Homemade Unsweetened Applesauce: Your Guide to a Healthy, Delicious Snack
Discover the incredible simplicity of making your own unsweetened applesauce from scratch! This delightful no sugar added applesauce recipe requires just two core ingredients, allowing the natural sweetness of the apples to shine through. Whether you use a slow cooker, an Instant Pot, or a Ninja Foodi, crafting homemade unsweetened applesauce is an effortless process. You’ll be amazed by how easy and utterly delicious this crockpot applesauce recipe (no sugar) is to prepare. It’s a wholesome snack or versatile side dish that the entire family, from babies starting solids to older adults, can enjoy with peace of mind. Serve it warm for a comforting treat or chilled for a refreshing bite.
This wonderfully versatile homemade apple sauce can be subtly infused with cinnamon, offering an inviting aroma as it cooks. It’s a fantastic addition to your regular menu, providing a healthy and naturally sweet option. When we say “sugar-free,” we mean completely free of added sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or white sugar. Apples naturally contain sugars, so a truly “sugar-free” recipe would be impossible without omitting the star ingredient itself!
This unsweetened applesauce recipe for babies and the rest of the family is designed for universal enjoyment. While it’s presented as cinnamon applesauce, feel free to omit the cinnamon for a plain version, or experiment with other warm spices like nutmeg, allspice, or a pumpkin pie spice blend to customize the flavor to your liking.
If apples aren’t your favorite or if you have an allergy, don’t worry! Explore this fantastic substitute for unsweetened applesauce, which might be exactly what you need. For all apple lovers, let’s dive into the details of this healthy and simple applesauce recipe!
⭐ Key Benefits of Our No-Sugar Applesauce Recipe
Why is this considered the best applesauce recipe with no sugar? Here are several compelling reasons:
- Effortless Slow Cooking: Whether you’re making Ninja Foodi applesauce, Instant Pot applesauce (using the slow cook function), or traditional Crock Pot applesauce, the “set it and forget it” method offers a truly hands-off cooking experience. Say goodbye to constantly tending and stirring a pot on the stovetop for hours. Any slow cooker large enough to hold your apples will work perfectly!
- Enhanced Natural Sweetness: The magic of slow cooking lies in its ability to draw out and concentrate the natural sugars within the apples. This gentle, prolonged heat makes the apples incredibly sweet and flavorful, often making you wonder why you ever bothered with added sugar in your applesauce before!
- Just Two Core Ingredients: Excluding water and optional spices, this is a genuine two-ingredient applesauce recipe. Achieving delicious slow cooker applesauce without sugar truly doesn’t get any simpler or purer than this.
- Pure and All-Natural: This homemade applesauce contains no artificial additives, preservatives, or complex ingredients. It’s a whole food recipe that aligns perfectly with a “clean eating” philosophy, offering pure, unadulterated goodness.
- Diet-Friendly and Versatile: Homemade applesauce is an excellent snack or side dish for a variety of special diets. It is naturally vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and suitable for a whole food plant-based approach, making it accessible to many.
- Naturally Healthy: Apples are a nutritional powerhouse, providing essential dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and other vital vitamins and minerals. Enjoy a snack that contributes positively to your overall well-being.
- Unbeatable Flavor: In our humble opinion, this homemade unsweetened applesauce is far superior in taste to most store-bought varieties. Its fresh, vibrant flavor is so satisfying, it often feels more like a wholesome dessert than a simple side dish!
🥘 Essential Ingredients for Homemade No-Sugar Applesauce
Crafting the most delicious unsweetened applesauce requires only a few simple components: a selection of fresh apples, a touch of water, and a fragrant cinnamon stick. That’s truly all you need to create a naturally sweet and flavorful applesauce. As an added bonus, the cinnamon will fill your home with an absolutely heavenly aroma as it slow cooks.
Some recipes call for fresh lemon juice to prevent the apples from browning. While this is an option, we find it largely unnecessary for applesauce made in a slow cooker, so we typically omit it, keeping the ingredient list as minimal as possible.
Don’t discard those slightly bruised apples! This recipe is a fantastic way to utilize apples that might not be perfect for eating fresh. Once cooked down, no one will ever know, making it a clever trick to reduce food waste and appease even the pickiest eaters in your household.
You can use a single variety of apple or a combination, depending on your preference. Certain apples are inherently better suited for applesauce due to their texture and sweetness profile. While Cortland apples are often considered among the best for applesauce, you have a wide array of other excellent choices available.
🍎 What Types of Apples Are Best for Homemade Applesauce?
Selecting the right apples can significantly impact the texture and flavor of your homemade applesauce. Generally, you want apples that soften easily and have a good balance of sweetness and tartness. This helpful table from a local orchard indicates suitable apple varieties. Be sure to avoid those marked with an “F” in the sauce category, as they won’t yield the best results.
To summarize and expand, here are some of the best apples for applesauce, known for their ability to break down easily and contribute a desirable flavor:
- Jersey Mac: Early season, sweet, and cooks down beautifully.
- Paula Red: Tart-sweet, becomes soft and saucy quickly.
- Ginger Gold: Mildly sweet with a crisp texture that softens well.
- Gala: Sweet and aromatic, yields a smooth sauce.
- Jona Mac: A cross between Jonathan and McIntosh, offering a good balance of sweet and tart.
- McIntosh: Very soft and juicy, known for its distinct aroma and quick breakdown.
- Cortland: Retains its color well, slightly tart, and breaks down easily.
- Honeycrisp: Sweet and crisp, will result in a sweeter, slightly chunkier sauce.
- Macoun: Sweet and aromatic, known for its tender flesh.
- Empire: Sweet-tart, holds its shape a bit more, good for chunky sauce.
- Golden Delicious: Sweet and mellow, softens nicely for a smooth sauce.
- Ida Red: Tart and firm, produces a thicker, more flavorful sauce.
- Mutsu (Crispin): Sweet-tart, holds well for chunky styles, but will break down with longer cooking.
- Cameo: Sweet and firm, will need more cooking time or mashing for a smooth sauce.
- Granny Smith: Very tart, perfect if you prefer a less sweet, more tangy applesauce.
Conversely, some apple varieties are generally not recommended for applesauce due to their texture or tendency to remain firm even after prolonged cooking:
- Red Delicious: Tends to be mealy and doesn’t break down well.
- Russet: Has a thick skin and dense flesh that remains firm.
- Fuji: Very crisp and firm, not ideal for a smooth sauce.
- Baldwin: Can be quite firm and holds its shape extensively.
Of course, taste is subjective, especially concerning which apples are best for eating fresh. Many charts might list Red Delicious as a good eating apple, but personal preferences vary widely! When making applesauce with no sugar, consider the apple’s inherent sweetness. Tart varieties like Granny Smith will produce a more piquant applesauce, while sweeter apples naturally yield a sweeter final product.
🍽 Essential Equipment for Applesauce Making
To successfully prepare this simple recipe, you’ll need a few basic kitchen tools. An apple peeler (either a traditional or Y-peeler), a sharp knife for coring and chopping, and most importantly, a reliable slow cooker are essential. Here are the types of slow cookers we’ve tested this recipe on:
- A spacious oval slow cooker, such as the Crock-Pot SVC700-B with a 7-quart capacity.
- A round-based multi-cooker like a Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker, utilizing its slow cooker function.
In our experience, oval-shaped slow cookers can sometimes heat less evenly, potentially causing apples along the steeper sides to stick or burn if not stirred periodically. With an oval cooker, stirring every few hours is a good practice. However, if you’re using a cooker with a circular base, you might find that stirring is only necessary towards the end of the cooking process.
Multi-purpose cookers like the Ninja Foodi offer the added advantage of versatility, extending beyond just slow cooking. They can pressure cook, air fry, steam, and perform many other functions, making them a valuable addition to any kitchen. But let’s get back to applesauce!
One of the beauties of this particular recipe is that the slow cooking process naturally breaks down most apple varieties, eliminating the need for additional mashing, blending, or food milling. This means fewer dirty dishes! Gentle stirring every few hours can further encourage the apples to disintegrate into a smooth sauce.
Should you use an apple variety that proves a bit more stubborn and doesn’t fall apart completely on its own, you’ll need a tool to achieve your desired consistency. An immersion blender, food processor, a simple hand potato masher, or even just a sturdy fork can all be effective for mashing. However, we’ve found that well-cooked Cortland apples typically achieve a perfect applesauce consistency without any extra effort.
🔪 How to Make Applesauce Without Sugar: Step-by-Step Guide
Begin by peeling, coring, and chopping your apples into large, uniform pieces. For medium-sized apples, cutting them into eighths works perfectly. This is an incredibly flexible recipe, so don’t hesitate to add a few extra apples if you have them. We typically use around 8 cups of prepared apples for a generous batch.
Carefully transfer the prepared apple pieces into your slow cooker. Nestle the cinnamon stick among the apples, allowing its fragrance to infuse the sauce as it cooks. Finally, pour the water over the top of the apples.
Securely cover your slow cooker with its lid. If you are using a multi-purpose cooker that also functions as a pressure cooker, ensure that the steam vent is set to the open or “venting” position, not sealed, to allow steam to escape during the slow cooking process.
⏲️ Achieving Perfection: Applesauce Cooking Time and Temperature
Allow your unsweetened applesauce to slow cook on the low setting for approximately 6-8 hours. If you are using an oval-shaped slow cooker, we recommend giving the apples a good stir every 2-3 hours. This helps to ensure even cooking and prevents any sticking or burning along the sides of the pot.
For most apple varieties, this gentle, prolonged cooking will cause them to naturally fall apart and create a smooth sauce, eliminating the need for additional mashing. However, if your particular apple type seems resistant to breaking down after several hours, feel free to increase your slow cooker’s setting to high for an hour or two. This can often accelerate the softening process and help achieve your desired consistency.
The applesauce pictured in this article was cooked for a total of 6 hours. Remember that longer cooking times will result in a thicker, sweeter, and typically darker-colored applesauce, much like a delicious apple butter. Experiment with cooking times to find your preferred texture and flavor intensity.
Once you are satisfied with the applesauce’s consistency, give it a final thorough stir and carefully remove the cinnamon stick. If the applesauce is still too chunky for your preference, you can easily mash it further using a potato masher, fork, or immersion blender. Your homemade applesauce is now ready to be enjoyed, whether served warm for a comforting treat or chilled for a refreshing snack.
🌡️ Storage and Preservation: Making Your Homemade Applesauce Last
Once your delicious homemade unsweetened cinnamon applesauce is prepared, you’ll want to ensure it stays fresh for as long as possible. Here are your best options for storage:
For short-term storage, transfer any leftover applesauce into a clean, airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep beautifully for 3-4 days, ready for a quick snack or meal accompaniment.
For longer preservation, unsweetened applesauce freezes exceptionally well. It can be stored in the freezer for 2-3 months without significant loss of quality. When freezing in glass jars, remember to leave some headspace (an inch or so from the top) to allow for expansion as the applesauce freezes, preventing the glass from cracking. Food-safe plastic containers are another excellent option.
An ingenious way to freeze applesauce in convenient portions is to spoon it into ice cube trays. Once the cubes are fully frozen, pop them out and transfer them to freezer bags, pressing out as much air as possible before sealing. These individual applesauce cubes are perfect for adding to smoothies, blending into “nice cream” recipes, or thawing a small amount for a baby’s meal.
For even longer-term storage, especially if you have a bountiful harvest of apples, canning unsweetened applesauce is a safe and effective method. It is crucial to follow proper canning guidelines and safety procedures to prevent serious food poisoning. Consult reputable canning resources for detailed instructions.
📋 Homemade Unsweetened Applesauce Nutrition Snapshot
Curious about the nutritional content of homemade unsweetened applesauce? A standard half-cup serving of this wholesome no-sugar applesauce contains approximately 50 calories, along with 11 grams of net carbohydrates and 0 grams of protein. This makes it a light and healthy option for many dietary preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Unsweetened Applesauce
Where can I buy unsweetened applesauce?
Unsweetened applesauce is widely available and can be found at most major grocery stores, including Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Tesco, and many local supermarkets. Popular brands often include Musselman’s unsweetened applesauce and Mott’s unsweetened applesauce. Keep in mind that some commercial varieties may have added vitamin C (ascorbic acid) to prevent browning, which can result in a higher vitamin C content than homemade versions.
How can I make unsweetened apple butter using this recipe?
This versatile recipe can easily be adapted to create a richer, thicker consistency, similar to apple butter, without adding any sugar. To transform your applesauce into a no-sugar apple butter, simply continue cooking the apples for a longer duration. This extended cooking time will cause the apples to break down further, thicken, and darken to a deep brown color. In a crockpot, this typically takes around 8 hours or even longer. Remember to stir occasionally, especially towards the end of the cooking time, to prevent sticking and ensure even caramelization.
What are the tips for making chunky applesauce with no sugar?
To achieve a delightful chunky applesauce without adding sugar, your apple choice is key. Some apple varieties naturally retain more of their texture even after slow cooking, leading to a chunkier result if not mashed vigorously. Golden Delicious and Empire apples are excellent firm apple varieties that work wonderfully for a naturally chunky applesauce. You can also opt for shorter cooking times or simply mash less at the end to keep more of those delicious apple pieces intact.
How do I make applesauce specifically for baking?
When making unsweetened applesauce for baking, select apple varieties that are known to perform well in both sauce and baked goods. Apples like McIntosh, Cortland, Mutsu (Crispin), and Golden Delicious are fantastic choices. These apples offer a good balance of sweetness and tartness, and their texture breaks down easily enough for a smooth sauce but can also contribute moisture and flavor to baked recipes without making them too watery.
Can unsweetened applesauce replace regular applesauce in recipes without affecting the taste?
In many recipes where applesauce is a minor ingredient, such as a binder or a moistening agent in savory dishes, you can generally swap unsweetened applesauce for regular applesauce without noticeable taste consequences. However, if applesauce is a prominent flavor component or a primary sweetener in a recipe (like applesauce cookies, cakes, or muffins), using unsweetened applesauce will significantly reduce the overall sweetness of the dish. In such cases, you might want to adjust other sweeteners in the recipe to compensate, or simply embrace the less sweet, more apple-forward flavor profile.
What are some creative ways to enhance unsweetened applesauce?
There are many delicious ways to “doctor up” your homemade unsweetened applesauce to make it even more enjoyable. For added texture and crunch, sprinkle it with granola, chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans), or sunflower seeds. For a creamy and protein-rich snack, stir your applesauce into a bowl of plain Greek yogurt. To naturally increase sweetness and complexity, mix in dried fruits such as raisins, cranberries, or chopped cherries. A dash of additional cinnamon or a pinch of ginger can also elevate the flavor profile.
Can I make applesauce without peeling the apples?
Yes, you absolutely can make slow cooker applesauce without peeling the apples! Keeping the peels on adds extra dietary fiber and nutrients. The peels will soften significantly during the long cooking process. If you prefer a smoother applesauce, you can strain the cooked mixture through a food mill or a fine-mesh sieve to remove the peels. For a rustic, skin-on chunky applesauce, simply mash as desired without straining. The color might be slightly rosier depending on your apple variety.
Can I use an Instant Pot’s pressure cook function for applesauce?
While this recipe focuses on the slow cooker method, you can certainly use the pressure cook function on an Instant Pot for a much faster applesauce. Typically, applesauce can be made in an Instant Pot by pressure cooking for about 5-8 minutes with a quick release, followed by mashing. This is a great alternative for busy days when you need homemade applesauce in a flash!
👩🏻🍳 Creative Recipes Using Unsweetened Applesauce
Wondering how to incorporate your delicious homemade unsweetened applesauce into other dishes? Here are some fantastic recipe ideas:
- Apple Strawberry Smoothie for Weight Loss: Applesauce adds natural sweetness and a smooth texture to healthy smoothies.
- Air Fryer Granola: Use applesauce as a binder and flavor enhancer for homemade granola, creating a wholesome, satisfying crunch.
- Applesauce Overnight Oats: A perfect way to add natural sweetness and moisture to your morning oats, making breakfast delicious and convenient.
Beyond these, applesauce is an incredibly versatile ingredient that lends itself wonderfully to both sweet and savory applications. It’s excellent in desserts and baked goods, such as applesauce cake, or this delightful Cinnamon Applesauce Bread. One of our favorite classic uses for applesauce is serving it as a tangy, sweet side dish for breaded pork chops. Warm applesauce is also absolutely divine when drizzled over a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream!
👨🍳 More Delicious Apple Recipes to Explore
If you’re looking for even more creative and healthy ways to enjoy apples beyond applesauce, we’ve got you covered! Try these delightful apple-centric recipes:
- Sugar Free Apple Crisp: A comforting dessert that lets the natural sweetness of apples shine through without added sugar.
- Low Calorie Baked Oatmeal: Incorporates apples for flavor and moisture, making for a hearty and healthy breakfast.
- Kale Apple Slaw: A refreshing and vibrant side dish, combining the crispness of apples with nutrient-rich kale.
- Whole Canned Chicken Salad: While not purely apple-focused, this recipe can benefit from a touch of diced apple for crunch and sweetness.
- Apple Crockpot Steel Cut Oats: A fuss-free breakfast that cooks overnight, combining hearty oats with tender apples.
- Dehydrated Cinnamon Apples: A perfect healthy and crunchy snack, bursting with natural apple flavor and spice.
Watch How to Make It!
Homemade Unsweetened Applesauce Recipe – No Sugar Added!
Summer Yule
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Ingredients
- 8 cups apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into large pieces
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 tablespoons water (can add more, if needed)
Instructions
- Peel, core, and chop your apples into large pieces. For medium-sized apples, cutting into eighths works well. This is a flexible recipe, so adjust apple quantity as desired.
- Place the prepared apples into your slow cooker. Add the cinnamon stick and pour the water over the apples.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to low. Allow the apples to cook for 6-8 hours. If using an oval cooker, stir every 2-3 hours to prevent sticking. Most apple varieties will naturally break down, making mashing unnecessary! If your apples are still too chunky, you can increase the slow cooker to high for a couple of hours.
- Our applesauce was cooked for 6 hours. Longer cooking times will yield a thicker, sweeter, and darker applesauce, similar to apple butter.
- This recipe typically yields 2½-3 cups of applesauce, depending on apple size and cooking time. Remove the cinnamon stick before serving warm or chilled.
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Equipment
- Knife
- Peeler
- Slow Cooker
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a Level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). Our unsweetened applesauce is incredibly low in calories, with only 50 calories per ½-cup serving. This makes it an ideal, delicious, and satisfying side dish or snack for those focusing on weight management. It pairs wonderfully with savory entrees like pork chops, but it’s equally enjoyable on its own.
One important consideration is that extending the cooking time for applesauce will cause the natural sugars to concentrate. The more concentrated your applesauce becomes, the higher its energy density will be by volume. While the difference isn’t drastic, cooking it down to an apple butter consistency will result in a slightly higher calorie count per serving.
Now, let’s address some common questions regarding the health aspects of applesauce:
Is unsweetened applesauce fattening? Is unsweetened applesauce good for weight loss?
Achieving weight loss fundamentally requires maintaining a calorie deficit. Unsweetened applesauce, being low in calories and fat, is certainly not “fattening” and can be a valuable component of a balanced diet for weight loss. It provides natural sweetness and fiber with minimal calories. However, if your weight loss strategy is a ketogenic diet (which strictly limits carbohydrates), apples—and thus applesauce—are not considered low-carb foods due to their natural sugar content.
Is applesauce without sugar healthy?
The healthfulness of applesauce without sugar largely depends on your individual nutritional needs and health goals. Generally, unsweetened applesauce is very healthy, offering many of the benefits of whole apples. However, there are a few minor differences: some vitamin C content can be reduced during the heating process, and if you peel the apples, you will lose some of the beneficial dietary fiber found in the skins. To maximize fiber, consider leaving the peels on and using a food mill for a smoother texture.
Please note: The nutrition information provided is an estimate for one half-cup serving. Actual nutrition values may vary based on the specific apple varieties used and how much the applesauce is cooked down.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
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