Simple Homemade Applesauce
Applesauce might seem difficult to make at home, but trust me when I say it’s never been easier and more worthwhile. The freshness, taste, and simplicity will keep you coming back for more, and is like no other!
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Why We Love This Recipe For Simple Homemade Applesauce
Applesauce is one of those things that often gets overlooked when thinking about basic recipes to make at home. It might seem efficient and easier to buy your applesauce from the grocery store, but after following this applesauce recipe you’ll understand why I choose to make my own. The title really doesn’t lie in the fact that it truly is simple. Seriously, just apples and water are all you need for this apple sauce recipe. You can always doctor it up after you make it by adding in some cinnamon, honey or maple syrup.
Right now I am tittering with excitement over the fact that there are loads of local apple varieties available. It is early in the season, so I am going gaga for a new one called a Zester! It is great for eating out of hand like its relative the Honeycrisp, which I’ll be all over later in the season, along with the Macouns. At the tail end of the season I’m sure to stock up on Mutsus, which are great storing apples. They are giant golden apples with a rosy blush with loads of crisp floral flavor.
Unlike eating, cooking apples are a different story. One trick my mom learned in the apple business is that when cooking apples, layering flavor is important. So mixing a few different varieties builds a more complex flavor. For apple pie or crisp I like to use at least two varieties. Depending what’s available, I like to choose one more firm variety (like a Granny Smith, Gala or Ginger Gold) and a softer variety (like Paula Red or McIntosh). You can read all about apples and when to use them here in my apple guide!
With that being sauce, McIntosh is by far the best apple to use when learning how to make homemade applesauce. Their texture and tender white flesh allows them to practically melt when cooked with water. Once you get the hang of it, you can always layer with a second apple variety.
Serve the applesauce with Greek yogurt, graham crackers, your favorite tangy cheese, or just as is!
Key Ingredients For This Recipe
Apples
For this applesauce recipe, you’ll need about 4 to 5 pounds of McIntosh apples specifically. Peel and core them, then simmer until they’re completely broken down into deliciously soft and mushy apple pieces.
Additional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- Flavoring such as cinnamon, honey or maple syrup (optional)
Step by Step Instructions to Make This Applesauce Recipe
Step 1: Prep apples
Cut the apples in half and remove seeds and stem with a melon baller or spoon. Cut each half into quarters.
Step 2: Simmer apples
Place the apple quarters in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot with water. Cover with a lid and place over medium heat. Bring the water to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the apples are completely broken down.
Step 3: Make applesauce
Process the apples through a food mill, discarding any extra seeds. Alternatively, if you do not have a food mill, peel and core the apples completely before cooking. Continue with the cooking instructions and process with food processor or potato masher until the desired consistency is reached.
Step 4: Serve
Serve the applesauce immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.
FAQs and Expert Tips
McIntosh is the only way to go here folks. They have delicious fruity sweet-tart flavor and practically melt when cooked with a little water.
If you don’t have a food mill, just peel and core the apples completely before you cook them and then mash with a potato masher or puree in a food processor.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can feel free to add in another apple variety for flavor-complexity. Depending on how sweet your Macs are (they get sweeter the longer they are stored) you may have to add a little honey or maple syrup to the sauce to balance it. You can also add cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
Homemade applesauce should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. If refrigerated, it’ll last between 7 to 10 days. It can also be frozen for long-term storage.
Additional Apple Recipes to Try
- These Greek Yogurt Apple Streusel Muffins are a nutritious back-to-school snack.
- These Low-Sugar Upside-Down Apple Muffins taste like a much healthier version of tarte tatin or pineapple upside-down cake!
- This moist Apple Cake with Almonds and Maple is one of my favorites.
- My kids love these Apple Walnut Oatmeal Cookies.
Additional Recipes with Applesauce to Try
- My Apple Bread recipe with Cinnamon and Maple Sugar is studded with chunks of fresh apple and is to die for.
- You’d never know this Gluten-Free Applesauce Bundt Snack Cake was gluten-free!
- Apple Protein Pancakes are a great healthy breakfast in pancake form.
- This Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is healthier than most cakes, but definitely not less tasty!
- This moist Morning Glory Maple Coffee Cake can be enjoyed warm with a cup of coffee or tea.
Thanks so much for reading. If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my free weekly email newsletter where I share weeknight meal plans delivered right to your inbox. Or follow me on Instagram. If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It is very appreciated. Happy Cooking! ~Katie
PrintSimple Homemade Applesauce
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 quart 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
Simple apple sauce, just apples and water. Choose which method to use with either a food mill, food processor or potato masher. Add cinnamon and honey to taste.
Ingredients
- 6 cups saucing apples, such as Macintosh (4 to 5 pounds)
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Cut apples in half and remove seeds with melon baller. Cut into quarters.
- Place in large heavy-bottomed soup pot with water. Cover and place over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the apples are completely broken down.
- Process through food mill and discard seeds. Alternatively, if you do not have a food mill, peel and core apples. Continue with cooking instructions and process with food processor or potato masher to desired consistency.
Notes
Cooking Tip:
If you don’t have a food mill, just peel and core the apples completely before you cook them and then mash with a potato masher or puree in a food processor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup each
- Calories: 87
- Sugar: 19 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 0 g
This was so easy and delicious! I love making my own and knowing exactly what is in it. Being able to adjust the flavor to our liking is a bonus too!
★★★★★
The kids ate this up like never before. So delicious!
★★★★★
Nothing is better than homemade applesauce! Love this!
★★★★★
Hi Katie ..for storage can this be put into jars and processed in the food processor? If so for how long please?
If you have a pressure canner you can use it to jar this applesauce for long term storage. I like to follow instructions on https://www.freshpreserving.com/ for the most tried and true techniques.
Thanks for the recipe, Katie.
Here’s what I did:
I took four organic apples and sliced them, with skins, in cubes, down to the core. Then put them in a soup pot with a 1/2 cup of water and brought them to a simmer, and let them simmer on medium low…stirring occasionally. After about 20 minutes, I mashed them and…voila! Delicious apple sauce! It was mom’s homemade apple pie without the crust – or anything else! Great!
awww… i love to see how a blog progresses and how the photos change! Impressive Katie with how far you’ve come!
This looks delicious, Katie! I have loads of apples right now, so I’m going to have to try this recipe out. Thanks for posting.
Thanks David. I need to take my girls apple picking. My favorite variety is ready now, McCouns. Though I love to just eat them out of hand.