Here’s an easy recipe for making homemade applesauce with Honeycrisp apples and without any added sugar. It’s very simple to make applesauce in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. I love fall when Honeycrisp apples are in season. These juicy, sweet apples are versatile and delicious to either enjoy fresh or use for cooking and baking.
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I will show you how to make homemade applesauce with Honeycrisp (or other) apples so you can enjoy the goodness of your favorite apples at any time of the year. Honeycrisps are also called “honeycrunch” apples.
This is natural applesauce without any added sweeteners. So many processed foods like applesauce have added sugar in them, but it is really not needed. I could see if a food is bitter or sour, but not apples. This homemade applesauce definitely a healthier version than the typical jarred applesauce.
Picking Your Own Apples
Honeycrisps are my favorite apple, favorite, fruit, favorite snack, and possible favorite food!!! Here in Pennsylvania, this variety is fresh from local farms usually in the middle of September. We love to visit Solebury Orchards where we can pick apples (and blackberries, raspberries, cherry tomatoes, plus gorgeous flowers!). Last time we visited they even had some frozen apple cider as a natural slushy – perfect for a hot day!
Invariably I’m at the farm in August for blackberries and cherry tomatoes and am sad that it’s not prime apple season yet. I have had Honeycrisps from other areas and other times of the year, and they simply don’t compare to eating them fresh in season.
How to Use Applesauce in Cooking
You may know that you can use applesauce to replace butter or oil in recipes. But it also can be a substitute for eggs. This can help you “veganize” recipes.
Applesauce is tasty in muffins, quick breads, cakes, cookies, waffles, and pancakes. I have used it in these recipes for Homemade Vegan Apple Cinnamon Bread with Walnuts, Orange Cranberry Muffins and, Spiced Carrot Raisin Muffins. The mild flavor makes it very versatile for baking as a way to replace eggs or some fat in a recipe. It is also great to eat as is! This recipe is so easy to make that you may never buy premade applesauce again.
How to Prepare the Apples for Homemade Applesauce
First, peel, core, and chop the apples. You can use a vegetable peeler or a corer/slicer/peeler. If you don’t have Honeycrisp apples, try Granny Smith, Galas, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Cosmic crisp, or Fuji apples.
This is the most time-consuming step. Don’t let it deter you: listen to some good music or a podcast and get peeling!
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I just got an Instant Pot and tried this recipe in it. Wow: super fast – which as you know, is the wonderful thing about Instant Pots! I cooked the apples on high pressure for 8 minutes and turned off the keep it warm button. I allowed for a natural pressure release (really just because I was busy). Then I mushed the applesauce with a potato masher. This was a 6-quart Instant Pot. I highly recommend this method
After the applesauce is done, let it cool somewhat before eating or placing it into containers for storage. You can store it in the refrigerator for a few days, or in the freezer for a few months.
Honeycrisp Homemade Applesauce: Easy Slow Cooker Recipe
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- paring knife
- Vegetable peeler
Ingredients
- 6 Honeycrisp apples peeled and chopped
- â…” cup water
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine the apples, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon in a slow cooker and mix together. Cover with the lid.
- Cook on high for about 3½ to 4½ hours or until soft.
- Mash the cooked apples with a potato masher, mix with a whisk, or mask with the back of a large wooden spoon until they are as smooth as you like.
Notes
Nutrition
And that’s it! You can relax while enjoying the delicious aroma filling your home. There is no need for added sugar, which is a big plus compared to store-bought varieties.
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Have you tried this recipe? If so, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below.
Originally published 9/9/18 Revised 8/29/22
This was very easy to make and my family enjoyed it!
You had me at slow cooker!
Honeycrisp is my favorite apple!! We’re heading to Washington apple country in a couple weeks so this is pinned to try when we get back!!
Hi Helen,
That sounds like a great trip. I bet there are amazing varieties of apples there!
this apple sauce came out so delicious! so so good and love that it’s in the slow cooker too!
homemade is always best and this apple sauce is bomb!
So easy in the slow cooker and the taste was fantastic, thanks!
Homemade applesauce are the best, very handy as ingredient in baking, thanks for this easy recipe.
So warm and cozy! Yum!
Perfect recipe for fall! I love using the slow cooker.
I will have to give this a try. I never used this type of apple for applesauce. Sounds delicious.
This honeycrisp applesauce looks absolutely delicious. Looking forward to giving this recipe a try!
Way better than store bought! So cozy.
I love how easy this is to make! Thanks for the recipe!
I love homemade applesauce. This looks so fresh and delicious.
Honeycrisp apples are my fave! I love that this doesn’t have any added sugar–it doesn’t need it!
My son is going to love this recipe! I can’t wait to make this! Looks so delicious and yummy!
I love how easy this is to make! I guess I can ditch the store bought kind now. Thanks for sharing!