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Let’s be real—store-bought applesauce is okay, but homemade applesauce? That’s a game-changer. It’s fresher, healthier, and super easy to make with just 3 simple ingredients. This sugar-free, vegan applesauce is naturally sweet, so you don’t need any added sugars. Perfect as a snack, in baking, or alongside your favorite dishes!
Definitely a side or snack you want to add to your go-to fall recipes!
Why You’ll Love This
- This recipe is 100% approachable. I used easy-to-find ingredients: apples, dates, and cinnamon.
- We're using only plant-based ingredients. This also means this recipe is refined sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and packed with high fiber.
- Takes just 20 minutes to make! Serve warm or chilled.
- It's the perfect autumn or holiday dish that can be served with your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes.
If you’re used to store-bought applesauce (I see you Mott's applesauce), you’re in for a treat. This one has a nice balance of sweetness and a profound apple flavor that you just don’t get from the packaged stuff.
Additionally, we’re only working with whole-food ingredients, with no processed food – just dates – making this autumn dessert a healthy one.
If your dates are on the hard and dry side, be sure to soften the dates up!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Fuji Apples - I used fuji apples in this recipe. I prefer the variety because they are incredibly sweet and juicy - making for great applesauce! However, feel free to use other apple types including Gala, Granny Smith, Pippin, and Mcintosh.
- Dates - The dates in this recipe will help bring in some sweetness. Dates are optional and can be skipped or limited. Additionally, you can switch out the dates for other refined sugar-free options, like stevia.
- Cinnamon - Add more or less, depending on how you feel about cinnamon. Other spices that work well in homemade applesauce include nutmeg, allspice, or ginger.
Tips For The Best Applesauce
- Choose the right apples: Using sweet, juicy varieties like Fuji or Gala ensures natural sweetness without added sugars. For a more tart flavor, blend in Granny Smith apples to balance the taste.
- Enhance flavor with spices: Adding cinnamon is a classic choice, but you can also experiment with nutmeg, ginger, or allspice for a more complex, warming flavor profile.
- Adjust sweetness naturally: If you prefer a less sweet applesauce, reduce or omit sweeteners like dates. You can also add a splash of lemon juice for a bright, tangy note.
How To Make 3-Ingredient Applesauce
Grab your 3 ingredients, a saucepan/pot, and now we're halfway done with making homemade refined sugar-free applesauce.
- Chop apples, removing the stem, core, and seeds.
- Add all ingredients into a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Once at a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Finally, blend cooked apples until smooth.
What To Eat With Homemade Applesauce
Homemade applesauce is great on its own, but it can be added to baked goods to replace fat. It also goes great with savory oatmeal, chia seed muffins, or vegan banana pancakes.
How To Store
Once the applesauce has cooled down, cover/wrap tightly and store in an airtight container, jar, or reusable silicone bags for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Or, freeze.
Recipe FAQs
This homemade applesauce is gluten-free. We're only using 3 plant-based ingredients: apples, dates, and cinnamon - all of which are naturally gluten-free.
Applesauce can be served warm, right when it's done cooking. Or, allow the applesauce to cool down to room temperature, or store in the fridge for a chilled applesauce.
Yes! Applesauce is naturally vegan when made with just apples and water, like in this recipe. Some store-bought versions might contain non-vegan ingredients like honey or preservatives, so always check the label if you're not making it at home.
Absolutely! Homemade applesauce freezes really well. Once it cools, just portion it into freezer-safe bags, leave some space for it to expand, and lay the bags flat in the freezer. It will stay good for up to 6 months when frozen.
Homemade applesauce lasts in the fridge for about 7-10 days. Make sure you store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh, and label it with the date so you know how long it’s been in there.
Our Favorite Fall Recipes
Tried out this 3-Ingredient Plant-Based Applesauce recipe?
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3-Ingredient Plant-Based Applesauce
Ingredients
- 3 Fuji apples chopped
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup medjool dates pitted + chopped (about 70 grams)
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Chop the apples into chunks, leaving the skin on. Remove the core, seeds, and stem from the apples.
- Place a saucepan or dutch oven over high heat. Place chopped apples, ground cinnamon, dates, and water into a pot. Stir together.
- Once at a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer apples for about 20 minutes, or until fork-tender and soft.
- Transfer cooked apples and its liquid into a blender. Blend until smooth.
Notes
-
- To reduce the sweetness in this recipe, go for fewer dates or go completely without them.
- For more of a tart flavor, add a touch of lemon juice or vinegar.
- I used fuji apples for this recipe, but other recommended apples include Gala, Granny Smith, Mcintosh, and Golden Delicious.
Nutrition
Did you try out this 3-Ingredient Plant-Based Applesauce recipe?
Please leave a comment below, share it, rate it, or tag a picture @plantbasedandbroke on Instagram and hashtag it #plantbasedandbroke. Show off that creation with us.
Trader Joe's Grocery List (Plant-Based & Vegan)
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