Homemade Organic Apple Puree Or Chunky Organic Apple Sauce

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perfect fall vegan slow cooker apple sauce
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Tell us, are you a hardcore apple fan? If you’re anything like us, you have an appetite for apples all year round. Lucky for you, we created this homemade recipe for chunky applesauce or apple puree (depending on whether you blend it) that takes almost no effort at all. Whether you’ll be serving up organic apple sauce with some vegan latkes, dished it out a snack for your plant-based kids, feeding apple puree to your baby, or eating it by the spoonful straight out of the jar, this delicious vegan apple recipe is sure to be a hit.

Have you been sensing a disconnect between you and your favorite sweet fruit? If you can’t fight that peeling anymore, it’s time to take action! Once you taste this warm, wonderful dish, you can live apple-y ever after.

Gather up a crate of crisp, autumn apples and let’s get this applesauce started! 

Why This Apple Puree Recipe Is So Awesome

A simple, whole food side is often overlooked. Just because the recipe is clear and straightforward, doesn’t mean it’s not sensational. Here’s why we adore this particular recipe so much:

Superstar Ingredient––The Admirable Apple

To anyone who love apples, you already know how amazing they are. I mean, is there anything an apple can’t do? (Well, maybe change a tire…) Knowing that you can just pick the fruit off a tree and bite right into it is incredible. Not only has it been a favorite on-the-go snack for ages, the humble apple rates pretty high on the healthy scale. 

  • Available in many different varieties (more than 7,500 around the world!)
  • Very rich in fiber 
  • High water content
  • Helpful for the digestion
  • Contains many vitamins and minerals, including a decent amount of vitamin C and potassium
  • A good source of antioxidants, such as quercetin, catechin, and chlorogenic acid

How to Serve Up This Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce Recipe

Applesauce is one of those sweet sides that makes any meal taste more mellow. While it’s traditionally served alongside an animal product, we have much better ways of enjoying the apples that are totally free of cholesterol and, more importantly, cruelty.

  • Seize the Mac and Cheese – You might not think that these two dishes would make a great partnership, but they really do! There’s something about a rich and creamy pasta paired with a light and sweetly-spiced side that will blow your mind. Please give a try!
  • Apple Skin Snacks – Please keep the peels! Instead of throwing them in the compost, you can make a super crunchy apple snack by baking them in the oven. Amazingly good!
  • Sweet Spice Suggestions – This homemade applesauce tastes wonderful without any spices, but feel free to add cinnamon, apple (or pumpkin) pie spice, orange zest, nutmeg, cloves, cardamon, or vanilla to your applesauce. I’ve made this recipe with each of these spices (and in different combinations) and every version tasted delicious.

How to Make Homemade Slow Cooker Applesauce

There’s almost nothing easier than cooking up this autumn favorite. Three steps to start and then all you need is some patience. As soon as you smell this cinnamon applesauce seeping through the lid, you senses will be stimulated and ready for snacking!

  1. Wash and peel the apples.
  2. Chop into chunks and add to the slow cooker.
  3. Pour in the water, then add sugar and spices. Mix well.
  4. Cover and turn slow cooker to the low setting. Cook for 8 hours or overnight.
  5. Stir, scoop, and enjoy!

Equipment You’ll Need To Make This Homemade Chunky Applesauce

Such a snap to stew! As long as you have a knife and a slow cooker, you’re pretty much good to go. While your apples are stewing, use that time for self-care: read, go for a nature walk, watch your favorite fall movie, or just take a much-needed nap. It’s all up to you!

fall homemade apple sauce in a canning jar with cinnamon and fresh apples

Homemade Apple Puree or Chunky Applesauce

Author: Gina House | World of Vegan
5 from 13 votes
This homemade apple puree is a perfect way to enjoy apples. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, right? Celebrate the crisp autumn atmosphere with a batch of sweet, fresh apple puree or chunky applesauce made in your very own kitchen. Use handpicked, local apples for an extra exceptional flavor and an even more heavenly scent to fill your home. You'll never want to buy jarred applesauce again after this!
fall homemade apple sauce in a canning jar with cinnamon and fresh apples
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 3 cups

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 8 medium-sized apples, choose as many varieties as you can and most of them should be tart
  • ¼-½ cup sugar or sweetener of choice, to your taste
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon ground sweet cinnamon, optional
  • Pinch nutmeg or apple pie spice, optional

Instructions

  • Wash and peel the apples. Cut apples into large chunks. Place in the crockpot.
  • Add the sugar, water, and spices. Mix well. Cover the slow cooker and turn the heat lever to low.
  • Cook for 8 hours or overnight.
  • When the applesauce is done, take off the cover carefully and stir well.
  • Drain off any excess liquid if you like a chunkier sauce. (Tip: Save the liquid to use in smoothies.) For a smoother applesauce, use an immersion blender or a potato masher to blend to the desired consistency. Pop it in a high-speed blender of a creamy apple puree that’s perfect for babies! 
  • Serve warm and enjoy immediately or let the applesauce come to room temperature and then store in a covered container in the fridge.

Notes

  • Sugar-Free Version – You can leave out the sugar entirely if you wish or add few tablespoons of agave or maple syrup to the mixture. If you’re not adding in any sweetener at all, use a variety of sweet apples, rather than tart in this recipe. 
  • No Slow Cooker? – You can also make this recipe using a large saucepan on the stovetop. Add an extra ¼ – ½ cup of water with the rest of the ingredients into the pan. Cook, uncovered, on medium heat for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. When the applesauce is done, follow step 7 to get the consistency the way you like it.
  • Instant Pot Option – A third option to make the applesauce in the Instant Pot. Prepare the fruit and other ingredients in the same way as above, but place into the liner of your pressure cooker. Cover, place in the sealed position, and cook on the manual setting for 5 minutes. Once done, let the applesauce naturally release for 10 minutes. Release the rest of the pressure, stir well, and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 84g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 523mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 67g | Vitamin A: 264IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword homemade apple puree, homemade apple sauce, slow cooker applesauce recipe

If you try this vegan homemade cinnamon applesauce recipe, let us know what you think by leaving a comment and rating below. Be sure to follow along on PinterestInstagram, and Facebook for even more vegan recipe inspiration.

What Else Can I Do With Apple Puree?

There are so many fun (and flavorful) ways you can use this recipe. Here is a list of our favorite ideas:

Frequently Asked Questions

I don’t like to consume added sugar. Can I still make this vegan apple puree recipe?

For sure! If you use sweet apples instead of sour versions, you can absolutely leave out the sugar. You could also puree a few soaked dates or raisins and add it the mix before cooking. That way, you’ll have added sweetness, but from whole food sources instead.

What if I don’t own a slow cooker? Will I be able to make the applesauce with a different method?

We’re so happy that you asked. Yes, you can! All three cooking methods result in the most appetizing applesauce you’ve ever tasted!

Stovetop Method: Add an extra ¼ – ½ cup of water with the rest of the ingredients into the pan. Cook, uncovered, on medium heat for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. When the applesauce is done, follow step 7 to get the consistency the way you like it.

Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker Method: Prepare the fruit and other ingredients in the same way as above, but place into the liner of your pressure cooker. Cover, place in the sealed position, and cook on the manual setting for 5 minutes. Once done, let the applesauce naturally release for 10 minutes. Release the rest of the pressure, stir well, and enjoy!

Simple Storage

Any uneaten applesauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week in a covered container. If you don’t think you’ll be able to finish the sweet and spiced sauce before that time, feel free to add it to a freezer safe, sealed container and keep in the freezer for around 6-9 months. 

More Appealing Apple Recipes to Try

This easy slow cooker homemade chunky organic applesauce recipe was created by Gina House, and also adapted to work as a perfect baby food apple puree. Apple sauce photos from Canva.com. Recipe article edited by Amanda Meth. Thanks to Ruth Havertz for recipe testing. Please note that this article may contain affiliate links which supports our work at World of Vegan.

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Recipe Rating




20 comments
  1. Beatriz Buono-Core says:

    5 stars
    I LOVE applesauce and it’s hard to get it here in the UK, will happily make my own with this amazing recipe by Gina 😀

    • Thank you so much, Bea! I hope you’ll love it as much as we do! xoxo

  2. 5 stars
    Obsessed with this apple puree! It’s so much better than store bought, and it’s so easy to make .

    • Yay! So happy to hear it! Cooking a batch makes the house smell amazing 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    Homemade apple sauce is the best type! The freshness!

  4. 5 stars
    love the chunky apple sauce, it came out delicious.

  5. I love how easy it is to make your own apple sauce at home. Nothing beats home made food. It’s perfect for the fall when apples are in season. I love the range of different ways it can be used that you’ve mentioned.

    • Really glad that our variations helped, Lucy! It’s the perfect season for picking apples and making homemade apple sauce. Yum.

  6. 5 stars
    I used to make a batch of apple puree every year. Mostly for topping winter porridge. But I moved and lost my supply of apples. Now you’ve reminded me how good it is, I’m going to have to make some come what may!

    • Excellent! You can just use apples from the grocery store, if that’s all you have access to at the moment. Using it as a topping for winter porridge is such a great idea. I’ll have to try that!

  7. 5 stars
    love this recipe so much! the fact that i can be sure what’s in my apple sauce is the greatest! so easy to make and delicious too!

  8. 5 stars
    Love this applesauce recipe. I made it in the instant pot and was delicious.

    • Really happy that the instant pot method worked for you! I love having different cooking options for recipes, especially during certain times of the year. Thank you!

  9. 5 stars
    Loving how simple this applesauce recipe is!

  10. 5 stars
    This recipe is awesome! So simple and tasty!

  11. 5 stars
    So simple! Love how this apple sauce turned out!

  12. 5 stars
    Love making this delicious organic and sugar free apple purée! Love it mixed into plain yogurt.

  13. 5 stars
    This recipe has been a long time favorite in our family. Making it every year makes me so happy and makes our kitchen smell like heaven. Yum!

  14. 5 stars
    So excited that I can make my own applesauce! And it tastes way better than store-bought! Yum!

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