I really, really like homemade applesauce. And so do my kids. For years I labored under the delusion that it was hard to make, but now I know the truth! I’ll share my tips and tricks for quickly making delicious fresh applesauce on the stovetop with only minutes of preparation.
Easy Homemade Applesauce Tips & Notes
- Get a Food Mill!: My secret to easy homemade applesauce is a food mill! You don’t have to worry about peeling or coring, and the texture comes out perfectly every time. It’s a truly fuss-free way to make applesauce.
- Consider the Color: With a food mill, you can leave the skins on the apples. When cooked with the skin, the applesauce takes on some of the skin hue. I like the way redder apple skins turn the applesauce pink.
- Don’t Be Picky: Fancy Granny Smith apples can be too tart and expensive. I choose whichever apples are most in season and on sale. Golden Delicious, McIntosh, and Gravenstein have a great flavor balance, while Fuji, Gala, and Honeycrisp have a delightful sweetness that pairs well with the squeeze of lemon juice.
- If Possible, Choose Organic: If they aren’t too pricey, and you are using a food mill, organic apples are a good choice. Since you’re cooking the apples with the skins on, it can make a difference. But washing the apples helps, too. If I plan to peel the apples, conventional is fine.
- Works in Recipes: Applesauce is not only a delicious snack, it’s also great for dairy-free recipes. I sometimes use half applesauce and half oil in place of butter in baked goods like muffins or quick bread. It’s also perfect for applesauce-centric recipes, like dairy-free Applesauce Cookies, Applesauce Cake, and Applesauce Pancakes.
- Freeze it for Later: Applesauce does freeze well. You can freeze it into cubes for portions, or simply in a freezer-safe plastic bag or container. Just be sure to leave some space at it will expand a little once frozen.
Special Diet Notes: Homemade Applesauce
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, vegetarian, oil-free, and allergy-friendly.
Easy Homemade Applesauce
My recipe is flexible, because the additions really depend on the flavor of your apples and your personal taste.
Ingredients
Method
- Wash the apples and cut them into chunks.
- Put the apple chunks in a pan with enough water to just cover the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer the apples, covered, for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the apples are soft.
- Run the apples through a food mill over a clean bowl.
- Discard the seeds and peels left in the mill.
- Taste the applesauce. If it needs more sweetness, stir in the dark brown sugar. If it isn't tart or bright enough, stir in a squeeze of lemon juice.
- For cinnamon applesauce, you can stir the cinnamon in or sprinkle it over each serving.
- Let your homemade applesauce cool completely, and then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 to 10 days.
Nutrition
Notes
Apple Type: We’re looking for middle-of-the-road apples here. Not Delicious, not Granny Smith. Just whatever is growing locally right now.
No Food Mill? If you don't have a food mill, you'll need to peel and core the apples before you cook them. Once cooked, mash the apples with a potato masher until lightly chunky or relatively smooth. The texture is your choice.
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