Make your own applesauce the easy way with this easy homemade crockpot applesauce recipe for kids! Just four simple ingredients and your slow cooker is all you need for this naturally sweet applesauce made with fresh apples! Use in baking or eat as a healthy snack!
Want this recipe sent to you?
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later! (Check your spam if you have Gmail!)
Jump to:
Why You Should Make This Easy Crockpot Applesauce
- This crockpot applesauce recipe can be made as an unsweetened applesauce using only fresh in-season apples for younger children.
- A healthy snack for kids that is naturally sweetened with just maple syrup.
- Can also be made unsweetened and without cinnamon.
- This easy recipe has only 4 simple ingredients!
- The smooth applesauce texture is great for picky eaters!
- Makes a great kid-friendly and easy side dish for holiday dinners.
- This slow cooker applesauce recipe is a great way to use up lots of fresh apples from apple picking from the apple orchard! Just like some of our other favorite apple recipes like apple nachos, apple crisp with granola, air fryer apple fritters, cake mix apple cobbler, or low sugar apple pie!
- Make a big batch to use in some of our baking recipes with applesauce like apple cider donut holes, mini pumpkin muffins, eggless brownies, no egg pumpkin bread, or zucchini bread with applesauce.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Fresh and sweet apples: If you are making this crockpot applesauce recipe for babies, you can use just apples. I used gala apples, however, you can use other apple varieties such as Red Delicious, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp apples, Golden Delicious, or whichever kind of apples are available to you during apple season.
- Fresh lemon juice helps to keep the apples from turning brown and balances out the sweetness of the crockpot applesauce.
- Maple syrup or a little brown sugar is added for sweetness. For a less sweet crock pot applesauce with no added sugar, omit the maple syrup.
- Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice adds a delicious and warm fall flavor.
How to Make This Crockpot Applesauce Recipe
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe with the best results. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
- Use a vegetable peeler to peel the washed outer skin of the apples. Use an apple corer to easily get the cores out. Dice the apples into small pieces.
- Add the diced apples to the slow cooker. Add a little water to the pot.
- Sprinkle cinnamon over the top of the apples. Stir in the maple syrup and mix with a wooden spoon.
- Slow cook the apple mixture for 4-6 hours on low heat. Once the apples are cooked, allow them to cool to room temperature. Use an immersion blender or standard blender to blend the cooked apples until smooth. For a more chunky applesauce, use a potato masher to mash the apples and leave larger chunks.
Expert Tips
- Consult your physician before making this crockpot applesauce recipe if you have concerns about making it for younger children, allergies, or any other concerns. I am not a nutritionist, doctor, or health professional and have made this recipe for my own family, not to give medical advice or diagnose any condition.
- Follow the recipe card as written for the best results.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container like a mason jar in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To freeze, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- If using tart apples, like granny smith apples, do not omit sweetener.
- Top with a cinnamon stick for a fun and fancy presentation.
Recipe FAQs
According to Healthline, crockpot applesauce has few ingredients and is easy to make for a delicious and healthy fruit serving for kids.
This is a non-chunky applesauce recipe that I make for my picky eaters. It is meant to be made without chunks.
For a more chunky applesauce recipe, do not use a blender or an immersion blender for more than a few pulses. This will leave larger, more chunky applesauce.
According to Healthline, babies older than 6 months can have cinnamon.
Other Apple Recipes to Try!
If you've made this recipe, would you please leave a star rating and comment below on the recipe card? If you want more simple + delicious eats, please subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for the latest updates.
Delicious Homemade Applesauce in the Crockpot (Kid-Friendly)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 medium apples
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup maple syrup more for sweeter or omit for unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Wash the outside skin of the apples and use a vegetable peeler to remove the outside skin.8 medium apples
- Remove the core and dice apples into small ½-inch cube sizes. Add diced apples to the crock pot dish and cover with ½ cup water. Sprinkle cinnamon, add lemon juice and maple syrup, and then stir gently to incorporate.½ cup water, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ cup maple syrup, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Slow cook the crockpot applesauce for 4 hours or until the apples are soft. Allow the applesauce to cool to room temperature. Use an immersion blender to blend the mixture to the desired texture.
Notes
Want this recipe sent to you?
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later! (Check your spam if you have Gmail!)
Leave a Reply