• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Cozy Fall Recipes
  • Start Here
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe

Season & Thyme logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Cozy Fall Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Social
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » snacks » Homemade Unsweetened Applesauce (no sugar added)

    Published: Oct 11, 2022 · Modified: Sep 19, 2023 by Sarah Baumeister · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Homemade Unsweetened Applesauce (no sugar added)

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Sweet and tangy, homemade unsweetened applesauce recipe with just one ingredient is a delight all year round, and the perfect fall treat! This easy homemade applesauce is better than store bought (by a mile!).

    homemade applesauce in dutch oven with apples scattered around.

    Maybe you're like me, once September or October roll around, it's apple picking time! We have already made it out to the orchard this year-- and have more than our share of apples to eat.

    Homemade applesauce is the perfect way to use up lots of fresh apples. Similar to baking with overripe bananas in banana muffins or banana bread, you can even use apples that are a little past their prime. While they may not be good for eating out of hand, they will work just fine for sauce.

    You may see other applesauce recipes that have added sugar, and you can if you would like! Depending on the time of year and apple variety, the apples will probably be sweet enough without it. This is a great healthy applesauce recipe, because all it has in it is apples! I love being able to taste the fruit without any additives. For more apple recipes, try homemade apple cider muffins and apricot apple rose tart.

    Jump to:
    • Apple varieties best for sauce
    • Ingredients
    • How to make homemade applesauce
    • Recipe Tips
    • Ways to flavor homemade applesauce
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Homemade Unsweetened Applesauce (no added sugar)
    finished homemade applesauce in a white bowl.

    Apple varieties best for sauce

    Sweet apples for sauce

    • Golden Delicious Apples
    • Fuji Apples
    • Honeycrisp Apples
    • McIntosh Apples
    • Jonagold Apples
    • Granny Smith Apples
    • Sansa
    • Gala

    Tart apples for sauce

    • Jonathan Apples
    • Cortland Apples
    • Jonamac

    Ingredients

    ingredient for unsweetened applesauce.
    • apples
    • water (optional)

    How to make homemade applesauce

    three apples being peeled on a cutting board.

    Step 1. Peel apples and slice around the core

    peeled and sliced apples on a green cutting board.

    Step 2. Cut into big chunks.

    peeled, sliced, and quartered apples in a white bowl.

    Step 3. Repeat until all apples are peeled and sliced.

    raw apples in a dutch oven.

    Step 4. Add apples and water to a large pot and bring to a boil.

    peeled and cooked apples in a pot.

    Step 5. Cook for 15-20 minutes, until apples are soft.

    immersion blender blending homemade applesauce in a pot.

    Step 6. Mash or puree to your desired thickness. I use an immersion blender for a very smooth applesauce. A regular blender can also be used, you just have to work in stages.

    close up of applesauce that has been pureed.

    Recipe Tips

    • Use a variety of apples for best flavor. Truly any apples will work for this recipe and it will come out delicious! I like to use a nice variety of sweet and tart apples.
    • You don't have to peel your apples if you don't want to. Want to make this recipe even easier? Simply wash and chop your apples without peeling them. By cooking them down, they will get very soft, including the skin. If you puree the applesauce with an immersion blender, you won't even notice the skin.
    • Apples will cook down a lot. Take this into consideration when deciding how many apples you want to peel and chop. The final product will be a lot less. If you are planning to can or freeze, you may want to double or triple the recipe.
    • Do not underestimate the time it will take to peel all the apples! That's the hardest part of making homemade applesauce. It's not difficult, just time consuming. Try pulling up an episode of your favorite tv show or calling up a friend and you will get it done in no time.
    no sugar added applesauce in a white dish with apples scattered around.

    Ways to flavor homemade applesauce

    • Add cinnamon. Try a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to start out and adjust as needed. You can add will the apples are cooking or after pureeing.
    • Add berries. Berries, like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, add a beautiful color and flavor to the sauce. Since berries are soft, add them in 5 minutes before the cook time is up so that they don't overcook. I like to add just a cup or two so as to not overpower the apples or mess with the texture.
    • Try a squeeze fresh lemon juice to the applesauce to brighten up the flavor.

    Recipe FAQs

    How do you puree applesauce?

    You have a few options here. You can simply use a potato masher. As long as the apples are soft enough, this works great. The more you mash-- the smoother your sauce. I prefer to use an immersion blender, as it works quickly for a very smooth sauce. A regular blender can also be used, you will just have to work in stages depending on the size of your machine. A food processor with also get the job done.

    How do you store homemade applesauce?

    Store fresh homemade applesauce in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Just make sure to keep it in an airtight container. Applesauce also freezes really well and will last for months that way.

    If you tried this Unsweetened Applesauce Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love to hear from you.

    unsweetened homemade applesauce in a dutch oven.

    Homemade Unsweetened Applesauce (no added sugar)

    Sarah Baumeister
    Sweet and tangy, homemade unsweetened applesauce is a delight all year round, and perfect for fall! Just 1 ingredients and no sugar added!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Kitchen Basics
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 118 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 lbs. apples peeled, sliced, and cored
    • ½ cup water

    Instructions
     

    • Peel apples and slice around the core, cutting into big chunks.
    • Add apples and water to a large pot and bring to a boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes, until apples are soft.
    • Mash or puree to your desired thickness. I use an immersion blender for a very smooth applesauce. A regular blender can also be used, you just have to work in stages.
    • Serve warm or chilled.

    Notes

    Use a variety of apples for best flavor. Truly any apples will work for this recipe and it will come out delicious! I like to use a nice variety of sweet and tart apples.
    Apples will cook down a lot. Take this into consideration when deciding how many apples you want to peel and chop. The final product will be a lot less. If you are planning to can or freeze, you may want to double or triple the recipe.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 118kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 1gSodium: 3mgFiber: 5gSugar: 24g
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More tasty homemade snacks

    • a plate of fried mozzarella balls that features a side of marinara and fresh basil.
      Fried Mozzarella Balls
    • 4 ingredient guacamole in a white bowl unmixed with limes in the background.
      4-Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
    • up close of one mini blueberry muffin on top of several muffins.
      Homemade Mini Blueberry Muffins
    • open faced egg sandwich featured
      Open-Faced Breakfast Sandwich

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Sarah! I am a wife, mother, and believer. I have been cooking since I could stand and am excited to share my love for being in the kitchen with all of you. You will find a variety of recipes here from healthy family dinners, to ways to prepare venison, to soups, to baked goods, we love it all!

    Learn more about me →

    Fall Favorites

    • bowl of mashed pumpkin next to pressure cooker.
      Instant Pot Pumpkin
    • overhead of pumpkin cheesecake cookies sprinkled with cinnamon.
      Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
    • Protein Pumpkin Muffins
    • one apple cider muffin on a wooden cutting board with apples in the background.
      Apple Cider Muffins
    • finished granola in a container on a wooden cutting board
      Brown Butter Cinnamon Granola
    • img 0899
      Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

    Popular Posts

    • Chicken Pastina with Egg
    • overhead of finished ranch dressing.
      Copycat Wingstop Ranch Recipe
    • thai eggplant curry featured
      Thai Eggplant Curry (and all about Thai eggplants)
    • featured image of fermented pickles without vinegar in a mason jar
      Fermented Pickles without Vinegar
    • bowl of mexican sopita with a spoon.
      Mexican Sopita (Sopa de Conchas)
    • finished burger on a plate
      Ninja Foodi Frozen Burgers (in Air Fryer)

    Season and Thyme has been featured in:

    image of brand logos of all the places Season and Thyme has been featured.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Copyright © 2023 Season and Thyme