Homemade Crockpot Applesauce recipe that uses maple syrup instead of sugar. This easy recipe uses 5 ingredients and is ready in 3 hours. Perfect for canning and freezing!
Who else gets VERY excited for Fall? Fall is the best season. The weather! The holidays! All things apple and pumpkin!
After a weekend of picking apples Upstate, I get so excited to start cooking with our apples. First I made Apple Pie Pancakes and Apple Chips, then I made a batch of Apple baby food to freeze, and then I took out my slow cooker! One of my favorite recipes is this Crockpot Applesauce because it’s delicious and easy to make – 2 of my favorite recipe traits!
This applesauce is one of those easy recipes where you just throw everything into your slow cooker and come back in a few hours. And a big bonus is that your house will smell like Fall! Is there anything better than the smell of apple and cinnamon? Yum!
What type of apples should I use?
Honestly, I’ve made this recipe with every type of apple you can think of and it always turns out delicious. Probably my favorite is Gala or Fuji, but any apple will work.
This recipe calls for 4 pounds of apples which is about 8-10 apples, depending on size. This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you want to stock up on applesauce. It’s both freezer and canning friendly for long term storage!
How to Make in Slow Cooker
Besides apples, you’ll also need maple syrup, cinnamon, water and lemon juice.
After you peel and core the apples, quarter them and place them in the crockpot. Then add in your maple syrup, cinnamon, water and lemon juice, stirring to combine everthing.
Cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6 hours. After this time the apples should be pretty soft, so you can just mash them up with a spoon or potato masher. You can also add them to your food processor if you really want it to be easy!
And just like that you have delicious applesauce ready to be eaten! This can be canned or frozen. I prefer freezing my applesauce in glass jars or freezer bags.
TIP: Use this applesauce to make Applesauce Brownie Bars!
Unsweetened Applesauce
Some applesauce recipes call for sugar, but I prefer maple syrup for a more rich taste. I consider this applesauce more of a “dessert treat” so that’s why I add a little bit of sweetness to this recipe.
If you want completely unsweetened applesauce, you can just skip the maple syrup. It’ll taste just like the unsweetened applesauce that you buy in the store.
I hope you enjoy this Homemade Crockpot Applesauce as much as I do! Make sure to check out my other apple recipes! Happy Fall everyone!
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Homemade Crockpot Applesauce Recipe
PrintIngredients
- 4 pounds apples (any variety)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Peel and core apples. Cut into quarters, and place into crockpot.
- Add maple syrup, cinnamon, water and lemon juice into crockpot, stirring to combine all ingredients.
- Cook on HIGH for 3 hours, or LOW for 6 hours.
- Once done, use a spoon or potato masher to mash them up. They should be very soft so this shouldn't take much more work.
- Enjoy immediately, or freeze or can for later storage.
Kelly says
Thanks for sharing this recipe. Great way to utilize my Apple stock pile. Simple, and delicious. Best is the crockpot does all the work!!
Eleanr says
It is not sugar-free, maple syrup is sugar. However it is a great recipe.
Diane says
4 pounds of crabapples cored and sliced are how many cups?
Marisa says
Do you keep these in the fridge after you can them.
Pamela says
If you are canning the applesauce, you don’t need to refrigerate. But if you aren’t canning, you should keep in the fridge. Hope this helps!
krista harvey says
I am wondering if you could can this applesauce?
Pamela says
Absolutely!
Emily says
Looks great! Thanks for sharing with the Delicious Dishes Recipe party this week!
Lori says
Hi Pamela, I love how easy this is!! What a terrific recipe.
Would you consider sharing this at our weekly Dishing It & Digging It Link Party? We are live every Sunday @ 4pm. We’d love to see all your creative recipes and projects.
http://www.thestonybrookhouse.com/2016/10/dishing-it-digging-it-link-party-117.html
Pam says
Mmm, I’ve never made applesauce in my slow cooker. I think I need to do this! Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty.
Ashley says
Can I tell you how much I love that you don’t have to peel the apples???? haha I HATE peeling apples! This sounds wonderful!
Pamela says
Hahaha me too Ashley!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I just picked apples so this is perfect timing! Love this applesauce!
Alishia says
Love your site!
[email protected]'s Recipes says
Maple syrup must have given this slow cooker applesauce some extra flavour and texture!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
I’ve made plenty of applesauce before, but never with maple syrup! I think you’re on to something yummy!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
You know what? I do actually have these ingredients! Yay! Love that you used maple syrup here 🙂 What a perfect sauce for all those delicious comfort food Fall dishes. I bet this would also be awesome on ice-cream!
Tyane Milem says
I love doing crock pot applesauce!! I never thought to try maple syrup in it, instead of brown sugar and/or honey. This is going on my fall recipe list!