This homemade unsweetened applesauce recipe is made with 5 ingredients and could not be simpler. It's ready in around 30 minutes and you'll know exactly what's going into it.
Plus, it's super versatile- perfect for baking up some sweet treats, adding depth to savory dishes or simply enjoying it as a sweet, wholesome treat.
If you're always relied on store-bought applesauce, you're in for a delightful surprise. Making your own applesauce, without any added sugar is incredibly easy and a great way to use up extra apples. It makes a fantastic healthy snack all on its own and goes so well with sweet and savory dishes.
Personally, I love creating sweet dishes with this sugar-free applesauce such as my Applesauce Oatmeal, crunchy Applesauce Granola, fluffy Vegan Applesauce Pancakes or Banana Applesauce Muffins to name a few. However, the possibilities are endless really, with a few more mentioned just below.
Ways to use applesauce
- Moisture booster: Substitute this delicious applesauce for part or all of the sugar or fat (like butter or oil) in your baking recipes. It adds moisture to muffins, cakes, and brownies without the need for excessive sugar or unhealthy fats.
- On-the-go: Pack small containers of unsweetened applesauce in your lunchbox or as a snack. It acts as a quick and wholesome energy booster. It is an excellent alternative to sugary snacks when you need a sweet fix.
- Smoothies: Blend this applesauce into your morning smoothie. It adds natural sweetness and a velvety texture while providing extra fiber and vitamins. Pair it with yogurt, spinach, and a sprinkle of cinnamon!
- Oatmeal: Instead of sugar or syrup, top your morning oatmeal with a dollop of unsweetened applesauce. It sweetens your oats and adds a fruity flavor and creaminess.
- Waffles and pancakes: Use unsweetened applesauce as a topping for waffles and pancakes. It complements their crispy texture and can replace or complement traditional syrups.
- Fruit and veggie dip: Combine some applesauce with a touch of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of cinnamon to create a healthy dip for fresh fruit slices or carrot sticks. It is a kid-friendly way to encourage more fruit and veggies, too.
- Marinades and sauces: Mix some applesauce into your homemade marinades for vegan "meats" or tofu. It's natural acidity and sweetness can tenderize and flavor your proteins.
- Stir-fries: Use it as a base for stir-fry sauces. Combine it with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a touch of vinegar.
Recipes with unsweetened applesauce
Applesauce in an incredibly versatile ingredient and can be used as a snack, in sweet treats like muffins or pancakes or use alongside savory dishes as sauces or dips. Below you'll find some of my favorite recipes:
- Pancakes: I created these Vegan Applesauce Pancakes using homemade unsweetened applesauce.
- Muffins: Applesauce can be used to replace oil in baking recipes such as in my Banana Applesauce Muffins.
- Oatmeal: Or create some cozy fall flavors in my warm Applesauce Oatmeal or as a yogurt replacement in my Overnight Oats without Yogurt.
- Chia Pudding: Check out my Apple Chia Pudding that also asks for unsweetened applesauce.
- Granola: use it make Applesauce Granola.
- Topping: Try is as a topping on my No-Milk Waffles, Almond Milk French Toast or Soufflee Pancakes (without baking powder).
Ingredients & substitution notes
- Apples: Choose a mix of fresh apples such as Fuji, Granny Smith apples, Pink Lady apples, Honeycrisp, or gala. I don't recommend making this recipe with canned or bottled apples; other than that, any kind of apples will work.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice adds a tangy and bright flavor to your natural applesauce. You'll need 2 tablespoons, which is typically around half a lemon. Adjust the amount to your taste preference.
- Ground cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is the perfect spice to enhance the natural sweetness of the apples. Remember that it is easier to add more later if needed, so start with the recommended amount and taste as you go.
- Orange peel: Adding fresh orange peel is optional. I love that it adds a citrus aroma and warm flavor to the applesauce. Be sure to use an organic orange and wash the orange thoroughly before zesting to remove any wax.
See recipe card for quantities.
Best apples for applesauce without sugar
- Honeycrisp: Honeycrisp apples are known for their sweet and slightly tart taste. They have a juicy, crisp texture. Their juiciness also helps create a smooth consistency.
- Fuji: These apples are sweet and crisp, with a blend of sweetness and mild tartness. They have a dense, crunchy flesh.
- Gala apples: These are known for their mild sweetness and subtle hints of pear-like flavor. These are a great choice if you prefer a milder, less tangy applesauce.
- Granny Smith: They have bright green skin and are tart and tangy, crisp and firm. I love using them in combination with sweeter ones.
- Pink Lady: These have a complex flavor profile that includes notes of citrus and floral undertones. They have a thin, pinkish skin.
- Jonagold: They combine Golden Delicious's sweetness with Jonathan apples' tartness. They are sweet, juicy, and aromatic.
How to make unsweetened applesauce
STEP 1: Prepare the apples by washing, peeling, and coring them.
STEP 2: Chop them into small cubes.
STEP 3: Place the ingredients into a large pot or saucepan together with the other ingredients.
STEP 4: Cover with a lid and bring the liquid to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
STEP 5: Once the apples are soft, remove the orange peel. If you prefer a chunky applesauce, mash them with a fork or a potato masher.
Or, for a smoother texture blend with a blender (immersion or regular).
Top tips
- Use a variety of apples: The secret to a delicious applesauce is using different types of apples. Combining sweet and tart apple varieties adds complexity and depth in flavor. Experiment with different combinations to find your preferred flavor balance.
- Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter applesauce, you can add a touch of honey or sugar. Start with a small amount, taste, and add more if needed.
- Adjust consistency: Tailor the texture of your applesauce to your liking. If you prefer a chunkier applesauce, use a fork or potato masher to mash the cooked apples to your desired consistency. For a silky-smooth texture (my favorite!), blend with an immersion blender or transfer the cooled apples to a regular blender or food processor.
- Adjust water, but don't overdo it: Be cautious when adding water to your applesauce. Start with about half a cup and only increase a little bit if necessary. The amount of water required depends on the juiciness of the apples and your desired consistency.
- Add spices of choice: Customize your unsweetened applesauce with your favorite spices.
- Cool before storing: Let your freshly made applesauce cool to room temperature before transferring it to storage containers.
Variations
Here is a list of ways and ideas to vary your apple sauce:
- Sweeter: Increase the sweetness by adding some granulated sweetener of choice.
- Apple juice: You could use unsweetened apple juice instead of plain water. This is, of course, a personal preference.
- Spiced: Enhance your applesauce with various warm spices such as nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Pumpkin pie spice is a great idea, too. You can also add cinnamon sticks while the mixture is boiling. Just remember to remove them before blending.
- Berry-infused: Blend in fresh or frozen berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries.
- Caramelized: Create a rich variation by caramelizing the apples with a touch of butter or coconut oil and a hint of brown sugar before adding the water.
- Vanilla: Use a good quality vanilla extract to enhance the natural sweetness.
- Tropical fusion: Blend in some fresh mango. So good!
Storage
- To store: To store unsweetened applesauce, ensure it has cooled to room temperature. Then, transfer it into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- To freeze: Transfer cool applesauce to a freezer-friendly container leaving some space at the top to accommodate any expansion during freezing. Freeze for up to 3 months.
FAQ
Peeling the apples will result in a smoother, more refined texture in your applesauce. However, leaving the peels on adds extra nutrients and a slightly rustic texture. If you choose not to peel, make sure to wash the apples thoroughly to remove any dirt or pesticides.
Yes, you can can unsweetened applesauce! Canning is a great way to preserve homemade applesauce for long-term storage.
Absolutely! Use ⅓ instead of half a cup of water. Close the lid and move the steam release valve to the sealing position. Cook at high pressure for 6 minutes. Then quick release and either mash with a potato masher or let cool and blend.
More apple recipes
📖 Recipe
Unsweetened Applesauce Recipe
Equipment
- 1 cutting board + knife
- 1 apple peeler
- 1 large pot
- 1 potato masher/ fork or immersion blender
- 1 apple corer (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (1 kg) apples *around 6 apples, use a variety
- ½ cup (115 ml) water
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- orange peel *optional but recommended
Instructions
- Wash, peel and core the apples. Then chop them into small cubes (see step-by-step photos or video).2 pounds apples
- Place the chopped apples in a large saucepan together with all the other ingredients.½ cup water, 2 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, orange peel
- Cover the saucepan with a lid and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let simmer on low for 15-20 minutes or until apples are soft. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Once the apples are soft you can mash them with a potato masher or fork for a chunkier consistency or for a smoother texture let the apples cool and blend an immersion blender or regular blender.
- Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary. This is an unsweetened applesauce recipe so feel free to add some granulated sweetener of choice if you prefer a sweeter applesauce.
Video
Notes
-
- Use a variety of apples: The secret to a delicious applesauce is using different types of apples. Combining sweet and tart apple varieties adds complexity and depth in flavor.
- Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter applesauce, you can add a touch of honey or sugar. Start with a small amount, taste, and add more if needed.
- Adjust consistency: Tailor the texture of your applesauce to your liking.
- Adjust water, but don't overdo it: Be cautious when adding water to your applesauce. Start with about half a cup and only increase a little bit if necessary. The amount of water required depends on the juiciness of the apples and your desired consistency.
- Can I make this applesauce in an instant pot? Absolutely! Use ⅓ instead of half a cup of water. Close the lid and move the steam release valve to the sealing position. Cook at high pressure for 6 minutes. Then quick release and either mash with a potato masher or let cool and blend.
Leave a Reply