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    Home » Snacks » Easy Homemade Unsweetened Applesauce

    Easy Homemade Unsweetened Applesauce

    Published: Dec 22, 2021 · Modified: Jan 26, 2022 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    With just two ingredients, thirty minutes, and a high-powered blender, this super easy homemade applesauce will have you think twice before ever buying it from a store again! And, if you used red apples, the applesauce will be pink - your kids will love it!

    Pink applesauce in a small white bowl.

    It's so easy! I started making my own applesauce in college. At the time, I preferred chunky applesauce, so I peeled the apples, cooked it on the stovetop and mashed it with a fork.

    Now, I make it smooth. Not only do my kids prefer the smooth consistency, but it's much more versatile than chunky applesauce.

    Here in Pennsylvania, many families serve applesauce with just about every meal. I thought it was strange at first, but now I get it!

    They make a lot of applesauce in the Fall when apples are in season and store it in the freezer to be used throughout the year. Smart idea!

    And I've learned that cooking it with skins on gives this applesauce a pretty color (not to mention more fiber). And, smoothing it out in a blender allows it to be used in baking in addition to serving it as a kid-favorite side dish!

    In fact, even one of my baked oatmeal recipes calls for applesauce as an ingredient.

    And, if your kids are like mine and they like fruit in pretty much anything, I have many more recipes that you've got to try, like lemon blueberry muffins, fresh fruit salad, strawberry vinaigrette, and a tropical smoothie bowl, to name a few.

    My son even mixes applesauce in with lasagna. Whatever works!

    Why This Recipe is so Great

    • Naturally sweet. No added sugar.
    • Two ingredients.
    • Quick prep time.
    • Makes enough to have as leftovers.
    • Can be served as a side or used in recipes that call for applesauce.
    • This recipe makes about 8 cups of applesauce, so you will have enough to serve for days.

    Ingredient Notes

    Apples in a basket and water in a measuring cup.

    Apples That's it! Homemade applesauce tastes the best when it's just made with apples and water! Apples are high in fiber, vitamin C, and they contain phytochemicals. They also contain pectin, which is a soluble fiber.

    Dietitian Tip

    Any apple can be used to make applesauce. Still, it's important to keep in mind that apples vary in color, texture, level of sweetness, and cost.

    And, because there is no sugar added, this applesauce will only be as sweet as the apples you are using. Oh, and feel free to use a variety of apples. These apples work especially well for making applesauce: Cortland, Gala, Jonagold, Fui, Golden Delicious.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    Four step by step images in a collage: sliced apples, cooked apples in a Dutch oven, cooked apples in a Vitamix blender, and pink applesauce in a Vitamix blender.

    Here's a quick overview of the steps to make homemade applesauce. For the full list of ingredients and specific instructions, scroll down to the recipe.

    1. Wash and core apples.
    2. Place water and apple slices in a large pot or Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
    3. Boil for about 10 minutes, until the apples are mushy.
    4. Either use an emersion blender to smooth out the apple mixture OR carefully pour apples and water into a high-powered blender that can handle hot liquid. I use my Vitamix for this step.
    5. Let cool. Serve and enjoy OR store for later use.
    My Emersion Blender Pick
    This emersion blender is easy to use and easy to clean.
    SEE PRICE ON AMAZON

    Photo Credit: amazon.com

    Emersion blender image from amazon.com that includes two whisk attachments and is pictured with a berry smoothie in a glass cup with a straw and fresh berries.

    Expert Tips

    • Scrub the apples as you wash them. Use a fruit and veggie scrub cloth if you have one.
    • Use an apple slicer to save time coring the apples.
    • For chunky applesauce, peel the apples first. Then, when the apples start to get mushy, use a potato masher to achieve your desired consistency.
    • Softer apples will cook quicker than hard apples.
    • Use red apples to make pink applesauce.
    • Because there is no sugar added, the applesauce will only be as sweet as the apples you are using.
    • Let the apple and water mixture cool completely first if you are using a blender that is not made to blend hot liquids.
    • Be very careful when transferring and blending the hot apple and water mixture. I use a two-cup liquid measuring cup for this step.
    • Adjust the amount of water to achieve your desired level of thickness. My family prefers applesauce thinner than a few other families that we know who make their own applesauce.
    • Cool the applesauce completely before freezing it.

    Recipe FAQs

    How do you store applesauce?

    Let the applesauce cool completely. Pour the applesauce into airtight containers and place them in the refrigerator or freezer. I wash the jars my honey comes in and reuse them to refrigerate applesauce. For freezing, use freezer-safe food storage containers. If using freezer-safe resealable bags, squeeze as much air out as possible before placing the bag of applesauce into the freezer.

    What do you serve applesauce with?

    Applesauce can be served as a snack or alongside any meal. My kids especially like applesauce served with lasagna, turkey burgers, pork tenderloin, and even packed in school lunches. Kids also love this applesauce mixed in with plain yogurt - so good!

    Did you try this homemade applesauce recipe? Tell me how it went! Leave a comment below.

    Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more healthy, kid-friendly recipes and meal inspiration!

    Other Side Dish Recipes Your Kids Will Love

    • Island Green Tropical Smoothie
    • Easy Vegan Chocolate Avocado Truffles for Kids
    • Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie for Kids
    • Amazing Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread (with Maple Syrup)
    Pink applesauce in a white bowl with a spoon.

    Two-Ingredient Homemade Applesauce (No Sugar Added)

    Kristi
    All you need is apples, water, a blender, and twenty minutes to make this kid-favorite applesauce. And, if you use red apples, the applesauce will be pink! So fun!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 4 ounce servings
    Calories 81 kcal

    Equipment

    • High Powered Blender
    • Dutch oven or large pot

    Ingredients
      

    • 5.5 pounds apples washed well
    • ¾ cup water

    Instructions
     

    • Core and slice apples.
    • Place apple slices and water in a Dutch oven.
    • Cook on medium-high heat on the stove.
    • Stir the apples as the cook.
    • Cook until the apples are mushy, and skins separate from the apple. Remove from heat.
    • Carefully place apple and water mixture into a blender that is made for blending hot food. Blend in batches if needed.
    • Gradually work up the speed of the blender and blend on high for thirty seconds to one minute, or until the desired consistency is reached.
    • Pour into storage containers and let cool.
    • Place lids on storage containers and place in the refrigerator.
    • Serve or bake and enjoy!

    Notes

    Your applesauce will only be as sweet as the apples you are using. Cortland, Gala, Jonagold, Fui, Golden Delicious are all good options. 
    Softer apples will cook faster.
    If you want pink applesauce, use red apples.
    If your blender is not made to blend hot foods, allow the apple and water mixture to cool first, before blending. 
    Be very careful when transferring the hot apples and water mixture. I use a two-cup measuring cup to do this.
    Stir the apples as they cook. This is to help the apples cook evenly and it prevents apples from burning to the bottom of the pan.
    You can try using an emersion blender, but the consistency won't be quite as smooth.
    Adjust the amount of water to achieve your desired level of thickness. My family prefers applesauce thinner than a few other families that we know who make their own applesauce.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 81kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 167mgFiber: 4gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 84IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Welcome!

    Hi! I'm Kristi, a dietitian and mom of three. I am all about keeping meals simple, healthy, kid friendly, and delicious!
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