Lately, my husband has been obsessed with making Applesauce Without Sugar. He loves to make homemade applesauce when our apples get a bit old. So, I jotted down his recipe, and I came up with three different twists on it. None involve granulated or brown sugar—instead, I’ve thrown in some pineapple juice, grapes, brandy, and maple syrup for sweetness. Take your pick from these flavorful variations!
Since apples are naturally sweet, you don’t need much sugar to make delicious homemade applesauce. These four methods have unique flavors they bring to the table, and I love each one!
I have a fond memory of our first applesauce-making adventure.
While we were on our trip to Kazakhstan to adopt our son, we decided to try making our own applesauce for the first time. In that part of the world, it’s common for locals to sell groceries on the sidewalks. We came across an older woman and her son who were selling homegrown apples, and we bought a full grocery bag for less than five cents.
Back home, we diligently peeled, cored, and removed blemishes from the apples. My husband got to work and made a large batch of applesauce, which we enjoyed mixed into our yogurt, creating a delightful and unforgettable treat!
Here’s a little tidbit about Almaty, Kazakhstan: it’s believed to be the birthplace of the first apple. The word for apple in Kazakh is “Alma”! I guess that’s why the apples she sold were so amazing!
Best Apples for Making Applesauce Without Sugar
When making applesauce without sugar, why not let the apples do most of the sweetening rather than granulated sugar? So, I like to grab the sweeter apples to make homemade applesauce. If you don’t want to add anything to your apples, I would use the sweetest Honey Crisp apples you can find. In my opinion, they don’t need any sweetener!
Here is a list, and feel free to mix and match your apples.
- Honeycrisp: Honeycrisp apples boast a honey-like sweetness that enhances the taste of homemade applesauce, making it irresistibly delicious.
- Fuji: Fuji apples are known for their exceptional sweetness, providing a naturally sweet flavor to homemade applesauce without excessive sugar.
- Gala: Gala apples offer a delightful sweetness with a hint of tartness, contributing to a balanced and flavorful applesauce.
- Golden Delicious: Golden Delicious apples are renowned for their mild, sweet flavor, creating a smooth and velvety applesauce with a naturally sweet taste.
- Jonagold: Jonagold apples combine the sweetness of Golden Delicious with the tartness of Jonathan apples, resulting in a complex and rich flavor profile for applesauce.
Best Applesauce Recipe Without Sugar
I experimented with three distinct variations of applesauce, and one emerged as the clear favorite after some taste testing. The version with maple syrup stood out as particularly delicious. Although maple syrup is another form of sugar, it’s not the processed granulated kind. So, if you’re open to it, I highly recommend trying that version.
Benefits of Not Adding Sugar
- Healthier Option: By omitting granulated sugar, homemade applesauce becomes a healthier alternative, reducing unnecessary sugar intake. 2. Natural Sweetness: Apples already contain natural sugars, providing ample sweetness without the need for additional sweeteners.
- Enhanced Flavor Profile: Without the overpowering sweetness of granulated sugar, the true flavors of the apples shine through, creating a more nuanced and enjoyable taste.
- Lower Caloric Content: Eliminating granulated sugar lowers the calorie count of homemade applesauce, making it a lighter option for those watching their calorie intake.
- Avoiding Processed Ingredients: By skipping granulated sugar, homemade applesauce remains free from processed additives, promoting a cleaner and more natural product.
- Dietary Flexibility: Not adding granulated sugar allows for greater flexibility in sweetening options, such as using healthier alternatives like honey, maple syrup, or fruit juices.
Applesauce with Maple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds apples peeled, cored and diced
- 3 tbsp butter you can add another tablespoon
- 1 stick cinnamon optional
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon optional
- 1 tsp vanilla extract optional
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Peel, core, and dice apples.
- Melt butter on the stove in a medium-sized pot.
- Add ground cinnamon and the cinnamon stick to the butter. Add diced apples.
- Bring the butter and apple juice to a small boil. Cover the pot and reduce heat to a simmer. Make sure the apples don't burn but that there is a slight boil. As it cooks, there will be more liquid in the mixture.
- Once the apples are soft remove from stove and add the vanilla extract and maple syrup.
Nutrition
Applesauce with Brandy
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs apples cored, peels and cubed
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 stick cinnamon optional
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon optional
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup Brandy
Instructions
- Peel, core, and dice apples.
- Melt butter on the stove in a medium-sized pot.
- Add ground cinnamon and the cinnamon stick to the butter. Add diced apples.
- Bring the butter and apple juice to a small boil. Cover the pot and reduce heat to a simmer. Make sure the apples don't burn but that there is a slight boil. As it cooks, there will be more liquid in the mixture.
Nutrition
Applesauce with Pineapple Juice
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs apples peeled, cored, and diced
- 3 tbsp butter You can add one more tablespoon
- 1 stick cinnamon optional
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon optional
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp pineapple juice
Instructions
- Peel, core, and dice apples.
- Melt butter on the stove in a medium-sized pot.
- Add ground cinnamon and the cinnamon stick to the butter. Add diced apples.
- Bring the butter and apple juice to a small boil. Cover the pot and reduce heat to a simmer. Make sure the apples don't burn but that there is a slight boil. As it cooks, there will be more liquid in the mixture.
- Once the apples are soft, remove them from the stove and add the vanilla extract and pineapple juice.
Nutrition
Applesauce with Grapes
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs apples peeled, cored, and diced
- 8 red grapes
- 3 tbsp butter You can add one more tablespoon.
- 1 stick cinnamon optional
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon optional
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Peel, core, and dice apples. Dice the grapes.
- Melt butter on the stove in a medium-sized pot.
- Add ground cinnamon and the cinnamon stick to the butter. Add diced apples and grapes.
- Bring the butter and apple juice to a small boil. Cover the pot and reduce heat to a simmer. Make sure the apples don't burn but that there is a slight boil. As it cooks, there will be more liquid in the mixture.
- Once the apples are soft, remove them from the stove and add the vanilla extract.
Notes
Nutrition
Things To Add to Applesauce!
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla Extract
- Lemon Juice
- Orange Zest
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Unsweetened Fruit Juices (e.g., pineapple, cranberry)
- Raisins or Other Dried Fruits
- Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
- Chopped Nuts (e.g., walnuts, almonds)
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Any sweet apple variety works well for homemade applesauce without sugar.
You can use options like cinnamon, vanilla extract, or natural fruit juices like pineapple or apple to add sweetness.
Yes, but in a good way! The natural sweetness of the apples shines through, creating a deliciously fresh flavor.
Yes, just ensure it’s properly sealed and refrigerated—it should keep for a similar duration.
Absolutely! Experiment with different sweeteners like maple syrup, pineapple juice, and grapes until you find your preferred level of sweetness.
Homemade applesauce typically lasts about 1 to 2 weeks when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before eating, check for any signs of spoilage, such as mold or an off smell.
If properly sealed and frozen, it can last for several months.
Other Apple Recipes You Might Like!
I am really enjoying these variations of sugar-free applesauce! The apple flavor is very distinct and delicious. I hope you enjoy this natural treat!
Cheers,
Photo Credits: MyPhotography.com
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