Easy Homemade Chunky Applesauce: Sugar Free

A small-batch stovetop Homemade Chunky Applesauce recipe made with only 3 ingredients. Choose the best apples for applesauce to eliminate the need for sugar! 

You’ll wonder why you’ve waited so long to make this sugar free applesauce recipe! 

Did you know there are about seven thousand varieties of apples, each with its own color, flavor, and texture?

That’s why certain apples are great for making apple chips, some for baking, and others are better for eating fresh. 

And some apples are especially good for making sugar-free applesauce!

Not only is this the best applesauce recipe to have as a snack, but it’s great to use as a topping for buttermilk waffles, buttermilk pancakes, this simple crepe recipe or even these homemade cheese blintzes.

Swirl this apple puree into your breakfast bowl or oatmeal.

It’s also great with savory dishes, like roast meats.

As you can see, there are no limits to how you can use this wonderful fruit puree. 

If you have ever wondered how to make sugar-free applesauce from scratch, you’ve come to the right place!

Ingredients 

A printable recipe card at the bottom of this page has the specific amounts for each ingredient. This is just a summary.

• Apples. Some varieties are better than others. 
• Water. Just enough water to cover the bottom of your pan.
• Cinnamon. Just a sprinkle of this warm and comforting spice.

That’s it! No need for any added sugar, lemon juice or salt. Everything else is just extra. 

Although, a sprinkle of pumpkin spice is always appreciated! 

How to make sugar free applesauce

Let’s begin by giving the apples a good rinse. Dry off the excess water with a clean tea towel.

Next, with a very sharp knife, peel and core the apples. Then chop or slice. Work quickly to prevent discoloration.

• In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped apples with about ¼-½ cup of water. There should be just enough water to cover the bottom of your pan.
• Cover and bring to a boil. 
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Stir occasionally and ensure that there is always a thin layer of water at the bottom of your pan.

• Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of cinnamon (or to taste).
• Continue to cook for another 10 minutes or so.

Chunky or Smooth Applesauce

Once the mixture has softened, you can mash the mixture with a fork or a potato masher until your desired consistency is achieved. Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender for a smoother consistency.

Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Is homemade applesauce healthy?

Yes! Apples are packed with vitamins and antioxidants that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Making homemade applesauce is a great way to limit the preservatives and added sugar usually found in store-bought applesauce. 

I will put on my dietitian’s hat and tell you that as far as adding sugar is concerned, it isn’t necessary. Just make sure you are using sweet apples.

You will also notice that some recipes have you add apple juice to the applesauce – again, something I don’t think is necessary, as apples are sweet and tasty enough on their own (I add water instead).

But, as always, these are my preferences – you should feel free to play around with the recipe until your applesauce is just how you like it!

Tips

• Use a mixture of sweet and tart apples. Different apples provide different flavors and are the basis for making an unsweetened applesauce recipe.
• Ensure there is a thin layer of water at the bottom of the pan. This prevents scorching.

What are the best apples for applesauce?

Try to choose naturally sweet apple varieties. This eliminates the need to add extra sugar. 

• McIntosh
• Cortland
• Lobo
• Gala
• Jonathan
• Fuji 
• Red Delicious

What are the best spices for applesauce?

If you prefer spicy applesauce, a sprinkling of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger are great options.

Does applesauce need to be refrigerated?

Yes. Allow to cool down, cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Can applesauce be frozen?

Yes. You can use zip-top freezer bags (reusable) or freezer-friendly food containers with lids. Best to use within 2 months.

Can I make a big batch?

Yes. The recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, etc… For long-term storage, place your applesauce in sterilized jars, and process them in a water bath. For more details, you can follow this link.

What does applesauce replace in a recipe?

Use applesauce to replace up to half of the fat in baked goods—a great way to reduce your total fat intake.

Delicious recipes using applesauce

• Apple Muffins
• Honey Spice Cake
• Apple Cake
• Oven-Baked Ribs
• Apple Cookies
• Zucchini Muffins

Recipe origins

This is one of those recipes which isn’t a recipe if you know what I mean.

My mom would alternate between making this stovetop applesauce and (equally delicious) baked apples during my youth. It was my favorite after-school snack, especially in the fall.

When I had my kids, I truly realized how easy and nutritious sugarless applesauce is.

This is a great recipe to make throughout the year. I guarantee you’ll never buy commercial again.

Enjoy!

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

And if you are new here, welcome! You may want to sign up for my weekly e-mail newsletter. You can unsubscribe any time you want.

Ciao for now,

Maria 

★★★★★ If you have made this homemade applesauce, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Homemade Chunky Applesauce

A small batch, stove top Homemade Chunky Applesauce recipe made with only 3 ingredients, Choose the best apples for applesauce to eliminate the need for sugar! 

5 from 12 votes

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Course: snack/breakfast

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 95kcal

Author: Maria Vannelli RD

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Ingredients

• 4 fresh apples peeled, cored and chopped into chunks
• ¼-½ cup water
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• pinch nutmeg optional

Instructions

• In a medium saucepan, combine apples and water. (There should be just enough water to cover the bottom of your pan).
• Cover and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, covered, for approximately 10 minutes. Stir occasionally and make sure that there is always a thin layer of water at the bottom of your pan.
• Add cinnamon (and nutmeg if using) and continue to cook for another 10 minutes or so. Once the mixture has softened, you can mash the mixture with a fork or a potato masher, until your desired consistency is achieved. Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender for a smoother consistency.
• Serve warm, at room temperature or chilled.

Scroll UP for the STEP by STEP PhotosDon't miss the process shots and videos included in most posts. Simply scroll up the post to find them. Those were created especially for you so that you can make the recipe perfectly every single time you try it.

Video

Notes

• Use a mixture of sweet and tart apples. Different apples provide different flavors and are the basis for making an unsweetened applesauce recipe.
• Ensure there is a thin layer of water at the bottom of the pan. This prevents scorching.
• Applesauce can be kept refrigerated for up to 3 days.
• Recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, etc...
• 1 portion is 1/2 cup.

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 95kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 194mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 8.3mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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This post was originally published on October 3, 2015 and republished on September 17, 2019 with updated content and photos.