How to Make Applesauce
Learn how to make delicious homemade applesauce! This easy applesauce recipe can be chunky or smooth. It's naturally sweetened with maple syrup or honey.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on September 5, 2024
Forget everything you’ve ever disliked about store-bought applesauce. This homemade applesauce recipe tastes like the inside of an apple pie!
Applesauce is very easy to make and requires just a few basic ingredients. In its most basic form, you’ll need apples, water and sweetener.
I add cinnamon for some autumnal spice, but you could leave it out and/or add other warming spices like ginger, nutmeg, or clove. Then, add a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to liven it up. Ta da! Meet the best applesauce you’ve ever had.
I use maple syrup (or honey) instead of plain sugar to naturally sweeten my applesauce. Bonus? With liquid sweetener, you can easily add more to taste at the end, so you won’t risk ending up with too-sweet applesauce.
If you’re a fan of tart applesauce or if you’re using particularly sweet apples, you can leave out the sweetener altogether for no-sugar-added applesauce.
Uses for Homemade Applesauce
Homemade applesauce is a healthy and delicious snack on its own. What else can you do with applesauce?
- Serve it on ice cream like it’s an apple crisp.
- Pile homemade applesauce onto toast with almond or peanut butter.
- Swirl it into your oatmeal.
- Layer applesauce between yogurt and granola for an apple parfait and people go wild. The apple crisp parfaits in my cookbook were a favorite with my recipe testers.
Chunky or Smooth Applesauce, you pick!
I love the texture of chunky homemade applesauce, but you can blend it smooth if you prefer. Since this applesauce is thick, you’ll have better luck with your food processor than an immersion blender.
Bottom line, this applesauce is a fun and easy recipe to make. It’s apple season, so let’s get to it!
Please let me know how it turns out for you in the comments. Your feedback is so important to me.
Extra apples? Check out my apple steel-cut oatmeal, apple muffins, gluten-free apple crisp, and favorite green salad.
Watch How to Make Applesauce
Homemade Applesauce
Learn how to make delicious homemade applesauce! This easy applesauce recipe can be chunky or smooth. It’s also naturally sweetened with maple syrup or honey, to taste. Recipe yields about 4 cups.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds Gala apples (or any other variety of sweet red apple, about 4 medium)
- 1 ½ pounds Granny Smith apples (or Golden Delicious, about 4 medium)
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey, more to taste
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Peel, core and chop the apples into 2″ chunks. In a medium Dutch oven or large stainless steel saucepan, combine the apple chunks, water, maple syrup and cinnamon. Cover and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Continue simmering, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and falling apart, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat. For chunky applesauce, use a potato masher or the back of a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon to break it up to your desired consistency. For smooth applesauce, blend it in your food processor.
- Stir in the vinegar. Adjust to taste as necessary—for sweeter applesauce, stir in more maple syrup (I usually add 2 tablespoons); for more spice, add more cinnamon; for more complexity, add another teaspoon of vinegar.
- Serve warm or chilled; let it cool to room temperature before covering leftover applesauce and storing it in the fridge. Leftover applesauce will keep well in the refrigerator for about 1 week, or for months in the freezer.
Notes
Recipe adapted from the applesauce in my cookbook’s apple crisp breakfast parfaits.
Make it vegan: Use maple syrup, not honey.
Make it sugar free: Just omit the maple syrup for unsweetened applesauce.
Canning applesauce: From what I’ve read, applesauce is inherently safe to can in a water bath due to apple’s high acidity and sugar content. That said, this recipe has not been validated for safety. Here’s a canned applesauce recipe and applesauce FAQ’s from my friend Marisa.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Turned out just great. It was my first time making applesauce and me, my mom and my brother all loved it. Thank you!!
Hi!
Tips on freezing applesauce? You stated it can be frozen, but not how to!
Tha
Hi! You will want to make sure it’s cooled to room temperature, seal in a freezer safe storage container, and leave some room for expansion at the top. I hope this helps!
I really want to try this recipe! Would a strong blender, (we have a Vitamix) work for blending the apples? Thanks so much. :)
Hi Brooklyn! Sure, if you want it super smooth!
This is a great recipe! I just love reading everyone’s versions. I have been making homemade apple sauce for years and use a crockpot. For the sweetness, I use brown sugar and prefer a little fresh lemon juice, nutmeg and ginger. You can make your own version based on your tastes, adjusting the measurements according to how many cups of apples you use. I cube the apples, leave the skin on, add water and toss directly into crockpot. I cook on low all day (maybe up to 4-6 hours). It tastes great and freezes well.
Woops! I added in the vinegar with everything else instead of waiting to stir it in after cooking it down. Is that bad/does it change it a lot?
How did it turn out for you, Jillian?
I love this recipe – homemade tastes so much better than store bought!
Thank you turned out amazing!
I made this apple sauce with the peels on and mashed them it’s very good
I am in Applesauce process now! I live to, love to cook! I am a professional photographer and appreciate your photos and video, like the music too! Apples, cinnamon, maple syrup, Bragg apple cider vinegar
Everything simmering…….mashing with my 1960’s red Bakelite handle, potato masher! Long handle oak stirring almost ready to spoon into Mason jar!
spoon…..still simmering……
Hello Kate, love your long curls! nice doggie too……
Does anyone have experience cooking the apples then keeping them in the fridge overnight before mashing or blending them? Would the apples turn brown?
Hi Kirsten! I’m hesitant you will get the same result. They may turn color and not sure about reheating them. Once you get them to the cooked stage, it really doesn’t take much time. :)
I do. They never have turned brown on me. I leave the skins on too.
After they are done cooking, if you leave the lid on, the sauce will continue to cook. I never mash them.
This is the best applesauce. I love that there isn’t any white sugar. I didn’t adjust the recipe. It was perfect as is! Thank you
Fantastic it was the best! SuperEasy to make!
Thank you, Mariana!
I made this applesauce for a Halloween get together in 2 days. I am very pleased with the results. I had a variety of apples, I used 8 & I scaled down the maple syrup (organic pure maple syrup) to 1.5 T & used a little less cinnamon, used a potato masher. Seasoned perfectly for me. I was really wondering about the lemon juice. It really did pop the flavor. I have never used either Maple Syrup or lemon juice before while making applesauce. Thanks for the very good recipe. There will be 8 people at our gathering, from ages 18 mos to 65, I hope they all enjoy.
I’m happy you enjoyed it, Beth! Thank you for taking the time to review.
Best. Applesauce. Ever! My first time making applesauce. I am not a good cook. Hardest part was peeling the apples! Used red delicious and even tossed the lemon juice in by mistake along with everything else. Just yummy. And the house smelled soooo good! Definitely a keeper.
I’m glad you loved it, Susan! Thank you for taking the time to review.
Dear Kate (and Cookie, of course!),
Your applesauce recipe was the first one I tried after a friend recommended your site. I’ve made it every Sunday morning for a month now. Well, truthfully, I skipped this past Sunday. I broke my husband’s heart! He mentioned that evening that he hadn’t smelled the applesauce cooking, so I lovingly let him know that I hadn’t made any. The look on his face was pitiful. So, here it is, Wednesday evening, and I’m just wrapping up the recipe. I just wanted to say thank you for such a delicious and easy recipe that my husband now can’t seem to live without!
P.S. I have shared your site with so many friends!
Thank you, Lisa
You’re welcome! I love that it is such a heavy rotation in your home. I appreciate your review, Lisa.
Made this tonight and it’s delicious! I’ve never seen an applesauce recipe that includes vinegar, but it’s brilliant. Going to serve this to my family tomorrow morning.
I made this recipe this morning and it was so yummy! My daughter loved it! I used 4 Honey Crisp apples and 4 Golden Delicious apples and didn’t need to add anything to taste at the end. Thank you!
I’m happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing, Veronica.
This is my go to for a healthy dessert. Even if you don’t think you like applesauce, you need to try this. Homemade applesauce is totally different. I don’t even sweeten mine with anything and it’s still delicious. I like to add a pinch of clove or allspice along with the cinnamon. Thanks for another great recipe!
Excellent applesauce! Used organic gala apples, more cinnamon because I love it, a pinch of ginger, a tablespoon of monk fruit and 2 teaspoons of honey, and a fresh squeezed lemon.
My husband is diabetic so monk fruit
does not raise his blood sugar.
Great recipe! I love the flexibility!
Thank you for sharing how you made it, Mary!
Are the apple weights before or after peeling and coring?
Hi! The apple weight is prior to cutting. I hope that helps!
This turned out so yummy. Way better than store bought. I left the skin on the apples since I knew I’d be putting apples in the blender once they were done cooking. After I blended the cooked apples, I put the applesauce back in my dutch oven with lid on to cool and it deglazed all the leftover cinnamon/honey that I didn’t get out of my pot before taking it out the first time. I’ll be making this recipe again and again.
That’s great to hear, Katie! Thank you for taking the time to review.
I’ve got lots of sliced frozen apples in our freezer and want to make it into canned apple sauce, since I don’t make dessert very often. What is the process to convert the frozen sliced apples to canned apples, looking forward to your input, thanks! BTW I love your website!
Sorry to disappoint Karen, but this isn’t meant for canning. You could try and freeze the applesauce?
LAWDY LAWDY! This man LOVES apples.
For the first time to ever make apple sauce I certainly picked the right recipe!
Thank you from Ft. Worth.
I have never made applesauce before. This is so easy and delicious and I absolutely LOVE the maple syrup and cinnamon additions.
I plan on serving with vanilla greek yogurt and almond granola tomorrow morning…super excited! Thanks so much Kate.
Our neighbour just gave us a bag of apples from her trees. Followed this simple but delicious recipe only we left skins on and ran through food mill on medium. Love the addition of apple cider vinegar and maple syrup. Delicious! Keeper recipe!
I love that! Thank you for sharing, Kelly.
Great recipe to get the kids involved.. We doubled the recipe after apple picking, and used an immersion blender to get just the right consistency!
How fun! Great idea, Deepa. Thank you for your review.
Thanks for the recipe! Needed applesauce for a cake, but they don’t sell it in my country and I had a bunch of apples to use up anyway, so this really saved the day!
Served it to guests, best ever they agreed!
Wonderful, Terry! Thank you for your review.
Kate,
Thank you for posting your recipe. I have recently started a diet. I like chunky apple sauce but the only cinnamon version is from Musseleman’s which happens to be loaded with sugar.
We’re going apple pickingpick this weekend. I can’t want to get home and cook a batch up! Thanks again!
Andie
i used too much cinnamon and messed up the whole thing. READ CAREFULLY.
I love this recipe! Delicious & comes out perfectly every time, even if I manage to mess it up lol. The last batch I made I accidentally added two tablespoons of the vinegar instead of two teaspoons, but I squeezed in a bit of lemon juice and added another spoon of maple syrup & it still turned out great and not too vinegary.
It really does taste like pie filling, especially if you add in extra spices (I like cloves, allspice & nutmeg)— next time I might try adding a bit of a vanilla bean while it’s cooking and see how that turns out.
I’m glad you were still able to enjoy it, Rachel! I appreciate your review.
First time I made this recipe I added one more ingredient, red pepper flakes. Not sure why I did but it made a huge difference and added the warmth I was looking for on a cold winter morning. I will make this again and again.
I’m glad it was just what you were needing. Delsia! I appreciate your review.
That is so delicous!!! I thought I was grabbing a recipe for a plain applesauce and I’ve ended up with a gourmet version. Best applesauce I’ve ever tasted. Thank you!!!
Your’e welcome, Sydney! I’m happy you enjoyed it.
OMG!!!!!! This is amazing!! So so so easy and as a bonus gives a yummy cozy apple-y, cinnamon-y scent to your kitchen! Love it thank you!!!
I’m happy to hear that, Jennifer!
The best applesauce ever! We make it all the time to go with dutch babies. The apple cider vinegar adds delicious complexity. I don’t bother peeling the apples and I think that actually enhances it.
Silly me used to put the apples that started to get a bit wrinkly into the compost. This recipe just couldn’t be any easier. Now I purchase extra apples just to make this. I make overnight oats for my work lunch and the applesauce takes the sour tang out of the plain Greek yogurt I use and adds a little more moisture to soften the oats. I like a sprinkling of toasted walnuts and pumpkin seeds on top (added just before serving) which keeps them crunchy.
I’m glad you loved it, Heather! I appreciate your review.
I made the applesauce with honey and no vinegar. Delicious
I have made applesauce many times, it was good, but this recipe was beyond good. I used a teaspoon of allspice and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, which was perfect for my taste. My apples were fairly sweet, but just a hint of maple syrup really made it sing.
Used 6 green apples and 2 red apples. Left the skins on and blended it after. Turned out great!
Wonderful to hear, Julia!
Amazing Kate! As usual, another perfect recipe! Had some older apples and a few pears. Prepped them and put them into the pot with just enough water to cover and a squeeze of lemon juice. Awesome! It really didn’t need any sweetener at all! Absolutely delicious! Thank you for another amazing recipe and much love to Cookie!
Thank you, Janet!
Love trying this in the fall with different types of apples. I halve the recipe for a saucepan and it’s a good amount for me and my toddler and baby for about a week. I like the dash of apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice) and I normally add nutmeg as well
Thank you for sharing, Dominique!
Again, thank you for this recipe!! There’s nothing better than warm homemade applesauce and in Georgia apples are really coming in. I’m waiting a bit for Arkansas Blacks, they’re outstanding in applesauce. Thanks Kate, this is the best!!!
You’re welcome, Catherine! I appreciate your review.
Great applesauce recipe! I made it to go with potato latkes. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Carol!
This was great! I’m placing it on top of my overnight oats. I forgot the lemon juice but it was still good. I’ll definitely put vinegar or lemon juice in next.
Nothing beats homemade!
Best applesauce ever!!!
Amazing! Doubled recipe with the variety of apples my neighbor had. He has no idea what they are but the tree does well in Idaho. Went light on the honey and cinnamon until after the apples were pureed and back on the stove for hot water bath prep. Sauce was plenty sweet and I know the apple variety plays a role in that. Also didn’t peel apples and I can’t even tell. Blender did a great job. Onto the next box of apples!
That’s great to hear, Roberta! I appreciate your review.
Made it. Delicious!
Thank you for sharing this recipe ❤. It makes an amazing applesauce! I used honey, a stick of cinnamon (making the finished product not as dark) and a few cloves.
The addition of the apple cider vinegar is a game changer! Again, thank you ❤.
PS I froze 1/4 cup portions in a plastic lined muffin tin pan until frozen then popped them into a ziploc bag.
Thank you for sharing, Ang!