Get ready to fall head over heels for the most delicious, effortlessly simple homemade Crockpot Applesauce you’ll ever make! This isn’t just a recipe; it’s an experience that fills your home with the warm, inviting aroma of cinnamon and sweet apples, promising a treat so good it might just disappear faster than you can make it. Forget bland, store-bought versions; this slow cooker method yields a luscious, flavorful applesauce that’s packed with natural goodness and customizable to your perfect consistency and sweetness. It’s truly a daily delight, so wonderfully satisfying that you’ll want to enjoy it all year long, not just during apple season.
My initial plan was to freeze a substantial batch of this delectable applesauce for the cooler months when fresh apples are less readily available. However, a slight confession is in order: that didn’t quite happen! This Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce proved to be so incredibly popular and irresistible that it vanished almost immediately after being made. It’s a testament to how truly amazing this recipe is.
The Irresistible Charm of Slow Cooker Applesauce
I’m convinced the only way I’ll manage to stock up for winter is by making an enormous batch when I have the house to myself – otherwise, it’s fair game for everyone who catches a whiff! Even our neighbor Patti, a self-proclaimed applesauce connoisseur, couldn’t resist. She indulged in a generous bowl of this cinnamon-infused delight during a recent visit and promptly requested several containers to take home. She’s now declared herself the official taste tester for any future applesauce creations I dream up, and honestly, I can’t blame her. This slow cooker homemade applesauce recipe is genuinely simple, yet delivers incredibly rich and satisfying results.
The beauty of this vegetarian slow cooker recipe lies in its minimal effort. The most challenging part of the entire process, by far, is the initial preparation of peeling and coring the apples. Once those apples are prepped and in the crockpot, your work is practically done. The slow cooker takes over, transforming humble apples into a sweet, tender, and beautifully spiced applesauce with very little hands-on time, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.
Why Homemade Applesauce is Always Best
There’s a world of difference between homemade applesauce and the store-bought variety. While commercial applesauce offers convenience, it often comes with added sugars, preservatives, and lacks the vibrant, fresh flavor that homemade versions boast. When you make applesauce from scratch, you’re in complete control of the ingredients. You can choose your favorite apple varieties, adjust the sweetness to your liking, and experiment with different spices to create a flavor profile that perfectly suits your palate. The rich aroma that fills your kitchen as the apples slowly cook is an added bonus, making your home feel cozy and inviting. Plus, knowing exactly what goes into your family’s food provides peace of mind, making homemade applesauce a healthier and more wholesome option.
Choosing the Right Apples for Your Crockpot Applesauce
The type of apples you choose significantly impacts the flavor and texture of your finished applesauce. While many apples work well, some varieties are truly exceptional for this purpose. You’ll want a balance of sweetness and tartness, along with apples that break down nicely during the slow cooking process. Here are some excellent choices:
- Granny Smith: Known for their tartness, these apples create a vibrant, tangy applesauce that’s incredibly refreshing. They hold their shape a bit more, resulting in a slightly chunkier sauce unless mashed thoroughly.
- Golden Delicious: These apples are sweet and mellow, softening beautifully to create a very smooth applesauce. They balance the tartness of other varieties perfectly when used in a mix.
- Fuji: Crisp and sweet with a hint of tartness, Fuji apples contribute a wonderful complex flavor and delightful texture.
- Gala: Sweet and mild, Gala apples are a crowd-pleaser and make a naturally sweet applesauce, often requiring less added sugar.
- Honeycrisp: A popular choice for their crisp texture and balanced sweet-tart flavor. They produce a delicious and aromatic applesauce.
- McIntosh: These apples break down very easily, resulting in a super smooth and classic applesauce texture with a distinct, slightly spicy flavor.
For the best applesauce experience, consider using a mix of two or three different apple varieties. Combining a tart apple (like Granny Smith) with a sweeter one (like Golden Delicious or Fuji) often yields the most balanced and flavorful result. When selecting apples, look for firm, unblemished fruit. You’ll need about 5 to 6 pounds of apples for this recipe, which typically translates to about 10-12 medium-sized apples.
Crock Pot Cinnamon Applesauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 to 6 pounds apples (peeled, cored, and cut into chunks – use Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Fuji, or your favorite sweet or tart variety, or a mix)
- ¾ cup Water
- ½ cup Brown Sugar (adjust to taste depending on apple sweetness)
- 1 Tablespoon Ground Cinnamon
- Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for added warmth
- Optional: Pinch of salt to enhance flavors
Equipment Needed
- Crockpot (Slow Cooker): A 6-quart or larger crockpot is ideal for this recipe. We highly recommend one with a digital timer that automatically switches to a “warm” setting after the cooking time is complete. This feature ensures your applesauce doesn’t overcook and provides peace of mind if you’re away from home.
- Apple Peeler: A comfortable, sharp peeler will make the initial prep work much faster and easier, especially when dealing with a large batch of apples.
- Apple Corer: An apple corer simplifies the process of removing the core cleanly. Look for one with an easy-release handle to make the job even smoother.
- Hand Mixer or Immersion Blender: These tools are perfect for achieving your desired applesauce consistency, from chunky to super smooth. A potato masher also works great for a chunkier texture.
- Large Bowl: For mixing and cooling the applesauce.
- Freezer-Safe Containers: If you plan on storing some of your delicious applesauce for later.
Instructions
- Thoroughly peel, core, and cut your chosen apples into 1-inch chunks. Place all the apple chunks evenly into the basin of your slow cooker.
- Evenly sprinkle the brown sugar and ground cinnamon over the apples. Pour the water into the crockpot. Stir all the ingredients together gently until the apples are well coated with the sugar and cinnamon.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on the LOW setting for 8 hours. The apples should be very soft and easily mashable at this point.
- Once cooked, remove the lid and use a potato masher for a chunky applesauce, or a hand mixer or immersion blender for a smoother consistency. Mash until you achieve your preferred texture.
- Allow the homemade applesauce to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers for storage in the refrigerator or freezer.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
This homemade crockpot applesauce is incredibly versatile. Enjoy it warm as a comforting side dish, or chilled as a refreshing snack. It pairs wonderfully with:
- Breakfast: Stir it into oatmeal, spoon it over pancakes or waffles, or mix it into yogurt.
- Main Dishes: A classic accompaniment to roasted pork tenderloin, chicken, or duck.
- Baking: Substitute applesauce for oil or butter in many baking recipes to add moisture and reduce fat.
- Dessert: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of extra cinnamon for a simple, healthy dessert.
Feeling adventurous? Here are some variations to try:
- Spiced Applesauce: Add a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or ground cloves along with the cinnamon for a more complex spice profile.
- Vanilla Bean Applesauce: Scrape the seeds from half a vanilla bean (or add a teaspoon of vanilla extract at the end) for an aromatic twist.
- Maple Applesauce: Substitute part or all of the brown sugar with pure maple syrup for a different kind of sweetness.
- Ginger Applesauce: Add a teaspoon of grated fresh ginger or ground ginger for a zesty kick.
Storage Tips for Freshness
One of the best things about making a large batch of homemade applesauce is having it on hand for future enjoyment. Proper storage is key to maintaining its freshness and flavor:
- Refrigeration: Once cooled, transfer the applesauce to airtight containers or jars. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, applesauce freezes beautifully. Divide it into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of headspace to allow for expansion. You can use plastic containers, glass jars (ensure they are freezer-safe and don’t fill to the very top), or even freezer bags. Label with the date. Frozen applesauce will maintain its quality for up to 3-4 months. To thaw, simply transfer it to the refrigerator overnight, or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
Nutrition
Other Delicious Apple Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re an apple enthusiast like us, be sure to explore these other fantastic apple-infused recipes:
- Apple Pie Moonshine
- Crockpot Apple Crisp
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- Apple Raisin French Toast
- Apple Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
And for more slow cooker inspiration, check out all of our crockpot side dish recipes. We also have an extensive collection of copycat recipes, mouth-watering dessert recipes, and an entire section dedicated to our favorite CrockPot Recipes.
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Recipe originally shared on July 20, 2015. Updated on April 10, 2020.