Homemade applesauce is stupid easy. I mean, seriously. I know, I know. You hear that a lot on the internet or see it on Pinterest or whatever and you’re like, yeah, right… But, really. Homemade applesauce is like, the easiest thing to make. I used to make it all the time when the girls were babies. It was one of their favorite baby foods.
I got out of the applesauce habit for a little while, but I recently picked it back up again and I made the recipe. Wait for it…even EASIER. Booyah. Yeah, I’m bringing that back. (Not really.)
You see, originally, I peeled off the skins. And I thought to myself…self, why peel off the skins? There are a ton of nutrients in there and plus, don’t you hate peeling? Plus, you have this swank blender. So, you know, I stopped peeling off the skins. Ahhh, glorious.
So now, this is what I do. I core the apples. I stick said apples in the crockpot. I pour in the meager three other ingredients (lemon juice, cinnamon or cinnamon essential oil and vanilla…that’s it) and I turn on the crockpot. Then I go away and jam out in the living room with my kids for hours. Or I sleep, or whatever. Depending on you know, whether it’s midnight or not.
You don’t get midnight urges to make applesauce? Meh. Different strokes.
Once that little episode is over I scoop the whole sh’bang into the blender, blend that business and pour it into a couple of quart canning jars with the sweet reusable lids. Boom. Applesauce for daaaaaaays.
And then, I put them in these little babies from LunchBots and send them with my kids’ lunches. And they gobble them up. And when they’re home, they ask for like thirds and fourths. And so do their friends! Because this applesauce is amazeballs. Seriously, it’s freaking delicious. Go make some and hide some from your kids. Enjoy!
Why homemade applesauce?
You can find some pretty yummy and healthy organic applesauce these days. You can get applesauce in glass jars that is simply organic apples and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in a jar. Awesome. That’s great. You totally couldn’t do that everywhere even just a few years ago.
Organic groceries have come a loooong way in a short period of time. And you know why that is? Because we’re voting with our wallets. Boom. We’re saying, we don’t want that pesticide Dirty Dozen polluted apple junk anymore and we’re not going to take it. And (because they don’t want to go broke) companies are listening. Yay!
So, why not just buy the jarred stuff? Well, you totally can! I do it when I don’t feel like making it. Or when I’m out of town, or whatever. I like this applesauce. But, it’s spendy. Not that organic apples are the least spendy thing in the world, but I can usually get a 5.5 pound flat of organic apples at Costco for around $8 or $9, and that makes almost two batches of this applesauce.
Now, I make usually 2 quarts of applesauce per batch. And the jar I buy is about 23 ounces. So, you know, two batches of 2 quarts, so 128 ounces for $9 versus the jarred stuff of 23 ounces for $10-13. I’d say you do the math, but I totally just did it for you.
Plus, when you make your own, you can make it your own. Introduce new flavors and textures or whatever you like. EXPERIMENT!
Why reusable containers?
Those cute little snack packs are expensive. And, let’s face it, super wasteful. All that plastic and cardboard ends up somewhere. You can try to recycle it. But from what I understand, a lot of recycling gets dumped in the landfills these days due to contamination because of single stream curbside recycling services. Shameful.
So, using adorable and reusable containers like these LunchBots ones (or your favorites…they didn’t give me these or ask me to write this, I just love them!), can save you money and the planet grief in the long-run. Win-win!
Homemade Applesauce
Makes about 2 quarts
Ingredients
3 pounds organic apples (I used Gala), cored (don’t bother peeling!)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon or 3 drops cinnamon (vitality) essential oil (I get mine HERE)
Instant Pot Method
Place apples in your instant pot.
Pour in remaining ingredients.
Add 1 cup water.
Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, allow to naturally release.
Blend, jar and refrigerate.
Slow Cooker Method
Place those beautiful apples (unpeeled, but cored) into a 4-6 quart slow cooker.
Pour in remaining ingredients.
Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.
Scoop it all into the blender.
Pour into canning jars with or other sealable container.
Refrigerate.
Or, you know, eat it. Because it’s freaking delicious.
To freeze and store for baking and recipe needs: place 1/4 cup in silicone muffin tin slots. Flash freeze until solid (at least 4 hours). Remove applesauce rounds from muffin tin (pop out) and divide applesauce pucks among gallon reusable bags or freezer bags to refreeze.
To use: Thaw individual serving in a bowl on the counter and use in recipes as egg and oil substitutes.
Love it? Pin it, please!
Homemade Applesauce
Homemade applesauce is stupid easy. I mean, seriously. I know, I know. You hear that a lot on the internet. But this is easy for real!
Ingredients
- 3 pounds organic apples (I used Gala), cored (don't bother peeling!)
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Place apples in your instant pot.
- Pour in remaining ingredients.
- Add 1 cup water.
- Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, allow to naturally release.
- Blend, jar, and refrigerate.
