Homemade Small Batch Crockpot Applesauce

Easy and delicious recipe for homemade small batch Crockpot applesauce that makes just 24 ounces. If you are cooking for two, this recipe is perfect!

honeycrisp apples on round cutting board

Last month, I spent two weeks visiting with my daughter-in-law and grandchildren. It was amazingly fun and wonderful. We spent most of the time here at home, but my daughter found an apple orchard (complete with a pumpkin patch) that we could visit without worrying too much about the COVID restrictions. We ate pumpkin donuts, picked apples, and we brought home the best and most beautiful pumpkin ever…and as you can see from the picture below, it was a really hard choice!

pumpkin patch

Homemade Small Batch Crockpot Applesauce

When I was deciding what to do with all the apples we picked, the first thing that came to mind was applesauce. So I made a big batch, and it was enjoyed by all. I wanted to make it again, but the second time around I needed a much smaller amount. So I started experimenting, and came up with this recipe for homemade small batch crockpot applesauce. It took a few tries to get the ingredients correct, but it was worth the time…because it’s so good. This small batch recipe makes about 24 ounces. The day I finally got it right, my husband and I had a helping each with our dinner, and there was enough left over to fill a 16 ounce mason jar. The perfect, small batch amount.

small batch crockpot applesauce before cooking

Honeycrisp Apples

The orchard where we went picking grows Honeycrisp apples. They were quite small, but firm and tasty…and they made the best applesauce. For the small batch version, I used Honeycrisp again, but they were the larger apples. It was equally delicious as that first big batch.

Best Apples for Making Applesauce

There are many other good choices when it comes to picking an apple variety to make applesauce. Here are just a few:

  • Gala
  • Fuji
  • Golden Delicious
  • McIntosh
  • Braeburn
  • Rome
  • Granny Smith

homemade small batch crockpot applesauce

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When the applesauce is finished cooking, it works very well to simply stir it for a few minutes with a large spoon. This results in a slightly chunky applesauce. For a smoother consistency, an immersion hand blender can be used.

Crockpot Applesauce Tip

I used a 4 quart oval crockpot to cook this small batch applesauce. If you want to make more than 24 ounces, simply double the recipe. There should be plenty of room in the crockpot.

crockpot applesauce in mason jar with gift tag

I believe that a gift presented in a mason jar has its own particular charm…and this homemade small batch crockpot applesauce proves my point! These fluted 16 ounce mason jars (pictured above) are relatively new, and they have the prettiest shape. Add a free printable fall gift tag, and you have a lovely gift that comes straight from your kitchen…and your heart.

honeycrisp apples on round cutting board

Homemade Small Batch Crockpot Applesauce

Easy and delicious recipe for homemade small batch Crock-Pot applesauce that makes just 24 ounces. If you are cooking for two, this recipe is perfect!
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5 from 13 votes
Servings: 24 ounces
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes

Equipment

  • 4 quart slow cooker

Ingredients

  • 2 - 2 1/2 lbs. Honeycrisp apples (about 4 large apples)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional)

Instructions

  • Peel, core, and slice the apples.
  • Place the apples in a 3 or 4 quart slow cooker.
  • Add the lemon juice, and stir so apples are coated.
  • Add white sugar, brown sugar, and water.
  • Mix together. Place cinnamon stick on top.
  • Cook for 2 1/2 hours on high.
  • When done, remove the cinnamon stick and stir the apples well. They will break up easily.
  • Store in mason jars in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
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Love apple recipes? Try this easy apple crumble!

Until next time…

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18 Comments

  1. Dear Ann, this is a first for me, but I just wanted you to know how much I have enjoyed your recipes, and particularly the small batch applesauce recipe. I had made it a few times for just my husband and me and then for our grown children and grandchildren. Then I volunteered to make it with our grandson’s pre-kindergarten class last week. I multiplied the ingredients by four and practiced before the big day. It turned out great, and the teacher and class were delighted. We began the process at eight, and we were ladling it up by 12:45. I used McIntosh and Granny Smith because they were the ones that looked best at our market. We passed along the recipe so you may have some new fans. I just wanted to let you know how much this was enjoyed and appreciated. Thanks.

    1. Ann Drake says:

      Hi Jan…thank you so much for taking the time to share about the applesauce! I love that you were able to visit your grandson’s class. I’m so happy it all turned out OK. Happy Fall!

  2. Cindy Smith says:

    My mother always used Paula Reds for her applesauce. The produce manager at a nearby IGA store would call her when he received a delivery of Paula Reds. So sweet of him. My mother made her own applesauce up until her passing last October at the age of 90. As she got older she would freeze it in storage bags rather then canning, as she did when she was younger. I sure miss her!

  3. Anne-Marie says:

    My grandchildren are coming for the weekend in late September. This will be a fantastic activity to do with them! We will celebrate autumn and I’m sure the house will smell fabulous. Thanks for the find on the mason jars. They’re beautiful.

  4. Pat Soule says:

    5 stars
    Made a double batch with this recipe. VERY popular with the family. And the house smelled so good while cooking. I will definitely make this again! Thanks Ann!

  5. 5 stars
    Ann, I made your recipe with Honeycrisp apples from our trees. I made about a double batch and it is delicious! Saved some for our evening meal and the rest I put up in canning jars. While sitting on the counter, they sealed on their own (no hot water bath needed) My hubby just loves it too! He has raided the jars. We love the chunkiness of the apples. Wonderful recipe Ann !
    Thanks.

  6. 5 stars
    Made this yesterday, it was FABULOUS! Heading back to the store to get more apples, I’ll never be able to have store bought applesauce again. Thank you for another great recipe.

  7. Lory Bernstein says:

    Oh, how the picture of the little ones made me smile… :-)

  8. Rebecca M says:

    Ann that sound delicious! I’m making it tomorrow. 🤤

  9. It all sounds perfect for fall…would love to visit an orchard and make some of the things you described! Yum!!

  10. Curious if this recipe is suitable for canning?

    1. Ann Drake says:

      Hi Karen…I honestly don’t know. I have never canned anything!

  11. Ellen J Sorce says:

    5 stars
    Thank you for this applesauce for 2 recipe. I normally fill my slow cooker with at least 3 different types of apples, and then freeze batches every year. This will be so much easier.

  12. 5 stars
    Hi Ann, this looks delicious! I have apples from our own young tree I would like to use for this but they are kind of small and I’ll have to cut away some bad spots from them. Do you have a weight or cup measurement on how much apple you had from the 4 large (2 to 2-1/2 lbs.) apples please?

    1. Ann Drake says:

      Hi Shannon…I just sliced an apple. It filled a 1 cup liquid measurer to the brim. I packed it down as best I could. For this recipe, I actually weighed my apples, so if you have a kitchen scale, that would work too. Enjoy!

  13. 5 stars
    It’s meaning present. You completed all steps from picking apples, cooking, and packaging. I haven’t got the cinnamon stick, can I use cinnamon powder? But I don’t know how to remove it after applesauce is done.

    1. Ellen J Sorce says:

      I always use powdered cinnamon to taste, at the end. I have an elderly aunt who can’t have cinnamon, so for her, I add a little more brown sugar.

    2. Ann Drake says:

      Hi! If you add ground cinnamon, it will have to be stirred into the applesauce…and it will have a stronger cinnamon taste. I’m sure it would be delicious!