Easy Homemade Apple Sauce Recipe
GLUTEN FREE II DAIRY FREE II VEGAN II NIGHTSHADE FREE II SESAME FREE II FISH FREE II SHELLFISH FREE II SOY FREE II TOP 14 FREE II PALEO II SUGAR FREE
Get ready to whip up apple sauce that’s easy, tasty, and leaves your kitchen smelling like an Autumn festival. This homemade recipe features cinnamon for a burst of flavour, making it perfect for a snack or as a topping for pancakes, porridge, or any other dish you want to elevate.
Apple sauce also works wonders in vegan baking as an egg substitute. Got some apples that are a little past their prime? Transform them into something special instead of discarding them. As it bubbles away, the scent of apples and spice floats through the house, making it hard to wait for a taste.
But the real magic happens when you dig in. The apple sauce comes out with a bright, tangy flavour, just the right touch of sweetness, and plenty of that warm cinnamon kick. Leave it chunky if you like a bit of texture, or blend it super smooth for a classic finish.
Either way, you end up with a treat that’s both simple and satisfying. Try it once and you’ll want to make it again every time apples start to go soft.
Notes on ingredients for apple sauce
Apples
I grabbed a classic Bramley apple for this recipe. These cooking apples bring lots of tang and a sharp tartness. Once you cook them, they don’t hold their shape—they go straight to mush. That’s what makes Bramleys perfect for apple sauce. You don’t have to work hard mashing them, since they break down almost on their own as they cook. Less effort, more flavour, and a silky smooth sauce every time.
Any apple works for this apple sauce recipe, but not all apples break down the same way. Some apples remain chunky after cooking and require a quick mash or a blitz with a blender to achieve the smooth texture of apple sauce. When I whip up an apple crumble, I like to throw in both cooking apples and a few Granny Smiths. The cooking apples soften and melt into the mix, while the Granny Smiths retain their shape and add a slight bite. It’s a sweet and tart combo that keeps every spoonful interesting.
Spices
I added a sprinkle of cinnamon and a star anise for an extra spark. You don’t have to use any spice in your apple sauce, but I can’t help myself—cinnamon brings that warm flavour I crave and a bonus: it’s known to help with inflammation. If you’re not into spices, feel free to skip them. I just can’t resist a little extra kick in my apple sauce.
Coconut oil
This ingredient is not a must, but I do like adding coconut oil for extra health benefits. Read more about this here.
Sweetener
I used xylitol to make this recipe sugar-free and suitable for those on a sugar-free diet. However, you can use honey, maple syrup, coconut blossom nectar, brown sugar, or agave as alternatives.
Ingredients
Why I love this recipe for apple sauce
It’s incredibly quick and simple to make, using just four ingredients.
Applesauce is a great egg substitute in some vegan recipes. Please take a look at my article, A Guide to Egg Replacements in Cooking and Baking, here.
You can use this delicious apple sauce in so many ways. I love to heat up a little apple sauce and add it to coconut yoghurt, topping it with nuts, seeds, or granola. It tastes like a super healthy apple crumble. Try my gluten and dairy-free maple and pecan granola here.
Add this applesauce to porridge, pancakes, waffles, or French toast. Take a look at my vegan apple and cinnamon buckwheat pancake recipe with caramelised maple walnuts here.
I like to make a batch and then freeze it into small freezer bags, each containing one portion. So, anytime I need apple sauce, voilà, I have some ready.
Faq’s
What's the best type of apple for apple sauce?
Choose apples that break down easily, such as Bramley, McIntosh, Fuji, Gala, or Golden Delicious. You can mix sweet and tart apples for a balanced flavour.
Do I need to peel the apples first?
You don't have to, but peeling gives a smoother sauce. Leaving the skins on adds texture and extra fibre, though you'll need to blend or mash the sauce well.
How sweet should apple sauce be?
Taste your apples first. If they're sweet, you might not need to add any sugar. If you want it sweeter, add small amounts of sugar, honey, or maple syrup until it tastes right.
Can I make apple sauce without added sugar?
Yes. Many apples are sweet on their own. Add cinnamon or a bit of lemon juice to bring out the natural sweetness.
What's the best way to cook apple sauce?
I enjoy cooking apple sauce in the oven; it’s a really lazy method and also ensures it doesn’t burn on the hob. Stir frequently and cook until soft, about 20 to 30 minutes. Then mash or blend to your liking.
Should I use a food processor or stick blender?
If you want chunky apple sauce, use a potato masher. For a smooth sauce, use a stick blender, food processor, or regular blender.
How do I store homemade apple sauce?
Cool it first, then keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze it for up to six months.
Can I use apple sauce as a baking substitute?
Yes. It works well as a substitute for oil or eggs in many baked goods. Replace half the oil or one egg with the same amount of apple sauce for moister, lower-fat treats.
Is apple sauce safe for babies?
Homemade apple sauce with no added sugar is safe for most babies six months and older. Avoid honey for infants under one year. If making this for an infant, use a sweeter apple, as Bramley apples and Granny Smith apples might be a bit too tart and tangy for little ones.
Can I spice up my apple sauce?
Try cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, star anise or a splash of vanilla extract. Add spices while the apples cook so the flavours can blend.
Does apple sauce need lemon juice?
Lemon juice keeps the sauce from turning brown and brightens the flavour.
Why did my apple sauce turn brown?
Apples turn brown when cut and exposed to air. Cooking immediately helps, or you can add a little lemon juice to maintain the light colour. When peeling a large batch of apples, I like to keep a big bowl of water nearby with lemon juice and the leftover lemon in the bowl, so as you peel and chop the apples, they sit in a lemony water bath that prevents them from browning.
Should the sauce be served warm or cold?
Either works. Warm apple sauce feels cosy on cool days, while chilled sauce is refreshing in warmer months.
What are some ways to use apple sauce?
Serve as a snack, swirl into yoghurt or porridge or use as a topping for pancakes and pork. You can also spoon it onto toast or mix it into smoothies.
Want to try your own twist? Share your favourite apple sauce additions in the comments!
Makes approx 1 litre of apple sauce - 1 hour prep & cooking time
Step by Step
Recipe
7 Bramley apples, roughly 1.280 kg
50 g coconut oil
2 lemons juiced
5 tbsp sugar or sweetener of choice (see notes for substitutes)
1 tsp cinnamon or 1/2 tsp nutmeg, allspice or 1 star anise * optional
Method
Preheat the oven to 200 °C or 392°F, gas mark 6
Fill a large bowl with three-quarters water and add the juice of one lemon, as well as the remaining lemon.
Peel, core, and slice the apples, then place them in the lemony water until all the apples are prepared. This prevents the apples from browning while you are still peeling and chopping the batch.
When all the apples have been chopped and peeled, drain off the water and return them to the large bowl. Add the sugar, melted coconut oil and any spices if using. Mix together.
Add the apples to a baking dish, and cover with foil. Bake for 35 minutes or until soft.
When slightly cooled, you can mash the apples with a fork or a potato masher. For a smoother sauce, then use a food processor or a stick blender to blend into a purée.
Other recipes you might like
Apple and Cinnamon Buckwheat Pancakes with Caramelised Maple Walnuts
Almond Buckwheat Granola - Try this delicious recipe with my apple sauce and coconut yoghurt
Delicious Vegan and Gluten-Free Waffles - These stunning waffles would taste great with some warm apple sauce on top.
Maple and Pecan Granola Recipe - A spiced granola which would be perfect to eat with this apple sauce recipe, for the ultimate breakfast.
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