Learn how to make Crockpot Applesauce without added sugar for a healthy homemade treat that is perfect for fall and the cooler months. This recipe is so easy to make and is a great snack or dessert recipe for kids and adults. You don’t even need to peel the apples, just chop and cook.

jar of crockpot applesauce in a jar on a table.

If you have a sweet tooth like me, then one strategy to keep it at bay is to incorporate fruit-based desserts into your meal plan.

Fruit desserts tend to have fiber and antioxidants, so that makes them more nutrient-dense than other treats like cookies.

This recipe for Unsweetened Crockpot Applesauce is really great because it doesn’t even need any added sugars. You also don’t have to peel the apples either which means more nutrition gets into the applesauce.

Why You Need This Recipe

  • This homemade applesauce recipe is so simple and delicious! All you need are fresh, sweet apples such as Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady, or Honeycrisp. For the freshest apples, pick them directly from apple trees at the apple orchard during the harvest.
  • The only ingredients in this unsweetened applesauce are apples, raisins, ground cinnamon, and a little bit of water, so this is a real food recipe that is vegan, gluten free, paleo, and super clean. You don’t even need any sugar in this recipe.
  • This Crockpot Applesauce can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to 2 months. Just defrost it in the refrigerator and serve it cold or at room temperature. You could also can it in a mason jar if you like.

Key Ingredients

ingredients for crockpot applesauce on a tabletop.
  • Sweet red apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp are ideal for this homemade applesauce. Cooking them in the crockpot means the natural sugars will concentrate and the apple flavor gets really intense and wonderful.Stay away from Red Delicious as they tend to be mealy.You can also use green apples like Granny Smith or Golden Delicious, but they tend to have less natural sugars than the sweet red apples, so you apple sauce will be less sweet.
  • Ground cinnamon adds so much depth of flavor to the final dish. If you don’t like cinnamon or you have picky kids, just leave it out. I recommend using Ceylon cinnamon which is considered “real cinnamon” and has some nice health benefits. See my recipe for Lemon Cinnamon water.
  • You can also use pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice instead of just plain cinnamon, if you wish.
  • Raisins add a touch of sweetness to the applesauce. You can leave them out if you’re not a fan.
  • You’ll also need some water to help the apples get cooking and to add some more liquid to the applesauce.
  • I recommend using filtered water if you tap water has any chlorine flavor to it.

See the full recipe card at the end of this post for the exact measurements.

Recipe Steps

process photos for how to make crockpot applesauce.

You aren’t going to believe how easy this slow cooker applesauce recipe is to throw together. I like to get it ready early in the morning and have it done by dinnertime.

Or, I’ve also put it together in the evening and then have it ready by morning.

Here’s how to make it.

Step One

Wash the apples and pat them dry. I recommend using between 10-12 whole red apples, such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala, or Pink Lady.

The best apples to use for applesauce are ones that are naturally very sweet. You can use green apples for applesauce, but it will be pretty tart.

Step Two

Chop the apples into big chunks, removing the core, and throw them in a large crockpot. If you have a small crockpot, try using only 8-10 apples. 

Sprinkle some cinnamon (2 teaspoons or so) on top, add the water and raisins.

Step Three

Set on high for 5 hours with the lid on.

Step Four

Once the applesauce is done cooking, just give it a big stir to help break up the apples and distribute the raisins and cinnamon.

You don’t necessarily need to use a blender to break up the cooked apples, but you can if you wish. Some kids enjoy a smoother texture to their applesauce. In this case, you can use an immersion blender, food mill, potato masher, or food processor to get your crock pot applesauce to the texture you like.

You can serve the applesauce warm or transfer it to a glass container with a lid to refrigerator and serve later.

The applesauce will taste the sweetest when it is chilled.

cooked applesauce in the crockpot ready to serve.

Recipes Tips

  • If you have pears on hand, you can do a mix of apples and pears in this recipe.
  • Feel free to add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the crockpot to help keep the apples from browning. But, if you are using cinnamon, it won’t really matter as the applesauce will turn brown anyway.
  • If your kids don’t like cinnamon or raisins, just leave them out.
  • Store the applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Or, you can freeze any leftovers for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container. Defrost before serving.
jar of crockpot unsweetened applesauce on counter.

Recipe FAQs

Do you need to peel the apples when making applesauce?

The peel has healthy nutrition and fiber so I recommend leaving it on. The apple peel will cook down and you probably won’t even notice it once the applesauce is done cooking. That said, if you prefer to peel your apples, you can do that too.

My kids don’t like raisins. Can I leave them out?

Yes, but the raisins do help add a bit of sweetness to the applesauce. As long as your apples are naturally sweet, I think it will be okay without the raisins.

Can this applesauce be served to babies?

Yes, but you may need to leave out the raisins as they can be a choking hazard for babies. You may also need to puree the applesauce to make sure it is a smooth texture that babies like.

How do you serve applesauce?

You can serve it plain in a bowl, or you can use applesauce to help offset the oil in baked good recipes. The rule of thumb is to substitute up to 1/2 of the oil in a recipe with applesauce.

bowls of homemade applesauce on table.

More Healthy Apple Recipes You Might Like

Or, see my entire index of clean eating desserts.

Don’t Miss These Delicious Crockpot Recipes

Crockpot Spaghetti Squash (Cooked Whole)

Crockpot Hard Boiled Eggs

Slow Cooker Cabbage

Slow Cooker Chicken and Quinoa Dinner

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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slow cooker applesauce in jar

Crockpot Applesauce Without Added Sugar

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5 from 6 reviews

Print Recipe

Learn how to make Crockpot Applesauce without sugar for a healthy homemade treat that is perfect for fall and the cooler months. This recipe is so easy to make and is a great snack or dessert recipe for kids and adults. You don’t even need to peel the apples, just chop and cook.

  • Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 10 medium-size organic sweet red apples such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup raisins

Instructions

  1. Cut apples into large chunks and place in a large crockpot.
  2. Stir in the water, cinnamon, and raisins.
  3. Cook on high for 5 hours (or on low for up to 12 hours). When the applesauce is done cooking, remove the lid and stir the applesauce well.
  4. Cool and store in the refrigerator. For optimal sweetness, eat cold.

Notes

  1. If you have pears on hand, you can do a mix of apples and pears in this recipe.
  2. If your kids don’t like cinnamon or raisins, just leave them out.
  3. Store the applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Or, you can freeze any leftovers for up to 2 months. Defrost before serving.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
  • Calories: 136
  • Sugar: 26.4 g
  • Sodium: 2.9 mg
  • Fat: 0.4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36.2 g
  • Fiber: 6.4 g
  • Protein: 0.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is studying to be a holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.