Homemade Apple Sauce (no sugar)

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Whether you’re using up a bag of orchard-fresh apples or meal-prepping a batch for snacks, this simple no-sugar-added homemade apple sauce recipe is naturally sweet, full of cinnamon flavour, and freezer-friendly.

The best part? I’ve included a conversion chart so you can easily scale the recipe depending on how many apples you have on hand from 3 to 12 or more!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No added sugar — just naturally sweet apples
Lightly spiced with cinnamon
Freezer-friendly and kid-approved
Easy to scale up

Ingredients (Base Recipe for 6 Apples)

6 medium apples (any variety or mix — Honeycrisp, Gala, McIntosh, Fuji, etc.)
½ cup water
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional but recommended)
1 teaspoon lemon juice (helps prevent browning)

Directions for homemade apple sauce

Peel, core, and chop the apples into chunks.
Add to a pot with water, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
Simmer over medium heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very soft.
Mash or blend to your preferred texture — chunky or smooth. (I did not blend mine just lightly mashed to keep on the thicker side)

apple sauce in square bowl with slices of apple and an apple in the back

Apple-to-Applesauce Conversion Chart

Number of Apples	Approx. Weight (lbs)	Yields (cups of applesauce)	Water	Cinnamon	Lemon Juice
3 apples	1 lb	1 ¼ cups	¼ cup	½ tsp	½ tsp
6 apples	2 lbs	2 ½ cups	½ cup	1 tsp	1 tsp
9 apples	3 lbs	4 cups	¾ cup	1 ½ tsp	1 ½ tsp
12 apples	4 lbs	5–6 cups	1 cup	2 tsp	2 tsp
18 apples	6 lbs	8–9 cups	1 ½ cups	1 tbsp	1 tbsp

Best Apples for Applesauce

Sweet: Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious
Tart: Granny Smith, McIntosh

FAQ: Homemade apple sauce (no sugar)

Can I leave the peel on?

Yes! Leaving peels on adds fibre and nutrients. Texture will be impacted - be sure to blend well for a smooth texture.

Can I make this in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?

Absolutely. Cook on LOW for 4–6 hours (slow cooker) or 8 minutes on HIGH pressure (Instant Pot).

Can I add other spices?

Try nutmeg, cloves, or a splash of vanilla extract for variation.

Do you need to core apples before making applesauce?

Yes it’s best to core the apples before making applesauce. While you can leave the peels on (they blend in and add extra fibre), the cores contain seeds and tough bits that won’t break down well.

What are the best spices to add to applesauce?

The most popular spices for applesauce are cinnamon and nutmeg, but you can also add cloves, allspice, ginger, or vanilla for extra warmth and flavour. A pinch of salt also enhances the sweetness and depth.

Recipe

apple sauce in square bowl with some slices of apple on the side and spoon in

Juliana Crimi, RD

Homemade applesauce is one of those cozy kitchen staples that’s both nostalgic and practical. Whether you’re using up a bag of orchard-fresh apples or meal-prepping a batch for snacks, this simple no-sugar-added recipe is naturally sweet, full of cinnamon flavour, and freezer-friendly.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings: 6 Servings

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

6 medium apples any variety or mix — Honeycrisp, Gala, McIntosh, Fuji, etc.
½ cup water
1 teaspoon cinnamon optional but recommended
1 teaspoon lemon juice helps prevent browning

Equipment

Cutting board
Knife
Stove top
Large pot
Measuring cups / spoons

Method

Peel, core, and chop the apples into chunks.
Add to a pot with water, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
Simmer over medium heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very soft.
Mash or blend to your preferred texture — chunky or smooth.