Homemade Applesauce

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Making your own homemade applesauce is one of the simplest kitchen pleasures that delivers big rewards. With just a few fresh apples, a splash of water, and your favorite touch of sweetness or spice, you can create a cozy, naturally sweet side that beats any store-bought version. It’s smooth, comforting, and incredibly versatile—perfect served warm with pork chops, spooned over pancakes, or simply enjoyed on its own.

Whether you’re after a chunky texture or silky smooth consistency, this homemade applesauce recipe can be tailored to your liking. It also makes a fantastic snack for kids, a wholesome baking substitute, or a base for other creations like apple butter. Once you make it yourself, it’ll be hard to go back to the jarred version.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Applesauce

There’s something truly heartwarming about the aroma of apples simmering on the stove. This applesauce recipe is easy enough for beginners and flexible enough to make your own. You can adjust the level of sweetness, add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or keep it plain and simple. It freezes beautifully and makes the most of apples that are just past their prime. Plus, it’s a much healthier alternative to the overly sweetened versions you often find on the shelves.

What Kind of Apples Should I Use?

You can use a single apple variety or mix and match for deeper flavor. Tart apples like Granny Smith bring a refreshing bite, while sweeter types such as Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp add natural sugars and floral notes. If you prefer a more traditional flavor, Golden Delicious is always a safe choice. For a more robust applesauce, combining tart and sweet apples is the way to go. Feel free to experiment with whatever you have on hand—the recipe is forgiving and always turns out tasty.

Ingredients for the Homemade Applesauce

All you need are a few humble ingredients to create a warm batch of applesauce. It doesn’t get easier than this.

Apples
Choose a mix of sweet and tart apples for balance. Around 3 pounds will yield about 4 cups of sauce.

Water
Used for simmering. Keeps the apples from sticking and helps them soften evenly.

Lemon Juice
Brightens the flavor and helps maintain that pretty golden color.

Sugar (optional)
Depending on your apple choice, you might not need any sugar at all. Taste as you go.

Cinnamon (optional)
Adds warmth and spice. A teaspoon is plenty, but you can always add more if you like.

How To Make the Homemade Applesauce

Step 1: Prep the Apples

Peel, core, and chop the apples into chunks. Uniform pieces will cook more evenly, but don’t stress too much about size.

Step 2: Simmer Gently

Add the apples to a large pot with water, lemon juice, and optional sugar and cinnamon. Cover and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Let it cook for about 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft and breaking apart.

Step 3: Mash or Blend

Use a potato masher for chunky applesauce, or an immersion blender for a smoother texture. You can also transfer the applesauce to a blender in batches—just let it cool slightly first.

Step 4: Taste and Adjust

Once blended to your desired consistency, give it a taste. Add more cinnamon or a touch of sugar if needed.

Step 5: Cool and Store

Let the applesauce cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. It can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to three months.

How to Serve and Store Homemade Applesauce

This recipe makes around 4 cups of applesauce, which serves 6 to 8 people as a side dish or snack. It’s best served slightly warm or chilled, depending on your preference. Store it in glass jars or BPA-free plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Homemade applesauce keeps well in the fridge for 5 to 7 days. If you’d like to enjoy it longer, freezing is a great option. Just be sure to leave room in your container for expansion.

What to Serve With Applesauce?

Pork Chops

A classic combo that never fails. The sweet applesauce cuts through savory, juicy pork.

Potato Pancakes

Crispy latkes meet their perfect match with a dollop of applesauce on top.

Oatmeal or Overnight Oats

Swirl in a spoonful for a burst of fruity flavor and natural sweetness.

Yogurt Bowls

Applesauce adds texture and taste to Greek yogurt or plant-based alternatives.

Pancakes or Waffles

Use it as a topping instead of syrup for a healthier breakfast treat.

Roast Chicken

Serve applesauce on the side for a homey, comforting twist.

Cottage Cheese

A spoonful on cottage cheese makes a simple high-protein snack.

Cheese Boards

Add a small bowl of applesauce to your charcuterie for a sweet contrast to sharp cheeses.

Want More Comforting Side Dish Ideas?

If you loved this applesauce, you might want to try a few of these comforting and flavorful side dishes too:

• Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe
• Stovetop Creamy Ground Beef Pasta
• Cheesesteak Tortellini in Rich Provolone Sauce
• Creamy Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta
• One Pot Smoked Sausage Pasta

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest board so you can find it again when you need a cozy side or snack.

Let me know if you tried it plain or added cinnamon. Did you blend it super smooth or leave it chunky? I’d love to hear how you made this recipe your own.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks and daily recipe ideas on Mia Recipes on Pinterest and discover your new go-to comfort bites!

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