Happy Friday I wanted to share my easy slow cooker applesauce with you today which is another great way to use the abundance of apples and your slow cooker! Making applesauce in the slow cooker saves you the time from watching them on the stove (I do while I am sleeping) and makes them super soft.  Since they are soft you don’t have to peel them which saves you time and gives you more nutrition! The skin contains fiber and antioxidants so keeping it on is super beneficial! This recipe originated from my Aunt, who lives in Atlanta.  She gives us a few jars when we visit for she Thanksgiving every other year.  Last year my children decided I needed to learn how to make it to when we finished them all within a week.

Why Slow Cooker Apple Sauce is Super Easy

First, simply wash, core and chop your apples – NO PEELING!!!!

This is a great way to use your kids kitchen knives and enlist your little helpers!  You can check out these videos to see John coring the apple and chopping it!

Next place them in your slow cooker, add the remaining ingredients and give them a stir.   Set them to low and go to bed or go about your day.

If you set them overnight you wake up to a wonderful smell! Strain the apples, you can save the extra liquid for sweetening oatmeal, drinking or braising meats.  You have the option to not strain it and have it be a little thinner.

When the apples are strained you can hand mash them if you don’t mind the skins or blend in your food processor or high speed blender.  I store mine in jars in the refrigerator.  With the lemon, they will last 2-3 weeks, but mine never last that long!

Uses for Applesauce

1. Add it as a sweetener to plain yogurt, cottage cheese, or oatmeal
2. Use it as a dip for grilled pork or chicken
3. Add it to a lunch box
4. Bake with it!
   1. Peanut Butter & Jelly Breakfast Cookies
   2. Easy Applesauce Bread
   3. One Bowl Butternut Squash & Apple Muffins
   4. Easy Apple Cake
   5. Chunky School Safe Granola
   6. Carrot Apple Bread {No Sugar Added}
   7. Spinach Muffins {No Sugar Added}
5. Devour it straight from the jar

So make some applesauce tonight and use it up over the long weekend 🙂

Easy Slow Cooker Applesauce with Skin

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Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

High Cook Time: 4 hours

Servings:2 12oz Jars

Course:Side Dish, Snack

Keyword:Apples, Kid Friendly, Kids in the Kitchen, Slow Cooker

Ingredients

• ▢ 1/2 cup apple cider or water
• ▢ 1 juice from lemon
• ▢ 1 tsp cinnamon
• ▢ 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• ▢ 1/8 tsp cloves or all spice
• ▢ 2 1/2 lbs apples cored this is about 3-3 1/2 with the core

Instructions

• Core and chop your Apples
• Add your apples and your remaining ingredients to your slow cooker
• Stir to combine
• Set to high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours (I set them before I go to bed)
• Strain your apples (this is optional, but it will be thinner if you don't strain)
• Mash or blend and store in the refridgerator for up to 2 weeks!

Notes

1. This recipe is flexible:

A. You can eliminate the lemon if you are going to eat it all right away. I find it keeps it fresher longer so I add.

B. You can skip the spices - they have a very subtle taste, but I know some people do not like any spice in their apple sauce

C. You can not strain it to save bowls and time and have it be slightly thinner.

D. If you don't have a food processor or a blender you can simply mash it (if you are adverse to the skins then peel before hand)

2. Save the strained liquid you can use it for overnight oats, oatmeal or to make a 2nd batch.

3. You can enjoy this a variety of ways
A. Eat right from the Jar!

B. Use in oatmeal or overnight oats

C. Mix with plain yogurt

D. Use for baking muffins or cookies

Did you make this recipe?I would love to see your creations! Snap a picture and tag @kristanwatson or #foodplaygo on Social Media!