This Slow Cooker Applesauce recipe is easy to make in the crockpot and only uses 5 ingredients! You can make it chunky, smooth or any way in between. Everyone will love this healthy and satisfying snack! Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, refined sugar-free and easily Whole30.
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Easy Crockpot Applesauce Recipe
Looking for an easy and delicious snack for fall? This Slow Cooker Applesauce is so simple to make in your crockpot and is the perfect way to use up some of those apples you picked from the apple orchard.
It’s an easy set and forget recipe, you just dump everything into the crockpot and walk away. We love the flavor we get by adding cinnamon into our applesauce, but you can totally leave yours plain if you prefer. We recommend this recipe to anyone who’s looking for a quick and easy treat for apple season!
Don’t have a slow cooker? Try our Homemade Applesauce recipe made on the stove-top!
Why we love this easy apple recipe
- So easy to make with just 5 ingredients and the perfect healthy kid-friendly snack recipe
- There’s no refined sugar in this applesauce, and it’s also completely gluten-free, dairy-free and can easily be Whole30 compliant by leaving out the sweetener.
- If anyone in your family follows a vegan or paleo diet, this recipe will work for them too.
Which Apple Varieties Are Best?
Believe it or not, you want to use multiple varieties of apples for this recipe. You definitely need to have some sweet apples, but you should also throw a couple tart varieties in there too. Using different kinds of apples will give you the best flavor. Just be sure to use plenty of sweet apples, like Fuji or Granny Smith, so you’re not tempted to add in too much sweetener later.
Recipe Ingredients
This recipe uses basic everyday ingredients plus some apples and apple cider. Any sweeteners and spices can be adjusted to taste so it turns out exactly how you like it!
- Apples: You’ll need to use 8-10 peeled, cored and sliced apples.
- Apple Cider
- Lemon Juice: Use fresh lemon juice to get the best flavor.
- Vanilla Extract
- Ground Cinnamon
- Optional sweetener: Pure Maple Syrup, Coconut Sugar or your preferred sweetener. For sugar-free applesauce, use liquid monk fruit, yacon syrup or leave out for a Whole30 compliant option
How to Make Slow Cooker Applesauce
You can make your applesauce as smooth or as chunky as you’d like. If you prefer chunky applesauce, here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Combine Ingredients: Add the apples to the slow cooker. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
- Cook: Cook on low for about 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until the apples are well broken down, stirring 2-3 times in between.
- Adjust to Taste: Add more sweetener or spices, to taste, and serve or store your applesauce.
How to Make Smooth Applesauce
If you want your applesauce to be super smooth or just a little less chunky, there’s only one more step you have to take!
Blend: Use an immersion blender to puree the finished sauce. Alternatively, transfer it to a blender or food processor and blend until it reaches your desired consistency.
Instant Pot Method
Instant Pot Applesauce is almost the same method as making it in the crockpot.
- Combine Ingredients: Add all the ingredients to the inner pot of a 6-quart Instant Pot.
- Cook: Turn Instant Pot to “Manual” and pressure cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Allow to naturally release for 20 minutes.
- Chunky Applesauce: Stir to break down the apples and add more sweetener or spices, to taste.
For smooth applesauce: Use an immersion blender to puree the apples. Alternatively, transfer it to a blender or food processor. Add more sweetener or spices to taste.
- Allow to Cool: Allow the sauce to cool completely before storing it in the fridge.
Serving Suggestions
Wondering how to use up your crockpot applesauce? Here are some of our favorite ways:
- On Top of Oatmeal: This is the ultimate oatmeal add-in. I’m obsessed with using it to make this Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal!
- In Baked Goods: Not only is applesauce a vegan egg substitute, but it also adds a ton of moisture into your baked goods. Just whip up these homemade Apple Muffins to find out!
- As a Snack or Side Dish: My favorite way it eat this applesauce is honestly by itself. It just has such a lovely apple cinnamon flavor, and it’s super refreshing. It’s a yummy snack or side dish for any savory dinner.
- In a Smoothie: Add it to a healthy breakfast smoothie!
- With Ice Cream: If you want a sweet, indulgent treat that you don’t have to feel guilty about eating, serve this applesauce over a scoop of creamy Vanilla Ice Cream.
How to Store Applesauce
Applesauce made in the slow cooker should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s important that the container is well sealed so it keeps your applesauce fresh. It’ll stay good for 5-7 days if you store it properly.
Can You Freeze Applesauce?
This easy slow cooker applesauce can be frozen for up to 2 months! Just let it cool completely before freezing it, and make sure it’s stored in an airtight container. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the fridge.
More apple recipes you will love:
This Slow Cooker Applesauce recipe is easy to make in the crockpot and only uses 5 ingredients! You can make it chunky, smooth or any way in between. Everyone will love this healthy and satisfying snack! Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, refined sugar-free and easily Whole30.
- 4 lbs apples , (use a variety about 8-10), peeled, cored and sliced
- 2/3 cup apple cider
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 tbsp pure maple syrup , or to taste - can also sub with your preferred liquid sweetener or leave out for a sugar-free Whole30 version
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Add the apples to the slow cooker. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
Cook on low for about 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until the apples are well broken down, stirring 2-3 times in between.
For a chunkier applesauce, serve as is. For a smoother version, use an immersion blender to puree or transfer to a blender or food processor. Add more sweetener or spices, to taste.
Store airtight in the fridge.
Combine Ingredients: Add all the ingredients to the inner pot of a 6-quart Instant Pot. Turn Instant Pot to “Manual” and pressure cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Allow to naturally release for 20 minutes
Chunky Applesauce: Stir to break down the apples and add more sweetener or spices, to taste.
For smooth applesauce: Use an immersion blender to puree the apples. Alternatively, transfer it to a blender or food processor. Add more sweetener or spices to taste.
Allow to Cool: Allow the sauce to cool completely before storing it in the fridge.
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