This classic homemade applesauce will make your kitchen smell like fall. It uses just four ingredients, takes about 30 minutes, and tastes way better than anything from a jar. Kids can help with every step except the stove work.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ingredients
- 5-6 medium apples (any variety, or mix a few kinds for more flavor)
- 3/4 cup water
- 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1-3 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste)
Allergy notes: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and egg-free. It’s safe for most common food allergies.
Substitutions:
- No sugar? Use honey or maple syrup instead (about the same amount). For a no-added-sugar version, use sweet apple varieties like Fuji or Gala and skip the sugar entirely.
- Want it chunky? Mash less in step 3. Want it silky smooth? Use a blender or food processor instead of a potato masher.
- Try different spices: a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or ginger alongside the cinnamon adds warmth.
Steps
- Wash and peel the apples. Rinse all the apples under running water. Peel off the skin with a vegetable peeler.
- Core and chop. Cut the apples into quarters, remove the cores and seeds, then cut the quarters into small pieces about the size of ice cubes. Smaller pieces cook faster and mash more easily.
- Cook the apples. Put the apple pieces and water into a medium saucepan. Cover with a lid and simmer over medium heat for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. The apples are done when they’re soft and falling apart.
- Cool slightly. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the apples cool for a few minutes until they’re safe to handle.
- Mash it up. Use a potato masher to mash the cooked apples to your preferred texture. Mash a lot for smooth applesauce, or just a little for a chunkier version.
- Season and taste. Stir in cinnamon and sugar. Start with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of sugar, then taste and add more until it’s just right for you.
- Serve or store. Eat it warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Grownup help needed: Steps 1-2 (peeling and cutting with a knife) and step 3 (stovetop cooking) require adult hands. Kids can help wash apples, mash the cooked apples, stir in spices, and do the most important job: taste testing.
