3-Ingredient Applesauce (No Sugar Added)
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
4 (1/4-cup servings)
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Calories
21 kcal
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Course
Condiments, Snacks
3-Ingredient Applesauce (No Sugar Added)
Description
3-Ingredient Applesauce (No Sugar Added) starts with peeled and chopped sweet apples like Honeycrisp, combined with ground cinnamon, lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar), and a small amount of water to prevent sticking. The mixture is cooked covered over medium heat until the apples soften and begin to caramelize, approximately 15-20 minutes. The lemon juice preserves freshness and adds tartness.
The applesauce is mashed with a wooden spoon or potato masher to achieve a loose, chunky texture. For a smoother sauce, blending with an immersion blender or food processor is optional. Maple syrup or another sweetener can be added if desired, depending on apple sweetness.
This applesauce can be enjoyed fresh or stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days and in the freezer up to 1 month. It reheats well on the stovetop or microwave, adding water if needed to thin. The recipe also provides Instant Pot instructions where the ingredients are pressure cooked and optionally finished with sauté to reduce excess liquid.
Ingredients
- 2 medium apple sweet apples are best // leave peel on for more texture and fiber, honeycrisp variety, peeled, cored, chopped in bite-size pieces
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (plus more to taste)
- 2-3 Tbsp water
- 1 tsp lemon juice for preserving / keeping fresh longer / tartness, or apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 tsp maple syrup (or other sweetener of choice // optional)
Instructions
- To a medium saucepan (see notes for Instant Pot instructions) add peeled chopped apples, cinnamon, a dash of water (~2-3 Tbsp / 30-45 ml as original recipe is written), and lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Stir.
- Cover and cook over medium heat until it simmers, then reduce heat to low / medium-low and continue cooking until the apples are very tender and slightly caramelized — about 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Use the back of a wooden spoon or potato masher to mash into a loose sauce. You could also blend with an immersion blender, in a food processor or high-speed blender for smoother texture (optional) – a helpful step if you left the skins on. Add a dash of maple syrup or sugar of choice to sweeten (optional – depends on sweetness of your apples).
- Enjoy fresh, or store cooled leftovers in the refrigerator up to 4-5 days, or in the freezer up to 1 month. Enjoy cold or reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until hot (add more water as needed if dry).
Notes
- To prepare using an Instant Pot, pressure cook all ingredients on high for 8 minutes, then quick release pressure.
- Mash the cooked apples to a loose sauce using a wooden spoon, potato masher, or immersion blender for smoother texture.
- If the applesauce is too watery, use the sauté mode on the Instant Pot to evaporate excess liquid, stirring frequently and covering to reduce splatter.
- Store cooled applesauce in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
- Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding water if necessary to loosen the sauce.
- The nutrition information provided is an estimate and may vary based on apple variety and sweetener use.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4(1/4-cup servings)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 21 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1quarter-cup serving | |
| Calories | 21 | 1% |
| Carbohydrates | 5.7g | 2% |
| Protein | 0g | 0% |
| Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 0mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 45mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 0.5g | 2% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 26IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 2.31mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 1.71mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.1mg | 1% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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