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How to Make Unsweetened Apple Sauce (Recipe)

Published on October 25, 2019Last updated October 23, 2021 โ™› By Melissa J. Will

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This is a simple recipe for making all-natural apple sauce without any added sugar. All it takes is nice, fresh apples and water.

If you would like dessert,ย my best apple crisp recipe is here.

Unsweetened apple sauce in bowl.

Simple N0-Added Sugar Apple Sauce

Apple sauce in a bowl.

I love apples (shout out for Jonagold!) and Iโ€™ve always loved fresh apple sauce. In my childhood home it was always made by boiling whole apples and then running them through a sieve. It never occurred to me to try a different method until a few years ago when I had a craving but I didnโ€™t have a sieve.

What youโ€™ll see here is what I think is the easiest way to make pure, nutritious, sugar-free apple sauce. And itโ€™s fast and easy: I can have a big batch ready in around 30 minutes.

Apples growing on a dwarf apple tree.

Chose A Variety Of Apples For Great Taste

This is the first year I have apples from my very own dwarf apple tree. I planted it just two years ago and I was amazed by the abundance of apples it produced this year.

When making apple sauce, I really like to use several types of apples. The combination of flavors makes a deeper, lovely taste.

For quantity, consider how many peeled apples will fit in your pot. I use a big soup/canning pot and use about 20 apples per batch.

Apple, apple peel, and apple peeler.

Related: How to Choose the Best Apples for Pies

Apple Peeling Device

Apple peeler device with peeled apples.

Apple Peeler Device | Amazon

Making Apple Sauce

First, core, peel, and dice the apples. The smaller the pieces, the faster it cooks.

You can either cut around the core or use an apple peel and core tool.

I give some apple peels to our pet rabbit (itโ€™s his favorite) and the rest goes in the composter.

Peeled and chopped apple pieces ready for cooking.

Boil The Apples

Thereโ€™s no real secret to making apple sauce. The apples pieces are boiled in water and soon turn to sauce.

Cooking apples to make apple sauce.

Taste and Adjust If You Must

When nearly done, do a taste test. You may want to add some spice like cinnamon. If your apples are not great, perhaps a dash of sugar will revive them.

Bowl of homemade apple sauce with spoon.

Fresh apple sauce stores in the fridge for approximately one week.

If you want to keep it longer, use proper canning methods to ensure food safely.

Want the ultimate taste combination? Add some Perfect Granola to the apple sauce and serve warm. Yum!

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt โ™›

Apple sauce in a bowl.
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Unsweetened Apple Sauce

Yes, it's a one ingredient recipe. This all natural apple sauce uses the natural sweetness of apples for its delicious flavor. Add spice if you must.
Prep Time: 20 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 1 hour hr
Servings: 8
Author: Melissa J. Will

Equipment

  • Apple peeler
  • Apple corer
  • Knife
  • Large stock pot with lid
  • Potato masher

Ingredients

  • 20 Apples medium or large
  • Water
  • Cinnamon optional

Instructions

  • Core, peel, and dice apples into small bits.
    20 Apples
  • Place chopped apples in cooking pot and cover 1/3 in water.
    Water
  • Bring water to boil, stirring occasionally.
  • Use a potato masher to gradually help apples turn to sauce.
  • (Optional) add dash of cinnamon or other spice as desired.
    Cinnamon
  • Store in airtight container in fridge for one week or properly can for longer storage.

Notes

Nutritional values are approximate only.ย 

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 237kcal | Total Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Fiber: 11g
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Apple sauce in a bowl.
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Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
Join me as I share creative + frugal home & garden ideas with a dash of humor.
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