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All you need are two ingredients (apples and cinnamon) and your slow cooker to make this super easy and sugar-free slow cooker applesauce recipe! Perfect for Fall snacking or to use in baked goods! You’ll only want homemade applesauce from here on out.
I’ll never forget my first kitchen gadget. My Mom bought me a slow cooker while I was living in NYC and it literally changed my life. Suddenly I could cook food while I was at work and make all of the slow cooker recipes I was seeing over on my favorite blogs. I pretty much haven’t stopped using it since it was gifted to me.
This post is pretty much a testament to the fact that there is almost nothing you can’t make in a slow cooker. It’s a powerhouse tool that I can say with certainty is a worthy investment. If you don’t have one, this slow cooker apple sauce will convince you to buy one.
Why Make Applesauce in the Slow Cooker?
1) It’s as hands-off as you want it to be – If you just want to chop the apples into slices and then throw them in the slow cooker, skins on and everything you can do that. If you like it chunky, no need to blend! So basically all you really need is a slow cooker and some apples.
2) It’s highly customizable – I like cinnamon because life deserves to be coated in cinnamon but I love a good dash of nutmeg too. You could get a bit crazy and throw some apple pie spice in there are some maple syrup for a maple-flavor. Dream big, my friends!
How to Make Slow Cooker Applesauce
This recipe couldn’t be easier! First things first, get some fresh, crispy fall apples!
STEP 1: Add your apples to your slow cooker or crockpot. Optional: peel apples – if you leave the skins on (like I do) then you’ll need to blend at the end. Add your water and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg or cloves, if desired) to the slow cooker or crockpot and stir.
STEP 2: Cook for 2 hours on high or 4 hours on low. If skins are on use a blender or immersion blender to blend smooth or desired consistency. Taste to see if it needs more spices.
How to Store Slow Cooker Applesauce
In fridge – store in an airtight container or mason jar for 5-7 days.
In freezer – you can also freeze this slow cooker applesauce in mason jars. It will keep in the freezer for up to 4 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge.
What Are the Best Apples for Homemade Applesauce?
There are so many types of apples out there but I find these apples to be the best in slow cooker applesauce:
- MacIntosh
- Gala
- Golden Delicious
- Red delicious
- Fuji
- Honeycrisp
You could opt for something like granny smiths but they’re on the sour side so you may need to add some type of sweetener such as brown sugar.
Slow Cooker Applesauce
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 9 medium apples (I used McIntosh), peeled if desired, and chopped*
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- optional: pinch of nutmeg or other spices
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to your slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
- If you prefer your applesauce chunky, leave as is and store in the refrigerator.
- If you left skins on or prefer smooth applesauce, blend with an immersion blender or regular blender in batches.
*I like keeping the skins on for added fiber and nutrition but typically blend them in at the end. If you don’t have a blender, I’d recommend peeling the apples.
Want more Slow Cooker Recipes?
Hi Davida! This is great, as I apple sauce is quite difficult to find where I live. Saving this recipe, will be needed soon! Thank you 🙂
Awesome! So happy to hear that 🙂
I’ve literally been checking daily for the redesign haha. Is that weird?
Anyway, LOVE the colours 😀
Awwww you’re too cute! Thanks so much! It’s been a few months in the making but I am so happy about it 🙂
I feel dumb but I seriously never knew how easy it was to make applesauce if this is all you have to do! So doing this 🙂
It’s so easy I kind of feel bad that I posted it as a recipe haha
Why haven’t I made slow cooker applesauce yet?! I seriously need to. And then I shall make cookies with them! Yesssss.
PERFECTION.
I love my slow cooker and cannot wait to start using it again this winter. It is so easy and so convenient and perfect for those cold winter nights when you are feeling super lazy…Thanks for sharing these!
Agreed! It’s the most convenient kitchen gadget ever!
Yum!! I am always looking for non-shredded chicken things to make in my slow cooker.
yeahhhhhh I agree! Besides soups and chicken people don’t really know what to do with their slow cookers! Glad you got some good ideas 🙂
My problem with a slow cooker is that I have this fear (maybe irrational) that if there is any appliance plugged in while I’M away from home, any accident can happen: it overheats, boils, burns, etc. I’ve never tried a slow cooker but keep seeing all these amazing recipes. So reassure me, tell me, there are no safety risks with slow cookers?
Another concern of mine is that slowcookers need to go for hours usually, and that always make me wonder that doesn’t it take too much energy consumption? The frugal and environment conscious in me has all these nagging concerns sorry.
Most come with timers so it will automatically turn off when your food is done! No need to worry about unnecessary energy consumption or having the equipment running while you’re gone 🙂
my favorite thing to make in the slow cooker is bbq pulled chicken. love the recipes on your site!
Aw thank you Allison! Slow Cooker BBQ pulled chicken is awesome!
Can you believe that I’ve never actually made my own applesauce? I know, BAD FOOD BLOGGER!
I love that this is only two ingredients and I bet it makes your house smell amazing! Pinned!
Bad blogger indeed!!!! Must change that!
making applesauce in the slow cooker is one of my favorite things ever to make. It’s so darn easy, tasty, healthy and the whole house smells like apple pie 🙂
The house smelling amazing is a total bonus! I LOVE that!