Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It uses simple ingredients and minimal prep — just peel, core, toss, and cook.
The aroma as the apples cook is amazing — your kitchen will smell like fall.
You control the sweetness and texture, so you can make it smooth, chunky, lightly sweet or no added sugar.
It stores well and is great for meal-prep, snacks, baby food, or as a topping for pancakes or yogurt.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Apples (peeled, cored and cut into chunks)
Water (or a small amount of apple juice)
Lemon juice (to brighten flavor)
Cinnamon (ground or a cinnamon stick)
Optional sweetener (brown sugar or granulated sugar)
Optional extras: vanilla extract, a pinch of nutmeg, apple pie spice, or leave peel on for more fiber.

Directions

Lightly spray or grease the insert of your slow cooker or simply ensure it’s clean and ready.
Peel (or leave unpeeled if you prefer) and core the apples, then cut into evenly sized chunks.
Place the apple chunks in the slow cooker. Add water (just enough to cover bottom and help cooking), lemon juice, and sprinkle cinnamon (and sugar if using).
Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for about 5-6 hours, or on HIGH for about 3-4 hours, until the apples are very soft and starting to break down.
Once cooked, remove any cinnamon sticks or lemon peel if used. Then decide your texture:
- For chunky applesauce: use a potato masher or large spoon to mash to desired consistency.
- For smooth applesauce: use an immersion blender or transfer to a blender and puree until smooth.
Taste and adjust: if it’s too tart, add a little sweetener; if too thick, stir in a splash of water or apple juice.
Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. It can be used immediately or stored (see below).

Servings and timing

Makes about 6 servings (depending on apple size and portion; roughly 1/2-cup servings)
Prep time: ~15 minutes (peeling/coring)
Cook time: ~3-6 hours depending on heat setting and apple variety
Total time: ~3 h 15 min to ~6 h 15 min

Variations

Leave the apple skins on for more fiber and a slightly chunkier texture.
Skip added sugar for a naturally sweetened sauce; use sweet apple varieties.
Use a variety of apples (sweet + tart) for depth of flavor (e.g., Honeycrisp + Granny Smith).
Add a splash of maple syrup or honey instead of sugar for a different sweetness note.
Add spices: nutmeg, allspice or cloves for a spiced twist.
For a dessert version: serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel.
For baby-friendly version: puree very smooth and omit added sugar and heavy spices.

Storage/Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days.
For longer storage, freeze in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2-3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge.
To reheat: warm gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. If it thickened too much, add a splash of water or apple juice.
If you want to can the applesauce for pantry storage, follow proper canning guidelines (sterilized jars, water bath processing, etc).

FAQs

What type of apples should I use?

Any good-eating apple will work. Using a combination of sweet (like Honeycrisp, Fuji) and tart apples (like Granny Smith) gives great flavor. Some apples break down faster, so adjust cook time accordingly.

Do I need to peel the apples?

Peeling is optional. Leaving the peel on adds fiber and nutrients, but may yield a slightly more textured or speckled sauce. If you leave the peel on and prefer smooth texture, use a blender.

Can I omit sugar completely?

Yes — you can make the applesauce with just apples, water, lemon juice and cinnamon. The apples’ natural sweetness will shine. You can always add sweetener afterwards if needed.

How smooth or chunky should the applesauce be?

That’s up to you. For chunky texture, mash lightly. For smooth, use an immersion blender or regular blender. The slow cooker makes the apples very soft so either texture is easy.

Can I cook it on HIGH instead of LOW?

Yes — cooking on HIGH takes less time (around 3-4 hours) but you’ll want to check earlier to avoid over-cooking or darkening. On LOW the texture is very gentle and yields very soft apples.

Can I add other flavors or mix-ins?

Absolutely — vanilla extract, a splash of apple cider, dried cranberries, ginger, or even a bit of brown sugar are all great additions.

Is applesauce healthy?

Yes — homemade applesauce is a whole-food side or snack with apples as primary ingredient. By controlling sugar and salt, you can make it as healthy as you like.

What can I serve with applesauce?

It’s versatile: serve it alongside pork chops, roasted chicken, or turkey; use it on pancakes or waffles; stir into oatmeal or yogurt; or simply enjoy as a snack.

How do I know it’s done cooking?

The apples should be very soft when pierced with a fork and starting to break down. At that point you can mash or blend them to your desired consistency.

Can I make a big batch and freeze it?

Yes — applesauce freezes well. Portion into freezer-safe containers leaving a little head-space (it will expand a bit). Use within a couple of months for best quality.

Conclusion

Crock Pot Applesauce is a simple, flavorful, and versatile recipe that turns fresh apples into a comforting, homemade sauce with minimal effort. Whether you want a naturally sweet, no-added sugar version or a spiced, dessert-style treat, cooking it low and slow in the crock pot delivers wonderful texture and aroma. Make a big batch, store some for later, and enjoy the cozy taste of homemade applesauce.

Crock Pot Applesauce

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This Crock Pot Applesauce is a warm, homemade fruit sauce made by slowly cooking apples with cinnamon and lemon until they turn tender and fragrant. It’s naturally sweet, comforting, and perfect as a snack, side, or topping for breakfast or dessert.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3–6 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Side Dish
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

8–10 medium apples (peeled, cored, and cut into chunks)
1/2 cup water or apple juice
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon (or 1 cinnamon stick)
2–4 tbsp brown sugar or granulated sugar (optional, to taste)
Optional: 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, pinch of nutmeg, or apple pie spice

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Instructions

Peel, core, and chop the apples into even chunks.
Lightly grease or spray the slow cooker insert.
Add apples, water (or juice), lemon juice, cinnamon, and sugar (if using) to the crock pot. Stir to combine.
Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until apples are very soft and breaking down.
Remove any cinnamon sticks. Mash with a potato masher for chunky texture or blend until smooth for creamy applesauce.
Taste and adjust sweetness or spice as desired. If too thick, add a little more water or juice.
Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Notes

Mix apple varieties for more depth of flavor (sweet + tart apples work best).
Leaving peels on adds texture and fiber — blend well if keeping skins.
Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for 2–3 months.
Perfect for pairing with pork, pancakes, yogurt, or oatmeal.
For a baby-friendly version, skip added sugar and blend smooth.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Calories: 90
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 5mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 23g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg