This stovetop recipe for homemade apple sauce is the best way to usher in Fall!
Lightly sweetened with sugar and seasonal spices, this recipe is so easy and can be used in so many ways!
Best of all, you can adjust the sweetness and spice to taste!
![When autumn leaves start to turn, that’s your cue to cook up a big pot of homemade apple sauce! This delicious recipe includes a delicious and fragrant apple pie spice blend, lemon juice, vanilla, and sugar to taste. Healthy homemade apple sauce is a preservative-free side dish or ingredient for apple cake or muffins. No canning is needed for this easy freezer applesauce. #homemadeapplesauce #homemadeapplesaucerecipe #ourzestylife #homemadeapplesaucestovetop a jar of pureed apple sauce](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OurZestyLife-13.jpg)
Homemade Apple Sauce Recipe
- Make this homemade applesauce recipe smooth or chunky and adjust the sweetness or spice to taste.
- Use any variety of apples that are on sale or a combination of any kind!
- Freeze portions and enjoy as a snack, pop cubes into a smoothie or overnight oats, or serve warm over vanilla ice cream!
- Healthy applesauce can replace the fats in homemade quick breads like fresh pear bread and sourdough banana bread.
![When autumn leaves start to fall, that’s the time to cook up a big batch of homemade apple sauce! This delicious recipe enhances the natural sweetness of apples with a warming apple pie spice blend, lemon juice, vanilla, and sugar to taste. Homemade apple sauce is a healthy side dish or ingredient for apple cake or muffins. No canning is required for this freezer applesauce. #homemadeapplesauce #homemadeapplesaucerecipe #ourzestylife #homemadeapplesaucestovetop ingredients to make apple sauce labeled.](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IG-Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OurZestyLife-.jpg)
Ingredients and Variations
Homemade applesauce is so easy with apples and fragrant seasonings that are likely already in the pantry!
Apples: Any apples will do, but a combination of sweet/tart, and firm/soft apples produces the very best results. Granny Smith, Cortland, Pink Lady, Red Delicious…any variety can be used!
Seasonings: Lemon juice is needed to keep the fruit bright and brightly flavored. Homemade applesauce can be made using your favorite sugar-free sweetener, adjust the amounts as necessary. Apple pie spice can be switched out for cinnamon or even pumpkin pie spice.
Variations: Boost the apple flavor and switch out the water for apple juice or cider. Pop in some dried cranberries or blueberries at the end of Step 4 (below) if desired.
![Make snack time special with our homemade apple sauce. This delicious recipe enhances the natural sweetness of apples with a warming apple pie spice blend, lemon juice, vanilla, and sugar to taste. It's a wholesome and guilt-free treat that kids (and adults) can't resist! #homemadeapplesauce #homemadeapplesaucerecipe #ourzestylife #homemadeapplesaucestovetop Apple covered with cinnamon in a pot](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OurZestyLife-4.jpg)
![Preserve the flavors of the season with this homemade apple sauce recipe! With just a few ingredients and a touch of love, you can create a condiment that elevates any dish. You don’t even have to bother peeling the apples, just cut big chunks off around the core. A jar of this sweet and tangy goodness makes for a thoughtful homemade gift. #homemadeapplesauce #homemadeapplesaucerecipe #ourzestylife #homemadeapplesaucestovetop apples simmered in a pot to make homemade apple sauce](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OurZestyLife-5.jpg)
![Elevate your culinary skills with this apple sauce recipe. This delicious recipe enhances the natural sweetness of apples with a warming apple pie spice blend, lemon juice, vanilla, and sugar to taste. Homemade apple sauce is a healthy side dish or ingredient for apple cake or muffins. It's the perfect sidekick to your holiday feast or a cozy topping for oatmeal. #homemadeapplesauce #homemadeapplesaucerecipe #ourzestylife #homemadeapplesaucestovetop mashed apples in a pot to make homemade apple sauce](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OurZestyLife-7.jpg)
![Capture the essence of autumn in a jar with this apple sauce recipe. This amazing recipe includes a delicious apple pie spice blend, along with lemon juice, vanilla, and sugar to taste. This homemade apple sauce recipe is a healthy side dish or enhancement for apple cake or muffins, or served with a hearty pork loin or beef brisket. #homemadeapplesauce #homemadeapplesaucerecipe #ourzestylife #homemadeapplesaucestovetop Mashed apples being pureed with an immersion blender to make homemade apple sauce](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OurZestyLife-8.jpg)
The Best Way to Cut Apples for Applesauce
- Place the apple on a cutting board and cut from top to bottom, around the core, in four easy pieces. Discard the core.
- Then, cut each quarter into smaller pieces for quick cooking and pureeing. Easy peasy!
Add this to the Tip section – Leave the peels on! Keep all those valuable nutrients, plus add a pop of color and flavor, by leaving the peels on! No one will know once it is pureed.
If using a masher, it is easy to pick any large peels out if you desire.
![Turn fresh apples into a sweet, cinnamon-infused delight with our homemade apple sauce recipe. Fresh apples are cut, cored, and cooked with peels on (or off) in an apple spice blend, vanilla, and lemon juice. Then it is blended and sugar is added to taste. Serve warm with pork loin or hearty beef brisket. Or, refrigerate or freeze It's a wholesome treat your whole family will love! #homemadeapplesauce #homemadeapplesaucerecipe #ourzestylife #homemadeapplesaucestovetop pureed apple sauce in a bowl](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OurZestyLife-9.jpg)
How to Make Homemade Applesauce
It doesn’t take long to make wholesome and healthy batches of applesauce ready to enjoy or freeze!
- Cook all ingredients except sugar in a large pot on the stovetop until the apples are soft (as per the recipe card below). Stir occasionally and add additional water, if necessary.
- Remove from heat and stir in sugar to the level desired.
- Blend with an immersion blender until desired consistency.
![This easy, no-can, no-peel homemade apple sauce recipe is perfect for quickly dispatching a bounty of fall apples to the freezer! Fresh apples are cored and the peels are left on big chunks. Then they are cooked with fragrant apple pie spices, lemon juice, and vanilla. Add sugar to taste. Mash and pick out the peels or leave them in for texture if you like. #homemadeapplesauce #homemadeapplesaucerecipe #ourzestylife #homemadeapplesaucestovetop a chunky and pureed version of homemade apple sauce being scooped out of jars](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OurZestyLife-14.jpg)
Storing Applesauce
- Keep homemade applesauce for about a week in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container.
- Freeze portions in small containers or freezer bags. I like to freeze in 1-cup portions. Freeze for up to 4 months.
![When life gives you apples, make this delicious homemade apple sauce recipe! You don’t even have to bother peeling them. Just cut big chunks off around the core. Then cook with fragrant apple pie spices, lemon juice, and vanilla. Add sugar to taste, pick out the peels, and mash or blend as smooth or chunky as you like. Homemade apple sauce is super popular with kids! #homemadeapplesauce #homemadeapplesaucerecipe #ourzestylife #homemadeapplesaucestovetop apple sauce being scooped out of a jar](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OurZestyLife-11.jpg)
Other Tasty Sauces!
Have you tried this Homemade Apple Sauce recipe? Leave a comment and rating below!
![a jar of pureed apple sauce](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OurZestyLife-13-500x500.jpg)
Homemade Apple Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples approximately 8-10 medium or 8 cups
- ½ cup water
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice (fresh preferred), or orange juice
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice or cinnamon (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 2 Tablespoons sugar optional, or honey
Instructions
- Peel apples (if desired). Core and cut apples.
- Add apples, water, lemon juice, apple pie spice, and vanilla to a large pot.
- Cover and cook over medium-low heat until apples are very soft, about 25 to 30 minutes. Stir occasionally, adding a small amount of water if the apples are starting to get dry.
- Remove from heat. If using sugar, add a little at a time until applesauce reaches desired sweetness.
- Use an immersion blender or other blender to blend until the applesauce reaches desired consistency. For a chunkier sauce, use a potato masher.
Notes
- Recipe yields about 3 cups apple sauce.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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![Easy homemade apple sauce is a healthy, delicious side dish for ham or pork chops, or as an ingredient for other recipes. This version is bursting with complex flavors, thanks to the addition of a delicious apple pie spice blend, lemon juice, and vanilla. Adjust the sweetness or spice to taste. Make it chunky or smooth if you like. After all, you’re the boss of your apple sauce! #homemadeapplesauce #homemadeapplesaucerecipe #ourzestylife #homemadeapplesaucestovetop chunky apple sauce in a jar with text](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SP-Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OurZestyLife-1.jpg)
![Make the most of the fall harvest with this easy recipe for homemade apple sauce. Fresh apples are cut, cored, and cooked with peels on in an apple spice blend, vanilla, and lemon juice. Then it is blended and sugar is added to taste. Serve warm with a hearty meat entree like pork loin or beef brisket. Or, refrigerate or freeze. #homemadeapplesauce #homemadeapplesaucerecipe #ourzestylife #homemadeapplesaucestovetop homemade apple sauce being scooped out of a jar with text](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SP-Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
![When autumn comes around, stock up on apples and make a big batch of homemade apple sauce for the freezer! This amazing recipe includes a delicious apple pie spice blend, along with lemon juice, vanilla, and sugar to taste. This homemade apple sauce recipe is a healthy side dish or enhancement for apple cake or muffins. Stir it into the batter in place of eggs. #homemadeapplesauce #homemadeapplesaucerecipe #ourzestylife #homemadeapplesaucestovetop smooth apple sauce in a jar with text](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/NP-Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OZL-2.jpg)
![This “no-can-do” homemade apple sauce recipe is ready-made for the freezer! Fresh apples are cooked with apple pie spices, vanilla, lemon juice, and sugar to taste. What’s best about homemade apple sauce is that you can make it as smooth or chunky; sweet or spicy as you like! Keep it warm in a crock pot and the flavors will deepen – and your house will smell terrific! #homemadeapplesauce #homemadeapplesaucerecipe #ourzestylife #homemadeapplesaucestovetop smooth apple sauce being scooped out of a jar with text.](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/NP-Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OZL-1.jpg)
![Make this easy homemade apple sauce for a healthy side dish, snack, or an ingredient for cakes and muffins. This version is bursting with delicious flavor, thanks to the addition of a warming apple pie spice blend, lemon juice, and vanilla. Adjust the sugar and spice to taste. Make it chunky or smooth. You can even add raisins or currants! #homemadeapplesauce #homemadeapplesaucerecipe #ourzestylife #homemadeapplesaucestovetop Top image - smooth apple sauce in a jar. Bottom image - chunky apple sauce in a jar.](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LP-Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OZL-2.jpg)
![Make the autumn apple harvest with this delicious recipe for homemade apple sauce. Fresh apples are cut and cored and cooked, with peels on, with apple pie spices, vanilla, and lemon juice. Blend or mash and add sugar to taste. Serve it warm to balance out a hearty, gravy-soaked meal. Or, stock your freezer and enjoy it later! #homemadeapplesauce #homemadeapplesaucerecipe #ourzestylife #homemadeapplesaucestovetop chunky apple sauce in a jar with text](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LP-Homemade-Apple-Sauce-OZL-1.jpg)
Wonderful and easy !!
So glad you enjoyed it, Maddy!