Homemade applesauce (or apple puree) is SO easy to make at home, you'll never buy store bought again! This easy recipe has only 2 ingredients and is perfect for babies of all ages.
Who knew making homemade applesauce could be so easy? Once you try this super simple recipe, you'll never buy store bought applesauce again! This homemade applesauce, which is essentially apple puree, is perfect for babies of all ages, toddlers, and adults alike.
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Why You'll Love Homemade Baby Applesauce
This homemade baby applesauce recipe is:
- SO easy to make with only 2 ingredients in less than 30 minutes
- Healthy - It has no added sugar and is full of nutrients.
- Delicious! You'll be amazed at how tasty the homemade version is.
- Flexible - Make it your own by varying the spices and type of apple, and make it as smooth or chunky as you'd like.
- Freezer friendly
- Perfect for babies and toddlers of all ages and stages
Ingredients
All you need is apples, lemon juice (fresh or bottled) and a splash of water.
Helpful equipment: You'll also need a high speed blender or food processor.
Best Apples To Use
You want to opt for fresh apples free from bruises or wrinkly skin. Go for a variety that breaks down easily if you want a super smooth puree, and ideally a sweeter variety. Some good choices include:
- Gala
- Fuji
- Honeycrisp
- Pink Lady
- McIntosh
- Golden Delicious
- Jonagold
If you prefer a more tart applesauce, you can use a tart apple, such as Granny Smith or Braebrun.
Step By Step Instructions
For the full detailed recipe and amounts, head to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Wash and dice the apple. Add to a saucepan with a lid, along with the water and lemon juice.
- Bring the apples to a simmer and cook over low heat, covered, for 15-20 minutes, or until very soft.
- Add the entire contents of the pot to a high speed blender.
- Blend until you reach the consistency you'd like. If you need to thin the puree out a little, add a splash of water.
Tip: If the apples are still hot, pressure can build up while blending and cause a hot explosion! Either let the apples cool, or slightly crack the lid of your blender and cover with a kitchen towel while blending.
Recipe Variations
- Peel - You can either leave the peel on, or peel the apples before chopping. For a smother applesauce, peel them. For a chunkier sauce, you can leave the peel on.
- Flavoring - Feel free to add any spices or flavoring you'd like. Add about ¼ to ½ teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, apple pie spice, ginger, or vanilla extract.
- Chunky applesauce - For a chunkier sauce, pulse the blender in short increments and stop to stir as needed until you get the consistency you want.
- Other cooking methods - If you prefer, you can bake, steam, or pressure cook the apples, then add a touch of liquid to the blender. Simmering on the stove is just the simplest to me.
Storage
Store applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For individual portions, I love these glass baby blocks. You can also freeze applesauce in silicone freezer cubes, then pop out the cubes and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen applesauce in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for an hour or so.
Serving Suggestions for Baby and Toddler
- Of course, you can spoon feed to your little one or offer a pre-loaded spoon for BLW.
- Swirl into oatmeal or plain yogurt for more flavor.
- Spread on top of toast fingers, pancakes, or waffles (add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a drizzle of peanut butter, too!)
- Use as a dip for picky toddlers (it pairs nicely with chicken and pork!)
- Use it to naturally sweeten baked goods and other recipes, such as applesauce muffins, baked oatmeal, and overnight oats.
- Blend into smoothies.
More Baby Friendly Apple Recipes
- Cinnamon Sautéd Apples for Babies
- Apple Oat Pancakes for Baby and Toddler
- Applesauce Overnight Oats for Baby
- Baby and Toddler Carrot Apple Breakfast Cookies
- No Sugar Baked Apple Oatmeal
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Homemade Baby Applesauce (No Sugar)
Homemade applesauce (or apple puree) is SO easy to make at home, you'll never buy store bought again! This easy recipe has only 2 ingredients and is perfect for babies of all ages.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: about 2 cups 1x
- Category: side dish
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: baby/toddler
Ingredients
- 1 lb apples, chopped - see notes
- 1 tsp lemon juice, fresh or bottled
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Peel, core and chop the apples. You can also leave the peel on for chunkier applesauce.
- Place apples in a saucepan with a lid. Add lemon juice and water.
- Bring to a simmer and cook over low heat, covered, until apples are soft, about 15-20 minutes.
- Add apples with the cooking liquid (and any additional spices of flavoring) to a high speed blender or food processor and puree until smooth. (See caution note below!)
Notes
- Apple varieties: You can use any kind of apple, but some suggested varieties are Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, McIntosh, Golden Delicious, Jonagold
- Peel: You can either leave the peel on, or peel the apples before chopping. For a smother applesauce, peel them. For a chunkier sauce, you can leave the peel on.
- Flavoring: Feel free to add any spices or flavoring you'd like. Add about ¼ to ½ teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, apple pie spice, ginger, or vanilla extract.
- Chunky applesauce: For a chunkier sauce, pulse the blender in short increments and stop to stir as needed until you get the consistency you want.
- Other cooking methods: If you prefer, you can bake, steam, or pressure cook the apples, then add a touch of liquid to the blender. Simmering on the stove is just the simplest to me.
- Caution: If the apples are still hot, pressure can build up while blending and cause a hot explosion! Either let the apples cool, or slightly crack the lid of your blender and cover with a kitchen towel while blending.
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