Unsweetened Crockpot Applesauce
Learn how to make Unsweetened Crockpot Applesauce for a healthy homemade treat that is perfect for fall. This recipe is so easy to make and is a great snack or dessert recipe for kids and adults.
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 more fiber and antioxidants, so that makes them more nutrient-dense than a cookie.
This recipe for Unsweetened Crockpot Applesauce is really great because it doesn’t even need any added sugars. You don’t have to peel the apples either which means more nutrition gets into the applesauce.
Why You Need This Recipe
- This homemade applesauce recipe is so simple and delicious! All you need are fresh, sweet apples such as Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady, or Honeycrisp.
- The only ingredients are apples, raisins, ground cinnamon, and a little bit of water, so this is a real food recipe that is vegan, gluten free, paleo, and super clean. You don’t even need any sugar in this recipe.
- This Crockpot Applesauce can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to 2 months. Just defrost it in the refrigerator and serve it cold.
Key Ingredients
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.
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.
Raisins add a touch of sweetness to the applesauce. You can leave them out if you’re not a fan.
Recipe Steps
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. Stay away from Red Delicious.
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, and set on high for 5 hours with the lid on.
Step Three
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 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.
Recipes Tips & Substitutions
- If you have pears on hand, you can do a mix of apples and pears in this recipe.
- If your kids don’t like cinnamon or raisins, just leave them out.
- Store the applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Or, you can freeze any leftovers for up to 2 months. Defrost before serving.
Recipe FAQs
The peel has healthy nutrition and fiber so I recommend leaving it on. The apple peel will cook down and you probably won’t even notice it once the applesauce is done cooking. That said, if you prefer to peel your apples, you can do that too.
Yes, but the raisins do help add a bit of sweetness to the applesauce. As long as your apples are naturally sweet, I think it will be okay without the raisins.
Yes, but you may need to leave out the raisins as they can be a choking hazard for babies. You may also need to puree the applesauce to make sure it is a smooth texture that babies like.
You can serve it plain in a bowl, or you can use applesauce to help offset the oil in baked good recipes. The rule of thumb is to substitute up to 1/2 of the oil in a recipe with applesauce.
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
Or, see my entire index of clean eating desserts.
I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.
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PrintUnsweetened Crockpot Applesauce
Learn how to make Unsweetened Crockpot Applesauce for a healthy homemade treat that is perfect for fall. This recipe is so easy to make and is a great snack or dessert recipe for kids and adults.
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Ingredients
- 10 medium-size organic sweet red apples such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup raisins
Instructions
- Cut apples into large chunks and place in a large crockpot.
- Stir in the water, cinnamon, and raisins.
- Cook on high for 5 hours (or on low for up to 12 hours). When the applesauce is done cooking, remove the lid and stir the applesauce well.
- Cool and store in the refrigerator. For optimal sweetness, eat cold.
Notes
- If you have pears on hand, you can do a mix of apples and pears in this recipe.
- If your kids don’t like cinnamon or raisins, just leave them out.
- Store the applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Or, you can freeze any leftovers for up to 2 months. Defrost before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Crockpot
- Cuisine: Healthy
- Diet: Vegan
Keywords: how to make applesauce in the crockpot, sugar free applesauce, slow cooker applesauce recipe
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I absolutely love this no sugar added version of applesauce. Great idea and definitely something that I will make this season. I have apples in my pantry that I need to use. Can’t wait to make this!
oh this looks lovely! I don’t use my corockpot as often as I’d like and this looks like the perfect recipe to get going, also love that its sugar free!
★★★★★
I was so pleased with how wonderful this recipe came out. The kids loved it and I loved that they were not consuming all that sugar. Saved this recipe to make again!
★★★★★
I never knew applesauce was so easy to make! I love Fuji apples and agree they’d provide the perfect sweetness here without added sugar.
★★★★★
Love how easy this is! Perfect to just leave it to get on with things, and make while all those great apples are in season.
★★★★★
One of my favorite healthy recipes for fall!
★★★★★
I agree, it’s easy to prepare and looks so yummy!
Thanks Carrie for this great recipe!
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