Easy Homemade Crockpot Applesauce (+ How to Can It!)
Make homemade crockpot applesauce with just a few simple ingredients! Includes easy instructions, flavor variations, and tips for canning and storage.
There’s nothing better than the cozy scent of apples and cinnamon filling the house. Making homemade applesauce in the crockpot has been my go-to for years whenever apple season rolls around. It’s simple, hands-off, and a delicious way to use up a big haul from the orchard or farmers market.
Today, I’ll walk you through how to make crockpot applesauce, a few flavor twists to try, and how to can your applesauce for wintertime treats.
Why You’ll Love Crockpot Applesauce
Homemade crockpot applesauce is one of the easiest preserves you can make. No boiling pots, no hovering over the stove, and no stressing over burnt apples. The slow cooker does all the work, gently coaxing out the natural sweetness of the apples with hardly any effort.
Bonus? Your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly all day long.
Choosing the Best Apples for Homemade Applesauce
For the best flavor, I always recommend using a mix of sweet and tart apples. It gives the sauce more depth without needing much (if any) added sugar.
Here are a few favorites:
- Sweet apples: Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious
- Tart apples: Granny Smith, McIntosh, Cortland
Tip: Leave a little skin on if you like a rustic texture and slightly pink color. Just core the apples well and chop them evenly.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
Making crockpot homemade applesauce only requires a few pantry basics:
- Fresh apples (mixed varieties for best flavor)
- A splash of water or apple cider
- Optional: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves
- Optional: sweetener (like honey, sugar, or maple syrup)
Start simple. You can always add a little sweetener after cooking if needed!
How to Make Crockpot Applesauce (Step-by-Step)
Making homemade applesauce in the crockpot is almost foolproof. Here’s exactly how to get that sweet, cozy goodness with very little hands-on effort.
Prep the Apples
Start by washing your apples thoroughly. You can peel them for a super-smooth sauce, or leave the skins on for extra fiber and a slightly more rustic texture. Core the apples and chop them into even-sized chunks so they cook evenly.
Load the Slow Cooker
Pile the apple chunks into your crockpot—it’s okay if they’re slightly heaped. Add just enough water or apple cider to coat the bottom of the slow cooker to prevent sticking. If you like, sprinkle a little cinnamon over the top to kickstart the flavor.
Tip: Don’t add too much liquid; apples will release plenty of juice as they cook.
Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover the crockpot and cook the apples on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, depending on your schedule. If you’re around, give it a stir once or twice, but it’s totally fine to let it cook without hovering.
Tip: If the sauce seems too watery at the end, prop the lid open slightly during the last 30 minutes to allow excess moisture to evaporate.
Blend or Mash
Once the apples are tender, you can mash them right in the crockpot with a potato masher for a chunky texture. If you prefer a smoother applesauce, use an immersion blender or carefully transfer the sauce in batches to a regular blender and puree until silky.
Taste and Adjust
Give your applesauce a taste while it’s still warm. If you want a little extra sweetness, stir in sugar, honey, or maple syrup at this point. Let the sauce cool before storing or canning.
Flavor Variations to Try
Homemade crockpot applesauce is incredibly flexible. Here are a few ways to change it up:
- Classic Cinnamon: Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Maple Vanilla: Stir in pure maple syrup and a splash of vanilla extract.
- Berry Blend: Add a handful of berries halfway through cooking.
- Pear Ginger: Mix in chopped ripe pears and a touch of ground ginger.
Don’t be afraid to get creative — applesauce is very forgiving!
How to Can Crockpot Applesauce for Later
Want to enjoy your slow-cooked applesauce all winter long? Canning it is easier than you think, and it’s a great way to stock your pantry with homemade goodness.
Get Your Supplies Ready
First, gather clean pint or quart jars, brand-new lids, and clean bands. You’ll also need a water bath canner or a large stockpot with a rack at the bottom to keep the jars off direct heat.
Heat the Applesauce
Warm your finished applesauce back up to a gentle simmer. This ensures the applesauce is hot enough when it goes into the jars, which helps with safe preservation.
Fill the Jars
Ladle the hot applesauce into hot, sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims clean with a damp cloth to make sure you get a good seal, then add the lids and screw the bands on until fingertip tight.
Process in Water Bath
Carefully lower the jars into a pot of boiling water, making sure they’re fully submerged. Process them for 20 minutes, adjusting for altitude if needed. When time is up, remove the jars and let them cool undisturbed. If you’re new to canning, you can find more tips for success in my water bath canning FAQs post.
Check for proper seals once the jars are cool. Any jars that didn’t seal properly should be refrigerated and eaten within a week.
Tip: Always label your jars with the date before storing so you can keep track of what needs to be used first!
Your Applesauce Questions, Answered
Love easy recipes like this? Don’t forget to pin it for later!
There’s nothing quite like a spoonful of homemade crockpot applesauce—warm, cozy, and made with love from scratch. Whether you’re stocking your pantry for winter, stirring it into oatmeal, or just eating it straight from the jar (no judgment here!), this easy recipe will quickly become one of your favorites.
Love working with apples? Keep the momentum going with these other delicious ideas! Learn how to make a cozy fall favorite with this easy apple butter recipe using crab apples, whip up a quick dessert with this gluten-free apple crumble, or take your apple skills even further by trying your hand at brewing hard apple cider at home.
Have you ever made homemade applesauce before? I’d love to hear your favorite apple varieties or any fun flavor twists you’ve tried!
Homemade Crockpot Applesauce (With Easy Canning Instructions)
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Equipment
- Crockpot slow cooker
- Immersion Blender or potato masher
- Canning Jar, Lids, and Bands
Ingredients
- 5 pounds Mixed Apples peeled or unpeeled, cored, chopped
- ½ cup Water or apple cider
- 1-2 teaspoons Cinnamon optional
- Sugar, Honey, or Maple Syrup to taste (optional)
Instructions
To Make Applesauce
- Add chopped apples and water or cider to the crockpot. Sprinkle cinnamon over the top if desired.5 pounds Mixed Apples, 1/2 cup Water, 1-2 teaspoons Cinnamon
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours until apples are soft and broken down.
- Mash with a potato masher for chunky applesauce, or blend for a smoother consistency.
- Taste and add sweetener if needed.Sugar, Honey, or Maple Syrup
Canning Instructions
- If canning, bring applesauce back to a gentle simmer.
- Ladle hot applesauce into hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
- Wipe rims clean, apply lids and bands, and process in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes (adjust for altitude if needed).
- Let jars cool undisturbed and check seals before storing.
Notes
- Use a blend of sweet and tart apples for the richest flavor.
- For thicker sauce, crack the crockpot lid open near the end of cooking.
- Unsealed jars should be refrigerated and eaten within a week.
