Easy Slow Cooker Applesauce
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This slow cooker applesauce is sooo good that you won’t settle for store-bought again. In this recipe, your favorite apples are perfectly caramelized in sugar and cinnamon, creating a sweet, all-around sauce that has all the cozy and comforting flavors of fall. Enjoy it warm or cold, either way, you’re in a for a treat!
Everyone’s favorite cozy season is once again upon us, my friends, and my arms are wide open for all things fall-tastic! I’m excited to diffuse a pumpkin spice essential oil blend, enjoy some pumpkin spice chai latte along with my other favorite fall coffees, and of course, make slow cooker applesauce! It’s a must-have at this household this time of year, although we enjoy it year-round because it’s crazy easy to make, wholesomely delicious, and endlessly versatile.
I always make the first batch of the season with my kids. It has become a fun little tradition of ours to prep the apples together (they’ve become such pros at peeling!), watch a couple of holiday movies while the sauce is cooking, then enjoy a nice dinner with the warm applesauce.
It’s amazing on pork chops, pan-fried chicken cutlets, and roast meats! It does take a while to peel and core the apples, but with a little help from family, you’ll barely feel the work. Plus the smooth, velvety, perfectly spiced applesauce is so worth it!
Homemade applesauce is great added to or mixed in with a wide variety of dishes, whether for breakfast, dinner, snack, or dessert. It’s also perfect for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving feasts, and as a thoughtful homemade gift – I love filling pretty little jars with this delicious applesauce and giving them away to family and friends every holiday season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless to make: Just throw everything into your slow cooker, and let it work its magic. No babysitting required!
- Simple, wholesome ingredients: All you need are apples, sugar, ground cinnamon, and water to make this fall-tastic treat.
- Best fall flavors: Apples and cinnamon are a match made in heaven. Enjoy this delicious combo throughout the season, or year-round.
- Customizable: Enjoy it warm or cold, chunky or smooth; simple or loaded with spices – it’s easy to make it exactly how you like it.
- Perfect for meal prep: Make a big batch and enjoy throughout the week or freeze for future use.
How to Make Slow Cooker Applesauce
This easy slow cooker applesauce is the ultimate treat: simply toss all your ingredients into your slow cooker, let them simmer, and in a few hours, you’ve got a ridiculously delicious batch of slow cooker applesauce that you can put on everything. You just need 15 minutes of hands on time, plus your kitchen will smell like a fall haven while it’s cooking.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Red apples: 3 pounds of apples is approx 6 large apples. Don’t use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith – softer, sweeter apples are better because they break down more easily and give that concentrated apple flavor we all love. Gala, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Fuji, Gala, and McIntosh are all ideal options, but you can use your favorite kind. A mix of apples is also encouraged.
- Sugar
- Ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and adds a comforting fall flavor to the applesauce.
- Water
Step-By-Step Instructions
Another thing that I love about slow cooker applesauce? It’s perfect for busy days! Once you’ve prepped the apples, your slow cooker will take over and you can go about your day. Just come back after a few hours and you’ll have a warm, comforting treat ready to enjoy. Follow the 3 simple steps below to get started. I’m super excited for you!
Step 1: Prep
First, add the prepared apples to the crockpot of your slow cooker. Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, then sprinkle it evenly over the apples. Add the water.
Step 2: Cook and blend
Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours.
Use an immersion blender to blend to the desired consistency. Pulse for a chunkier finish or puree smooth. Transfer to a blender or food processor if you don’t have an immersion blender. Be careful, the contents will be very hot. Make sure not overload the machine – it’s best to blend in small batches.
Step 3: Serve
Serve warm or cool to room temperature before storing in the refrigerator for later use. Enjoy!
Substitutions
Apples, granulated sugar, and cinnamon make the simplest, most basic applesauce. Though already delicious, you can tweak the ingredients a little to suit your taste better. Try these substitutions:
- Sugar: Substitute with coconut sugar for a more natural sweetness, or brown sugar if you like your applesauce to have that caramel-like flavor.
- Warm spices: If you want to play around with different warm spices for a slightly different flavor profile, I suggest using a pumpkin pie spice mix. I consider cinnamon a must, but you can add your other favorite warm spices like nutmeg and cloves. Apple pie spice, allspice, or ginger are also ideal.
Variations
One awesome thing about this slow cooker applesauce recipe is that there’s plenty of room for creativity. Over the years, I’ve tried recipes with a pinch of salt and a splash of lemon juice but overall prefer the classic version of just 3 ingredients plus a little water. However, it’s nice to experiment a little and try a fun new twist sometimes so you can find your favorite variation. You can always come back to this simple recipe, after all!
- Toss in a handful of fresh or frozen summer berries like blueberries and raspberries for a pop of color and fruity flavor.
- Add a handful of raisins and extra cinnamon to make applesauce that tastes like apple pie filling. I love the texture of this one!
- Stir in a drizzle of caramel sauce at the end for an indulgent, dessert-like treat.
- A teaspoon of fresh ginger and a bit of honey or maple syrup add a warm, soothing kick.
- Add a couple of ripe pears to the mix for a gentle, juicy sweetness that pairs beautifully with apples.
- Want to make a delicious adults-only version? Add a splash of spiced rum or rum extract to the mix for added depth and warmth. My friends absolutely love this one!
Expert Tips
- Choose the right apples: Apples vary in sweetness. Choose Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Ambrosia if you prefer your applesauce sweet, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, or SweeTango for mild sweetness, and Cameo, Jonagold, or Lady Alice if you prefer a sweet-tart flavor.
- Peel or not to peel?: Leaving the peels on adds fiber and results in a richer color, but peeling makes for a smoother texture. Choose based on your personal preference, as both are delicious.
- Adjust the sweetness: Taste as you go! If you prefer your applesauce to be less sweet, you can reduce the amount of sugar. Alternatively, if your apples are on the tart side, you might want to add a little extra sweetness.
- Enhance with lemon juice: If your apple butter tastes a bit flat, adding a splash of lemon juice at the end can brighten the flavors and balance out the sweetness.
How to Store This Recipe
Cool applesauce completely and transfer into an airtight container or jars with a tight lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen applesauce in the refrigerator overnight before using.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Applesauce
There are so many ways to enjoy this slow cooker applesauce! Boost your breakfast favorites with it – swirl it into your oatmeal, pair it with toast, or add a dollop to a serving of Mcdonald’s pancakes or no-milk waffles for a filling breakfast.
Enjoy it on bread machine pumpkin bread, apple cinnamon cake, muffins, or crepes, mix into vanilla ice cream or yogurt, or add it to your grilled cheese sandwich for a hearty snack. Serve applesauce as part of a holiday charcuterie board or a charcuterie table spread along with crackers and an assortment of cheeses for parties.
More Fall Recipes To Try
If you make this slow cooker applesauce, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Crockpot Applesauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds red apples peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Add the prepared apples to the crockpot of the slow cooker. Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle it evenly over the apples. Add the water.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours. Use an immersion blender to blend to the desired consistency. Pulse for a chunkier finish or puree smooth.
- Serve warm or cool to room temperature before storing in the refrigerator for later use.
Notes
- Apples vary in sweetness. Choose Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Ambrosia if you prefer your applesauce sweet, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, or SweeTango for mild sweetness, and Cameo, Jonagold, or Lady Alice if you prefer a sweet-tart flavor.
- Leaving the peels on adds fiber and results in a richer color, but peeling makes for a smoother texture. Choose based on your personal preference!
- Taste as you go! If you prefer your applesauce to be less sweet, you can reduce the amount of sugar. Alternatively, if your apples are on the tart side, you might want to add a little extra sweetness.
- If your apple butter tastes a bit flat, adding a splash of lemon juice at the end can brighten the flavors and balance out the sweetness.
