Crockpot Applesauce Without Sugar

If you have a sweet tooth like me, then one strategy to keep it at bay is to incorporate fruit-based desserts into your meal plan. Fruit desserts tend to have fiber and antioxidants, so that makes them more nutrient-dense than other treats like cookies.

This recipe for Unsweetened Crockpot Applesauce is really great because it doesn’t even need any added sugars. You also don’t have to peel the apples either which means more nutrition gets into the applesauce.

Sweet red apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp are ideal for this homemade applesauce. Cooking them in the crockpot means the natural sugars will concentrate and the apple flavor gets really intense and wonderful.

Stay away from Red Delicious as they tend to be mealy.

You can also use green apples like Granny Smith or Golden Delicious, but they tend to have less natural sugars than the sweet red apples, so you apple sauce will be less sweet.

Ground cinnamon adds so much depth of flavor to the final dish. If you don’t like cinnamon or you have picky kids, just leave it out.

I recommend using Ceylon cinnamon which is considered “real cinnamon” and has some nice health benefits. See my recipe for Lemon Cinnamon water.

You can also use pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice instead of just plain cinnamon, if you wish.

Raisins add a touch of sweetness to the applesauce. You can leave them out if you’re not a fan.

You’ll also need some water to help the apples get cooking and to add some more liquid to the applesauce. I recommend using filtered water if you tap water has any chlorine flavor to it.

You aren’t going to believe how easy this slow cooker applesauce recipe is to throw together. I like to get it ready early in the morning and have it done by dinnertime. Or, I’ve also put it together in the evening and then have it ready by morning.

Here’s how to make it.

Step One

Wash the apples and pat them dry. I recommend using between 10-12 whole red apples, such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala, or Pink Lady.

The best apples to use for applesauce are ones that are naturally very sweet. You can use green apples for applesauce, but it will be pretty tart.

Step Two

Chop the apples into big chunks, removing the core, and throw them in a large crockpot. If you have a small crockpot, try using only 8-10 apples. 

Sprinkle some cinnamon (2 teaspoons or so) on top, add the water and raisins.

Step Three

Set on high for 5 hours with the lid on.

Step Four

Once the applesauce is done cooking, just give it a big stir to help break up the apples and distribute the raisins and cinnamon.

You don’t necessarily need to use a blender to break up the cooked apples, but you can if you wish. Some kids enjoy a smoother texture to their applesauce. In this case, you can use an immersion blender, food mill, potato masher, or food processor to get your crock pot applesauce to the texture you like.

You can serve the applesauce warm or transfer it to a glass container with a lid to refrigerator and serve later.

The applesauce will taste the sweetest when it is chilled.

More Healthy Apple Recipes You Might Like

• Air Fryer Apple Crisp
• Air Fryer Baked Apples
• Sweet Potato Apple Breakfast Hash
• Sugar-Free Apple Crisp
• Instant Pot Apple Butter
• Gluten-Free Apple Muffins

Or, see my entire index of clean eating desserts.