Homemade Applesauce

Yumna Jawad

Updated Jan 09, 2026

5 from 13 votes

Homemade applesauce using apples, water, brown sugar, and spices. An easy recipe made on the stovetop with no special equipment.

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
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2

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How to Make Applesauce.
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Homemade Applesauce Is Soo Good!

My kids go through a lot of applesauce, and once I started making it at home, I stopped buying it. It’s just apples cooked down with a little water, brown sugar, and warm spices, then mashed to whatever texture you like. I make this when I want something simple that I know they’ll actually eat. It’s straightforward, not overly sweet, and tastes like apples instead of something processed.

Happy Cooking!
– Yumna

Homemade Apple Sauce Ingredients

Ingredients to make the recipe
  • Apples: Use what you have and like (except Red Delicious and their cousins like Envy apples. They do not cook down well.) Go tart with with Granny Smith or sweet with Galas.
  • Sugar: Any type of granular sugar, white, brown, or cane sugar, will do. Honey or maple syrup can sub in, too.
  • Spices: Cinnamon is the classic. Simmer with a stick or about ½ teaspoon of ground spice. Or try any warm spice, like pumpkin spice mix, nutmeg, or cardamon.
  • Water: Swap for apple juice or cider, if desired!

How to Make Homemade Apple Sauce

Step 1: Peel the apples, then cut in half. Core using spoon, melon baller or corer.
Step 2: Chop into small-ish pieces.

Cook the Apples

Step 1: Place all your ingredients into a medium sauce pan.
Step 2: Stir to mix well.
Step 3: Cover and bring to a boil then reduce to simmer.
Step 4: The sauce is ready when the apples are soft and can easily be pierced with a knife.

Applesauce Recipe

Author: Yumna Jawad
5 from 13 votes
Homemade applesauce made with fresh apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. A simple stovetop recipe mashed to your preferred texture.
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Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings4 servings
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Ingredients
  

Instructions

  • Peel the apple skin, cut in half, then remove the core and chop.
  • Place all of your ingredients into a sauce pot and bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes or until the apples are soft.
  • Allow the mixture to cool, then mash with a fork and enjoy.

Notes

  • My Top Tip: Use the Instant Pot. To make applesauce in an Instant Pot, toss in all the ingredients as usual. Set it to manual mode, high pressure, for about 8 minutes. Once done, allow for a natural pressure release. Mash or blend, and you’re good to go.
  • Storage: Store in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 10 days. For longer term storage it can be frozen for up to 3 months.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 148kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 8mg, Potassium: 215mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 32g, Vitamin A: 99IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Did You Make This Recipe?
Leave a comment below!
  • Mix apple types or add additional fruit. For a more complex flavor, use a mix of apple types. Something tart like Granny Smith combined with something sweet like Gala can give your applesauce a unique twist. You can also use half pears for an interesting flavor combo. If you like tart flavors, try adding ¼ cup of fresh cranberries for a sweet and tart sauce.
  • Layer the flavor. For a slightly more flavor, add 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger. Or, add brightness with the juice and zest of one lemon or orange.
  • Add apple cider. For an extra apple punch, replace half of the water with apple cider. It amplifies the apple flavor and adds a bright tangy note.
  • Make it chunky or smooth. If you prefer chunkier applesauce, just mash it less. For a smoother sauce, cook the apples a bit longer and give them a good mix using a food processor or a blender.

Recipe Tips

  1. Simmer slowly. This will bring out every last bit of natural sweetness.
  2. Let the sauce cool completely before storage. This will ensure it stays fresh as condensation can lead to spoiling.
  3. Add a pinch of salt. It may seem strange, but a small pinch of salt can enhance sweetness without adding sugar.
  4. Play with the texture. If you want a thicker sauce, cook with the lid off so all the excess moisture evaporates. If you want it thinner, cook with the lid slightly ajar.

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Homemade applesauce

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Comments

  1. Novellian says:

    From one Lebanese to another. Love your easy and very practical recipes. Keep up the great work!
    Thank you for all the recipes and the fun way you present them.

    Reply
    1. Yumna Jawad says:

      Thank you so much! I’ll keep them coming!

      Reply