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A delicious blend of Honeycrisp apples, apple pie spice and brown sugar are combined to create Crockpot Applesauce. You’re just three ingredients away from the easiest homemade applesauce!

Glass dish of slow cooker applesauce with a spoon in it

If you caught my post earlier this week for homemade apple pie spice, you know that I am in total apple mode right now.

Trust me, I’m definitely not over pumpkin pie spice, I’m just taking a little appreciate all the apple recipes!

From whipping up favorites like Snickers Caramel Apple Salad, Apple Pie Bread, Caramel Apple Poke Cake and this Crockpot Applesauce, I’m thoroughly enjoying apple season!

Overhead view of crockpot applesauce, showing chunky texture

THE EASIEST HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE

Eric has an odd applesauce eating habit – he drinks, or shall I say slurps it out of the little plastic cups. Weird, right?

I even went as far as purchasing the little applesauce pouches that you basically drink – you know, the ones you give to toddlers – but they just weren’t the same.

Honeycrisp apples on a cutting board

In his defense, the reasoning behind the slurp is quite simple – why dirty a spoon? Um, because that’s the unwritten applesauce consumption rule.

So when I decided to make some homemade applesauce in an effort to use up the overabundance of Honeycrisp apples that had taken over our refrigerator, I figured I had nothing to lose if I made it in the slow cooker.

Glass bowl of homemade crockpot applesauce with additional bowls in the background

Because the recipe was so easy, I certainly wouldn’t have put much energy into it if he decided it wasn’t the same as what he gets in his beloved plastic cups.

The result was the most delicious applesauce that we’ve ever tasted. Not too sweet, enthusiastically spiced, with just the right amount of texture.

And yes, he totally found a way to drink it out of the little white serving dishes.

White bowl of slow cooker applesauce on a blue dishcloth next to a wooden teaspoon of cinnamon

HOW TO MAKE APPLESAUCE IN THE CROCKPOT

Are you ready for how easy this recipe is?

Seriously: 3 ingredients and basically 1 step. That’s it.

Sliced apples, brown sugar and apple pie spice in a slow cooker crock

All you need are apples, apple pie spice and brown sugar. Toss everything into your slow cooker and cook for about 5 hours.

THAT’S IT.

Once it’s cooked, you can decide how chunky or smooth you like your applesauce and mash or puree it to your personal liking.

We happen to like ours with a little texture, so I leave some chunks in it.

If this method seems familiar to you, it’s because it’s essentially the first half of making slow cooker apple butter. That’s right, you pass right by homemade applesauce on your way to apple butter!

Overhead view of three bowls of crockpot applesauce on a wooden board next to cinnamon sticks

WHAT APPLES ARE BEST FOR HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE?

I happen to like using Honeycrisp apples to make my Crockpot Applesauce. I think they’re just the right balance of sweet and tart.

Other crisp apples that have a bit of tartness to them would work well here, though. Golden delicious, jonagold, cortland and braeburn apples would all be great.

So head to the apple orchard, pick to your heart’s content, and pop a batch of Crockpot Applesauce in your slow cooker!

Serve it slightly warm with a dollop of whipped cream, spooned over vanilla ice cream, drizzled over vanilla bean waffles or mascarpone pancakes, or straight from the fridge.

Or, you know, drink it from the serving dish. Whatever floats your boat.

Homemade crockpot applesauce in a white bowl with a spoon in it

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Crockpot Applesauce

By: Jamie
4.50 from 36 ratings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 5 hours
Total: 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8
A delicious blend of Honeycrisp apples, apple pie spice and brown sugar are combined to create Crockpot Applesauce. You’re just three ingredients away from the easiest homemade applesauce!

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds Honeycrisp apples peeled, cored and cut into thick slices (about 12 medium apples)
  • cup lightly packed light brown sugar
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon apple pie spice

Instructions 

  • Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on high for 5 hours.
  • If you prefer a slightly chunky applesauce as pictured simply stir and mash the apples with a large spoon.
  • If you prefer smooth applesauce, transfer the cooled applesauce to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.
  • Store applesauce in an airtight container within the refrigerator or freeze for up to 6 months.

Notes

  • The amount of sugar you use will depend on the type of apples you use. I recommend tasting the applesauce about an hour before it's done and adjusting the spices and sugar to meet your taste. My apples were quite sweet, so 1/3 cup was perfect.
  • I am not a canner, so I have not attempted to can this recipe. Plus, it was gone in 2 days!

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 124kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 0.5g, Fat: 0.3g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g, Sodium: 4mg, Potassium: 196mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin A: 93IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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34 Comments

  1. Nancy Long says:

    will have to try this one, though I have good luck with a simple recipe of apples, a little water, sugar and cinnamon. Cook for 20 min. and I mash with a potato masher. They also freeze well. I like to use a mix of apples – usually Granny Smith and Golden Delicious.

    1. Jamie says:

      I hope you get a chance to try it. Thanks for stopping by.

      -Jamie

  2. Cheryl says:

    I’m so excited to try and make applesauce for the very first time!! I want to can my and keep in my cabinet but I don’t know how. Could you give me instructions on how to can?
    Thank you very much.

    1. Jamie says:

      Cheryl, I’m sorry, but I’m not a canner. I can’t help you there. It would be best to ask a professional canner.
      – Jamie

  3. Katja Beh-Forrest says:

    Jamie,
    I’m making this today to mix with some roasted squash I made last week. I freeze purees into ice cube trays for my daughter (did for my older one, too); this recipe makes me happy so i don’t have to babysit applesauce on the stove! Thanks for your never-ending supply of inspiration and recipes!

    1. Jamie says:

      Katja-

      Yum, that sounds delicious! Thank you so much for following MBA and have a fantastic day!

      -Jamie

  4. Ashley M. says:

    I love homemade fresh apple sauce! There is nothng better! I love the golden color of this recipe! So yummy!

  5. Erin @ The Emerging Foodie says:

    Oh my gosh. This looks absolutely delicious. I totally believe it’s the best you’ve ever tasted! Mmm. And your photos are equally as wonderful!

  6. Ali says:

    Hi, how big of a Crockpot did you use for this recipe? Thanks!

    1. Jamie says:

      Hi Ali, I used a 4 qt crockpot.
      – Jamie

  7. Rebecca says:

    I love applesauce, but have to admit that I have never made it by myself so far… Have to try it once :)

  8. rayelle says:

    we are going to apple hill today with the grandson. can’t wait to try this!!!! you might want to correct your spelling of applesauce too!!!! lol!!!!

  9. angela@spinachtiger says:

    I love applesauce this time of year, especially with pork and it looks so good. Honey Crisp apples are wonderful.

  10. Dan says:

    I would just like to lend my support to Eric on this. I haven’t had applesauce in one of those little plastic cups for a few decades now but when I used to bring them to school as part of my lunch I would peel the foil back just a bit and puncture a vent hole on the other side in order to suck the appley goodness out.

    Bravo Eric, bravo.