Homemade applesauce in the crockpot is an easy and effortless way to transform leftover apples into a delicious, mostly naturally sweetened, sauce to add to proteins, baked goods, or to serve on its own.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword Crock Pot Apple Sauce, Slow Cooker Apple Sauce
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 6 hourshours
Total Time 6 hourshours15 minutesminutes
Servings 4cups
Calories 449kcal
Author Lauren
Ingredients
16medium sized applesabout 12 cups peeled and diced
¾cupwater
¼teaspoonsalt
¼cupraw honey
2teaspoonlemon juice
½teaspoonpure vanilla extract
2sticks cinnamon
Instructions
Peel and slice the apples. The slices don't have to be perfect since they will cook down. For a rustic texture cut some bigger slices and some smaller slices. For a uniform texture, dice the apples.
Combine the apples, water, salt, honey, lemon juice, and vanilla in the crock pot. Give the apples a little stir. Add cinnamon sticks.
Cook on low for 6 hours. Stir half way through and again towards the end. Continue to stir with a rubber spatula until the apple sauce reaches your desired texture.
Remove the cinnamon sticks, stir to break down any large pieces of apple that are left, and transfer to an air tight storage container. Alternatively you can blend the cooked applesauce with a hand blender for a fine, uniform texture.
Notes
I prefer to use McIntosh or Macoun to make applesauce. The texture is softer and the taste a touch tart but with plenty of natural sweetness.
For a vegan version of this recipe, substitute maple syrup or brown sugar for the honey.
Store in air-tight containers for up to 2 weeks in the fridge or follow proper canning procedures to keep it shelf-stable until use.
You can make this without stirring halfway (think overnight or while you're away at work), you'll just need to stir it a little more once the cooking period is done.