Skip the snack aisle and make this Homemade Apple Sauce instead. It's really easy to make and tastes a ton better than you can get at the store. Bonus, you can completely customize it so you can make it the way you like it!
For myself, apple sauce reminds me of holidays with my grandma on my mom's side of the family. Every Hanukkah that I spent with her would make her amazing fresh latkes, and there would be apple sauce to go with them. In fact, at most holiday dinners with her, she would always have apple sauce.
Next week is Rosh Hashanah, and if you don't know, that is the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of the birthday of the universe, the day God created Adam and Eve, and it is celebrated as the head of the Jewish year. I won't go into full detail on this, but it's a little fun fact that apples (and honey) are thought to bring good luck in the Jewish faith. This is one of the reasons that apples are often associated with various holidays, including Rosh Hashanah.
What apples make the best apple sauce?
In general, it's believed that the best apples for baking make the worst apple sauce. I think you can make apple sauce out of any apple you prefer, but I tend to stick to a combination of Granny Smith apples and gala. The combination of the two, I feel like, leaves a delicate balance of tart and sweet when the apple sauce is sweetened.
Other Apple Varieties
- Pink Lady
- McIntosh
- Fuji
- Golden Delicious
- Granny Smith
- Gala
- Transparent
- Cort
- Jonathan
Mix them, match them, and test each one by one, it is totally up to you.
How do you make apple sauce?
This Homemade Apple Sauce is made with a few simple ingredients and is ready in about 30 minutes. Enjoy this easy, delicious Homemade Apple Sauce as a quick snack, healthier dessert, or alongside more savory dishes and your holiday spreads!
Ingredients in Apple Sauce
- Apples
- Water
- Lemon Juice
- Honey or sweetener of choice (optional)
- Cinnamon (optional)
- Salt
Take note I put an optional next to the sweetener. I did this because sometimes I prefer a little bit more tart apple sauce, and other times I like things sweeter. I've found it also really depends on the apples' sweetness if I decide to sweeten them as well.
If you want to make this more Whole30 compliant, skip the sweetener. If you want to make this vegan sub a vegan sweetener such as maple syrup or agave.
Chunky or smooth apple sauce?
Again this boils down to personal preference. I will go both ways on this and if, in general, you like a smoother. More traditional apple sauce texture, peel your apples. If you want something a little different, then don't. It's totally up to you, and it will not ruin the apple sauce if you choose to go one way or the other.
Equipment needed to make apple sauce?
- Cutting board
- Apple Peeler
- Large Pot
- Potato Masher, Immersion Blender or Food Processor
Uses for homemade apple sauce?
Homemade applesauce is a delicious and healthy snack enjoyed on its own. But there are tons of other things you can do with a giant batch of homemade applesauce!
- Eat it plain (looking at you school lunches)
- Bake with it
- Add it to your favorite smoothies or over your favorite gluten-free granola.
- Sub it in to top your favorite waffles, french toast, and pancakes for a delicious fall treat.
You can use Homemade Apple Sauce for everything!
More Apple Recipes
- Smokey Apple Bacon Stuffed Pork Chops
- Caramel Apple Pound Cake
- Apple Potato Leek Soup
- Spiced Homemade Apple Cider
- Homemade Caramel Dipping Sauce - Tastes AMAZING with apples.
📖 Recipe
Homemade Apple Sauce
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large pot place, the apples. Add the water, lemon juice, honey, cinnamon, and salt and stir.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat and then reduce the temperature to love and cover.
- Allow the mixture to simmer for about 30 minutes or until the apples are completely soft and cooked through.
- Once the apples are fully cooked, remove them from the heat.
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