Krolls Korner - 1 Close-up of a jar of applesauce topped with a cinnamon stick, sprinkled with ground cinnamon. - 2

What do you get when you mix sweet, crisp, juicy apples with warm, cozy spices, a bit of both lemon and orange juice, and some vanilla extract ? This delicious No Sugar Added Homemade Applesauce!

Homemade Applesauce is a perfect low-fuss dish to have on hand for busy mornings, after-school snacks, or for when late night sweet treat cravings hit. We love this recipe in my home, especially in the fall when I’m craving all things apple, pumpkin, and maple.

Small glass jars filled with homemade applesauce on a green wooden surface, with a red apple and cinnamon sticks in the background. - 3 blogger tawnie graham in a kitchen with an instant pot and several dishes of food - 4

Table Talk with Tawnie

This recipe is a staple in our home and soon to be yours too! I love having a homemade applesauce recipe that’s full of flavor and not loaded with added sugars. I think homemade applesauce is so fun to make because it fills the house with a wonderful cinnamon-y smell and you can pretty much eat it at breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert – whenever you want! If you’re feeling crazy, a little bit of this applesauce warmed up with some vanilla bean ice cream is h.e.a.v.e.n!

Ingredient Notes

(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)

Overhead view of homemade applesauce ingredients on a green tiled surface with a red gingham napkin, including a wooden bowl filled with fresh red and green apples, halved lemon, small bowls of ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and allspice, a measuring cup of water, vanilla extract, orange juice, and cinnamon sticks. - 5
  • Apples : I recommend using a mix of 2-3 different kinds of apples. I like to use Pink Lady and Granny Smith.
  • Spices : Ground cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves bring so much flavor and warmth to this applesauce. It’s amazing what a tiny amount of these spices can do for the overall flavor!
  • Lemon juice : The acidity of the lemon juice balances the sweetness of the apples and helps the applesauce last longer in the fridge.
  • Water : Helps to thin the applesauce and make it the desired texture and consistency after mashing the apples.
  • Orange juice : Has a mellow sweetness that deepens the flavor of the applesauce without needing to add any extra sugar. The liquid also helps with the consistency of the applesauce.
  • Vanilla extract : The secret ingredient that makes this No Sugar Added Applesauce so delicious. Vanilla enhances the natural sweetness of the apples, balances the tartness from the lemon and orange juice, and adds a warm, cozy aroma that pairs perfectly with spices.
  • Cinnamon sticks : These are totally optional, but they add extra depth of flavor when boiling the apples.

For the best flavor, make sure you’re using freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice. The pre-bottled stuff isn’t nearly as good, and buying an extra orange and lemon at the grocery store won’t run up your bill too much.

What are the best apples for applesauce?

You can use any apple you’d like in this homemade applesauce. I like to use a combination of apples.

Personally, I prefer firmer, slightly tart apples in my homemade applesauce (think: Pink Lady and Granny Smith). You should also feel free to use a blend of apples when making this recipe . 2-3 different kinds of apples is the perfect amount!

Spoonful of homemade applesauce being lifted from a glass jar, with apples and jars of applesauce in the background. - 6

Step by Step Directions

(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)

Chopped apples on a cutting board with peels and cores alongside, next to a large pot filled with peeled, diced apples ready for cooking. - 7

Prepare the Apples

Peel, core, and chop the apples into evenly sized chunks for even cooking.

Overhead view of a pot filled with chopped apples being seasoned with cinnamon and spices, as orange juice is poured in; the next frame shows apples stirred with cinnamon sticks. - 8

Combine Ingredients & Cook

In a Dutch oven, add the chopped apples, and all remaining ingredients except the vanilla. Bring the mixture to a boil, then once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for ~25–35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very soft and breaking down.

Apples cooking down in a large pot, partially mashed, with an immersion blender blending the mixture into smooth applesauce. - 9

Mash or Blend

Remove from heat. Discard the cinnamon sticks, if used. For chunky applesauce, mash the apples with a potato masher. For a smoother texture, blend with an immersion blender or transfer to a blender in batches.

Freshly blended homemade applesauce in a large pot, thick and smooth, with a wooden spoon stirring the mixture. - 10

Finish with Vanilla

Stir in the vanilla extract. Taste and adjust spices, if desired.

Jar of homemade applesauce placed on a wooden coaster, surrounded by other jars, cinnamon sticks, and a fresh apple in the background. - 11

Serve or Store

Serve warm, chilled, or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for longer storage.

Can you freeze applesauce?

Yes, homemade applesauce freezes really well! To freeze, let it cool to room temperature before dividing it amongst freezer-safe containers or bags. When you’re ready to eat the frozen applesauce, let it thaw in your fridge overnight.

Can I sweeten my applesauce?

Of course! But if you use in-season apples you likely don’t need to add sweetener. If you do use a sweetener, I highly recommend using pure maple syrup. It has a rich flavor that perfectly complements the sweet apples.

Jar of applesauce tied with rustic twine, surrounded by apples and cinnamon sticks, with more jars of applesauce in the background. - 12

Tips for the best homemade applesauce recipe

  • You can make this unsweetened applesauce in a slow cooker or on the stove. I just decided to use the stove this time for faster cooking.
  • I like to make my homemade applesauce with both cinnamon sticks and ground cinnamon, but you can omit the cinnamon sticks if you don’t have any on hand.
  • This applesauce recipe is easily customized to suit your own tastes, so have fun with the spices!
  • You can use homemade applesauce in so many different ways — as a pancake topping, a smoothie ingredient, in BBQ sauce, served with a scoop of ice cream or mixed into your oatmeal! It’s tasty warm or cold — whatever you prefer!
Overhead view of multiple jars of homemade applesauce on a green table with apples, a red checkered cloth, and cinnamon sticks for garnish. - 13

More Easy Apple Recipes

Easy Homemade Cranberry Applesauce

Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread

Puff Pastry Apple Tart

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip

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Image of Potato Masher - 14

Potato Masher

Image of Dutch Oven - 15

Dutch Oven

How do you prefer to eat your applesauce?

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This recipe was originally posted in December 2019. It was updated with new photos and additional tips and tricks in September 2025.

📸 Photography by Marie Dubé

Close-up of a jar of applesauce topped with a cinnamon stick, sprinkled with ground cinnamon. - 16

No Sugar Added Homemade Applesauce

Ingredients

  • 3-4 pounds apples (a mix of Pink Lady and Granny Smith recommended) peeled, cored, and chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 cup filtered water
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-2 cinnamon sticks optional, for added depth of flavor
No Sugar Added Homemade Applesauce - 17

Instructions

  • Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and chop the apples into evenly sized chunks for even cooking. 3-4 pounds apples (a mix of Pink Lady and Granny Smith recommended)
  • Combine Ingredients: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, add the chopped apples, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, lemon juice, water, and orange juice. Add cinnamon sticks, if desired. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, Juice of 1 lemon, 1 cup filtered water, 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, 1-2 cinnamon sticks
  • Cook: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for ~25–35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very soft and breaking down. Start Timer
  • Mash or Blend: Remove from heat. Discard the cinnamon sticks, if used. For chunky applesauce, mash the apples with a potato masher. For a smoother texture, blend with an immersion blender or transfer to a blender in batches.
  • Finish with Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract. Taste and adjust spices, if desired. Feel free to add 1-3 Tbsp maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar if you want it a bit sweeter or if your apples are really tart and don’t mind a little added sugar! 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Serve or Store: Serve warm, chilled, or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for longer storage.

Video

Notes

  • You can use any apple(s) you’d like in this homemade applesauce. I like using a blend or two or three different varieties.
  • As the apples are cooking, if they need more liquid, add more water or orange juice.
  • Storage: Let the applesauce cool completely before storing. Transfer to airtight containers or glass jars with lids. Store in the refrigerator for up to 7–10 days .

Nutrition