Added)

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It’s so easy to make healthy crock-pot applesauce using your slow cooker! This unsweetened applesauce can be canned, frozen, and is a great way to use apples in season.

According to Merriam-Webster crock-pot is a hyphenated word, did you know that? I had to look it up since my spell-check always tells me I made a mistake when I write “crockpot”. “Crock pot” just seems funny, and I know not everyone uses the phrase “slow cooker”. I’m glad we all learned something today.

Organic Apples

One of the things I’ve been most excited about having a “real fall” is apple picking. We did go once in California, but there’s something about the idea of picking apples on a crisp cool day that seems so very “autumn”. It was a non-negotiable thing we had to do this season. So we headed out to a lovely 250+ year old farm nearby to pick apples and a perfect little pumpkin.

Even though Princess is still a little young for apple picking, she seemed to enjoy it. I feel as if maybe the time she spends learning about food and making things from scratch will help her make conscientious food choices later? She’s only 9 months old though, so I’m probably getting a little ahead of myself.

Apple Picking

If you are curious, she is wearing my necklace. Darling girl has a love for jewelry like her mama.

Slow Cooker Applesauce

Back to the apples, we picked just over 10 pounds of assorted apples, and I had my first actually delicious Red Delicious apple. Fresh Red Delicious taste absolutely nothing like the sandy-textured rather bland monsters you buy at the grocery store. All the apple varieties we picked tasted wonderful, and more importantly, were grown without pesticides and other icky things.

Organic homemade applesauce

I have plans for all 10 pounds of apples, but the first thing I chose to make was this applesauce. First of all because it takes no time at all, second because it’s a great snack/condiment/side, and third because I have plans to make things that require applesauce.

Crockpot Applesauce Recipe

Given how popular this has been in our house, I will be procuring more apples and making another batch or two for the freezer before apple season is over. You’ll be surprised at how easy this is to make and will never buy applesauce again, pinkie promise.

You can cook the apples over the stove, but I like using my crock-pot. I think it gives the natural sweetness a little more time develop. This means you don’t have to add any sugar to the recipe. That’s a win-win in my book!

I don’t add any butter either, just four ingredients and that’s it. You don’t even have to use a specific blend of apples. I like to use a blend of sweet and tart apples. Do whatever makes you happy.

Homemade slow cooker apple sauce recipe

If you can though, head to a local farm before the season is over and pick your own. It’s not only a fun experience, but you support a local producer. And of course, you’ll end up with some of the best-tasting apples you’ve ever enjoyed.

Crock-Pot Applesauce (No Sugar Added)

Crock-Pot Applesauce (No Sugar Added)

Yield: 4 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Making homemade applesauce is an easy and delicious way to enjoy one of autumn's best fruits!

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs fresh apples
  • 1/4 c water or no-sugar added juice of your choice
  • 2 T fresh lemon juice
  • 2 whole cinnamon sticks (optional)
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry your apples.
  2. Peel, core and slice the apples, placing them into the slow cooker as you go.
  3. Toss the apple sliced with the fresh lemon juice, then add the water (or juice), pinch of salt, and cinnamon sticks (optional).
  4. Set the slow cooker to high for 2-2.5 hours or low 4-4.5 hours or until apples are tender and cooked through.
  5. Use a potato masher or food processor to reach the desired consistency and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze for later.

Notes

The applesauce may be stored in the refrigerator for a month, or you may choose to freeze up to 6 months or water bath can up to 6 months. The recipe may be shelf stable for longer after canning, but I have never had a jar of applesauce last longer than 6 months, so I cannot personally vouch for this recipe.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 108Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 37mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 4gSugar: 22gProtein: 1g

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Tabitha

Friday 18th of August 2017

Hello, I just wanted to ask a question about the lemon juice. Is it necessary in the applesauce or just optional? My daughter was a micro preemie and I have started making her baby food.

Mary (The Goodie Godmother)

Saturday 19th of August 2017

The lemon juice is optional. It's there to prevent browning and help add acidity for canning, but you can omit if you need to. :) Congratulations on a thriving baby girl. She's lucky to have a caring mama. <3

Maria

Monday 3rd of October 2016

Can I can this applesauce? I want to get started right away. Thank you, Maria

Mary (The Goodie Godmother)

Tuesday 4th of October 2016

Yes, you absolutely may can this applesauce! I can mine in half pint jars in a water bath for 10 minutes and it turns out great. :)

Paige @ Where Latin Meets Lagniappe

Tuesday 27th of September 2016

I have always wanted to go apple picking Mary - it looks like so much fun! Plus having all of those apples would give me so many fall recipe ideas!

Meaghan | Cook. Craft. Love.

Sunday 25th of September 2016

I'm not usually a huge apple sauce fan but this recipe looks amazing. I love that there's no sugar added!

Whitney

Saturday 24th of September 2016

I really need to start slow cooking. I don't do it often enough. I'd love to make applesauce and apple butter. I like how there's no added sugar, with the tip of cooking them in the slow cooker gives them an additional sweetness.

Mary (The Goodie Godmother)

Saturday 24th of September 2016

Slow cooking is still a pretty seasonal thing for me. It also keeps me from burning the applesauce, which is something I worry I would do haha.

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