Crockpot Applesauce: The Easiest and Coziest Slow Cooker

There’s a smell that instantly transports me back to my grandmother’s kitchen: the deep, sweet fragrance of apples cooking down slowly. Nothing beats the comforting aroma and taste of crockpot applesauce simmering away all day. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s pure, unadulterated food nostalgia. I promise you, once you try homemade crockpot applesauce, you’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff. It’s incredibly easy, completely hands-off, and the perfect healthy comfort food. This simple method yields a truly luxurious applesauce that’s perfect for a weekend project or an easy weeknight prep.

Crockpot Applesauce Recipe Card

Crockpot Applesauce Recipe

Recipe by Soukayna

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: BreakfastCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

4

hours 

Calories

115

kcal

This recipe delivers the best crockpot applesauce, a smooth, perfectly spiced, and comforting classic that practically makes itself.

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

• 2.0 kg Mixed Apples (about 12 medium apples), cored and chopped

• 120.0 ml Water

• 60.0 grams Granulated Sugar (optional, or to taste)

• 5.0 ml Vanilla Extract

• 2.0 Cinnamon Sticks

• 1.0 pinch Salt

Directions

• Time to start your magnificent crockpot applesauce! First, take all those gorgeous, prepped apples and toss them into the basin of your slow cooker. Next, we add the liquid and seasoning. Pour in the water, sprinkle over the sugar (if you are using it), the small pinch of salt, and finally, add those two lovely cinnamon sticks. Give it all a good stir just to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
• Now, cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3.5 to 4 hours. Remember that important pro tip: resist the urge to lift the lid! You’ll know they are ready when the apples are completely tender and falling apart—they will look quite mushy.
• Once cooked, carefully remove the cinnamon sticks. Now you need to decide on your texture. For a chunky, rustic applesauce, simply use a potato masher right in the pot. For a silky-smooth applesauce, add the vanilla extract and then use an immersion blender to purée until your desired consistency is reached. You can also transfer the mixture to a regular blender.
• Finally, taste and adjust the seasoning. Add a little more sugar if needed, or maybe a tiny squeeze of lemon juice if it tastes too flat. Let your delicious homemade crockpot applesauce cool completely before serving or storing.

Notes

• Ideal Apple Varieties: For the best results in your crockpot applesauce, use a mix like Granny Smith (tartness), Honeycrisp (sweetness), and McIntosh (breaks down easily).
• Boosting the Flavor without Sugar: To make a genuinely “no-sugar-added” applesauce that still tastes sweet, ensure you use naturally sweet apples like Fuji or Gala, and add a small pinch of powdered ginger or allspice.
• Storage and Freezing: Cooled applesauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. It also freezes beautifully for up to 6 months in freezer-safe bags or containers.

Nutrition Facts

• Fat: 0.2g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Protein: 0.5g

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Why This Applesauce Stands Out

This method for crockpot applesauce is superior because the slow, low heat truly coaxes out the deepest flavor from the apples. Unlike stovetop methods which can scorch the bottom or require constant stirring, the crockpot creates a steamy, gentle environment. This results in an incredibly soft, smooth texture without drying out. My unique blend of apples—using a mix of sweet and tart, eliminates the need for excessive added sugar, making it a naturally healthier option. Plus, we boost the complexity with a touch of vanilla extract and a secret ingredient: a pinch of cinnamon sticks instead of ground cinnamon. The stick imparts a warmer, more nuanced spice profile that’s never gritty. This recipe is wonderfully flexible. You can easily make it sugar-free by omitting the sugar entirely or substituting it with maple syrup. For a super healthy version, keep the skins on for extra fiber (you can blend them in later!). It’s also naturally gluten-free and vegan.

For a deeper understanding of the nutritional benefits of apples, check out a high-authority source like Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health on the benefits of apples.

Applesauce Prep: Your Roadmap to Ease

The beauty of crockpot applesauce is how little hands-on time it requires, especially if you prep your ingredients ahead! Getting these simple steps done in advance will ensure you can literally “set it and forget it” the next morning. This is all about maximizing flavor with minimal effort, my kind of cooking!

• Apple Prep: Wash, core, and chop all the apples the night before. Keep the pieces in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This is the most time-consuming step, so knocking it out ahead is a huge win.
• Spice Blend Ready: Measure out your sugar (if using), water, and have your vanilla and cinnamon sticks ready to go. Keep them grouped together next to your crockpot.
• Clean the Crockpot: Ensure your slow cooker liner is clean and ready. It sounds simple, but nothing slows down a morning like having to scrub a pot first!

Mastering the Slow Cooker: Essential Tips

• The Apple Mix is Key: Use a combination of apple varieties. I recommend a mix of sweet (like Fuji or Gala) and tart (like Granny Smith). This gives the applesauce a balanced flavor that develops beautifully as it cooks.
• Resist the Urge to Peek: Keep the lid closed for the entire cooking time! Lifting the lid releases the trapped steam, which is essential for breaking down the apples and achieving that smooth, velvety texture.
• The Consistency Secret: Do not use too much liquid. The apples release a lot of their own juice. Using only 120.0 ml of water (just enough to start the steam) is all you need to prevent scorching and ensure a thick applesauce.
• Puréeing for Texture: Wait until the applesauce has cooled slightly before puréeing. Use an immersion blender right in the crockpot for ease, or transfer to a blender, but pulse rather than blending continuously for better control over the final texture.
• Canning Safety: If you plan on canning or preserving your applesauce, ensure you follow FDA guidelines for safe home canning and preservation techniques. This is crucial for food safety.

Must-Try Variations on Your Crockpot Applesauce

Cranberry-Orange Spiced Applesauce

This variant is perfect for the holidays! To make this, simply add 120.0 grams of fresh or frozen cranberries and the zest of one whole orange to the crockpot along with the apples. The tartness of the cranberries and the bright citrus notes from the orange create a vibrant pink applesauce that is both beautiful and complex. The cranberries will break down beautifully in the slow cooker, resulting in a slightly tangier flavor that pairs perfectly with roasted turkey or pork chops.

Maple-Ginger Applesauce

For a warmer, earthier flavor, swap out the white sugar for 60.0 ml of high-quality maple syrup. Then, grate in about 10.0 grams of fresh ginger root before cooking. The ginger adds a delightful zing and warmth that complements the natural sweetness of the apples. This version is fantastic served warm over vanilla ice cream or used as a sugar substitute in baking. The depth of flavor is truly incredible and moves the crockpot applesauce from a side dish to a true dessert component.

Pear and Apple Blend

Why stop at just apples? For a different texture and flavor, substitute one-third of the apples with firm pears, such as Bosc or Anjou. Pears cook down just as nicely in the slow cooker and add a slightly granular, unique sweetness and aroma. This variant often requires slightly less added sugar because pears tend to be sweeter than most apple varieties. The resulting applesauce is thick, slightly lighter in color, and undeniably luxurious.

If you love the combination of fruit and warm spices, you must try using the applesauce in the recipe for Homemade Applesauce Bread, Applesauce Crumb Cake or Applesauce Coffee Cake.

Solving Your Slow Cooker Queries

Your Autumn Culinary Triumph Awaits

And that’s the secret to creating the best crockpot applesauce you will ever taste. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, infusing the apples with warm spices and yielding a velvety smooth, deeply satisfying result. This is true kitchen alchemy! This recipe delivers on comfort, simplicity, and incredible flavor, a genuine taste of the harvest season that’s also remarkably healthy. I encourage you to whip up a batch this weekend. You won’t just be making applesauce; you’ll be filling your home with the most welcoming aroma imaginable.