Making homemade applesauce with no sugar is surprisingly easy, and it’s one of my favorite ways to use up apples during the fall (or really any time of year). Apples are naturally sweet on their own, so you really don’t need to add extra sugar to make a delicious batch of applesauce.

This simple applesauce recipe uses apples, water, lemon juice, and a few warm spices. You can make it smooth or chunky and adjust the spices depending on what your family likes. You can also make it on the stove or in a crockpot. It’s a very versatile recipe.

If you have been here awhile, you know I do not like wasting food. Homemade applesauce is the perfect thing to make if you have apples with bumps and bruises on them. Cut off the bad parts and use the rest!

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The Best Apples for Homemade Applesauce No Sugar

When you’re making applesauce without added sugar, choosing naturally sweet apples makes a big difference in overall flavor.

I personally like using apple varieties such as Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, or Pink Lady. You can also combine a few different varieties of apples to give your applesauce a little more flavor profile and boost. I used gala and honesycrisp for my homemade applesauce.

If you like a slightly tart applesauce, you might try adding a Granny Smith or two sweeter apple varieties. Since this is a homemade applesauce no sugar added recipe, I would avoid using all tart apples unless that’s the flavor you prefer. The applesauce will not be as sweet.

More Simple Snack Inspiration: Oatmeal Pumpkin Muffins

Homemade Applesauce No Sugar Added Ingredients

You’ll need:

• 8–10 medium apples
• ½ cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, optional
• Pinch of salt

You can peel the apples or leave the peels on. I usually peel them for a smoother, more traditional applesauce. That’s what my kids like. I think this apple peeler is amazing and my kids would love it!

How to Make This Applesauce Recipe No Sugar Added

1. Peel, core, and chop your apples.
2. Add the chopped apples, water, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to a large saucepan.
3. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for about 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples become very soft.
4. For chunky applesauce, mash the softened apples with a potato masher. For smooth applesauce, carefully blend with an immersion blender until the apple sauce reaches the consistency you like.
5. Let it cool before transferring it to jars or airtight containers.

Crockpot Applesauce Recipe No Added Sugar

You can easily turn this into a crockpot applesauce recipe with no added sugar.

Add all of the ingredients to your slow cooker and cook on low for 4–6 hours or high for 2–3 hours until the apples are completely tender. Make sure to add all the ingredients, especially hat 1/2 cup water. This will keep them from burning.

Mash or blend the cooked apples to your preferred consistency. This is an especially easy option when you have a large amount of apples to use up.

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Spices to Add to an Applesauce Recipe With No Sugar

One of the easiest ways to make an applesauce recipe with no sugar taste richer and bolder in flavor is to add warm spices. This will enhance the apple flavor and add depth.

Cinnamon is the classic choice, but you can also try a mix of:

• nutmeg
• cloves
• allspice
• ginger
• apple pie spice

Start with a small amount because spices like cloves and nutmeg can quickly become overpowering.

Vanilla is another great addition to your applesauce. Stir in a small splash of vanilla extract after cooking for a warmer, sweeter flavor without adding sugar.

This recipe is perfect for letting your toddlers learn to help in the kitchen!

Another Apple Recipe: Best Sourdough Apple Pie with Golden Brown Crust

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make applesauce without sugar?

Choose naturally sweet apples and cook them with a small amount of water until tender. Mash or blend the apples, then add cinnamon or other spices for extra flavor. There is no need to add sugar if your apples are naturally sweet. You can try different apple varieties to add sweetness.

How do I make old-fashioned applesauce?

Old-fashioned applesauce is really simple. Peel and chop fresh apples, simmer them with a little water until soft, and then mash them by hand. Add cinnamon if desired and leave the applesauce slightly chunky for a more traditional texture.

How do I make homemade applesauce for diabetics?

You can make applesauce without adding sugar by using naturally sweet apples and spices for flavor. However, apples naturally contain carbohydrates and sugars, so someone managing diabetes should consider portion size and their individual dietary needs.

Can you give me a healthy applesauce recipe?

This simple homemade applesauce no sugar recipe contains apples, water, lemon juice, and spices with no added sugar. It makes an easy snack, side dish, or ingredient to keep in the refrigerator. Perfect as a toddler snack!

How to Store Homemade Applesauce

Allow the applesauce to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will generally keep for about 5–7 days.

You can eat it cold, warm it up with a little extra cinnamon, serve it alongside dinner, or use it in baking. It’s one of those simple recipes that’s worth making during apple season.

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From one home cook to another, I hope you enjoy this recipe!

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