Who knew that making your own applesauce could be so easy and taste so good? In a family taste-test, this homemade recipe was the unanimous favorite over store-bought applesauce. It is smoother and has more flavor, and LESS sugar, than the store-bought stuff. It can be used as an after school snack, served over vanilla ice cream for dessert, or keep it to bulk up your food storage . Put it in these re-useable pouches for easy snacking/day trips with kids, as a baking ingredient, or even baby food!
Ingredients for Applesauce
The ingredients to make this Instant Pot applesauce recipe couldn’t be easier. All you need are some apples, a little water, and a squeeze of lemon juice. That’s it! Sugar can be added for sweetness, but most apple varieties are plenty sweet without it. If you are using super tart apples you can add a little big of sugar but don’t overdo it. After the apples cook they are nice and sweet. You can get all fancy and add other ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, etc… but honestly we love it best as-is.
Best Apples To Use For Applesauce
According to Stemilt World Famous Fruit, the apple growers in Wenatchee, WA, the best apples are softer varieties like Golden Delicious, Fuji, and McIntosh. These apples will break down easier when cooked. Here are some more of our favorites:
Gala Honeycrisp Pink lady Granny Smith apples Jonathan Crispin Cortland
Instant Pot Method
Making applesauce (especially in the Instant Pot) is a breeze. Just a few easy steps and you can be enjoying fresh applesauce in a matter of minutes.
CrockPot Method
You can easily make applesauce in a Crock Pot if you don’t have an Instant Pot. To make it in the slow cooker, place all the ingredients in your crock pot and cook on HIGH for four hours, stirring occasionally.
Stovetop Method
Place all ingredients in a medium sauce pan, cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until apples are soft and easy to mash. Serve it room temperature or store in the referigerator.
Tips for this Recipe
Use a variety of apples (tart and sweet) for a better flavor. If you use a combination of both tart and sweet apples, you lessen the need for added sugar. Make your life easier and use an apple peeler / corer. For extra flavor, add nutmeg, a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, or any other spice you like. Don’t add cinnamon or brown sugar if you are wanting to use as a baking ingredient or as a substitution. For a chunky applesauce, mash until you reach your desired consistency. For a smoother applesauce, use a an immersion blender, regular blender or food processor. Pulse until you reach the desired consistency. Blending the sauce more will result in a smoother texture. But if you like it more chunky, just give the mixture a couple of quick pulses. Make your applesauce last longer by freezing or canning (see tips above)
Freezing Applesauce
Did you know you can freeze applesauce? You can freeze it in an airtight container or in gallon-sized freezer bags. If freezing in a freezer bag, I like to fill it half-way full, press the air out, and then seal it. Then I like to lay it flat and place it on a baking sheet to freeze. This way it freezes in a flat square rather than a bulky brick. It is easier to store and takes less time to thaw. Store the leftover applesauce for up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, give it a good stir, then enjoy!
Substituting With Applesauce
Did you know you can use applesauce in place of different baking ingredients such as oil, butter, and eggs? You can swap out oil and butter at a 1:1 ratio in many baked goods like muffins, sweet/fruit breads (such as zucchini bread, banana bread, or pumpkin bread), cakes, and cookies. You can also use ¼ cup applesauce in place of 1 egg.
How To Make Applesauce in the Instant Pot
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