Easy and Delicious Homemade Applesauce
Today I am sharing an easy and delicious homemade applesauce recipe.
Fall is here and apple season is in full-swing. Walk into any grocery store and you'll find baskets upon baskets of different varieties of apples. Or you can head out to an apple orchard to pick your own - you can't get much fresher than that!
Apples are a full of nutrition and incredibly versatile. They make an easy and portable snack, and they can be baked and eaten in so many different ways.
Here I'm going to share some of the benefits of apples, along with my easy and delicious homemade applesauce recipe. It's one of the simplest ways to use up all those fall apples. It's easy to make, better and healthier than store-bought, and it will make your kitchen smell delicious!
What are the health benefits of apples?
Antioxidant and fiber powerhouse. Apples are loaded with fiber and full of antioxidants (particularly in the skin). They also have an anti-inflammatory substance called quercetin, which is an antioxidant that can reduce inflammation. Apples contain pectin, which acts as a prebiotic and promotes gut health.
Easy to find. Apples are easy to find in most stores, inexpensive, and easily portable. They often don't require refrigeration, so they are the perfect snack to add to a lunchbox or to take on a road trip.
Versatile. You can use apples in so many different ways. You can eat them whole, which is the best way to reap the many nutritional benefits, but you can also bake and cook with them. From apple pies to apple breads and muffins - there is no shortage of fall baked goods using apples.
One of our favorite ways to use apples in the fall is to make homemade applesauce. A big batch doesn't last long in our house! It also freezes well, so you can save some for when winter comes and those fresh apples aren't as easily accessible.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links I may make a small commission at no cost to you.
Easy and Healthy Homemade Applesauce
My parents made this on repeat growing up (and still do) and now I make it all the time throughout the fall. My kids just love it. You can use any type of apple you have on hand. The sweeter and juicier the better, but really anything goes.
Some of the most popular for applesauce are Golden Delicious, Fuji and McIntosh because they have soft flesh that cooks down easily. A helpful tip - choose larger apples. This will save you some time peeling and slicing.
How To Make This Applesauce:
Start with 10-12 washed apples. I peel and slice them by hand, but you can also use an apple peeler/slicer like this one. Try to make the slices similar in size.
Fill a large pot with your apple slices. It may seem like a lot, but they cook down quite a bit.
Add about 1 cup of water, enough to cover the bottom of the pot. You can also add a 1/2 cup of sugar here, but it's optional. I prefer applesauce without sugar, but you can add it if you want a sweeter applesauce or if your apples are particularly tart.
Next, sprinkle on a hefty dose of cinnamon. Don't be shy about this, really lay it on! You can also use pumpkin pie spice. Give it a stir.
Turn the stove on low to medium heat, stirring often. Apples will begin to cook down. Use your spoon to break them apart as they cook. If you use apples that aren't as juicy, you may notice you need to add some water throughout cooking. Keep the bottom of the pot covered in a bit of water.
Decide on the consistency you'd like. We like to leave some apple chunks, but it is up to you. If you like your applesauce to be perfectly smooth, you can use an immersion blender once the apples are soft and cooked.
Let it cool, and enjoy! Once the apples have cooked to the consistency you like, that's it! Your house will smell amazing, and you'll want to dig right in. Homemade applesauce is delicious warm.
How do you store homemade applesauce?
You can store it in your fridge in an airtight container once it has cooled.
How long does homemade applesauce last in the fridge?
It will stay fresh in your fridge for at least a week to ten days but it probably won't last that long.
Can homemade applesauce be frozen?
Yes! You can freeze containers of applesauce in the fall, and enjoy it anytime.
I hope you'll try this easy and delicious homemade applesauce. If you do, let me know what you think!
For more fall recipes, check out my favorite granola recipe and this easy and healthy fall trail mix.
Want more of The Lifestyle Notes? Sign up for the newsletter and get updates, links to new content, and more, delivered right to your inbox!