There are only 3 ingredients in this homemade, unsweetened applesauce recipe. Make this in your slow cooker or electric pressure cooker (Instant Pot).
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What Kind Of Apples To Use
You can use your preferred apple but since this recipe does not use sugar I would use a sweet apple like gala or red delicious. The apples you see in the picture here are red delicious. There’s no need to remove the skin from the apples before adding them to the slow cooker or electric pressure cooker. Yes, you can if you want however the skin has nutrients and will cook down so soft you won’t be able to tell there was ever skin on the apples when this is done cooking.
before (electric pressure cooker)
No Added Sugar
There’s no added sugar in this applesauce. Why add sugar? It’s not needed. I don’t use sugar in general in my recipes. If I need something to be sweetened I will use a natural sweetener honey, maple syrup or chopped dates. I recommend adding one of these 3 to your applesauce if you want it to be sweeter: 1/3 cup of honey, or maple syrup or a few chopped dates. Yes you read that correctly, chopped dates. In addition to being paleo and whole30 compliant, they’re full of nutritional value & naturally really sweet. They’re the perfect natural sweetener. You have to be careful though; if you use too many dates then your applesauce will taste ‘datey’. It won’t necessarily ruin the batch but it will alter the taste. Personally 3-5 small, pitted dates is enough sweetness for me. When deciding how many dates to use take into consideration how sweet your apples are and if you are adding another sweet fruit into the mix.
after (electric pressure cooker)
Other apple recipes you might enjoy:
Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Apple Bake (Paleo, Vegan)
Slow Cooker Apple Butter (Paleo, Vegan, Whole30)
Slow Cooker Apple Cider (Paleo, Vegan)
Slow Cooker Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal (Paleo, Vegan)
Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Blueberry Applesauce (Paleo, Vegan, Whole30)
Blend To Desired Consistency
I like to use my immersion blender directly in the slow cooker or pressure cooker to blend my applesauce. You can also use a potato masher or once the applesauce has cooled, transfer it to a regular blender or food processor. Blend the applesauce to your desired consistency. Personally I like mine to be very smooth but you might like chunks in yours. The applesauce will thicken and darken as it cools. This is completely normal.
Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Applesauce (Paleo, Vegan, Whole30)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: Approx 3 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples, cored
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup water for slow cooker, 1 cup water for electric pressure cooker
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- Add all ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
- Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or LOW 4-6.
- Let cool & then blend until you achieve desired consistency.
Electric Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)
- Add all ingredients to the pressure cooker. Stir to mix well.
- Close lid and seal valve. Set manual, high pressure to 6 minutes. Quick release pressure.
- Let cool & then blend until you achieve desired consistency.
Notes
Store the applesauce in the refrigerator for 7-10 days or freeze it for later use.
I make this applesauce in my small 2-quart slow cooker or my 6-quart Instant Pot (the only size I have). For larger batches simply double or triple the measurements.
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I usually make homemade applesauce in my crockpot but I made this in my Instant Pot after finding the recipe on Pinterest. Nice & easy recipe. No cinnamon for me I don’t like it. So much easier than the crockpot.
★★★★★