| Every fall, when the apple orchards are overflowing and the air finally has that first cool bite to it, I make a big batch of homemade cinnamon apple sauce. It takes about 30 minutes start to finish, it makes your whole house smell like autumn, and it is one of those old-fashioned things I genuinely believe most people have forgotten how easy it is to do. This stovetop apple sauce recipe uses just four ingredients. Fresh apples, a little sugar, cinnamon, and water. That is it. No preservatives. No mystery. Just warm, spiced apple sauce you made yourself. |
What You Will Need to Make Apple Sauce at Home
Big pot with a lid (a Dutch oven is my favorite but any big pot will work)
Potato Masher
Apple peeler or Apple Corer
Sharp Peeling Knife
Airtight glass storage jars (Ball/Kerr wide-mouth pints)
Immersion Blender
Canning Funnel
Homemade Apple Sauce
Ingredients
- 5-6 large apples A sweet variety like Honeycrisp, Gala or Pink Lady work best, but you can use any type.
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Peel, core, and chop the apples into bite-sized chunks. Place the cut-up apples into a large pot or Dutch oven.
- Add the sugar, cinnamon, and water to the apples in the pot.
- Cover with a lid and cook over medium heat for 18-20 minutes until the apples are very soft. Uncover the pot and remove from the heat.
- Mash the hot apple sauce with a potato masher until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve the apple sauce warm, or refrigerate and eat within 3-4 days.
Notes
How to Make Easy Homemade Apple Sauce Recipe with Cinnamon
Homemade applesauce may be one of the easiest snacks you can make at home!
All you need to make applesauce is apples, sugar and water, and cinnamon if you want to make it special.
You’ll want to remove all the peel so it doesn’t leave any pieces in the applesauce, and of course remove the seeds, stem and core. Chop the apples into 1″ pieces.
Put all the apples, sugar, cinnamon and water into a large stockpot with a lid.
Cover the pot and simmer over medium heat for 18-20 minutes until the apples are very soft.
They should be soft enough to easily mash with a fork.
You can use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash the hot apple sauce to the consistency that you prefer. Some people like it chunkier, others like it smooth. It’s up to you.
Serve teh applesauce warm if possible, or apple sauce can be cooled then stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or frozen for up to two months.
ENJOY!!
Homemade Applesauce Variations to Make
Chunky vs. smooth: Mash lightly for texture, or use an immersion blender for silky-smooth results.
Unsweetened apple sauce: Use sweet apples and omit added sugar entirely. Taste before serving.
Spiced apple sauce: Add a pinch of nutmeg and a small pinch of cloves along with the cinnamon.
Slow cooker apple sauce: Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours, then mash.
Instant Pot apple sauce: Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes with natural release, then mash.
Apple butter: Continue cooking uncovered on low heat, stirring often, until the sauce thickens deeply and turns a rich caramel brown. This takes 1-2 additional hours but is absolutely worth it.
| Homemade apple sauce stores well in several forms: Refrigerator: Cool completely and store in airtight glass jars or containers for up to one week. Freezer: Portion into airtight freezer containers with a little headspace for expansion. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Canning note: This recipe is designed for refrigerator or freezer use. If you want to water-bath can apple sauce, use a tested and approved recipe from the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving or the NCHFP to ensure proper acidity. |
FAQs about Homemade Applesauce
What apples are best for homemade apple sauce?
Tart apples like Granny Smith make the best homemade apple sauce because their natural acidity balances the added sugar. Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or any combination work beautifully too. For the most complex flavor, mix a tart apple with a sweet one.
Can I make apple sauce without sugar?
Yes. Sweet apple varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp contain enough natural sugar that you can reduce or eliminate added sugar entirely. Taste the cooked apples before adding any sweetener and adjust from there.
How long does homemade apple sauce keep in the refrigerator?
Stored in an airtight container, homemade apple sauce keeps in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze it in freezer-safe containers for up to two months.
Can I freeze homemade apple sauce?
Absolutely. Let it cool completely, then portion it into airtight freezer containers or zip-lock bags (leave a little headspace for expansion). It thaws overnight in the refrigerator and tastes just as fresh.
How do I make smooth apple sauce instead of chunky?
Use an immersion blender instead of a potato masher for silky-smooth results. You can also transfer batches to a regular blender, but be careful with the hot liquid.
What is the difference between apple sauce and apple butter?
Apple sauce is cooked until soft, then mashed to your preferred texture. Apple butter is cooked much longer (often hours) until it becomes deeply concentrated and spreadable, with a caramelized, almost spiced flavor. Apple sauce is lighter and looser.
Can I use this recipe for canning?
This recipe as written is designed for refrigerator or freezer storage. If you want to water-bath can apple sauce, use a tested, approved recipe from Ball or the National Center for Home Food Preservation to ensure safe acidity levels.
What can I serve with homemade apple sauce?
Homemade apple sauce is delicious warm or cold alongside pork chops or roast pork, stirred into oatmeal, spooned over vanilla ice cream, served as a side dish for holiday meals, or eaten straight from the bowl with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Can I make this apple sauce in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
Yes to both. For a slow cooker, combine all ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4, then mash. For an Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 8 minutes with a natural release, then mash to your desired consistency.
Is homemade apple sauce healthier than store-bought?
Homemade apple sauce lets you control exactly what goes into it. Most commercial apple sauces contain added sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or preservatives. Making it at home means fresher flavor and no ingredients you did not add yourself.
