Kids like applesauce. Correction, kids love applesauce. It’s a special treat, and one of my go-to foods if my kids are sick. When I started making my own applesauce, I looked up recipes online, but I wasn’t a fan of most of the recipes I saw. Why all the sugar? Apples have plenty of sugar in them already, and cooking them makes them taste even sweeter. So I make my applesauce without any added sweetener, and my kids don’t miss it at all.
The trick here is to pick naturally sweeter and flavourful varieties of apples. Favourites around here include Jazz and Honeycrisp. I like to use up old apples that may be softening, and some stores may even sell these apples at a discount. They may not be ideal for eating, but they’re just perfect for making applesauce!
I throw my peeled, cored, and chopped apples into a big pot over medium heat. I add a bit of water so they don’t burn, then I let them simmer away over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they start to fall apart around the edges.
Once they’re done cooking, I add the traditional cinnamon. I like to add some ground ginger too, a little bit of vanilla, and some lemon juice to brighten it up.
Applesauce is kind of like peanut butter. Some people like it smooth, others like it chunky. We like it chunky, so I mash the cooked apples with a potato masher until the applesauce is the consistency we like. If you prefer it smooth, just puree it in your food processor. Either way, as soon as you eat that first spoonful I think you’ll agree that adding sugar is unnecessary.
Pair this with a classic pork chop or stir it into your morning oatmeal. My personal favourite way to eat applesauce is warm and served over vanilla ice cream. Mmm, oh that’s heaven in a bowl right there!
Sugar-Free Applesauce
Ingredients
- 4 pounds about 10 medium apples
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Wash, peel, and core apples. Cut into rough slices or pieces.
- Add sliced apples and water in a large saucepan and cook over medium until apples soften, about 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Once soft, remove apples from heat and mix in cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, and lemon juice.
- Mash or puree apples to preferred texture.
I enjoy seeing recipes with no sugar added. Uaing fruit or fruit by itself is both sweet enough and healthy .
This sounds yummy!! Must try π
This is a great applesauce recipe. Will give it a try!
Thank you for this! Will be making it this weekend with all our extra apples!
Ty for sharing this recipe, I’ve been looking for a good sugar free recipe for my kids, can’t wait to give this a try! :o)
I’ll definitely need to try this applesauce recipe! Thank you for sharing it.
Love the applesauce recipe, especially with no sugar! Thank you π
Definitely adding this to my must try list!
Honeycrisp is definitely our favorite apple! Sooo yummy!
I love that you put a recipe together using no sugar! Applesauce is delicious and doesn’t need the extra sweetener. Thanks for the tasty recipe. π
This would be perfect baby food!
Yes! Both my kids ate this when they were first starting solids. I froze small portions in an ice cube tray for single servings. π
I like using natural apple sauce for baking. thanks for sharing
I really like how there is vanilla extract in this recipe. This is so wholesome & brings out that natural sweetness of the apples. My son eats store-bought applesauce all the time & I am trying to reduce his sugar & fats intake so this would be beneficial for us.
I thought these sugar free recipes would be great, but they still have 12 grams of sugar from the apples. The recipe I found was just water and apples, cooked in the crockpot.
This recipe sounds terrific, love that there’s no add sugar added, thanks very much for sharing!
I will definitely try this sugar free applesauce recipe
Your recipe for applesauce sounds very fresh and delicious π
I am going to try this sugar free applesauce recipe.It will be awesome as I am trying to find recipes like this for a healthier diet.
Great recipe going to make it for the grandkids next time they visit.
I like applesauce. It is yummy and delicious. Thanks, for such a good recipe.