Slow Cooker Applesauce – Going Zero Waste

Last Updated on November 13, 2024

Slow cooker applesauce has a delightful texture and the perfect amount of natural sweetness thanks to the addition of honey. Best of all, this recipe only requires a few minutes of prep before leaving it to simmer to perfection.

Skip the store-bought plastic packaging and make your own applesauce at home! This crockpot applesauce recipe is a simple but tasty zero waste snack that’s easy to whip up with just a few ingredients. Whenever you make slow cooker applesauce, you can also use the peels and cores to make apple cider vinegar. The result is a satisfying sweet treat — and nothing goes to waste!

the best crockpot applesauce

I recently moved into a new place — check out my zero waste / minimal-ish home tour — and we have an apple tree and a fig tree in the backyard.

The apple tree has produced about 60 apples so far, and I’m trying to use them all up in the tastiest and most delicious ways while preventing any of them from going to waste!

Eventually, I came up with this recipe for slow cooker applesauce.

slow cooker applesauce

I’m not entirely sure what type of apples they are. Their flavor reminds me of Granny Smiths. They’re tart and sour (my preferred kind of apple!), but they seem to have a mix of colors.

They can be slightly red on one side, or kind of yellow, and sometimes they’re the classic Granny Smith color. I think they might be McIntosh apples, which are also known for being tart.

One of my favorite ways to use up the apples this season has been homemade applesauce! It’s the perfect way to use up slightly soft apples that have been on the tree a few days too long.

I make my applesauce in the crockpot, and it is so easy.

Seriously, the only hard part about this crockpot applesauce recipe is waiting patiently for it to finish cooking! I promise the 6 hour wait will be worth it though.

why you’ll love this recipe for slow cooker applesauce

• Apples are good for your health! They’re packed with fiber and plenty of antioxidants.
• Sweetened with honey and cinnamon, this slow cooker applesauce isn’t too sweet.
• Using a crockpot is a no-fuss, easy way to make applesauce without all of the over-packaging from the grocery store!

homemade crockpot applesauce recipe ingredients

• apples, cubed
• water
• salt
• lemon juice
• 2-3 cinnamon sticks
• honey

how to make applesauce in the crockpot

step 1: prepare apples

You can use as many apples as you like for this slow cooker applesauce recipe. The first thing I do is peel all of the apples, quarter them, and cut them into cubes — around 2″ in length.

Save the peels and apple cores! You can make apple cider vinegar with them, so nothing goes to waste!

step 2: season apples

Place the apples in the crockpot and add about a cup of water. You don’t want to cover the apples in water — just a couple of inches from the bottom to help them break down.

Add in a pinch of salt, the juice of one lemon, and 2-3 cinnamon sticks.

step 3: cook

Let your crockpot applesauce cook for about 6 hours, stirring occasionally.

I like my applesauce to have a little bit of texture, so this is perfect for me. If you prefer your slow cooker applesauce to be a totally smooth puree, then you can blend it. Just remove the cinnamon sticks first!

At the end, I like to taste it for sweetness. If it needs any sweetener, I add honey. I also serve it with a generous portion of ground cinnamon for extra flavor!

slow cooker applesauce recipe variations

This recipe is super forgiving, with plenty of room for customization. Try adding your favorite mix-ins like raisins or dried fruit. Maple syrup and agave nectar are other alternatives that can be used instead of honey too.

faqs

why do you add lemon juice to homemade applesauce?

This crockpot applesauce recipe calls for lemon juice because it brightens the flavor and acts as a natural preservative!

is applesauce better warm or cold?

You can enjoy this slow cooker applesauce recipe warm or cold! It really depends on your personal preference. Warm applesauce is so comforting, but cold applesauce is refreshing too. Leftover applesauce can be reheated to your desired temperature.

how long does slow cooker applesauce store for?

Crockpot applesauce will keep in the fridge for 7-10 days. I recommend storing it in an airtight container like a mason jar to keep it fresh. You can also freeze it, or even can it, if you’re looking for longer-term storage.

I’m super excited to be sharing more recipes with you this week! What are some of your favorite ways to eat apples?