Cinnamon Applesauce

My kids go crazy for my homemade cinnamon applesauce every time I make it! My recipe is super easy and tastes so good that my family won’t even eat the store-bought kind anymore.

My Easy Homemade Applesauce

Every fall, my family goes apple picking to get big bags of fresh apples. While my daughter Leah isn’t a fan of the bees during the picking, she absolutely loves it when I make cinnamon applesauce with the apples.

So much so that even after picking season is done, I’m constantly buying discounted pecks at my local farm market and grocery store to make more and more, per Leah’s request.

Now that she’s 8, she always helps me in the kitchen with this recipe from each step of peeling the apples, which is easy, thanks to this guy. She even adds the sugar and helps me mash the sauce up at the end.

I always keep my applesauce a bit chunky. I grew up with my mom making chunky applesauce, so it’s definitely a nostalgic thing that I still love. Leah also tells me it’s her favorite part too. She said she likes to “find the little apple pieces” and save them for the end.

Applesauce Recipe Ingredients 

• Apples — I recommend Gala, but I’ve used various kinds of apples for this recipe with success
• Water — the apples release a lot of juice during cooking, so just a little is needed
• Sugar — to give the apples a bit more sweetness
• Ground cinnamon — to give warmth to the applesauce

How to Make Applesauce

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Place the chopped and peeled apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon in a big pot on the stove on medium heat. 

STEP TWO: Cover and cook for 10 to 15 min until the apples are soft when pierced with a fork.

STEP THREE: Mash the apples using a potato masher.

STEP FOUR: Allow to cool slightly and enjoy warm or refrigerate to enjoy cold.

Tips for the Best Chunky Applesauce

• I recommend gala apples for homemade applesauce. They have just the right balance of sweet and tart flavor and the perfect texture.
• Use a good peeler to remove the apple skins. I know from experience that this recipe is a lot more fun with a quality peeler that doesn’t get stuck in the apples.
• Peel and core the apples so they mash easily. I’ve tried the recipe without peeling the apples, but the skin was just too tough to mash well. I use this apple peeler/corer to make things easier.
• Chop the apples evenly so all the pieces cook at the same rate. 
• Keep the boiled apples in the pot with the water, sugar, and cinnamon for mashing to avoid dirtying another dish. I love a one-pot recipe that requires less cleaning!
• Use a potato masher for the best batch of chunky applesauce. My kids love the texture and the bits of apple in each bite!

Cinnamon Applesauce Variations and Substitutions

• Double or even triple the recipe by just doubling or tripling each ingredient in the recipe. It can take an extra 1-2 minutes to cook depending on how full the pot is. I typically make a double batch in my house.
• Mix up the spices by using nutmeg or allspice. Big, warm spice flavor is my favorite in the fall or around the holidays.
• Add a splash of lemon juice for a zesty twist. I love this version in the summer when I’m serving the applesauce chilled.
• Sprinkle in cayenne pepper for applesauce with a kick. My kids don’t like spicy food, but my husband and I love this version!
• Drizzle maple syrup on top for extra flavor.
• Use brown sugar instead of white sugar for extra richness. This is another variety I love making when the weather is cold.

Cinnamon Applesauce FAQs

What are the best apples to use for homemade applesauce? 

I choose my apples based on the flavors I’m in the mood for. Gala apples are my go-to because they have the perfect balance of sweetness, but I’m also a big fan of granny smith apples to give the applesauce recipe a boost of tartness.

Why is my applesauce super chunky? 

My family loves our applesauce a little chunky, but if the applesauce is overly chunky, it could mean that the apples didn’t cook long enough. I always boil the apples until I can pierce them super easily with a fork.

How should I store cinnamon applesauce? 

I store cinnamon applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days, but in my house, it never lasts that long! 

Is applesauce with cinnamon good for you?

I love serving applesauce as a healthier treat. It does contain added sugar, but much less than the store-bought versions or other sugary snacks. Everyone has their own definitions of “good for you,” but I definitely consider cinnamon applesauce a healthy option!

Can I make homemade applesauce ahead of time?

I think the flavors of cinnamon applesauce get even better after sitting in the fridge, so I love making this dish ahead of time! The hardest part about making it in advance is how good it smells when I finish cooking it. I always want to eat it all right there!

More Easy Apple Recipes

• Apple cobbler
• Apple turnovers
• Cinnamon roll apple pie
• Air fryer apple fritters