Last Updated on June 20, 2023

This Crockpot Applesauce is the easiest zero waste recipe out there! Naturally sweetened with honey and with a perfect texture, make this homemade Crockpot applesauce better than anything you can buy at the store!

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, this crockpot applesauce recipe is what I came up with.

slow cooker applesauce

I’m not entirely sure what type of apples they are. They remind me of Granny Smiths in flavor. 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! I make my applesauce in the crockpot, and it is sooooo easy.

It’s a perfect way to use up slightly soft apples that have been on the tree a few days too long.

This homemade crockpot applesauce recipe is incredibly forgiving. You can use as many apples as you’d like.

why you’ll love this crockpot applesauce recipe

• This recipe is super forgiving, with plenty of room for customization.
• Sweetened with honey and cinnamon, this slow cooker applesauce isn’t too sweet.
• Making applesauce in the crockpot is a no-fuss, easy way to make applesauce without all of the over-packaging from the grocery store!

homemade crockpot applesauce ingredients:

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

how to make applesauce in the crockpot

step 1: prepare apples

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!

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!

how long does this applesauce store for?

Crockpot applesauce will keep in the fridge for 7-10 days. 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?